At a glance
- Duration:
- 11 Days
- Start/End:
- New Orleans, Louisiana to Memphis, Tennessee
- From:
- $8,999
- Time of Year:
- October
Set sail on an unforgettable journey through the heart of America’s Deep South with Viking’s 11-day “New Orleans to Memphis” river cruise along the legendary Mississippi River.
This thoughtfully curated voyage begins in the vibrant, soul-stirring city of New Orleans, where you’ll be immersed in the old-world charm of the French Quarter, the tantalizing aromas of Creole and Cajun cuisine, and the musical heartbeat that defines this cultural crossroads. Over the next two days in New Orleans, discover the eclectic blend of French, African, Spanish, and Caribbean influences that shape the city’s unique heritage, from lively jazz clubs to historic architecture.
Leaving the Crescent City behind, your cruise winds north through the Lower Mississippi, stopping in Darrow, Louisiana, where the historic architectural treasures and scenic landscapes of the river’s banks begin to unfold. In Baton Rouge, Louisiana’s capital, sample the city’s celebrated local cuisine, catch impromptu music performances, and explore distinctive arts that reflect the region’s spirited cultural traditions. St. Francisville beckons next, a charming town steeped in Southern history with more than 140 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places, inviting you to wander elegant estates and moss-draped live oaks.
As the river carries you further, Natchez, Mississippi offers a deep dive into antebellum grandeur with its well-preserved historic homes and stories of plantation life. In Vicksburg, stand at the hallowed grounds of the Vicksburg National Military Park and reflect on the pivotal events of the Civil War that shaped this region. The soulful spirit of the Mississippi Delta comes alive in Greenville, where Viking’s privileged access experience introduces you to the roots of the blues, a genre born from the river’s legacy of struggle and resilience.
Day nine brings a day of serene river cruising, as you glide past lush wetlands and fertile farmlands, soaking in the iconic landscapes that have inspired artists, writers, and adventurers for generations. Then, at last, the vibrant city of Memphis, Tennessee, emerges on the horizon. Known as the birthplace of blues and a cornerstone of American music history, Memphis invites you to explore its rich cultural tapestry, from legendary Beale Street rhythms to profound civil rights landmarks. Your voyage concludes with two days in Memphis to fully absorb its storied streets before bidding farewell to newfound friends and memories that will last a lifetime.
Throughout the cruise, enjoy Viking’s hallmark inclusions: guided excursions in every port, locally inspired cuisine onboard, enrichment lectures, and the easy comfort of river-view staterooms, all designed to make this expedition down the Mississippi as seamless as it is rewarding.
New Orleans to Memphis Details
Day-to-Day Itinerary
Day 1: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. The birthplace of American jazz, New Orleans exudes a festive atmosphere along the balcony-lined Bourbon Street. Here, in the heart of the French Quarter, soulful rhythms lift the spirit, especially during the city’s Mardi Gras celebration. Founded by French colonists in 1718, New Orleans served as a territorial capital before the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Its distinctive St. Louis Cathedral—named for King Louis IX of France—is the oldest cathedral in the country. The city’s French, African and other influences flavor its vibrant culture and tantalizing Creole cuisine.
Day 2: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Often referred to as “The Big Easy,” the city of New Orleans radiates charm and is renowned for its Southern hospitality. Steeped in a proud musical tradition, some of the finest jazz and blues musicians can be seen performing each night at the many historic venues found throughout the city. New Orleans is also home to the oldest continuously operating streetcar line in the world, and its four classic lines offer a convenient way to explore the city’s historic homes, parks and museums, which include the New Orleans Museum of Art and the National WWII Museum.
Day 3: Darrow, Louisiana, United States
The Lower Mississippi region is dotted with historic mansions; Darrow is the gateway to these grand homes, meticulously kept to preserve the memory of early Southern American history. Here, imposing houses share the riverscape with moss-draped oak trees and farm fields. It is easy to imagine steamboats and other vessels delivering supplies and materials to these stately front doors. Today, several properties are designated National Historic Landmarks for their architecture, their landscaping, and the contributions of those who maintained the houses and the lands.
Day 4: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Baton Rouge paints a historic picture on the eastern bank of the Mississippi. Its early success was due to its flood-free location upon the first natural bluff north of The Delta. French explorer Pierre Le Moyne, Sieur d’Iberville, named the city after a red-hued pole that marked the area’s tribal hunting grounds. Its cultural diversity—from its Cajun and Creole music and cuisine to its art offerings—reflects the influences of those who settled and lived here throughout Baton Rouge’s history. The city boasts the tallest capitol building in the United States.
Day 5: St. Francisville, Louisiana, United States
Boasting more than 140 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, St. Francisville is set along one of the most historic bluffs of the Mississippi. The town is said to be “two miles long and two yards wide” because it was originally built on a narrow ridge overlooking the river. Founded in 1809, it is the oldest town in Louisiana’s Florida Parishes. Remarkably, many of St. Francisville’s structures are not its own; rather, they were moved upriver from Bayou Sara in the 1920s after the small settlement was destroyed by years of flooding.
Day 6: Natchez, Mississippi, United States
Natchez has one of the highest concentrations of historic Southern estates in the country. More than 200 perfectly preserved homes line its avenues. It is the oldest city on the Mississippi, established in 1716 by French colonists and named for the Natchez tribe who once called it home. With its ideal locale, the city became a crossroads among Native American and European cultures. Famously, Natchez was the southern terminus of the Natchez Trace, the overland route to Nashville that allowed traders to bypass the strong upriver currents. Today, it evokes small-town America.
Day 7: Vicksburg, Mississippi, United States
Located on a high bluff where the Yazoo River flows into the Mississippi, Vicksburg is the epitome of Southern heritage and charm. It was incorporated in 1825 and, with its prime locale on the Mississippi, grew into an important port. During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln called it “the key to the South.” And it indeed proved to be the site of the conflict’s most pivotal battle, the Battle of Vicksburg, after which the Confederates surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant. The Vicksburg National Military Park preserves the battle site’s rolling green fields and grand monuments.
Day 8: Greenville, Mississippi, United States
Greenville is Mississippi’s largest river port, set atop the highest point along the Mississippi River between Vicksburg and Memphis. Its rural setting belies a diverse artistic heritage. The Muppets creator Jim Henson was born here, and the city has been home to numerous authors, including noted historian Shelby Foote. Greenville is also steeped in the blues; famed songwriter W.C. Handy was inspired to popularize the genre after seeing pioneering musician Prince McCoy perform at a nearby dancehall and neighboring Indianola was the hometown of the legendary B.B. King.
Day 9: Scenic Sailing: Lower Mississippi
Teeming with a wide variety of birdlife and a breathtaking array of picturesque landscapes—including deep-green forests, lush wetlands and a patchwork of fertile farmlands—the Lower Mississippi abounds with natural beauty. This portion of America’s great waterway is also rich in history and culture, as reflected in the classic literature and music that have drawn inspiration from it.
Day 10: Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Situated on the Chickasaw bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, Memphis is revered for its blues music and barbecue. Some of the most famed names in blues, including B.B. King, got their start in Memphis, and the city has a well-deserved reputation as the home of this classic American music genre. Memphis is also celebrated for its culinary heritage and is renowned for its traditional barbecue restaurants serving flavorful dry rub ribs. Rich in history and culture, Memphis’s many notable museums include the National Civil Rights Museum and Elvis Presley’s Graceland.
Day 11: Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.
