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:

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.

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.

Much of American history and culture has bloomed on and near the river. Playing a major role in the Civil War, and WWI, as well as American cultural classics like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn written by the sorts of Mark Twain, who could be easily considered in the top 3 most influential American writers of all time. Over fifty thousand years ago the Central United States was covered in water by an inland sea that drained south through what is known nowadays as the Mississippi River.

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.

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.