New Orleans and the Gulf

Day 1 New Orleans

Fly to New Orleans to embark Yorktown. Overnight aboard ship, conveniently docked near the French Quarter.

Day 2 New Orleans

Spend the day exploring and discovering New Orleans, described by some as the “most unique” city in America. Named after Philippe d’Orléans, Duke of Orléans, Regent of France, New Orleans is known for its distinct French Creole architecture, cuisine, as well as being the birthplace of jazz and the home of Mardi Gras.

Wedged between the mighty Mississippi and Lake Pontchartrain, New Orleans is a city that has been influenced by many different cultural groups. On a walking tour, explore the French Quarter or Vieux Carré (Old Quarter), the 80- block area that is the geographical and spiritual heart of the city, to admire the old architecture that line the Quarter’s narrow streets and passageways. You will also have free time to discover New Orleans on your own. Alternatively, drive for the morning to Vacherie to visit the Laura Plantation, whose earliest inhabitants were the local Colapissa tribe. During the antebellum years, some 500 people lived on the estate. Late in the afternoon, sail through the Mississippi and the Intracoastal Waterway to the Gulf.

Day 3 Mobile, Alabama

Sailing the spacious Mobile Bay, Yorktown will dock in the graceful city of Mobile, whose strategic location at the mouth of the Mobile and Tensaw Rivers attracted French and Spanish explorers. During the Civil War, Mobile was an important Confederate port. Founded in 1702 by the French, it became the capital of the French colony of Louisiana, before moving the seat of government was moved to newly founded New Orleans. Your tour of Mobile will focus on its historic landmarks and sites, which include Fort Condé, originally built in 1711, the Condé -Charlotte Museum, housed in an 1822 building, Bragg-Mitchell Mansion, one of the city’s finest antebellum homes, and Oakleigh, a superb 1833 Greek-Revival mansion.

In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Bellingrath Gardens and Home, or tour Battleship Memorial Park, site of the battleship USS Alabama, famous of escaping nine major World War II battles unscathed. Also tour the adjacent USS Drum, a World War II submarine.

Day 4 At Sea / Port St. Joe, Florida

Cruise along the coast of Alabama and Florida’s Panhandle. Evening arrival in Port St. Joe.

Day 5 Apalachicola / St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge

From Port St. Joe, where the Florida Constitution was drafted in 1838, take an excursion to serene and perfectly preserved Apalachicola, (“land of friendly people” in the language of the original indigenous population), with its wonderful collection of historic homes, churches, and museums. This lovely town is also known for its eateries, due to the oysterrich Apalachicola Bay. Visit the 1838 Southern-plantation style Raney House, thought to be the town’s oldest structure. The Trinity Episcopal Church across the street was actually built in New York and shipped down the Atlantic and around the Florida Keys to Apalachicola and reassembled in 1836. Nearby is the Gorrie House Museum, the former home of Dr. John Gorrie (1803-55). Spend time at leisure in Apalachicola, or alternatively, take the ferry to St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge on St. Vincent Island. This pristine island is home to many endangered species such as red wolves, peregrine falcons, bald eagles and sea turtles. The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research reserve houses aquariums simulating different marine habitats of the region.

Day 6 Pensacola

Sitting at the western end of Florida’s Panhandle, Pensacola is a beautiful Deep South city with a rich historic past and a beautifully renovated downtown. The first permanent settlement was established in 1698, and since then the city has been governed under five flags – Spain, France, Britain, the Confederacy, and the U.S. Our tour of the city will include the Historic Pensacola Village, which contains 19th-century buildings with indoor and outdoor exhibits. Also visit the Pensacola Naval Air Station and the fascinating National Museum of Naval Aviation. Alternatively, you may explore Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park, home to rare and endangered plant and animal species.

Day 7 Horn & Ship Islands, Mississippi

Considered the jewel of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, Horn Island is a 13-mile-long isle with lagoons that attract over 280 bird species as well as pine and palmetto forests. Of all the Gulf Islands, West Ship is the most historic of these barrier islands. Fort Massachusetts is the dominant feature, a fort dating back to the Civil War and used as the headquarters for the prisoner-of-war camp on the island.

Day 8 New Orleans, Louisiana / Disembark

Disembark in New Orleans in the morning.