Viking is now cruising the Mississippi River

Any river cruiser will share that Viking offers a relaxing, immersive, and thoroughly enjoyable cruise experience. Viking is a leader in river cruising, and designs itineraries where you can enjoy the ever-changing scenery along the banks of waterways such as the Danube, Rhine, Seine, Douro, Volga, and Yangtze. With river cruising, voyagers unpack just once, and Viking allows you to settle into the cabin of one of their award-winning, state-of-the-art 190-guest Longships and journey into the very heart of iconic cities and charming towns.

Viking has launched new destination-focused travel experiences on the Mississippi River, with its first 386-guests custom vessel, Viking Mississippi, with sailings ranging from 8 to 15 days. Viking is bringing modern river cruising to the Mississippi and will represent a major commitment to tourism and economic development in many communities along the river. Currently scheduled ports of call on Viking’s new Mississippi River Cruises to comprise seven U.S. states: Louisiana (Baton Rouge, Darrow, New Orleans and St. Francisville); Mississippi (Natchez and Vicksburg); Tennessee (Memphis); Missouri (Hannibal, St. Louis); Iowa (Burlington, Dubuque and Quad Cities); Wisconsin (La Crosse); and Minnesota (Red Wing, St. Paul).

The new state-of-the-art Viking Mississippi is inspired by Viking’s award-winning river and ocean ships and will feature clean Scandinavian design, as well as public spaces that are familiar to guests but that have been reimagined for Mississippi River voyages. Purpose-built for the Mississippi and currently under construction in Louisiana, the five-deck ship’s cutting-edge design, expansive windows, and comfortable amenities will make it the largest and most modern cruise ship in the region.

Stretching for 2,350 miles, from Minnesota’s Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico, our new cruises on the “Mighty Mississippi” offer a different type of cross-country journey for the curious explorer–one that allows you to be immersed in American history and culture. A Mississippi River cruise offers the rare opportunity to sail through America’s heartland. Explore picturesque towns and boom cities; take in views of pastoral farms and towering bluffs; and immerse yourself in region’s rich history and culture.

Here are a few highlights Viking has revealed:

• New Orleans’s festive French Quarter and Creole cuisine
• Cajun heritage in Baton Rouge
• Vicksburg National Military Park
• BBQ and Delta blues in Memphis
• Mark Twain’s boyhood home
• Working family farm visit in Iowa
• Birdwatching along the “Mississippi Flyway”
• St. Louis’s Gateway Arch and pioneering spririt
• Norwegian cultural experience at Vesterheim
• Intricate locks and dams of the Upper Mississippi

As with all vacations, more days mean more to discover, and the cruise line offers several extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour. Enjoy additional days to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination altogether with a choice of exciting cities.

As a AAA Travel Member, you have AAA Member Benefits tied to your membership. Talk with a AAA Travel Agent for more information, and view our Viking packages, including this Mississippi tour.