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Mississippi Explorer

Example 12 Day Cruise aboard American Symphony
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Embark on a 12-day cruise aboard the American Symphony along the Mississippi River, discovering iconic sites and cultural treasures. Explore historic estates like Oak Alley and Houmas House, visit Baton Rouge's Old State Capitol and LSU Rural Life Museum, and uncover the charm of St. Francisville's mansions and the mysterious Myrtles Plantation. Relax in the ship’s lounge or your spacious stateroom, perfectly set for your adventure. Experience Natchez's antebellum splendor, visit the Vicksburg National Military Park, and enjoy Cleveland's Grammy Museum Mississippi. Feel the soulful blues in Tunica, then complete your cruise in Memphis with stops at Graceland, Beale Street, and the National Civil Rights Museum.
Photo of colorful cafe bars at the iconic Beale Street music and entertainment district of downtown Memphis, Tennessee, USA, illuminated at nightExplore historic New OrleansOak Alley Plantation, Vacherie, LouisianaThe upper Mississippi regionExplore the rivers of AmericaBaton RougeVisit historic Memphis, Tennessee
Highlights
  • Explore Natchez's Grand Homes Along the Mighty Mississippi's Scenic Banks
  • Visit Oak Alley, an antebellum sugar cane plantation with Greek Revival-style
  • Delve into Baton Rouge's history, featuring landmarks and French influence
  • Unravel Vicksburg's Civil War saga at the National Military Park
Activity Level: Variable
Activity options vary depending on destination and operator. Activity level is determined by the range and intensity of activities you choose to participate in. Discuss with your Trip Planner which options are best for you.
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Full Itinerary

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Day 1: New Orleans, LA

Welcome to New Orleans, world-renowned for its round-the-clock nightlife, vibrant live-music scene, and unique cuisine reflecting its history as a melting pot of French, African and American influences. This vivacious city is the perfect destination to begin your Mississippi River experience. Settle into your hotel and enjoy the city at your leisure.

Day 2: Cruising the Mississippi River | Embark

Board your ship and be treated to a special welcoming reception, a chance to mingle with fellow guests as you set sail for the most comprehensive exploration of the Mississippi River available. Admire the breathtaking scenery that has inspired the country’s most legendary writers, artists, and musicians.

Day 3: Oak Alley | Houmas House, LA

Once serving as an antebellum sugar cane plantation, Oak Alley Plantation is rightfully named after its most distinguishing feature, a canopy of 300-year-old oak trees that form a quarter-mile path leading to the Mississippi River. Restored to its 19th-century grandeur, this classic Greek Revival-style antebellum mansion is simply breathtaking.

Oak Alley Plantation - Complimentary Excursion
Today, Oak Alley is a National Historic Landmark dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history of its inhabitants. With an emphasis on its time as a sugar plantation, visitors are invited to walk under its iconic alley, explore the exhibits, interact with staff, and leave with a richer, more powerful understanding of this plantation's complex history. For the full southern experience, don't forget to take time for a complimentary mint julep. 
Activity Level: High | ADA Accessibility: Partial

Day 4: Baton Rouge, LA

Meaning “red stick,” Baton Rouge’s 1699 French name references an ancient geographical marker and reflects the city’s long history. As Louisiana’s state capital, the city still echoes with tales of the characters who lived here, most notably Governor and Senator Huey P. Long. Learn about his dramatic career at the magnificent 1852 Old State Capitol Museum and visit Long’s 1932 State Capitol building, an architectural marvel of granite and marble.

Explore many of the well-known downtown neighborhoods, while embracing the rich art, architecture, and nature along the route. If you feel adventurous, take a narrated boat ride through a Louisiana swamp.

Louisiana Art & Science Museum - Complimentary Excursion
Housed in a historic railroad depot on the banks of the Mississippi River, the Louisiana Art & Science Museum (LASM) offers educational entertainment for visitors of all ages. The art galleries showcase changing fine art exhibitions and selections from a permanent collection. The Ancient Egypt Gallery houses ancient artifacts and a Ptolemaic-era mummy that rests in a re-created rock-cut tomb. The Irene W. Pennington Planetarium features sky shows, large-format films, visual music shows, and galleries devoted to space science.
Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Baton Rouge City Experience with Rural Life Museum - Complimentary Excursion
Being your excursion with a narrated city exploration with views of the impressive Governor's Hall and the New State Capitol. Admire the Old Louisiana State Capitol also known as the State House. Enjoy views of Magnolia Mound, a French Creole plantation house built in 1791 and a rare example of architecture influenced by early settlers from France and the West Indies.

