River cruises
Mississippi River cruises
Mississippi River cruises sail on modern riverboats and paddlewheelers between New Orleans and Memphis on the Lower Mississippi, and between St. Louis and St. Paul on the Upper Mississippi, typically for 7 to 9 nights. Full-length voyages from New Orleans to St. Paul take about two weeks. American Cruise Lines and Viking run most departures; spring and fall bring the most comfortable weather, and fall color peaks on the Upper Mississippi in October.
- Season: Lower Mississippi most of the year; Upper Mississippi roughly May to October. Best weather in spring and fall.
- Typical length: 7 to 9 nights; about 15 nights for the full river
Photo: NPS photo, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Season
- Lower Mississippi most of the year; Upper Mississippi roughly May to October. Best weather in spring and fall.
- Typical length
- 7 to 9 nights; about 15 nights for the full river
- Best months
- Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct
- Main departure ports
- New Orleans
- Ports covered here
- 0
- Cruise lines
- 2 lines sail here
What a Mississippi River cruise is like
A Mississippi River cruise is a journey through America’s history and music. On the Lower Mississippi, you’ll pass the levees, oak-lined plantation houses and river towns of Louisiana and Mississippi, with stops in Baton Rouge, Natchez and Vicksburg on the way to Memphis, the home of blues, Beale Street and Graceland. The Upper Mississippi is greener and hillier, winding past bluffs, locks and dams, and Mark Twain’s Hannibal to St. Paul.
Riverboats here are small compared with ocean ships, carrying from about 100 to under 400 passengers, and every cabin has a window, many with balconies. Daily shore excursions are usually included, along with lectures by historians, live jazz and blues on board, and regional food such as gumbo, catfish and pecan pie. Days are calm; there’s no seasickness on the river.
These cruises suit travelers interested in American history, the Civil War, the civil rights movement and music, as well as those who prefer a slower, more intimate pace. They’re mostly an older crowd, and nightlife is limited. Note that the river can run too high or too low in some seasons, which occasionally forces itinerary changes or bus transfers between towns.
Best time to cruise Mississippi River
- Jan: Shoulder season
- Feb: Good time to go
- Mar: Best time to go
- Apr: Best time to go
- May: Best time to go
- Jun: Good time to go
- Jul: Good time to go
- Aug: Shoulder season
- Sep: Best time to go
- Oct: Best time to go
- Nov: Good time to go
- Dec: Shoulder season
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
JanuaryShoulder season
January sailings stay on the Lower Mississippi, where days run in the 50s and 60s °F and nights can dip near freezing. With the leaves off the trees, you get clear views of levees and plantation houses, and ships are quiet and good value. The Upper Mississippi is icy, and cruise season there won’t resume until late spring.
FebruaryGood time to go
Mardi Gras season fills New Orleans with parades in the weeks before Lent, and some cruises start or end around the big parade weekends, so you can catch a krewe rolling down St. Charles Avenue. The weather is mild in Louisiana, though cold snaps happen. Hotels for Mardi Gras weekend sell out early and are expensive.
MarchBest time to go
Spring arrives in the South, with azaleas, dogwoods and wisteria blooming in Natchez, St. Francisville and the gardens along the River Road. The Natchez Spring Pilgrimage opens antebellum homes for tours, and days are pleasant in the 60s and 70s °F. It’s one of the best months for Lower Mississippi cruises, and popular departures fill well ahead.
AprilBest time to go
April is lovely on the Lower Mississippi, with gardens in full bloom, New Orleans’ French Quarter Festival early in the month and Jazz Fest at its end. Snowmelt and spring rain can push the river high, sometimes forcing ships to skip a stop or use buses when bridge clearances or landings are affected.
MayBest time to go
Memphis in May brings music events and the famous World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, and the Upper Mississippi season opens as the weather warms in Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Humidity builds in the South, but evenings on deck are still pleasant. High water can linger into early summer.
JuneGood time to go
June is a fine month on the Upper Mississippi, with long days, green bluffs and temperatures in the 70s and low 80s °F. The Lower Mississippi turns hot and sticky, often in the 90s °F with afternoon thunderstorms, so shore tours start early. Hurricane season begins, though June storms rarely reach New Orleans.
JulyGood time to go
July brings peak summer: hot and humid in the Delta, warm and pleasant on the Upper Mississippi. River towns celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks over the water, and Hannibal’s Tom Sawyer Days festival honors Mark Twain around the holiday. Even in summer, few families sail; the crowd stays mostly grown-up.
AugustShoulder season
August is the hottest, most humid month on the Lower Mississippi, and Gulf hurricanes can disrupt New Orleans embarkations. Memphis fills with fans for Elvis Week in mid-August. Late summer also brings the risk of low water, which in dry years has grounded barges and forced itinerary changes near Memphis.
SeptemberBest time to go
Temperatures ease through September, and the Natchez Fall Pilgrimage reopens historic homes. On the Upper Mississippi, the first color appears on the bluffs late in the month, and migrating birds start moving down the Mississippi Flyway. Low water can still affect some sailings, so ask your line about its contingency plans.
OctoberBest time to go
October is peak foliage on the Upper Mississippi, with the limestone bluffs of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa turning red and gold, while the Lower river enjoys comfortable, dry weather. It’s the most popular month on both stretches, so book early, particularly for balcony cabins on Upper Mississippi departures.
