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New Orleans River Cruises

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New Orleans is a city known for its nightlife, live music scene, and local cuisine (especially Gumbo!). Most of our New Orleans cruises travel up to Minneapolis, and there are also round-trip cruises from New Orleans itself. While on your cruise, you can expect to tour many main cities on the southern Mississippi River, like Baton Rouge and Vicksburg, and you will be able to appreciate the beauty of the southeastern United States on these multi-state cruises. Some Mississippi River Cruises also pass by New Orleans. Contact our Trip Planners to start planning your river cruise today!
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10 Best New Orleans River Cruises for 2025-2026

All New Orleans Cruises
Visit Louisiana's capital city of Baton Rouge

Historic Mississippi River Cruise

8 Days from $3,630
The American Heritage hosts this 8-day Mississippi River cruise from New Orleans. Explore historic plantations, Civil War sites, and charming towns. Immerse in the rich culture, cuisine, and music of the Deep South.
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Wander through the historic French Quarter

New Orleans & Southern Charms

8 Days from $3,499
Explore the highlights of the Mississippi River on this 8-day cruise roundtrip from New Orleans aboard Viking Mississippi. Discover port cities such as St. Francisville, Darrow, Baton Rouge, Natchez, and Vicksburg to experience the diverse culture and rich history of the lower Mississippi region.
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Explore historic New Orleans

Historic Mississippi River Cruise

8 Days from $4,255
The American Melody hosts this 8-day Mississippi River cruise from New Orleans. Explore historic plantations, Civil War sites, and charming towns. Immerse in the rich culture, cuisine, and music of the Deep South.
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Vicksburg Battlefield overlooking the Mississippi River

Lower Mississippi River Cruise

9 Days from $4,610
Experience a 9-day cruise aboard American Heritage from New Orleans to Memphis, discovering historic sites, Civil War stories, and charming towns along the Mississippi River. Experience rich history, music, and southern hospitality.
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Visit historic Memphis, Tennessee

Mississippi Explorer

12 Days from $7,275
Set sail on a 12-day Mississippi river cruise aboard the American Symphony, from New Orleans to Memphis, visiting Southern landmarks like Oak Alley, Houmas House, and Vicksburg National Military Park. Explore Baton Rouge's history, Natchez's antebellum homes, and Cleveland's musical heritage.
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Vibrant Sunset with St. Paul City Skyline and Mississippi Riverfront

Grand Heartland Cruise

16 Days from $12,620
Embark on a 16-day Mississippi River cruise from Minnesota to Louisiana aboard American Serenade, exploring St. Paul to New Orleans with stops in La Crosse, Dubuque, Davenport, Hannibal, St. Louis, Memphis, Vicksburg, and Natchez. Enjoy onboard activities, stunning scenery, and experiences like the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and more.
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Natchez

Mississippi Delta Explorer

8 Days from $3,999
On this 8-day Mississippi Delta Explorer from New Orleans to Memphis aboard the Viking Mississippi, visit historic towns like Darrow, Natchez, and Vicksburg. Enjoy Cajun and Creole cuisine, Memphis barbecue, and explore the South’s rich history, culture, and music.
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View monuments from the Civil War in Mississippi

Lower Mississippi River Cruise

9 Days from $4,610
Experience a 9-day cruise aboard American Heritage from Memphis to New Orleans, discovering historic sites, Civil War stories, and charming towns along the Mississippi River. Experience rich history, music, and southern hospitality.
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View the iconic arch when you visit St. Louis, gateway to the west

America’s Great River

15 Days from $13,999
Cruise America's great river on this 15-day itinerary aboard Viking Mississippi. Journey from St. Paul, Minnesota to New Orleans, Louisiana and explore highlights of the mighty Mississippi River. Along the way, visit historic ports such as St. Louis, Memphis, Baton Rouge, and more.
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Memphis, Tennesse, USA downtown cityscape at dusk over Beale Street

Lower Mississippi River Cruise

9 Days from $5,275
Experience a 9-day cruise aboard American Symphony from Memphis to New Orleans, discovering historic sites, Civil War stories, and charming towns along the Mississippi River. Experience rich history, music, and southern hospitality.
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New Orleans Travel Guide

St. Louis, Missouri

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:
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Explore beautiful Nashville

The Best Times to Take a Mississippi River Cruise

The best time to cruise the Mississippi River is during the months of spring (March, April, May) or fall (September, October, November) to avoid the extreme hot and cold temperatures in summer and winter. The Mississippi is so long that giving overall advice can be difficult, as the temperatures in Minnesota are much colder than those in Louisiana on the same day. Additionally, there is a higher chance of flooding in the spring and a potential need to reroute or reschedule.
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Top Things to See and Do on a Mississippi River Cruise

On a Mississippi River cruise, there’s no excuse for boredom: you'll float past roaring waterfalls, dams, and scenic river bluffs, and explore historical towns along the banks of the mighty river. These are just a few of the highlights you'll experience on a Mississippi River cruise.
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Culture and History of the Mississippi River

Much of American history and culture has blossomed on and near the river. It played a major role in the Civil War and World War I, and in American cultural classics such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, written by Mark Twain, who could easily be considered one of the top three most influential American writers of all time. Over fifty thousand years ago, the central United States was covered by an inland sea that flowed south through what is now the Mississippi River.
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Creole Cuisine

Creole cuisine is a unique blend of different cultural foods that originated right here in Louisiana, combining West African, French, Spanish, and Amerindian influences. 

