Enjoy an 8-Day Cruise on the Lower Mississippi River: Memphis, TN to New Orleans, LA

1-Night Complimentary Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay

Arrive the day before your scheduled cruise date and enjoy a 1-night premium hotel stay in at the Graceland Guest House. Take a complimentary shuttle to downtown and explore the city at your leisure. Be sure to visit the legendary Beale Street, where live music fills the air 7 days a week. 

On the morning of the cruise, meet in the hotel lobby after breakfast and we will transport you to the ship to begin your cruise. All luggage will be brought directly from the hotel and placed in your stateroom aboard the ship.

Pre-Cruise Hotel Stays must be reserved at least 30 days before your cruise date.

Guest House at Graceland

Sun Studios

Explore Sun Studios, well-known in the music industry as the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll and the most famous recording studio in the world. Founded by rock pioneer Sam Phillips in 1950, this National Historic Landmark is where superstar musicians like Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison and countless others started their recording careers. 

Note: Only available on Music Cities and Music Theme Cruises ending in Memphis.

Signature Graceland Experience

No trip to Memphis is complete without a trip to the home of the “King of Rock n’ Roll,” Elvis Presley. The full Graceland experience will take you from Elvis’ humble beginnings through his rise to super stardom. See where Elvis lived, relaxed, and spent time with his family and friends. Explore the famous “Jungle Room” where the star recorded one of his final albums. Visit the many onsite museums where you can view Elvis' many jumpsuits and gold records, as well his collection of automobiles and custom jets.

This is a Signature shore excursion and should be reserved in advance. Please call (800) 460-4518 for information.

For cruises starting in Memphis, this tour is only offered as part of the 2-day Pre-Cruise Package.

National Civil Rights Museum

Established in 1991, the National Civil Rights Museum is located at the former Lorraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. The museum’s mission is to share the history of the American Civil Rights Movement, a tumultuous and inspiring period of change. Explore interactive exhibits and historic collections to learn how this significant era continues to shape equality and freedom today.

Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum & Music Hall of Fame

The Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum was the first exhibition ever to have been developed by the Smithsonian Institution with another museum. The exhibition tells the story of musical pioneers who overcame racial and socio-economic barriers to create music that would influence American culture and the world. Visit the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. Explore the museum and exhibition which introduces guests to some of the greatest musicians of all time, each who contributed the city’s musical legacy. Enjoy never-before-seen memorabilia, rare video performances and interviews, interactive exhibits, and more.

Note: This excursion is only available on cruises ending in Memphis, as well as the Complete Mississippi, and Grand Heartland cruises.

Day of River Cruising

Vicksburg National Military Park- Complimentary Excursion

A park ranger will guide you through the National Military Park which commemorates the campaign, siege, and defense of Vicksburg in 1863. View the restored ironclad gunboat, USS Cairo, and the battlefield where the Siege of Vicksburg took place. Stop at the impressive Illinois Monument, modeled after the Roman Pantheon. The exploration concludes at the Visitors Center where life-sized exhibits and artifacts from the Siege of Vicksburg are on display. 

Antebellum Vicksburg Experience

Experience what life was like in the 19th century on this one-of-a-kind adventure into Vicksburg’s oldest neighborhood. Visit Christ Episcopal Church (circa 1839). View the beautiful Tiffany windows of the present as you meet the rector who will recreate the stories of the past: cannon balls going off, services held every day during the siege, and the wounded in the basement. Explore two centuries of American architecture on a short walk along the brick streets to one of the neighborhood antebellum mansions. Here, with an exclusive private-guided tour by the owner, you will feel at home as you listen to first-hand family stories of the house and people who lived here 175 years ago. Feel 19th century history come alive as you sit in the parlor and enjoy special southern-inspired refreshments. 

Historic Vicksburg Comes to Life

Led by our local expert guide, this walking exploration of Vicksburg brings to life the history of this river city from 1820 to the present. Hear engaging stories of the citizens who once called Vicksburg home. Stroll along its brick streets and admire native flora as well as the variety of architecture styles found among the antebellum homes, churches, and museums.

Tombs & Tales

Explore the Historic Natchez Cemetery. Established in 1822, the occupants of this important cemetery tell tales of the history, grandeur, mystery, and tragedy of Natchez. Surrounded by majestic live oaks and set on the bluffs high above the Mississippi River, the beautiful grounds offer stunning panoramic views. Enjoy a guided walking excursion through the oldest section of the cemetery and hear fascinating stories about the residents buried there.

Natchez Views & Brews

Natchez Brewing Company is located in historic downtown Natchez, known as the oldest established city on the Mississippi River and a central hub during steamboat era. Their beer is crafted with a passion for local flavor and a love for tradition. Enjoy a step-by-step demonstration of the brewing process in the production area, from grain to glass. Learn about the ingredients, equipment, and styles of beer and sample the varieties of your choice.

Historic Longwood Exploration - Complimentary Excursion

Longwood is just one of the elegant historic houses that graces the historic district of Natchez. This octagonal house epitomizes the rise and fall of the South. As the Civil War began, the workmen stopped construction and the house was never completed. View the finished first floor with original family furnishings and the upper five stories that are still a work in progress.

