Mississippi River Cruise
June 9-18, 2025 | 10 Days
Pickup: Lancaster, PA Times Pending
Price per person: $7,420 AAL Double with Balcony
$6,391 A Double with Window | $8,234 Single with Balcony
Deposit: $500 per person at registration
Final Payment: March 1, 2025
AAL Cancellation Protection:
The AAL Cancellation Protection (which we encourage) needs to be purchased at registration.
$570 AAL Cancellation Protection
$440 A Cancellation Protection
$570 Single Balcony Cancellation Protection
All meals on board ship are included.
2 Breakfasts + 1 Lunch included while in Memphis, TN
This tour is being offered in cooperation with American Cruise Lines
Day 1– Flight to Memphis, TN
*We are transferred from Lancaster, PA to the airport and fly to the musical city of Memphis. On arrival in Memphis, a historic city which rises picturesquely up the hillside from the river, adorned with grand oak trees, lush parks, and historic sites that commemorate everything from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement. Immerse yourself in its rich musical legacy as you stroll along legendary Beale Street, where music flows from every doorway, and savor the rich flavors and aromas of the city’s famous BBQ. After a day of exploration, return to the comfort of The Guest House. (1* of 2 nights)
Day 2- 2nd day in Memphis
The complete Elvis experience is yours with a stay the 2nd night at The Guest House at Graceland, breakfast each morning, and an exploration of Elvis’ mansion and grounds. Upon arrival, be treated to an exclusive Welcome Reception with hors d’oeuvres, featuring a presentation by the Graceland Archives Department, who you will show you items belonging to Elvis, not regularly shown to the general public.
Day 3- Cruising the Mississippi River
This morning enjoy a Memphis City Exploration which concludes at the “American Heritage paddlewheel cruise”. Board your ship and be treated to a Welcome Reception. Get to know your fellow guests and savor the view as you enjoy the afternoon rolling on the mighty Mississippi. Be entertained by onboard performers who will perform the music born of the river.
Day 4 – Day of River Cruising
Today is a day to truly relax without a care in the world. Revel in the bliss of floating along the current of the mighty Mississippi River, framed by a forest of cottonwood trees dotted with majestic blue herons. Enjoy fascinating enrichment presentations and festive onboard activities. Savor fine meals and relax in one of the many spacious lounges or enjoy a gentle breeze on the sun deck as you read a book or chat with new friends. Mark Twain described the experience as having “nothing to hang a worry or a fret upon.”
Day 5- 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.
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.
Day 7- 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. 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.
Day 8- 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.
Day 9- Oak Alley, LA / Houmas House, LA
Once serving as an antebellum sugar cane homestead, Oak Alley Plantation is named after its most distinguishing feature, a row of300-year-old oak tree. This leafy canopy forms a quarter- mile path leading to the Mississippi River. Restored to its 19th-century grandeur, this classic Greek Revival-style antebellum mansion is breathtaking.
Day 10- New Orleans, LA
New Orleans is worth some extra time which we will get on a guided driving tour of the city before we are transferred to the airport for our flight home. We are met at the airport and transferred back to Lancaster with many wonderful memories of our time on the Mighty Mississippi.
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