Group Size: American Splendor can accommodate up to 170 passengers for this voyage.
Price: Starting from $8,990 per person double occupancy / $10,290 single occupancy
Co-sponsored with: sponsors to be announced
Trip Overview
Join us for a cruise down the mighty Mississippi River from Memphis to New Orleans aboard the 185-berth American Splendor, a riverboat built in 2016 in the classic paddle-wheeler style. Begin in Memphis, Tennessee, home to Elvis’ Graceland, and uncover its diverse heritage while strolling iconic Beale Street or exploring iconic sites such as the Stax Museum of American Soul Music or the National Civil Rights Museum. Embark American Splendor and cruise downriver visiting sugar plantations, Creole cottages, and lush landscapes of Bayou country. In Cleveland, Mississippi, choose to visit the Grammy Museum, take a guided tour of the the Mississippi Blues Trail, or venture to Mound Bayou, an all-Black community considered an oasis during the turbulent beginnings of the Civil Rights Movement. See the location where a 47-day Civil War battle raged in Vicksburg before control of the Mississippi River was taken by the North. Continue to Natchez and discover how its architectural grandeur reflects the prosperous Steamboat Era of the early 1800s. Downriver in St. Francisville and Vacherie, Louisiana, investigate magnificent mansions and historic plantations, including Oak Alley and Creole Laura Plantation. The journey concludes in New Orleans in the architecturally distinct French Quarter. On optional tours, admire the gorgeous homes and landscapes of the Garden District and visit the renowned National World War II Museum.
Throughout the voyage, enjoy panel discussions and opportunities for direct engagement with an outstanding lineup of lecturers, including a keynote discussion by eminent Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Doris Kearns Goodwin.
Schedule by Day
Pricing
Per person double occupancy:
- Standard Stateroom, Deck 1: $8,990
- Private Balcony, Deck 2: $9,790
- Private Balcony, Deck 3: $10,590
- Private Balcony, Deck 4: $11,390
- Private Balcony, Deck 5: $12,190
- Owner's Suite: $13,690
Single occupancy:
- Private Balcony Suite, Single: $10,290
Accommodations
- One night at the Guest House, at Graceland
- Eight nights aboard American Splendor
Extensions
None offered
What to Expect
This is a moderately strenuous program that is at times physically demanding and busy, and requires participants to be in good health and able to keep up with the group without assistance from tour staff. To make the most of what each locale has to offer, shore excursions during the cruise will be active, and you will often be spending much of the day off the vessel. These adventure-filled days will be offset by relaxing
time spent cruising along the river, with the opportunity to enjoy the passing scenery, the ship’s amenities, and the full lecture program.
Travel on land will be by modern air-conditioned motorcoaches, with the longest drives lasting about an hour to an hour and a half. Daily activities can involve up to two miles of walking, and many walking tours will take place in older quarters and historic sites, where the terrain varies (e.g., uneven walkways, steep and sandy trails, dirt streets and paths in some locations). Some historic buildings do not have elevators, and you’ll sometimes encounter steps without handrails. The American Splendor has two elevators which serve all decks with cabins, dining, and lounges, though the elevators do not reach the sun deck.
This promises to be a memorable journey, but as with all travel, a flexible attitude, a spirit of adventure, and a willingness to explore new areas will enhance your enjoyment of this program. You do not have to participate in all of the scheduled activities, except when traveling to the next destination. We are sure you will be pleased with the exciting educational program provided, but we want you to be aware of the pace and activity level.
In March, the weather is generally mild and comfortable, with high temperatures usually in the mid-70s, and rain is always a possibility.
