At a glance
- Highlights include the cuisine, musical legacy and history
- A Mississippi River cruise is more relaxing than a road trip because all of the logistics are taken care of, but that does mean less spontaneity
- Extreme weather can be an issue, and water levels occasionally disrupt itineraries
Three reasons why a Mississippi River cruise is worth it
1. It’s more relaxing than a road trip
By your sixth hour behind the wheel, that great American road trip might not feel so great after all. Between the boredom, fatigue, stiff back and questionable gas station bathrooms, long drives can quickly lose their shine. And that’s if everything goes to plan. Throw in unexpected traffic jams, roadworks or car trouble, and it can become a full-blown ordeal.
Then there’s the constant admin: booking motels or hotels (always a gamble), planning your route and juggling endless logistics.
River cruising, on the other hand, is seamless. Everything is taken care of for you by seasoned experts, from your itinerary to your excursions, with routes carefully curated to showcase America’s most remarkable riverside destinations.
And the journey itself? Infinitely more comfortable and stimulating. Aboard Viking Mississippi, for instance, you could take a dip in the infinity pool, chat with the resident historian or sip a cocktail as you sail. Beats playing ‘I spy’ in a cramped car for the fifth time, doesn’t it?
2. It’s a foodie’s dream
A Mississippi River cruise is a feast of American classics, making it an exceptional experience for any food lover. While ports all down the river have their own culinary traditions, the Lower Mississippi is especially renowned for showcasing the very best of Southern hospitality.
New Orleans was crowned the best city for food by Time Out in 2025, thanks to its wealth of Cajun bistros and top-tier Creole cuisine. Think gumbo, jambalaya, crawfish étouffée, fried catfish and sweet, pillowy beignets.
Across the state of Mississippi, tamales are a beloved tradition, with local juke joints serving them up in port cities like Natchez. And then there’s Memphis, famed for its lip-smacking barbecue, from tender pulled pork to big old racks of ribs drenched in sauce.
Of course, you’ll need something to wash all that food down with, and the river offers plenty of options. Sip Sazeracs in New Orleans, enjoy Coke floats in Vicksburg or sample world-class whiskey in Memphis. Further north, cities like St Louis are known for their thriving craft beer scenes, turning each port of call into a mouthwatering moment on your river journey.
3. The musical legacy is unmatched
Along the Mississippi, you’ll find the cradle of culture-defining genres, from blues and gospel to rock ‘n’ roll and country. Sailing this storied river lets you experience their living legacy, stepping into the same venues and studios that shaped musical legends, and catching live performances from rising stars and old-timers alike.
In New Orleans, it’s easy to lose an afternoon in atmospheric jazz clubs, soaking up brass-filled melodies that spill onto the streets. Memphis, meanwhile, calls for a pilgrimage to places like Graceland and Sun Studio, where icons such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton made music history.
While Nashville isn’t technically on the Mississippi – it sits on the Cumberland River in central Tennessee – it’s often included on Mississippi River cruise itineraries or paired with a pre- or post-cruise tour. As America’s beloved ‘Music City’, it offers plenty to explore, from the Country Music Hall of Fame to intimate venues showcasing the next generation of talent.
Three reasons why a Mississippi River cruise might not be worth it for you
1. It can be hot and humid
The Deep South can be sweltering in summer, with temperatures reaching up to 40 °C and humidity that makes it feel even hotter. Add in overly friendly mosquitoes, and it’s enough to dampen the experience for some.
The trick to making it worth it for you is timing your cruise to match your preferences. If you’re not a fan of intense heat, it’s wise to avoid sailing the Lower Mississippi in the summer months. Our guide on the best time to sail can help you plan a trip that skips the worst of the muggy weather and keeps your days comfortably warm instead of stifling.
2. Fluctuating water levels
Extreme weather can have impacts that go beyond mere discomfort – it can make the river itself unpredictable. As T. S. Eliot, born in St Louis, once wrote, the Mississippi is “sullen, untamed and intractable.” That feels even truer today, with increasingly capricious weather patterns.
In spring, snowmelt and heavy rain can cause elevated water levels or even flooding. Conversely, in extremely hot, dry summers, drought can leave river levels unusually low. In either case, certain portions of the Mississippi can become unnavigable for river ships, leading to itinerary disruptions or alterations. For example, this might happen if a vessel can no longer fit under bridges or if the river becomes too narrow for two-way traffic.
While these disruptions are very much the exception rather than the rule, it’s still worth considering whether that level of uncertainty is acceptable to you.
3. Less spontaneity
If you’re looking for complete freedom, the open road might suit you better. On a cruise, you can’t decide halfway through that you love Memphis barbecue so much you want to stay for four days instead of two, or that Lafayette sounds more appealing than Baton Rouge, so you’ll just switch up your route on a whim.
That said, this apparent downside comes with its own upside. A cruise frees you from decision-making overload. You can trust that experienced experts have crafted your itinerary with care, drawing on extensive research and insider knowledge. All that’s left for you to do is sit back, drink in the scenery and enjoy each carefully chosen stop along the way.
Booking your Mississippi River cruise
The best way to ensure your Mississippi River cruise is worth it for you is to do your research. When you sail, which itinerary you choose and the cruise line itself can all shape how much you enjoy your experience.
Check out our guides to:
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