How to Choose the Perfect Mississippi River Cruise for You
The Mississippi is such a long river, winding through a huge variety of destinations, that it's important to prioritize what you want to see and do on your cruise to help choose the best one for you. These are some of the most important factors to consider when selecting your cruise:
Cruise Length
Most itineraries that cruise the Mississippi will be 9-day options that visit specific regions, whether the northern/upper stretches, southern/lower section, or a segment somewhere in between that focuses on certain attractions in that area. We do offer trips that span almost the entire region, cruising the length of the river between
Minneapolis-St. Paul and
New Orleans in 16 days.
How Much Does a Mississippi River Cruise Cost?
Cruises of the entire length of the Mississippi cost around $4500 to $5000 per person, while cruises on either the Northern or Southern Mississippi run from about $2000 to $2600 per person for a 9-day trip.
Where to go? North vs. South vs. the Entire Mississippi
Northern Mississippi River cruises tend to highlight riparian landscapes and will usually include cities such as the twin cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul, St. Louis, and might also include smaller towns such as Dubuque and Hannibal. Southern Mississippi cruises emphasize more culture and history, especially of the civil war and the French influences of New Orleans. Also, river cruises on the
Ohio,
Tennessee, and
Illinois Rivers flow into the Mississippi and provide authentic, yet abbreviated Mississippi experiences. For the ultimate Mississippi experience, cruise the entire length of the river between Minneapolis-St. Paul and New Orleans.
When to go?
The spring and fall tend to be the best times to go on a Mississippi River cruise due to moderate temperatures and colorful scenery. That said, summertime is popular for Northern Mississippi cruises, while during the holiday seasons, cruises on the Southern Mississippi are a delightful way to spend the holidays.
Read more about the best time to cruise the Mississippi River.Which Ports do You Want to Visit on the Mississippi
Cruising through America’s Heartland you’ll encounter seemingly endless countryside and charming towns along the river. Here major ports, and embarkation and disembarkation points for cruises are major metropolitan cities like
Minneapolis-St.Paul in the north,
St. Louis in the center, and
Memphis and
New Orleans in the south.
These are some of the other port cities you might visit along the way.Things to do and see on the Mississippi
Explore splendid scenery and natural wonders like Grandad Bluff in La Crosse, WI, and the Mark Twain Cave Complex in
Hannibal, MO. Enjoy expansive views from
St. Louis’s Gateway Arch, a rich music scene in
Memphis and
New Orleans, and historic antebellum plantations in
Vicksburg and
Natchez.
Love Southern Music or Bourbon?
Try a music-themed or even bourbon-themed cruise on the Mississippi and Tennessee Rivers, such as
Music of the 50’s and 60’s,
Big Band, and
Bourbon - An American Spirit.
Contact one of Adventure Life’s Mississippi River cruise experts for help planning your ideal trip.
