7 Night Cruise sailing from Memphis to New Orleans aboard American Countess. Hotel stay pre-cruise in Memphis.

The Lower Mississippi River has stories to share – a legacy that flows from Memphis to the Gulf of Mexico. Embark on more than just a cruise, and return with more than memories: experience, understanding, an enlightened perspective. Let us introduce you to the American South and show you all the great sights and port cities as we cruise the legendary Mississippi river between Memphis to New Orleans. A new chapter awaits as we cruise around each river bend.

Day 1 Hotel Stay in Memphis, TN
Enjoy your complimentary stay at the pre-cruise hotel. The evening is yours to become acquainted with the city. Our Hospitality Desk will be located in the hotel, and our friendly staff can assist with everything from general questions about your upcoming voyage to reserving premium experiences. Both American Queen Steamboat Company and local representatives will be readily available to provide you with dining, entertainment and sightseeing options to maximize your time here.

Day 2 Memphis, TN
Memphis has a plethora of places to visit and things to do for all guests. Embrace the city that has been coined not only the home of the blues but also the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll. Boogie on down to Beale Street – alive with quirky places to indulge in some Southern barbeque, purchase souvenirs for friends and family (or a little something for yourself) and sip on a Blue Suede Tini. As one of the most famous music destinations in the world, Memphis is a melodious port for our guests to experience.

Day 3 Port of the Mississippi Delta
The Mississippi Delta is more than a geographical region. It is a way of life – a true cultural experience based on agriculture, music and history. These small river towns have been the inspiration of authors, musicians and artists for centuries. Catch a unique glimpse into the Port of the Mississippi Delta, and discover a muse of many.

Day 4 Vicksburg, MS
Vicksburg perfectly blends Southern culture and heritage with exciting modern attractions. As a major battle site during the Civil War, this Southern town carries a history unlike any other. Learn about the historic conflicts of the city, taste its cuisine, visit the many museums and pick out the perfect souvenir.

Day 5 Natchez, MS
It seems as if history fell asleep and awoke unscathed by the changing of times in this magical port. This charming river town was founded in 1716, making it the oldest city on the Mississippi River. It’s known for its elegance, hospitality and impressive preservation of history – found on every street corner. Enjoy the unique shops, restaurants, museums and historic homes, all of which inspired Hugh Bayless to include Natchez in his book “The 100 Best Towns in America.”

Day 6 St. Francisville, LA
St. Francisville today is a testament to the lifestyle of a bygone era, with its plethora of charming antebellum-period homes and striking architecture. With over 140 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, beautiful plantation homes nestled in the rolling countryside and bustling Main Street shops, this quaint town situated on the bluffs of the Mississippi River has a style all its own.

Day 7 Baton Rouge, LA
Baton Rouge grants a strikingly different experience from those of the small-town stops throughout the journey. In this energetic port, history-facing museums and landmarks fraternize with forward-looking art and industry to offer a personalized encounter to each visitor. Allow the flowing, carefree words of denizens to dance through the eardrums during a meander through the city streets. Choose to hop on one of our deluxe motorcoaches and explore the diversity this city has to offer, or take a walk down the river path alongside the boat.

Day 8 Nottoway
American Queen Steamboat Company features an exclusive port at Nottoway. While the boat is docked, visit the sugarcane estate – the largest standing antebellum mansion in the South. Nottoway is an intricate building with impressive detail. Original furnishings mingle with era-appropriate antiques to create an atmosphere that does justice to the home’s original ambiance. It is fascinating history and luxurious aesthetic packaged in Southern hospitality – an experience that you will not want to pass up.

Day 9 New Orleans, LA
As the journey concludes, there are other opportunities for you to take in the town.

The newest gem in the American Queen Steamboat Company’s riverboat fleet, American Countess welcomes 245 passengers along the Tennessee, Ohio, Cumberland, and Mississippi rivers. Her sleek, contemporary design offers plenty of open space for gathering and sharing the fun, and you’ll love the great forward-facing windows and the portside bar with an 80-foot view.

Savor fresh, regional cuisine in the Grand Dining Room with its custom Italian fabrics and rich walnut accents, the floor to ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the shoreline morning, noon and night. Work out in the contemporary gym with its brand new equipment and a dramatic river backdrop. Relax or watch your flat-screen TV in the inviting surroundings of your stateroom with premium linens and plush bedding. Or make your way to the Card Room, Library or Theater for a friendly game, a new best-seller or live award-winning entertainment.

Be one of the first to experience her elegant décor as she makes her way down the mighty Mississippi from the Big Easy to the Home of the Blues.

To really see North America, to understand the land and its people, you need to explore not only the iconic cities, but the pathways between. American Queen Voyages encourages guests to slow down and meander the waterways, to explore an America you thought you knew, in an entirely different way.

American Queen Voyages embodies the story of America’s fabled rivers in their iconic red paddlewheelers. Over the past 10 years, their flagship riverboat, American Queen, has traversed the waterways throughout the Deep South and the Heartland. She meanders as far north as Minneapolis, as far south as New Orleans, and as far west as Pittsburgh, on occasion even journeying along the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. American Empress calls the Columbia and Snake rivers of the Pacific Northwest her home, while American Countess travels where the soul of the American South flows. They’ve built an award-winning fleet of paddlewheelers and boats, including the newly built Ocean Victory which is built for exploration in earth's most fragile places. They’re your home away from home, and wherever they go, curious locals line up along the shores welcoming guests when they arrive and waving goodbye when they leave. Every journey is all-inclusive and complete with onboard activities, shore excursions, genuine hospitality, elevated dining, and sophisticated accommodation. On every journey, discovery runs deep. From the sounds of New Orleans Jazz to the taste of Memphis barbeque and the tales of Mark Twain, our iconic red paddlewheelers churn with new possibilities and adventure ahead.