subject: Mississippi Cruise Options For Entertainment And Culture [print this page] River cruises are a fantastic way to spend your holidays, and the Mississippi is a particularly interesting river on which to travel, whether for a quick weekend or for an extended cruise.
There are big differences in terms of the length of possible Mississippi river cruise itineraries. You may be navigating just for half a day as part of a mainly land-borne voyage, or you may spend weeks on the river and visit more than one state and several towns and cities.
There are indeed a lot of options for the discerning traveler looking for a Mississippi cruise. The river, which runs from Minnesota to Louisiana, is the second longest in the United States and also the fifth longest in the world.
There are different types of vessels that you can take on a Mississippi river cruise, from luxuriously refurbished steamboats of old to newer self-catering houseboats and small modern motor yachts.
If you choose a steamboat, you will not be spoilt for choice as many of the bigger Mississippi river cruise boats have saloons, gambling malls, restaurants, spas and so forth. And of course, there are plenty of onshore activities to choose from, from sightseeing to golfing.
It is a truly ideal environment for all kinds of different pastimes, from a romantic night to cocktail parties, singles parties, tracing the steps of Civil War events, a business symposium, or even a marriage!
Many Mississippi river cruises follow a distinct theme throughout the trip, and both the on-shore sightseeing and the on-board entertainment are geared towards the themes. Whether you are a naturalist, a civil war buff, a jazz lover, a nostalgic for the days of steamboats and railroads, or an architecture fan, you will be able to find the cruise that interests you.
The principal ports of departure and arrival are New Orleans, Memphis, Chattanooga, St. Louis, Galveston and Pittsburgh. A Mississippi cruise can be either a round-trip or just one way, between two ports of call.
Pricing for a Mississippi cruise varies enormously, mainly depending on the kind of trip (luxury, midrange or budget) but of course also no the length, on the included extras, and on the overall package. Often discounts can be had for groups such as families.
On the Internet you will find a wealth of information and tips on how to find the perfect river voyage for you. Once you have all the information you need, you can choose the right option for you at travel agencies, through the Internet or directly at the cruise lines' offices.
