No river in the USA is extra storied or iconic than the Mississippi, and for good cause. Etched into its historical past are tales of paddlewheel boats and life on and alongside the river, which promised a method out for a lot of who had by no means ventured past the borders of their very own small cities.
These municipalities dot the banks of the Massive Muddy, latching onto its waters as if their very survival is dependent upon it — as a result of it does. With its speeding currents and spectacular lock system, the Mighty Mississippi pulses life into companies and supplies a transportation route for the delivery of products that the locals need to each purchase and promote.
At present, river cruises alongside the Mississippi supply an opportunity to expertise a few of that very same steadfast promise and attract in bustling large cities and smaller cities which have been all however forgotten because the daybreak of air journey.
As the most recent cruise line to supply unbelievable itineraries on the Higher and Decrease Mississippi on its Viking Mississippi vessel, Viking supplies a glimpse into life alongside this fascinating waterway. The model additionally options fabulous pre- and post-cruise extensions that can help you proceed your journey within the fantastic locations the ship visits.
My latest Viking Mississippi voyage started with a two-night precruise keep in St. Louis earlier than a switch to Alton, Illinois, the place I boarded the vessel for a visit north. After Alton, the schedule had me visiting six totally different riverside cities. They included Hannibal, Missouri; Burlington, Iowa; Quad Cities, Iowa; Dubuque, Iowa; La Crosse, Wisconsin; and Crimson Wing, Minnesota. Then a switch took me to St. Paul for a two-night postcruise keep — a complete of 12 days of exploring within the Midwest.
What I skilled was a wholesome dose of small-town Americana on an itinerary I did not even know I needed. If, like me, you have at all times been intrigued by the Mississippi, this is why a Viking river cruise is a superb approach to expertise this a part of the U.S.
An itinerary of tiny cities you did not know you needed to go to
The lore of the Mighty Mississippi is nice for historical past buffs. Once I initially seemed on the ports between the beginning and ending factors, my first thought was “I’ve by no means heard of those locations.” However after investigating shore tour choices, pleasure set in. I noticed lots of the locations on the itinerary have been made well-known by iconic names that vary from agricultural (John Deere in Moline, Illinois, one of many Quad Cities) and literary (Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn in Hannibal) to cinematic (the Area of Goals in Dyersville, Iowa, close to Dubuque).
Viking’s record of shore excursions is spectacular, with one free tour included in every port. I attempted two free excursions and three added-fee ones. Though those for an additional price have been wonderful and of a better high quality than the free ones, the complimentary ones have been nonetheless fairly nice.
Each day E-newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Each day e-newsletter
Be a part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s specialists
My favorites included an $89 go to to the Anheuser-Busch brewery and museum in St. Louis, the place I noticed a few of the well-known Clydesdale horses; a $99 outing to see the precise Area of Goals, the place the film was filmed; and a free journey to tour the John Deere household mansions. The entire excursions supplied a pleasant glimpse of life in America’s heartland.
In locations the place I did not e-book excursions or the place the excursions have been shorter, I spent a while meandering round city alone. What I discovered was pleasant: an old-timey sweet retailer and soda fountain in Hannibal, residence of Mark Twain; tasty cheese curds in La Crosse; and a quaint bookstore in Crimson Wing, the place the shopkeepers choose a e-book to reward you in your first go to.
Beautiful folks — ashore and on board
What shocked me most about my Viking Mississippi journey was that the folks received me over as a lot because the cities themselves did. Nothing tops the kindness I discovered in Alton, the port the place I first boarded the ship. Throughout my two-night precruise keep, I ran out of dental floss and deliberate to choose some up the following day in Alton. Because it seems, there aren’t any shops within the downtown space that promote it. That you must journey a number of miles away to seek out bigger shops, and good luck discovering an Uber or taxi in a city that dimension.
Once I went right into a boutique thrift store and requested the lady working if she knew the place I may discover some, she stated she did not however provided to present me a few of her personal flossers. (I declined.) I walked about quarter-hour to a comfort retailer I discovered on Google, however when the woman working the register instructed me they did not carry floss, she too provided me a few of her personal, pointing to her braces and explaining that she carries it along with her always. That kind of help-your-neighbor hospitality and allure are qualities you do not typically discover in main cities.
After which there’s Paul Sherman, a Dyersville native and former skilled baseballer who was solid as one of many ghost gamers in “Area of Goals.” He makes use of his function to boost funds for charities and nonetheless dons the uniform on the area at the moment, the place you will discover him prepared to present excursions, chat with guests, pose for pictures within the close by cornfield and discuss all issues baseball, Kevin Costner and Ray Liotta (who, as Sherman will let you know, by no means performed baseball in his life earlier than filming the film).
