Travelers can learn about a lot of highly rooted culture, music, and history along the more than 2,300-mile Mississippi River. From the comfort of your modern riverboat or traditional paddle-wheeler, a cruise is a great way to see many riverfront places in one trip.
The Mississippi River boat itineraries below can help you pick from Lower and Upper Mississippi cruises of different lengths and types. Please remember that all prices are shown based on two people sharing a cabin, and they may not include taxes, port fees, or tips. The itinerary options shown are also open to change.
American Queen Voyages, which used to be called the American Queen Steamboat Company to honor its famous riverboat roots, now offers lake, ocean, and expedition trips as well as river cruises. AQV Mississippi River cruises include shore tours and a hotel stay before the journey with transportation to the ship.
These all-inclusive trips also have open bars, multiple places to eat, free bikes, live entertainment, and more. The cruise line has four paddle-wheelers that can go through rivers. The American Countess, which will be revealed in 2020, and the American Queen, which is its flagship and the biggest steamboat ever built, are two of them.
1. Nashville to St. Louis cruise
Leave from Clarksville, Tennessee, a cute city about 50 miles from Nashville, on a trip that will last more than a week along the Mississippi River. The ship comes ashore in Alton, Illinois, a small town about 25 miles from St. Louis, Missouri. (Sometimes, riverboat docking spots are in the town closest to a city with lots of tourists.)
Your cruise starts with a stay at a hotel, and then you’ll board the American Countess, a classic paddle-wheeler with room for 245 people. Every day, the ship stops at places in Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri. Guests will learn about the area’s history, culture, and nature during the cruise. They will visit places that were important to Native Americans and the Civil War.
- Length: Nine days
- Price: Starts at $4,019 per person
2. St. Louis to Minneapolis cruise
The Upper Mississippi is Mark Twain’s country, so you may have to read a few passages. Traditional paddle-wheelers are available on the line from Alton, Missouri, to Red Wing, Minnesota, which is a little more than 50 miles from Minneapolis, to take you through this holy land.
This cruise makes stops in small towns like Hannibal, Missouri, which is where Mark Twain was born and raised and is often mentioned in his works, and Bettendorf, Iowa, for a hop-on, hop-off tour. You can also choose a premium trip that starts at the John Deere Pavilion in Moline, Illinois and goes on to teach you about family-run farms and large-scale industrial farms. The town of La Crosse in Wisconsin is located on the 3,000-mile Great River Road National Scenic Byway, which is thought to be one of the most beautiful drives in the United States.
- Length: Nine days
- Price: Starts at $4,069 per person
3. Ottawa to St. Louis cruise
Take a cruise on the American Countess from Ottawa, Illinois, to Alton, Missouri (near St. Louis) for a different kind of Mississippi River trip. The trip shows off the Midwest’s small towns and cities along the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. You’ll also see the river bluffs and lush grasslands of America’s Heartland, which are very different from the cities.
There are several days to experience Ottawa, which is where the Fox and Illinois rivers meet, before and after getting on board the ship. The city is about 80 miles from downtown Chicago and has a lively arts and food scene as well as outdoor activities, such as Starved Rock State Park, which is Illinois’ most famous park. The towns of Peoria, Havana, and Grafton in Illinois, as well as Hannibal, Missouri, are the last four stops before getting off the ship.
- Length: Nine days
- Price: Starts at $4,259 per person
American Cruise Lines
American Cruise Lines is the only company in the world that runs a line of 100% U.S.-flagged riverboats and cruise ships. Its small ships can hold between 90 and 180 people and are built, flagged, and crewed in the U.S. ACL’s routes go along rivers in 35 states, and 11 of them are specifically for the Mississippi River. People who want to go on a cruise can choose to sail on modern riverboats with sleek interiors or on classic paddle-wheelers that look like they belong in a different time.
ACL gives you a choice of styles and options: This line has the longest and shortest trips on this list. The Great United States is one of the cruises that lasts eight to sixty days. This first 60-day trip goes through four major rivers and 20 states, making it the longest river cruise in the history of the United States.
From every city where you leave for your trip, you can get a free package that includes a hotel stay and transportation. Some premium deals come with extras, like two nights right next door to Graceland in Memphis, VIP tickets, and a tour of the city.
1. Grand Heartland Cruise: St. Paul to New Orleans
You can learn about America’s past in towns along the Upper and Lower Mississippi Rivers on this 15-day trip. Along with St. Paul, Minnesota, Dubuque, Iowa, St. Louis, Missouri, Memphis, Tennessee, Natchez, Mississippi, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and more, the trip goes through six states and twelve towns.
Step back in time by going to Hannibal to see Mark Twain’s childhood house, Natchez to see stately old estates, and Vicksburg to see Civil War sites. Evening cocktail hour is a great time to talk with other people after a busy day on land.
- Length: 15 days
- Price: Starts at $9,455 per person
2. Music Cities Cruise
The seven-night Music Cities Cruise lets you get lost in the sounds of early Memphis blues, rock ‘n’ roll, and country music. You are guaranteed a hotel room the night before your cruise, but if you start your trip in Memphis, you can treat yourself to a two-night pre-cruise package close to Graceland, Elvis’s old house.
Paducah, Kentucky, Dover, Tennessee, and Clarksville, Tennessee are some of the places the ship stops. There is an overnight stay in Nashville and a trip to see a show at the Grand Ole Opry is included. Along the Mississippi, Ohio, and Cumberland rivers and Lake Barkley, you can enjoy beautiful views of America’s Heartland for two days of boating.
- Length: Eight days
- Price: Starts at $3,610 per person
3. Complete Mississippi River Cruise: New Orleans to St. Paul
Check out this multiweek cruise that goes from New Orleans to St. Paul, Minnesota, and sees the whole Mississippi River in one trip. You’ll sail 1,393 miles, stop at 20 places of call, and see 10 states as you go from Louisiana to Minnesota.
On the South’s sites of the Civil War, you can walk around and eat tasty Southern barbecue before listening to jazz, blues, and rock ‘n’ roll. Then, check out the bigger and smaller towns that are along the river’s upper parts. Before getting off the boat in St. Paul, don’t forget to take a moment to enjoy the beautiful views and rolling farmlands of the Midwest.
- Length: 22 days
- Price: Starts at $14,935 per person
FAQ’s
Q1. What makes these cruises the best on the Mississippi River?
The itineraries, onboard amenities, guest reviews, and general experience of these cruises are what made the list. They promise travelers an unforgettable trip along the famous Mississippi River.
Q2. Are these cruises suitable for first-time river cruisers?
Many of these cruises are perfect for both experienced river cruisers and people who are going on their first river trip because they offer a mix of comfort, relaxation, and new experiences.
Q3. Can passengers enjoy scenic views from the cruise ships?
Of course. The ships are built so that they have wide views, and many of them have open decks or porches where people can enjoy the beautiful Mississippi River scenery.
