Nashville, Memphis & the Cumberland

Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. 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.

Please note: Shore excursions vary by itinerary and are subject to change.

Spend the day in Memphis, known as the “Queen City of the South” and the birthplace of the blues. Once a major trade hub for agriculture and natural resources, Memphis became one of the South’s leading commercial centers. Explore its important civil rights history along Beale Street and at the Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. You can also visit Graceland, the famous home of Elvis Presley, the “King of Rock ’n’ Roll.

Included Excursion:
Panoramic Memphis
Visit the Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum and witness some of the city’s historic music-related landmarks.

Optional Excursions (Extra Cost):
Memphis by Foot
Roam the storied streets of Memphis during a guided tour highlighting the city’s history and musical heritage.

Elvis Presley's Graceland
Make a rock ’n’ roll pilgrimage to Graceland, the legendary, memorabilia-filled home of Elvis Presley.

Musical Heritage of Memphis
Discover the timeless sounds and legendary performers from two seminal genres of American music.
 

The rich and varied landscape along the Mississippi River is characterized by wide floodplains, rocky outcroppings and sandy beaches nestled between fertile farmland and bustling bankside cities. Indigenous peoples used the river for thousands of years before Europeans began exploring the region during the 16th and 17th centuries. It became an important trade route during the 19th century, with the rise of steamboats and river commerce. Today, the river is an important ecological region, with diverse wildlife and habitats, including wetlands and forests.

The largest city between St. Louis and Memphis, Cape Girardeau has a long and storied history. It was an important site during the Civil War and once housed a number of forts, including Fort D, which remains a well-preserved historic site to this day. Fondly referred to as “The Cape” by locals, this riverside destination is also popular with visitors who come to enjoy nature. The Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center is a stunning facility with verdant landscapes and picturesque trails to explore, as well as an abundance of flora and fauna.

Included Excursion:
Cape Girardeau Highlights
Get acquainted with Cape Girardeau during visits to three of its key attractions.

Trail of Tears
Gain insight into the somber circumstances surrounding an infamous part of American history, the Trail of Tears.

Optional Excursions (Extra Cost): 
Bollinger Mill State Historic Site
Step back in time and discover what life was like on the frontier during the early 19th century.

SEMO Arts & Culture of Cape Girardeau
Explore the Crisp Museum and go backstage for a Privileged Access look at theater productions.

A Taste of Cape Girardeau
Discover downtown Cape Girardeau, learning its history while savoring local culinary favorites.

Fort D Experience
Immerse yourself in life during the Civil War at the historic Fort D.

Located at the confluence of the Tennessee and Ohio rivers, Paducah is one of Kentucky’s hidden gems. A UNESCO Creative City, Paducah is famed for its preserved 19th-century architecture and historic buildings that line the main street. The city’s Downtown streets are a delight to explore on foot. The National Quilt Museum houses a superb collection of contemporary style quilts by artists from around the globe. Paducah is also famed for its “Wall to Wall” murals, colorful paintings by different artists that document the heritage and history of the city and the region.

Included Excursion:
National Quilt Museum
Gain an appreciation of textile artistry during a visit to the National Quilt Museum.

Optional Excursions (Extra Cost):
Kentucky Bourbon Experience
Delve into the world of Kentucky bourbon during in-depth visits to a distillery and a bourbon collector’s shop.

Lower Town Architecture
Discover the stately architecture of the Lower Town neighborhood, including a visit to one of its historic homes.

Historic Hotel Metropolitan
Explore an important part of African American history, the Hotel Metropolitan.

Quilting Class
Create a personal quilt block using established techniques and materials during a hands-on workshop.​

Clarksville is a city steeped in history and rich in culture. Nestled along the shores where the meandering Cumberland River meets the Red River, it was established in 1785 and named after General George Rogers Clark, a Revolutionary War soldier and frontiersman. The city has evolved from its agrarian beginnings into a center of education and the arts, home to Austin Peay State University and a vibrant arts scene. The river itself, a vital artery for the city’s development, offers stunning vistas and recreational opportunities, such as kayaking, boating and fishing.

Optional Excursions (Extra Cost):
Clarksville Highlights
Discover Clarksville’s history through interactive exhibits before visiting Miss Lucille’s Market to see antiques.

Clarksville’s Music Pathways
Walk through the city to discover its rich musical heritage, learning about its iconic performers and famed venues.

Johnny Cash’s Legacy
Step into the world of Johnny Cash through the eyes of someone who knew him—his nephew, Mark Cash.

Whiskey and Bourbon Trails
Step behind the scenes of two of the region’s most celebrated distilleries, where tradition meets innovation.

Nestled in the Central Basin of Middle Tennessee, Nashville is beloved as one of the South’s most influential country music cities. With its location on the Cumberland River, it experienced a rapid rise after its founding in 1779. In the 19th century, the arrival of the railroad bolstered its economy further. But this dynamic city found its cultural footing in the 1920s when “hillbilly music” made its mark. Today, the rhythm of Nashville centers on the famed Grand Ole Opry, founded in 1925, and the neon-lit clubs that line Lower Broadway.


Included Excursion:
Panoramic Nashville
Uncover the rhythm and charm of Music City during a panoramic journey through Nashville.

Optional Excursions (Extra Cost):
Country Music Hall of Fame & Studio B Experience
Uncover Nashville’s musical legacy at the Country Music Hall of Fame and the legendary RCA Studio B.

Country Music Hall of Fame
Honor the heroes of country music at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Ryman Auditorium
Explore the Ryman Auditorium where countless artists performed and earned their fame.

Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of the extensions.

Please note: Shore excursions vary by itinerary and are subject to change.