It is not simply the locals who’re nice, although. The crew on board Viking Mississippi has its personal solid of pleasant characters. Tim, the cruise director, is filled with dad jokes throughout day by day trivia, and Richard is an absolute wiz behind Paps Bar within the Explorers’ Lounge.
For those who odor one thing superb within the hallway close to your cabin, it is most likely Michael, a room steward who’s obsessive about Tub & Physique Works scents. And do not miss an opportunity to speak with waitstaff members Darrell, who’s an absolute breath of contemporary air very first thing within the morning, and Kindra, who can supply stellar suggestions for what it is best to binge-watch subsequent on Netflix.
The perks of a street journey — however with out the street
As a result of a few of these cities are so small, they do not have main airports, making them tough to succeed in. Other than a handful of annual festivals — similar to Hannibal’s Twain on Predominant, in celebration of creator Mark Twain — that have a tendency to attract vacationers as a part of one-town getaways, these riverside municipalities are sometimes greatest suited to street journeys.
However what should you do not personal a automobile, don’t love driving or don’t need the trouble of planning street journey logistics like the place to remain and what number of days it can take you to get the place you are going?
That is the place a cruise is available in. You will not have to fret concerning the value of gasoline, finding the closest relaxation cease to restock your snacks or determining a playlist that can go well with everybody within the automobile. On Viking Mississippi, you may settle in and revel in whereas another person does the driving. Viking handles all the logistics, together with the pre- and postcruise stays, which lengthen the journey by a number of days for these with trip time to spare. Plus, each cabin has a balcony, so you will not must miss out on enjoyable views to maintain your eyes on the street.
A novel hybrid onboard vibe
For those who’ve cruised on one in all Viking’s ocean ships or one in all its Europe river vessels, you will know that the atmosphere on board is significantly Scandinavian, a nod to the road’s Norwegian heritage. It is the identical with Viking Mississippi. Nevertheless, it affords a little bit of a twist.
Blended in with Viking memorabilia, a standard Norwegian costume show and an onboard store that sells Norwegian wool sweaters are references to the Mississippi. Big maps of the river adorn stairwell partitions, together with larger-than-life excerpts from Mark Twain novels that includes Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.
Though it’d appear to be an odd combine, it is a method for passengers to benefit from the line’s hallmark Scandinavian class whereas nonetheless being reminded of the native parts they will expertise ashore.
Viking Mississippi flies an American flag and is crewed by Individuals, however you may nonetheless count on the refined, upscale parts which might be Viking signatures — one thing that units the road other than its competitors within the U.S. market.
Incredible onboard service
After experiencing questionable service with a unique U.S. river cruise line a few years earlier than crusing with Viking Mississippi, I used to be elated to find that Viking’s workers is great. Apart from some minor points with the timing between meals programs within the eating room, I used to be impressed with the crew’s professionalism.
Waitstaff and room stewards are persistently pleasant and exit of their approach to anticipate passengers’ wants. They deal with particular requests with ease and style, and so they appear genuinely completely happy to be doing their jobs — one thing that is not at all times the case on different traces.
Once I sailed with the opposite cruise line, I obtained undercooked pancakes that have been nonetheless runny inside, and after I requested for a banana, the harried waiter returned quarter-hour later to announce he could not discover them. In distinction, on Viking Mississippi, my cabin attendant left me further washcloths as a result of she observed I take advantage of a minimum of two a day, and one of many waiters within the River Cafe buffet noticed me gentle up on the point out of coconut ice cream and introduced me a dish for dessert earlier than I even had an opportunity to ask.
While you come again from a busy day of exploring ashore, you may count on a stage of service that can have you ever feeling pampered and able to tackle the adventures that come subsequent.
Backside line
One thing particular occurs as you’re taking within the quiet rush of water out of your cabin balcony and watch because the world slides previous, however a river cruise on the Mississippi is rarely solely concerning the onboard expertise.
Viking Mississippi’s itineraries begin and finish in cities, however it’s the small cities alongside the best way that actually make the expertise memorable. From vintage shops and native artwork and ultra-friendly folks to manufacturers like John Deere and Crimson Wing Footwear which might be synonymous with exhausting work, you will discover many surprises throughout a crusing within the area. However, with Viking, you too can count on terrific service, snug lodging and an opportunity to loosen up.
Need to be taught extra about Viking and Mississippi river cruises? We have got you coated with these tales.
