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American Symphony, Lower Mississippi River Cruise ex Memphis to New Orleans

Cruise American Symphony, Lower Mississippi River Cruise ex Memphis to New Orleans
Cruise Line American Cruise Lines
Ship American Symphony
Destination North America Rivers
Brief Description 7 Night Cruise sailing from Memphis to New Orleans onboard American Symphony. Hotel stay pre-cruise in Memphis.
Type of Cruise River
Departure Date 22 Nov 2024
Cruise Description 7 Night Cruise sailing from Memphis to New Orleans onboard American Symphony. Hotel stay pre-cruise in Memphis.

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 1 - Pre-Cruise
On our Lower Mississippi River cruise itineraries, we offer a Complimentary 1-Night Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay providing you will a seamless way to board the ship and explore the local area.

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

Day 2 Memphis, TN
Welcome to Memphis, a historic city which rises picturesquely up the hillside from the river, adorned with grand oak trees, lush parks, and historic sites that commemorate everything from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement. Immerse yourself in its rich musical legacy as you stroll along legendary Beale Street, where music flows from every doorway, and savor the rich flavors and aromas of the city’s famous BBQ.

Choose from an array of customized excursions. Perhaps take a narrated motorcoach excursion to get an overview of this dramatic city. Or indulge in the glamour of the Peabody Hotel. Explore the home, life, and career of Elvis Presley or make your pilgrimage to Sun Studio, where he recorded his earliest smash-hits.

The comfort of your ship awaits at the nearby Beale Street Landing, docked along an impressive, recently renovated city park. Be entertained on board by local musicians as you savor a nightcap.

Day 3 Day of River Cruising
Today is a day to truly relax without a care in the world. Revel in the bliss of floating along the current of the mighty Mississippi River, framed by a forest of cottonwood trees dotted with majestic blue herons.

Enjoy fascinating enrichment presentations and festive onboard activities. Savor fine meals and cocktails. Relax in one of the many spacious lounges or enjoy a gentle breeze on the sun deck as you read a book or chat with new friends. Mark Twain described the experience as having “nothing to hang a worry or a fret upon.”

Day 4 Vicksburg, MS
Vicksburg is a place of drama. During the Civil War, the struggle to control Vicksburg proved to be a major turning point. The well-fortified connection between river and rail transportation was known as “The Gibraltar of the West.” A narrated exploration of the well-preserved National Military Park battlefield enlivens this powerful story and highlights its significance.

President Abraham Lincoln summarized Vicksburg’s importance clearly when he said, “Vicksburg is the key. The war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket… They can defy us from Vicksburg… As valuable as New Orleans will be to us, Vicksburg will be more so.”

Several other excursion options are available, including exploring museums and historic sites with local expert guides or on your own. Walk aboard an enormous Army Corps of Engineers towboat. Stroll along the charming series of murals painted along the adjacent floodwall and read panels detailing the Vicksburg stories they illustrate.

Day 5 Natchez, MS
In Natchez, grand homes sparkle like jewels, adorning the bluffs that tower above the river. Since 1716, when the French first built a fort here among the Natchez Indians, the town has grown to boast elaborate mansions built by planters in the 1800s to flaunt their wealth.

With no Civil War fighting here, Natchez still features hundreds of antebellum homes and buildings. Each of these architectural treasures has its own story to tell, creating a charming downtown that embodies the essence of southern charm and hospitality.

Explore on your own or enjoy an array of curated, guided explorations. Tour the elaborate townhomes, visit a working cotton farm to learn about the crop’s importance in history and today, and discover the historic Under-The-Hill Saloon. Drift through quaint shops, nibble on local delights, and enjoy the expansive views of the majestic river valley from the bluff-top park.

Day 6 St. Francisville, LA
As the bow-ramp from the ship opens and stretches to the shore, you will be welcomed into the historic cotton port of St. Francisville. Overlooking the river from atop a high, St. Francisville began as a part of Spanish West Florida in the early 1800s until American settlers overthrew the Spanish governing forces, and the region later became part of the United States.

Experience this town’s rich history on your own or with a variety of guided excursions. As you explore, discover the Historic District which boasts magnificent mansions and unique boutique shops and admire cottonwood trees which transition to stately oaks adorned with Spanish moss.

Day 7 Baton Rouge, LA
Meaning “red stick,” Baton Rouge’s 1699 French name references an ancient geographical marker and reflects the city’s long history. As Louisiana’s state capital, the city still echoes with tales of the characters who lived here, most notably Governor and Senator Huey P. Long. Learn about his dramatic career at the magnificent 1852 Old State Capitol Museum and visit Long’s 1932 State Capitol building, an architectural marvel of granite and marble.

Explore many of the well-known downtown neighborhoods, while embracing the rich art, architecture, and nature along the route. If you feel adventurous, take a narrated boat ride through a Louisiana swamp.

Day 8 Houmas House Plantation, LA
Step off your ship docked right at Houmas House and explore one of the most elaborately renovated of the grand homes along the river, once a private home and a thriving historical agricultural enterprise. Entertaining and knowledgeable guides will escort you through the magnificently restored home’s unmatched collection of stunning period furnishings and artwork. The ornately landscaped grounds include 38 acres of gardens, fountains, and majestic live oak trees.

Later, experience the opulence and natural wonder of the Oak Alley estate with its breathtaking parallel row of 28 ancient and massive live oak trees. Here, you can savor a complimentary taste of one of the best mint juleps in the South.

Day 9 New Orleans, LA
New Orleans is worth some extra time. Enjoy a feast for your senses if you linger in this magical city, renowned for its delicious cuisine, vibrant music scene, and rich culture with an international flair. Stroll the tree-lined avenues, take a carriage ride through the French Quarter, hop aboard a streetcar to the gorgeous Garden District, or visit the renowned National World War II Museum. If departing the ship in New Orleans, enjoy available city excursions and motorcoach transfers to the airport. Or extend your stay to further explore the delights of the Big Easy.
Sailing Dates
24 Feb 2023
10 Mar 2023
24 Mar 2023
07 Apr 2023
21 Apr 2023
05 May 2023
19 May 2023
02 Jun 2023
09 Nov 2023
08 Mar 2024
22 Mar 2024
05 Apr 2024
19 Apr 2024
23 Aug 2024
25 Oct 2024
08 Nov 2024
22 Nov 2024
06 Dec 2024
29 Dec 2024
25 Feb 2025
11 Mar 2025
25 Mar 2025
08 Apr 2025
01 Jul 2025
04 Nov 2025
18 Nov 2025
02 Dec 2025
16 Dec 2025
Pricing
Please enquire for pricing
Cruise Itinerary
Date Port Arrive Depart
22 Nov 2024 Memphis Tennessee, USA Hotel
23 Nov 2024 Memphis Tennessee, USA Embark
24 Nov 2024 River Cruising
25 Nov 2024 Vicksburg, Mississippi, USA
26 Nov 2024 Natchez, Mississippi, USA
27 Nov 2024 St Francisville, Louisiana, USA
28 Nov 2024 Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
29 Nov 2024 Houmas House Plantation, Burnside, Louisiana, USA
30 Nov 2024 New Orleans, Louisiana, USA Disembark
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

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