Mississippi river cruises 2026–2027: which river, which line, which season

A Mississippi river cruise is a small-ship trip through the American South or Midwest, with a town stop most days and no passport needed. This guide picks the stretch of river first, then the line, then the season, and covers the other US river cruises worth a look.

The Mississippi river cruise lines

Two lines run most Mississippi river cruises. American Queen Voyages, once the third big name, stopped sailing and cancelled all future cruises in February 2024.

• American Cruise LinesThe most ships and routesThe largest river cruise line in the US. Its modern riverboats (American Melody, American Serenade, American Symphony) carry 180 guests in balcony cabins, and American Heritage is a 150-guest paddlewheeler. Sails the Lower, Upper and complete Mississippi, plus tributaries.
• VikingOne larger, newer shipViking Mississippi (2022) carries 386 guests in 193 outside cabins. Viking's itineraries run from 8 days to the 22-day Mississippi River Odyssey, and two new 2027 routes join the Ohio River.

Which to pick? Choose American Cruise Lines for the smallest ship, a paddlewheeler, or a route Viking doesn’t sail. American Cruise Lines also includes beer, wine and cocktails on board. Choose Viking if you know its European river or ocean ships and want the same style and a bigger ship with more space. Our Viking guide covers what its fares include.

Upper vs Lower Mississippi

• Lower MississippiNew Orleans, Baton Rouge, Natchez, Vicksburg, MemphisPlantation houses, Civil War sites and Delta blues. American Cruise Lines runs round trips from New Orleans and one-way trips to Memphis; Viking's Mississippi Delta Explorer runs 8 days, New Orleans to Memphis.
• Upper MississippiSt. Louis, Hannibal, Dubuque, La Crosse, Red Wing, St. PaulBluffs, locks and small Midwestern towns. Viking's Heartland of America runs 8 days between St. Louis and St. Paul; American Cruise Lines sails 8-day Upper Mississippi cruises. Sailings run in summer and early fall.
• The whole riverNew Orleans to St. PaulAbout three weeks end to end: Viking's 22-day Mississippi River Odyssey or American Cruise Lines' Complete Mississippi River Experience. For retirees with time, the best way to see it all.
• Mississippi and OhioMemphis, Paducah, Owensboro, LouisvilleNew for Viking in 2027: the 8-day Mississippi & Ohio River Explorer from Memphis to Louisville, and the 15-day Bayous, Blues & Bluegrass from New Orleans to Louisville.

Lower or Upper for a first trip? Pick the Lower Mississippi if New Orleans and Southern history are the draw, and the Upper if you’d rather see bluffs and quiet river towns in summer. The Lower river runs past more famous names; the Upper is greener and calmer.

Other US river cruises

The Mississippi isn’t the only choice. American Cruise Lines sails the major US rivers and inland waterways.

• Columbia and Snake rivers: 9-day cruises between Portland, Oregon, and Clarkston, Washington, through the Columbia River Gorge. American Encore joined this route in May 2026, and a 16-day Grand Columbia & Snake Rivers cruise starts in 2027 on the new American Anthem. Our Pacific coast cruise guide covers the big-ship coastal trips in the same region.
• Mississippi tributaries: American Cruise Lines added a 9-day Arkansas River cruise and a 9-day Gulf Coast cruise in 2026.
• Ohio River: Viking’s two 2027 Ohio River routes end in Louisville, Kentucky.

Best time for a Mississippi river cruise

• Upper Mississippi: June to October. Cruises between St. Louis and St. Paul run only in the warmer months. Viking, for example, lists Heartland of America departures in July and August.
• Lower Mississippi: most of the year. New Orleans trips run across more of the calendar, so this is the stretch to pick for a spring, late-fall or winter trip.
• Any month: American Cruise Lines sails year-round across its US routes, so there is usually a river option somewhere.

For a holiday trip at sea instead, our Christmas and New Year cruise guide compares the options.

How long is a Mississippi river cruise, and what does it cost?

Eight days (seven nights) is the standard length on both lines. The whole-river trips run about three weeks. Short 3-day Mississippi river cruises are mostly local sightseeing riverboats, not overnight cruise ships.

Mississippi river cruises cost more than most European river cruises of the same length. Viking’s 8-day Heartland of America was listed from $5,495 per person for a July 2027 departure, against $2,399 for Viking’s 8-day Rhine Getaway in 2027 (both checked October 2026; see our European river cruise guide). Compare what each fare includes: drinks, excursions, a pre-cruise hotel night and tips vary by line.

Departure ports

All of these are US river cities, so a domestic flight or a drive gets you there:

• New Orleans for the Lower Mississippi and whole-river trips.
• Memphis for one-way Lower Mississippi and Ohio River routes.
• St. Louis (Viking uses nearby Alton) and St. Paul for the Upper Mississippi.
• Louisville for Viking’s 2027 Ohio River routes.
• Portland, Oregon, and Clarkston, Washington, for the Columbia and Snake.

If you’d rather sail into the Gulf on an ocean ship, our New Orleans cruise port guide covers the Caribbean cruises from the same city.

Places Mississippi river cruises visit

• New Orleans: the start of most Lower Mississippi trips.
• Baton Rouge and St. Francisville: Louisiana’s capital and its plantation country.
• Natchez: antebellum houses on the bluff.
• Vicksburg: the Civil War siege and national military park.
• Memphis: blues, Beale Street and Graceland.
• Hannibal: Mark Twain’s hometown, on the Upper Mississippi.
• Dubuque and La Crosse: river towns among the bluffs.
• St. Paul: the northern end of the cruising river.

Mississippi river cruise FAQ

What is the best river cruise in the USA?

For a first trip, an 8-day Lower Mississippi cruise from New Orleans on American Cruise Lines or Viking. For scenery, the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest.

Which Mississippi river cruises are best for seniors?

Both lines suit older travelers well: small ships, guided port visits and quiet evenings. American Cruise Lines’ smaller riverboats and paddlewheeler suit guests who want fewer people on board; Viking Mississippi suits guests who want more space and Viking’s style. Our cruises for seniors guide compares the ocean lines too.

Does Viking do Mississippi river cruises?

Yes, on one ship, Viking Mississippi, which carries 386 guests. Its routes run from 8 days to the 22-day Mississippi River Odyssey, and two new Mississippi and Ohio river routes start in 2027.

Are there 3-day Mississippi river cruises?

Not on the big river cruise lines, whose trips start at about a week. Shorter trips on the river are mostly local riverboats, such as dinner and sightseeing cruises in New Orleans.

Do I need a passport for a Mississippi river cruise?

No. The cruise starts and ends in the US and never leaves the country, so US citizens need only a government photo ID. Check your line’s document rules before you go.

Is American Queen Voyages still sailing?

No. American Queen Voyages stopped operating and cancelled all future cruises in February 2024.

For river trips abroad, our European river cruise guide compares the Rhine, the Danube and the other big rivers.