Mississippi riverboat cruise

[braumeister]

I recently asked DW to pick a future travel destination, since I'm usually the one who does that.

Much to my surprise, she said that a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi has always been on her bucket list.

So far the only thing I've been able to learn for sure is that these are very expensive. Still, a bucket list item may be worth it.

Has anyone done one of these? Any advice would be most appreciated.

 

[ohyes]

Ready to see what folks post.

I have been on the watch for information on cruise critic forums.

These cruises are expensive (!). DH and I have wanted to take one for a few years and hope to make it happen sooner than later....either upper Mississippi or Snake/Columbia Rivers. They look to be awesome.

 

[athena53]

These cruises are expensive (!). DH and I have wanted to take one for a few years and hope to make it happen sooner than later....either upper Mississippi or Snake/Columbia Rivers. They look to be awesome.

If you're looking at UnCruise for Snake and Columbia, I highly recommend them. I've taken their Alaska cruises twice, went to Costa Rica and Panama last April and will be taking their cruise in the Sea of Cortes in early 2019. Seriously considering their Hawaii cruise in 2019. Unpretentious, very focused on nature, knowledgeable crew and guides, locally-sourced food where possible... well worth it, IMO.

 

[Bamaman]

The real bargains are in the upcoming months--repositioning cruises from Europe. We went from Ft. Lauderdale to Rome in April for $40 each a day in April.

We caught a one way flight from Budapest to the US for $238.

After well over a 15 ocean cruises, river cruises would be a little dull to us.

 

[Sunset]

I looked at them briefly, and they are pricey. More than Europe.

I don't know why but I personally devalue them a bit, and wonder is it because I can drive down along the Mississippi by car, stopping at each city/town along the way ?

Is this how Germans feel about the European river cruise we just took in the Spring, that it is silly when you can drive ?

 

[youbet]

I looked at them briefly, and they are pricey. More than Europe.

I don't know why but I personally devalue them a bit, and wonder is it because I can drive down along the Mississippi by car, stopping at each city/town along the way ?

Is this how Germans feel about the European river cruise we just took in the Spring, that it is silly when you can drive ?

Despite living on the Ohio River in a scenic area for several years, I've never been on a USA river cruise. DW and I love river towns, locks and dams and much of the associated history and culture. I'd love to take a week long river cruise! If we could afford it, that is........ I don't think you could come close to emulating the experience by driving from town to town (been there, done that a number of times).

They must appeal to many since they seem well utilized despite the price tag.

 

[Sunset]

I had to go and look at a Mississippi 15 day river cruise as it would be easy to compare to the Viking 15 day cruise we took.
They seem to be very comparable, I wonder if lots of Europeans are on the Mississippi cruise ?

The Mississippi one is 1.5 times more expensive and no tours are included, but they claim the tours are low cost for most.
The nice thing is it's a cheap flight needed, vs the flight to/from Europe.

I think maybe besides being frugal/cheap is that I like seeing really different culture and a lot of this is my culture.

I was looking at: https://www.americancruiselines.com

 

[Blue Collar Guy]

Whenever I hear Riverboat cruise, I envision the big paddle wheel ships, with the Gamblers sitting at a poker table playing cards , drinking hard liquor and smoking cigars. Sometimes there was gun play too. Sounds like an adventure. If you go, post a picture of the guys gambling , if there are none, tell us, we will sue for false advertising.

 

[Teacher Terry]

I agree with BM. WE have been on 5 ocean cruises and they have been great. When I can take 2 ocean cruises for the price of 1 river it does not feel appealing.

 

[Bamaman]

So many Mississippi River cruises are based in Memphis, and there iare few interesting travel sights and few cities to see south of Cairo. And the river meanders 2:1 meaning it is 800 miles by water to travel 400 miles by road.

I would hate to see the river cruise prices of they are higher than European river cruises. European river cruises are 4 times the price of ocean cruises we've been on in Europe. There are just so many other ways we would prefer to spend our travel dollars.

 

[audreyh1]

I have crossed the Mississippi river in several states. Most of it seems to be low lying land and big water, heavy industrialization, lots of barges. Never struck me as very scenic.

Now the Snake and Columbia rivers - major scenery there! Totally get cruising that.

We followed the Lewis and Clark trail one year by RV along the Missouri River and traveled from St. Louis all the way up to Three Forks in Montana and the pass in Idaho. A lot of it was fairly scenic - the further upriver the better. We saw areas of the Dakotas and Montana that we probably would never have seen otherwise.

 

[mathjak107]

we looked in to it but boy those people were old . the reviews on line said the same thing , very very older crowd tends to take those cruises .

we opted for a cruise to cuba instead ..

 

[AltaRed]

For info, Viking said on our France trip that the company is looking to do Mississippi river cruises and has plans to build a number of ships. They are looking to American and Canadian pension plans for the funding and may be operational in 3-4 years.

 

[willift]

American Queen Streamboat Company

We've cruised on the American Queen a number of times and love it.

The Rivers (Mississippi, Ohio, & Cumberland) were all more scenic than I had expected. The accommodations, service and food/wine were every bit as good as the Viking European experience. There are a number of dining options/venues. The daily tour excursions are included plus they offer optional excursions for an additional cost. The daily "Hop on Hop Off" excursions usually include 2-3 museum type events at no additional costs. All these things along with Free Wine at Dinner and good evening entertainment make these trips a Great Vacation for us.

They are kind of pricy: Inside cabins around 1800/wk and Windowed cabins around 3500/wk per person. The crowd is older but probably more young at heart, I'd say 50-85 yrs with and average in the 60s.

I sound like a shill for the American Queen, I'm not, I just really enjoy that boat. Google them, American Queen Steamboat Company

 

[Sunset]

I phoned up American Cruise Lines since they sent me a pretty book on the Alaska trip.
It had no prices so I phoned them.
For a 2 week cruise it was per couple just over $20,000 for the window room, and over $24,000 for the balcony.
I'm sure it's luxury like Viking, but at twice the price of a 2 week river cruise in Europe, it is beyond expensive.

I think I'll drive to Alaska instead.

 

[willift]

2 Cruise Lines Similar Names

American Queen Steamboat Company and American Cruise Lines are different Companies.

American Queen has 3 Riverboats; "American Queen", "American Empress" and "American Duchess"

American Cruise Line has both Paddlewheel River Boats and "Cabin Cruiser" type boats.

They are 2 totally separate companies, no Corporate connections at all.

We like American Queen Steamboat Company out of Memphis TN

 

[Sunset]

American Queen Steamboat Company and American Cruise Lines are different Companies.

American Queen has 3 Riverboats; "American Queen", "American Empress" and "American Duchess"

American Cruise Line has both Paddlewheel River Boats and "Cabin Cruiser" type boats.

They are 2 totally separate companies, no Corporate connections at all.

We like American Queen Steamboat Company out of Memphis TN

Good to make sure nobody was confused.