NovemberGood time to go
The Upper Mississippi season winds down in early November as temperatures drop and tundra swans gather on the backwaters near La Crosse. Lower Mississippi cruises continue in cool, crisp weather that’s ideal for walking tours of Natchez and Vicksburg. Thanksgiving sailings, with traditional Southern feasts, are popular.
DecemberShoulder season
Holiday cruises on the Lower Mississippi feature festive decorations, Christmas lights in Natchez and, on Christmas Eve, the bonfires on the levees of Louisiana’s St. James Parish, lit to guide Papa Noël. Days are cool, in the 50s and 60s °F, and fewer ships sail, but holiday departures still sell out.
Average weather across Mississippi River ports
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 6016 | 6518 | 7122 | 7524 | 8228 | 8731 | 8831 | 8932 | 8630 | 7926 | 7021 | 6418 |
| Low °F (°C) | 478 | 5211 | 5915 | 6418 | 7222 | 7826 | 8027 | 8027 | 7625 | 6720 | 5714 | 5211 |
| Rain in (mm) | 4.3110 | 3.793 | 4.7119 | 6.5166 | 6.3161 | 6.9174 | 6.9174 | 7.5190 | 4.9125 | 3.794 | 3.487 | 5.7145 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 |
Mississippi River cruise highlights
- 1
New Orleans
Most Lower Mississippi cruises start or end in New Orleans. Spend extra time exploring the French Quarter’s balconies and jazz clubs, the Garden District’s mansions, beignets at Café du Monde and the National WWII Museum.
- 2
Plantation houses and the River Road
Between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, the River Road passes historic plantations such as Oak Alley, with its avenue of live oaks, and the Whitney Plantation, which tells the story of slavery from the perspective of the enslaved.
- 3
Natchez and Vicksburg
Natchez, high on a bluff, preserves dozens of antebellum mansions, many open for tours. Downriver, Vicksburg National Military Park commemorates the 1863 siege that gave the Union control of the Mississippi.
- 4
Memphis
Visit Graceland, Elvis Presley’s home, the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, Sun Studio and Beale Street’s blues bars. Memphis barbecue is a must.
- 5
Hannibal and the Upper Mississippi
Mark Twain’s boyhood home in Hannibal, Missouri, is a highlight of Upper Mississippi cruises, which also pass river bluffs, locks and dams, and towns such as Dubuque, with its National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, and Red Wing.
- 6
Life aboard a riverboat
Some ships are modern riverboats; others are paddlewheelers with a classic stern wheel. Expect live music, historians on board, regional cuisine, and evenings on deck watching barges and herons.
Typical Mississippi River itineraries
- 1
8-night Lower Mississippi between New Orleans and Memphis
Baton Rouge, St. Francisville, Natchez, Vicksburg and Greenville, with plantation and Civil War history and Delta blues.
- 2
8-night Lower Mississippi round trip from New Orleans
Plantation country, Baton Rouge, Natchez and Vicksburg, returning to New Orleans. No one-way flights needed.
- 3
8-night Upper Mississippi between St. Louis and St. Paul
Hannibal, the Quad Cities, Dubuque, La Crosse and Red Wing, with locks, bluffs and fall foliage in season.
- 4
15-night full Mississippi from New Orleans to St. Paul
The entire navigable river in one voyage, combining Southern history with the Midwest’s bluffs and small towns.
Mississippi River ports of call
Where Mississippi River cruises start
Cruise lines that sail Mississippi River
Mississippi River cruise tips
- Spend a night or two in New Orleans or Memphis before or after your cruise. Both cities deserve more time than a quick embarkation day.
- Check what’s included. Many river lines include shore excursions, drinks with meals and Wi-Fi, but policies vary.
- Bring comfortable walking shoes and a hat. Tours of the Vicksburg battlefield and the Natchez mansions involve plenty of standing in strong sun, and some river landings have steep gangways or levee slopes.
- Be prepared for itinerary changes due to high or low water. Lines may substitute bus transfers or alternate stops.
- Book fall foliage and Mardi Gras sailings early. These dates sell out quickly on small riverboats.
Mississippi River cruises: FAQs
When is the best time for a Mississippi River cruise?
Spring (March to May) and fall (September to October) offer the most comfortable weather. October brings fall foliage on the Upper Mississippi, while spring offers blooming gardens and festivals in the South.
How long is a Mississippi River cruise?
Most last 7 to 9 nights, covering either the Lower Mississippi between New Orleans and Memphis or the Upper Mississippi between St. Louis and St. Paul. Full-river voyages take about 15 nights.
Do I need a passport for a Mississippi River cruise?
No, not for US citizens, as these cruises stay within the United States. You’ll need government-issued photo ID. Canadians and other visitors need a passport to enter the US.
Which cruise line is best for the Mississippi River?
American Cruise Lines runs the most Mississippi itineraries, with modern riverboats and paddlewheelers. Viking offers a single, Scandinavian-style ship with a more upscale feel and similar routes.
What is the difference between Upper and Lower Mississippi cruises?
The Lower Mississippi, between New Orleans and Memphis, focuses on Southern history, plantation houses, the Civil War and the blues. The Upper Mississippi, between St. Louis and St. Paul, is greener and hillier, with bluffs, locks, small Midwestern towns and fall color.
Will I get seasick on a Mississippi River cruise?
Almost certainly not. Riverboats sail on calm, sheltered water close to shore, so there’s very little motion. Even travelers who avoid ocean cruises because of seasickness usually find river cruising comfortable.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.