Next, you will be driven to the LSU Rural Life Museum; a museum dedicated to the preservation and exhibition of materials from the cultures of 18th and 19th-century rural Louisianans. The museum highlights how the rest of the South lived in comparison to the mansions and plantations visited throughout this itinerary. Experience life in a rural setting in the early lives of Louisiana during the 18th and 19th centuries. You will leave the facility with a better understanding of the differences in the material, social, and economic cultures during this period, and of today's lifestyles. 
Activity Level: Moderate | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Partial

Day 5: St. Francisville, LA

As the bow-ramp from the ship opens and stretches to the shore, you will be welcomed into the historic cotton port of St. Francisville. Overlooking the river from atop a high, St. Francisville began as a part of Spanish West Florida in the early 1800s until American settlers overthrew the Spanish governing forces, and the region later became part of the United States.

Experience this town’s rich history on your own or with a variety of guided excursions. As you explore, discover the Historic District which boasts magnificent mansions and unique boutique shops and admire cottonwood trees which transition to stately oaks adorned with Spanish moss.

The Myrtles - Complimentary Excursion
At first glimpse Myrtles, built in 1796, envelopes one with a complete sense of peace and tranquility. However, it is reputed to be one of the most haunted homes in America. Surrounded by centuries-old live oak trees, the mansion features a 125-foot verandah, exquisite ornamental ironwork, hand-painted stained glass, open-pierced frieze work crown molding, Aubusson tapestry, Baccarat crystal chandelier, Carrara marble mantels, gold-leafed French furnishings and ghosts.
Activity Level: Moderate | ADA Accessibility: Yes

Day 6: Natchez, MS

In Natchez, grand homes sparkle like jewels, adorning the bluffs that tower above the river. Since 1716, when the French first built a fort here among the Natchez Indians, the town has grown to boast elaborate mansions built by planters in the 1800s to flaunt their wealth.

With no Civil War fighting here, Natchez still features hundreds of antebellum homes and buildings. Each of these architectural treasures has its own story to tell, creating a charming downtown that embodies the essence of Southern charm and hospitality.

Explore on your own or enjoy an array of curated guided explorations. Tour the elaborate townhomes, visit a working cotton farm to learn about the crop’s importance in history and today, and discover the historic Under-The-Hill Saloon. Drift through quaint shops, nibble on local delights, and enjoy the expansive views of the majestic river valley from the bluff-top park.

Natchez Local Loop- Complimentary Excursion
Board this convenient shuttle, making stops at:
  • Fort Rosalie & Trading Post 
  • Historic Natchez in Photos 
  • Main Street & Franklin Street 
  • Historic Natchez Bluffs & Gazebo 
  • Rosalie House
Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Natchez Landmark Exploration - Complimentary Excursion
Experience a multitude of National treasures, historic sites, and local points of interest from the comfort of your motorcoach. Natchez boasts more National Landmarks than any other town in Mississippi. Begin your exploration at the mighty Natchez Bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. Your local guide will entertain you with local lore and legends, in addition to historical facts. View historic architectural gems, African American sites, local favorites, and a few quirky place. Complete your experience with a complimentary guided exploration of Historic Rosalie Mansion, so exquisite, she’s known as "Our Lady on The Bluff."
Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessibility: No

Day 7: Vicksburg, MS

Vicksburg is a place of drama. During the Civil War, the struggle to control Vicksburg proved to be a major turning point. The well-fortified connection between river and rail transportation was known as “The Gibraltar of the West.” A narrated exploration of the well-preserved National Military Park battlefield enlivens this powerful story and highlights its significance.

President Abraham Lincoln summarized Vicksburg’s importance clearly when he said, “Vicksburg is the key. The war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket… They can defy us from Vicksburg… As valuable as New Orleans will be to us, Vicksburg will be more so.”

Several other excursion options are available, including exploring museums and historic sites with local expert guides or on your own. Walk aboard an enormous Army Corps of Engineers towboat. Stroll along the charming series of murals painted along the adjacent floodwall and read panels detailing the Vicksburg stories they illustrate.

Vicksburg National Military Park- Complimentary Excursion
A knowledgeable guide will lead you through the National Military Park which commemorates the campaign, siege, and defense of Vicksburg in 1863. Stop at the impressive Illinois Monument, modeled after the Roman Pantheon. The exploration concludes at the Visitors Center where life-sized exhibits and artifacts from the Siege of Vicksburg are on display.
Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Partial

Vicksburg Local Loop - Complimentary Excursion
 Board this convenient shuttle making stops at:
  • Jackson Street Gallery
  • Local Shops 
  • Old Courthouse Museum 
  • Biedenharn Coca–Cola Museu
  • Vicksburg Civil War Museum
  • Lower Mississippi River Museum 
  • Catfish Row Museum
  • Old Depot Museum 

Day 8: Cruising the Mississippi River

Today is your day to unwind and take it all in. Glide effortlessly along the Mighty Mississippi, surrounded by breathtaking panoramas of cottonwood trees and graceful blue herons.

