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Adventure through Heart of the Delta: Mississippi Cruise with Viking
Viking River Cruises continues to lead in the world for their renowned small ship cruise offerings. Viking is proud to sail America's heartland - including picturesque southern towns, roaring cities, and a bustling American history around every bend of the "Mighty Mississippi on the Heart of the Delta river cruise.
Immerse yourself in history and heritage on this journey from New Orleans to Memphis. Soak up the rich French and Acadian cultures that infuse the Lower Mississippi, and be inspired by the stories of famed musicians and civil rights heroes. Savor delicious Cajun and Creole cuisine, as well as Memphis’s famous BBQ. And stir your soul with the rhythms of Dixieland jazz, Delta blues and gospel.
Special Offers and Member Benefits:
- Member Benefits
- $200 shipboard credit per stateroom
Where You Will Stay:
Viking Mississippi
Hosting 386 guests in 193 all outside staterooms, the new state-of-the-art Viking Mississippi is inspired by the award-winning Viking Longships® 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, the ship’s cutting-edge design, expansive windows and comfortable amenities will make it the first truly modern cruise ship in the region.
What You Will See:
As you travel along the river through Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee, you will find communities rich with natural and architectural beauty, a story behind every landmark, and local specialties to feast on after another memorable day. Whether on board or off exploring a destination, take-in panoramic views few encounter. All shore excursions balance the must-see sights, interactive tours, and even privileged access to experiences you will never forget.
What You May Eat:
Viking chefs are passionate about food and committed to providing an enriching culinary experience. With flavors accented from their onboard herb garden and a wide selection of regional wines, you will find that with Viking, dining is part of the journey.
The main dining venue Viking offers is known as 'the Restaurant' offering gracious service, included wine and beer, and a streamlined Scandinavian interior design. The menu includes regional cuisine and always available classics enhanced with locally sourced ingredients, so you can explore new cultures through food.
Call to Book
1-800-222-7448
Included With Your Trip
Viking Inclusive Value:
- One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call
- Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
- Visits to UNESCO Sites
- Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances
- Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
- 24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water
- Port taxes & fees
- Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase
Need help selecting a package?
With endless choices and options that can be customized, select get a quote below and let us build a vacation that’s perfect for your needs and budget. We’ll book the best package for you directly, and combine it with any AAA promotions to get you the best deal!
Additional Package Options:
- Vacation Protection Insurance
- Roundtrip Airfare
- Hertz® Rental Car
- Direct Airport Transfer Service (town car or limousine)
- And much more!
Additional Information
Itinerary: Heart of the Delta 2023 ~ 8 days ~ Memphis to New Orleans ~ 5 guided tours ~ from $3,999
Day 1: Memphis, Tennessee
Memphis is the celebrated birthplace of Memphis blues, a center for civil rights history and the final home of Elvis Presley. After boarding, the afternoon is yours to relax or explore the city on your own. If your arrival schedule permits, you may wish to explore the music, cuisine and character of Beale Street. A straight path stretching nearly two miles from East Street to the Mississippi, Beale Street is renowned as the intersection of American blues, country, gospel and rock ’n’ roll music. (D)
Day 2: Scenic Cruising - Lower Mississippi
Cruising the serpentine route of the Lower Mississippi, you will witness an astonishing array of picturesque landscapes. Sail past deep-green forests, lush vegetation and a patchwork of fertile farmlands—all hugging the shores and hosting a huge variety of birdlife perched in riverside trees, ready to pluck their next meal from the flowing waters. Around you, bluffs rise over the river’s edge. Silos pierce bucolic landscapes. Sandbars and low islands guide the waters as they have for millennia. Passing numerous tributaries and meandering channels, you may appreciate this massive waterway as an epic river system rather than as a singular river. (B, L, D)
Day 3: Vicksburg, Mississippi
Located where the Yazoo River flows into the Mississippi, Vicksburg is the epitome of Southern heritage and charm. During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln called it “the key to the South.” And it indeed proved to be the site of the conflict’s most pivotal battle, the Battle of Vicksburg, after which the Confederates surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant. (B, L, D)
Shore Excursions:
- Vicksburg National Military Park - included
- Vicksburg Walking Tour
- Vicksburg Behind the Scenes
Day 4: Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez is the perfect location in which to enjoy small-town America. The town is distinguished by more than 500 historic buildings, including over 200 perfectly preserved homes that still grace its broad avenues. Throughout the day, you can explore shops in the historic district and other sites at your leisure. You may choose to visit one of many pre–Civil War mansions here, some of the most beautifully preserved in this area of the South. The city itself is home to more than 1,000 structures that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. After dinner, learn about the life of local artisans and enjoy classical music. (B, L, D)
Shore Excursions:
- The Best of Natchez - included
- Historic Homes & Chef-Hosted Lunch
Day 5: St. Francisville, Louisiana
Set along a historic bluff of the Mississippi, St. Francisville boasts more than 140 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. The town is said to be “two miles long and two yards wide” because it was originally built on a narrow ridge overlooking the river. Founded in 1809 to serve the commercial and cultural needs of surrounding landowners, it is the oldest town in Louisiana’s Florida Parishes. (B,L,D)
Shore Excursions:
- Rosedown Estate - included
- Swamp Kayaking
- Louisiana State Penitentiary Museum
- Oakley & Greenwood Estates
- The Myrtles & Catalpa Estates
- Waterfall Hike
Day 6: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge paints a historic picture on the eastern bank of Mississippi. Hear tales of the hardworking, fun-loving Cajun people and their contributions to Louisiana’s history and culture. (B,L,D)
Shore Excursions:
- Baton Rouge Panorama - included
- Cajun Heritage Tour - privileged access
- The USS Kidd
- Atchafalaya Basin by Boat
- Atchafalaya Basin by Canoe
Day 7: Darrow, Louisiana
Home to National Historic Landmarks renowned for their architecture, the Lower Mississippi is a scenic treasure. This region is dotted with historic mansions, several of which are designated National Historic Landmarks for their architecture, landscaping, and the contributions of the people who maintained the houses and the lands. (B,L,D)
Shore Excursions:
- Houmas House & Gardens - included
- Laura Plantation
- Whitney & St.Joseph
- Oak Alley
- Cajun Swamp Experience
Day 8: New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is celebrated for the soulful rhythms that spill onto Bourbon Street from French Quarter jazz houses. After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the airport for your return flight, or extend your journey with additional nights in New Orleans. (B)
The beloved birthplace of American jazz, historic New Orleans famously exudes a festive atmosphere along the balcony-lined Bourbon Street. Here, in the heart of the famed French Quarter, soulful rhythms lift the spirit, particularly during the city’s world-renowned Mardi Gras.
Get an Estimate
Product Code: AAA-River2020_050420_Viking_CC_ZD
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* Cruise fares listed are cruise only in U.S. dollars, per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement savings are off applicable rates. Cruise fares listed are valid for U.S. residents only. Cruise ship fuel surcharge may apply. All fares and offers are for new bookings only and are subject to availability, may not combinable with other offers Onboard spending credit is valid for onboard purchases - bar, boutique, excursions and onboard gratuities. Shipboard credits can only be applied when booked directly by AAA Travel Agent. This offer is combinable with group rates, early booking discounts, past passenger discounts, refer a friend credits and future cruise vouchers. Offer is not combinable with interline and wholesale bookings or valid on other Viking products. Additional terms and conditions may apply.