Jambalaya - A Creole dish with meat, vegetables, and rice, usually including crawfish or shrimp.

Gumbo - Authentic to New Orleans, gumbo is a dish that includes stock, meat/shellfish, celery, peppers and onions.
Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday" and is celebrated the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. 

New Orleans is home to the biggest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States, featuring parades and parties for the whole week. 

This celebration, aptly known as "Carnival," invites people of all backgrounds and beliefs to enjoy the best the city has to offer.

Don't forget to bring your beads!

Upper Mississippi vs. Lower Mississippi River Cruises

Unless you have over two weeks to spare and can cruise the entire Mississippi River, you will have to make the hard decision of whether to cruise the Upper or Lower Mississippi. Each section of this vast river can see wildly different weather at similar times of year, so the ideal time to visit will depend on where you plan to go. The overall experience between north and south also varies, with the north having more wildlife and scenery while the south offers more cultural experiences and history. The Mississippi tributaries like the Ohio, Tennessee, and Illinois Rivers offer an alternative, abbreviated Mississippi River experience worth considering.
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St. Louis, Missouri

Top 10 Mississippi River's Cruise Ports

Below are our favorite Mississippi River cruise ports in order from north to south. Mississippi ports range from big cities like New Orleans and St. Louis to small historical towns like Mark Twain’s Hannibal and historical Vicksburg, Mississippi.
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Cruise Ports by New Orleans

New Orleans will definitely be a highlight of your Mississippi River cruise experience, but it won't be your only exciting destination. In addition to NOLA, you will also explore the other major port towns on the Mississippi, like: 
NOLA's got Soul!

Music is the spice of life and in New Orleans, there is music on every corner. 

Known as the birthplace of Jazz, the musicians who call New Orleans home are some of the best in the world. 

Step into a club to experience unique shows - no two shows are ever the same. 

Let the rhythm take you away. Of course, Jazz isn't the only music you'll encounter - blues and soul music also owe their roots to the Mississippi River region, born out of cultural expression.
 

FAQs: New Orleans

Is New Orleans safe for tourists?

The main tourist areas—such as the French Quarter, Garden District, and Bourbon Street—are generally safe during your New Orleans tour. Travel in groups when possible, especially at night, and keep your valuables secure. Pickpocketing and small scams can occur in busy areas. Using anti-theft backpacks or money belts is a wise precaution. When you travel with Adventure Life, you're usually accompanied by experienced local guides who help you explore safely.

What should I visit in New Orleans?

Don't miss out on Creole and Cajun cuisine—try Gumbo, Jambalaya, and Beignets. Explore the French Quarter, take a stroll down Bourbon Street, and visit historic sites such as Jackson Square and the St. Louis Cathedral. Experience live jazz in its birthplace and consider a steamboat cruise on the Mississippi River for a classic view of the city, which is one of the New Orleans cruises that is worth trying.
 

What is New Orleans known for?

New Orleans is best known for Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest, and it is the cradle of Jazz music, home to great clubs and the most talented musicians. It is also known for its rich Creole culture and delicious cuisine like Gumbo.

Here are our favorite things to do when in New Orleans trip:

  • Walk through the French Quarter
  • Listen to live jazz on Frenchmen Street
  • Try beignets at Café du Monde
  • Visit Jackson Square
  • Cruise the Mississippi River from New Orleans

What ships cruise the Mississippi River to New Orleans?

Our New Orleans cruises feature the best Mississippi River cruise boats - the luxurious and classic paddleboats American Duchess, American Queen, and American Countess. 

How much do Mississippi River cruises cost to visit New Orleans?

Mississippi River cruises that visit New Orleans generally start around $1,800 per person and go as high as $5,000 per person, but for the average 9-day itinerary, you can expect to pay around $2,100-$2,500 per person.

When is Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is a major celebration that happens in the days right before the Lent season begins in the early spring season. Several of our Adventure Life cruises do travel the Mississippi River during this time, visiting New Orleans. 

Why is New Orleans called NOLA?

NOLA is just an acronym that stands for New Orleans, Louisiana (LA is the abbreviation for the state). 

When is hurricane season in the Gulf of Mexico?

NOLA is a commonly used acronym for New Orleans, Louisiana—"NO" for the city and "LA" for the state abbreviation.

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