Mississippi River Cruises

[jbpcalifornia]

American Queen, Viking or American Cruise Lines?  Looking at New Orleans to Memphis itinerary.   Which cruise line and ships do you recommend?  Thanks,

[steamboats]

I´d say it depends on what you want... American Queen Voyages has paddlewheel style boats only (with the American Queen being a real steamboat). They focus a lot on river history too. American Cruise Line has two steamboat style boats and six modern boats. Hard to say anything about Viking as they don´t cruise yet. But they want to deliver more or less the same product they have on European rivers.

 

If you want the real Mark Twain feeling I´d go with American Queen Voyages. If you don´t care about this then compare the included stuff and the fares.

 

Be aware that regarding the landscape New Orleans to Memphis is not really attractive. Up to Baton Rouge you will see a lot of industrial "architecture" behind the levees. But of course you have nice ports with plantation homes (Oak Alley, Nottaway) and historic towns like Natchez and Vicksburg.

 

steamboats

[pontac]

 

Not of any use for the OP, but for UK readers Viking's price includes flights and transfers