Frogmore Plantation

Our onboard experts tell many stories about southern life on a plantation; today you will learn what life was really like. Our insightful local guide will accompany you from the ship to the cotton and will be your escort as you explore the 1,800-acre cotton plantation. In intimate groups, owners Lynette and Buddy Tanner will delve into plantation life, including the housing, music, and relationships between the owners and workers. You will have the opportunity to pick cotton directly from the field, participate in a live gospel performance, and witness the progress in cotton technology from Eli Whitney’s original gin to their modern 900 bales-per-day computerized plantation.

J.N. Stone House Tour & Concert

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by the fourth-generation owner, Joseph Stone, whose family has owned the home for over 135 years. Mr. Stone will guide you on a personal tour of his unique antebellum-style home and explain the many different purposes it has served over the years. Here, you can explore his eclectic collection of period-specific artwork and one-of-a-kind antiques. The afternoon concludes in the music hall with refreshments as Mr. Stone performs an exclusive classical piano concert.

Natchez Shuttle - Complimentary Excursion

Explore downtown Natchez on your own. Take time for shopping and strolling through town. The shuttle will make regularly scheduled stops at Rosalie House, the Natchez Visitors Center, and the downtown shopping district.

Rosedown Plantation & Garden Exploration - Complimentary Excursion

The affluent ambiance of the Rosedown Plantation is evident the minute you step on the property. As you walk towards the Main House, you will be welcomed by a beautiful flowered path lined with towering oaks. Local guides will regale you with stories of the families who once lived there and give insight into the culture of the South. Roam the picturesque gardens at your leisure, one of the few and largest privately-maintained formal gardens during the 19th century.

A Walk Through The Capital - Complimentary Excursion

Experience the sights, sounds, and wonders of Baton Rouge, the Capital City of Louisiana. Led by a local expert, admire iconic and historic landmarks, while exploring many of the well-known downtown neighborhoods on foot. Enjoy fascinating stories of the area’s culture, politics, history and legends, while embracing the rich art, architecture, and nature on the route.

Louisiana Art & Science Museum - Complimentary Excursion

Housed in a historic railroad depot on the banks of the Mississippi River, the Louisiana Art & Science Museum (LASM) features exhibitions of internationally renowned fine artists, a state-of-the-art planetarium, and an Ancient Egypt gallery. Explore the various galleries that showcase changing fine art exhibitions as well as a permanent collection. In the Ancient Egypt gallery you will find ancient artifacts and a Ptolemaic-era mummy that rests in a re-created rock-cut tomb. The Irene W. Pennington Planetarium features sky shows, large-format films, visual music shows, and galleries devoted to space science.

Battle of Baton Rouge - Complimentary Excursion

 Led by an expert historian, explore locations that were critical to Battle of Baton Rouge, a ground and naval battle in the American Civil War. The Union victory of this battle halted Confederate attempts to recapture the capital city of Louisiana. Visit the historic Magnolia Cemetery and stand upon the very ground where the most intense fighting of the battle took place. Explore the Port Hudson State Historic Site, a Louisiana State Park that preserves and interprets a portion of the Port Hudson battlefield where the longest military siege in U.S. History took place. View a film about the battle and siege, admire original Civil War artifacts, and witness a live firing of an original Civil War cannon used at Port Hudson.  

Cajun Pride Swamp Excursion

Enjoy a narrated boat ride in the Manchac Swamp, a privately owned wildlife refuge in a comfortable, covered boat, with walking room and open viewing from any seat. Swamp creatures are unafraid and responsive to our captain’s voice. In the safety and comfort of the boat, you will be able to get within a few feet of “jumping gators.” Other animals to be on the lookout for include nutria, ibis, turtles, herons, raccoons, egrets, and more. 

Baton Rouge Spirits Tour & Tasting

The Baton Rouge region currently hosts about 10 breweries and distilleries, with a growing craft industry that is gaining popularity across the U.S. On this guided exploration, visit the Tin Roof- Brewing Co., Baton Rouge’s largest craft brewery, and Three Roll Estate, a distillery which produces a signature agricole-style rum from fresh-pressed cane juice. Along the way, sample award-winning beer and rum and learn about the process of creating these delicious libations.

USS Kidd

Known as the “Pirate of the Pacific,” this Fletcher-class destroyer is a memorial to the men and women who served in the American armed forces. Step back in time on this amazing tour as you witness original artifacts and aircraft from World War II.

Oak Alley Plantation - Complimentary Excursion

The famous ancient oaks bordering your path to the mansion are your first sight upon stepping ashore. The perfectly aligned 300-year-old trees form a canopy which set a particularly grand entrance for our arrival. Southern belles enjoying the shade of the leafy canopy greet us on arrival and are our guides for the day. In small groups, we bring you through the antebellum plantation’s many stately rooms and show you why it has earned the name “Grande Dame of The Great River Road.” After the tour, join us for a special gathering with mint juleps on the west lawn before a visit to their popular gift shop which is known for its world-famous pralines.

New Orleans City Excursion

New Orleans is a city full of history, intrigue, and colorful characters. Begin your journey through the “Big Easy” with a private tour guide, who will give you a local’s look at the area’s most famous attractions. Explore the most popular areas including the French Quarter, the colorful garden district, and the famous stately mansions which still remain in period form. There will be plenty of time for you to enjoy the local flavors, like chicory coffee, sweet beignets, and famous New Orleans Jazz music. 

Please Note: This tour is only offered on cruises ending in New Orleans, LA