Viking: New cruises on the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers
The river cruise company Viking Cruises has opened bookings for two new destinations in 2027 along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers aboard the Viking Mississippi.
Guests can choose from a range of itineraries lasting 8 to 22 days aboard the state-of-the-art Viking Mississippi, which draws inspiration from Viking’s award-winning river and ocean ships. With a capacity of 386 guests in 193 all-outside cabins, it features sleek, cutting-edge Scandinavian design, large windows, and every comfort, making it the first truly modern ship in the region. Public spaces are welcoming and thoughtfully reimagined for cruising the Mississippi River.
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Torstein Hagen, Viking’s Chairman and CEO, is confident that their guests, wherever they are in the world, are interested in the history, culture, and culinary traditions of the destinations they visit. Indeed, the company offers experiences “For the Thinking Person.” These new itineraries along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers touch on cities close to home for many guests and represent fantastic destinations that are still waiting to be discovered.
It’s worth noting that Viking has received more than 450 awards, including first place in the River category and first place in the Ocean category for five consecutive years at Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. The company thus has deep expertise and is now expanding its offerings in the United States with highly appealing river packages.
From Memphis to Louisville, the 8-day Mississippi & Ohio River Explorer cruise offers picturesque scenery, wetlands, charming small towns, and historic cities. Along these waterways, classic American music genres were born: Blues, Rock ’n’ Roll, and Bluegrass, with icons like B. B. King and Elvis Presley. A visit to Kentucky is a must, including the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory and its bourbon distilleries that honor generations of craftsmen.
Casa Mark Twain a Hartford
Lewis and Clark
The Heartland of America cruise offers an 8-day journey along the Upper Mississippi from St. Louis to St. Paul, exploring the history of Norwegian migration in the Midwest. Guests follow in the footsteps of the famous writer Mark Twain, who was also a Mississippi riverboat pilot, and the intrepid pioneers of the Lewis and Clark expedition as they explored the Louisiana Territory all the way to the Pacific. The region’s cultural treasures are abundant, ranging from ragtime, polka, and Norwegian folk music to Wisconsin cheese, craft beer, and hearty stews.
Vicksburg Bridge
From New Orleans to Memphis, the 8-day Mississippi Delta Explorer cruise provides a gateway to the grand estates of the Lower Mississippi. Guests experience the French and Acadian heritage of Natchez and delve into the Battle of Vicksburg at its National Military Park. The park’s centerpiece is the Illinois Memorial, dedicated to the Union soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the 1863 siege of Vicksburg. To reach the memorial, visitors climb 47 steps, one for each day of the siege.
New Orleans
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The New Orleans & Southern Charms itinerary also explores the Lower Mississippi in 8 days, departing and returning to New Orleans. This cruise visits historic plantations and key Civil War sites, while also immersing guests in the vibrant French-flavored port cities of New Orleans and Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana. Here, time is measured by the rhythms of Jazz, Gospel, and Blues, and by the delicious flavors of Cajun and Creole cuisine.
The 15-day Bayous, Blues & Bluegrass itinerary explores the rich heritage of the American South from New Orleans to Louisville. Along the Mississippi, grand estates preserve the South’s past, including Civil War history. The route also celebrates some of the country’s most beloved culinary and musical traditions: from Greenville, with its downtown waterfalls and blues rhythms, to Tennessee with its smoked barbecue, and Kentucky with Louisville Slugger and Bourbon.
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Greenville
The most immersive journey is the 22-day Mississippi River Odyssey from New Orleans to St. Paul. Guests experience the charm of the “Great River of America” through American Civil War history, historic estates, and grand riverfront homes. Southern cuisine is highlighted, including Memphis’ world-renowned barbecue contests, alongside traditional American music: Blues, Jazz, and Soul.
And of course, the cruise experience embraces the local Cajun motto: “Laissez les bons temps rouler” – Let the good times roll.
Stay tuned to our website Cruising Journal for the latest updates, new itineraries, and offers from various cruise lines.