Engage in captivating enrichment sessions and lively onboard events. Delight in gourmet cuisine and refreshing cocktails. Whether you're lounging in spacious lounges or basking in the sun on the deck, there's endless fun to be had. As Mark Twain famously said, it's a day with "nothing to hang a worry or a fret upon" – so let go and embrace the adventure!

 

Day 9: Cleveland, MS

Known as the "City of Hospitality," Cleveland, Mississippi, has played a significant role in shaping the cultural landscape of the South. Its history is deeply intertwined with agriculture, particularly cotton farming, reflected in the historic downtown where remnants of the city's cotton trading past still remain.
Cleveland is also celebrated for its contributions to American music. As part of the Mississippi Blues Trail, legendary musicians such as B.B. King, Muddy Waters, and Robert Johnson have left their mark on the region. One of Cleveland's most notable cultural attractions is the GRAMMY Museum Mississippi which pays tribute to the region's many contributions to American music.

Cleveland Local Loop – Complimentary Excursion
Explore Cleveland at your own pace using the local loop. Visit key attractions for photo opportunities and self-exploration. Stops include:
  • GRAMMY® Museum Mississippi
  • Martin & Sue King Railroad Museum
  • Delta Dairy 
  • Downtown Cleveland 

Day 10: Tunica, MS

In the embrace of the Delta, Tunica reveals itself as a living testament to history and charm. Its Main Street, frozen in time, boasts buildings that have been ingrained in the landscape since the turn of the century, each a stalwart witness to bygone days. Stroll through unique boutiques and antique shops, keeping the past alive. Be captivated by the fully restored courthouse, a symbol of justice, and pay homage at the Tunica Veterans Memorial in Rivergate Park, honoring the valor of generations. 

Day 11: Memphis, TN

Get ready to feel the vibrant soul of Memphis. This historic gem boasts a skyline that dances along the river, lined by sprawling oak trees and historic landmarks honoring its storied past. Feel the rhythm of the city through legendary Beale Street, alive with the sounds of blues and jazz. Explore Graceland, the iconic home of Elvis Presley, and immerse yourself in the legacy of the King of Rock 'n' Roll. While you’re here, don’t miss out on the mouthwatering BBQ this city is known for.

Day 12: Memphis, TN | Disembark

  • 1 Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast onboard the ship as you prepare for your journey home. Reflect upon the memorable experiences and the new friendships forged during your time with us. Safe travels home, and looking forward to welcoming you aboard again soon.

Ship/Hotel

American Symphony

Dates & Prices

My Preferred Start Date

Deals

Special Offers 23942
Promotional rates are available on select departures for a limited time. These offers cannot be combined with other discounts and are only valid on new bookings.  Please discuss with your trip planner about applicable dates and cabin types.
Applies to select departures

Per person starting at
$7,275 2-3 travelers
Single
Queen-size bed, full-size private bathroom with a full set of amenities, sliding glass doors open to private balcony, satellite TV and DVD player, complimentary WiFi Size: 250 sq. ft., including balcony
AAR
King-size bed, full-size private bathroom with a full set of amenities, sliding glass doors open to a private balcony, sitting area, writing desk, satellite TV and DVD player, complimentary WiFi Size: 275 sq. ft., including balcony
AAC
King-size bed, full-size private bathroom with a full set of amenities, sliding glass doors open to private balcony, sitting area, writing desk, satellite TV and DVD player, complimentary WiFi, Size: 316 sq. ft., including balcony
AAM
King-size bed that can convert to two twin beds, full-size private bathroom with a full set of amenities, sliding glass doors open to private balcony, sitting area, writing desk, satellite TV and DVD player, complimentary WiFi. Located on the top deck, these spacious staterooms feature commanding views of the passing river landscapes. Size: 350 sq. ft., including balcony
Veranda Suite
King-size bed that can convert to two twin beds, full-size private bathroom with a full set of amenities, large living area, sliding glass doors open to private balcony, satellite TV and DVD player, complimentary WiFi. Size: 405 sq. ft., including balcony
Grand Suite
Grand Suite
King-size bed, floor-to-ceiling glass windows offering 270-degree panoramic views, large balcony, private dining area, full-size private bathroom with a full set of amenities, satellite TV and DVD player, complimentary WiFi, individual climate control. Each Grand Suite features a separate bedroom and living area, ideal for gathering with family and friends after an invigorating day of exploration. Size: 650 sq. ft., including balcony
Included
  • 11 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 10 Dinners
  • 11 Nights Accommodations
  • Accommodations as listed
  • Ground transportation as listed
  • Activities as listed
  • Meals as listed
  • Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
  • Snacks
  • Onboard Entertainment 
  • Onboard gratuities
  • Port charges and fees
  • Complimentary cocktail parties
  • Dining service
Excluded
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses
  • Flight costs (please request a quote)
  • Additional excursions during free time
  • Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
  • Signature shore excursion - Should be reserved in advance due to limited availability.

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Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
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