Southern Rhythms and Blues: A Musical Journey from Nashville to New Orleans. From Nashville, the home of Country Music to vibrant Memphis, where the soulful beats of rock 'n' roll echo through the streets and the tantalising aroma of barbecue fills the air. Sail on a luxury cruise down the mighty Mississippi to the enchanting city of New Orleans. Along the way, indulge in mouthwatering Cajun and Creole cuisine admire the rich French and Acadian heritage and the grand homes of the Lower Mississippi. Then to the birthplace of American jazz, New Orleans, where soulful rhythms and vibrant culture await to uplift your spirit. Join us for an unforgettable experience celebrating the timeless allure of the Deep South.
Hosting only 386 guests in all outside staterooms, the new state-of-the-art Viking Mississippi is inspired by the award-winning Viking Longships® and features clean Scandinavian design. Purpose-built for the Mississippi, the ship’s cutting-edge design, expansive windows and comfortable amenities make it the first truly modern cruise ship in the region.
Crew: 147. Length: 450 feet. Year built: 2022.
SUN 18 MAY – AUCKLAND/NASHVILLE D
Depart Auckland on United Airlines and fly via San Francisco to Nashville - Music City. Dinner included at the Hotel tonight. Stay 4 Star Nashville Hotel (3 nights).
MON 19 MAY – NASHVILLE B
Enjoy a half day city tour of the birthplace of country music, and the afternoon is at leisure.
TUE 20 MAY – NASHVILLE B,D
Today visit the Country Music Hall of Fame and take a backstage tour of the famous Grand Ole Opry.
WED 21 MAY – NASHVILLE/MEMPHIS B,D
Travel to Memphis. Tonight dine on Beale Street, the home of ‘the Blues’. Stay 4 Star Memphis Hotel (3 nights).
THU 22 MAY - MEMPHIS SIGHTSEEING B,D
Visit the legendary Sun Studio known worldwide as “The Birthplace of Rock’n’roll”, the discovery location of musical legends from B.B. King and Elvis Presley to Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis. Then to the poignant National Civil Right Museum Slavery, at the place of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s death.
FRI 23 MAY - MEMPHIS SIGHTSEEING B
Today visit Gracelands the home of Elvis Presley. The most famous home in America after The White House. The afternoon is free.
SAT 24 MAY - MEMPHIS/MISSISSIPPI CRUISE B,D?
Embark on the new state-of-the-art Viking Mississippi for 7 nights, from Memphis, Tennessee to New Orleans, Louisiana.
SUN 25 MAY - MISSISSIPPI CRUISE - GREENVILLE
Greenville is Mississippi’s largest river port. Its rural setting belies a diverse artistic heritage. The Muppets creator Jim Henson was born here, and the city has been home to numerous authors, including noted historian Shelby Foote. Greenville is also steeped in the blues; famed songwriter W.C. Handy was inspired to popularize the genre after seeing pioneering musician Prince McCoy perform at a nearby dancehall and neighboring Indianola was the hometown of the legendary B.B. King.
MON 26 MAY - MISSISSIPPI CRUISE - VICKSBURG
Vicksburg is the epitome of Southern heritage and charm with its prime locale on the Mississippi. During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln called it “the key to the South.” And it indeed proved to be the site of the conflict’s most pivotal battle, the Battle of Vicksburg, after which the Confederates surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant. The Vicksburg National Military Park preserves the battle site’s rolling green fields and grand monuments.
TUE 27 MAY - MISSISSIPPI CRUISE - NATCHEZ
Natchez has over 200 historic Southern estates in the country lining its avenues. It is the oldest city on the Mississippi, established in 1716 by French colonists and named for the Natchez tribe.
WED 28 MAY - MISSISSIPPI CRUISE - ST FRANCISVILLE
Boasting more than 140 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, St. Francisville is set along one of the most historic bluffs of the Mississippi. It is the oldest town in Louisiana’s Florida Parishes and remarkably, many of its structures are not its own; they were moved upriver from Bayou Sara after the small settlement was destroyed by years of flooding.
THU 29 MAY - MISSISSIPPI CRUISE - BATON ROUGE
Baton Rouge‘s early success was due to its flood-free location. French explorer Pierre Le Moyne, named the city after a red-hued pole that marked the area’s tribal hunting grounds. Its cultural diversity—from its Cajun and Creole music and cuisine to its art offerings—reflects the influences of those who settled and lived here throughout Baton Rouge's history. It has the tallest capitol building in the the tallest ca
FRI 30 MAY - MISSISSIPPI CRUISE - DARROW
The Lower Mississippi region is dotted with historic mansions; Darrow is the gateway to these grand homes, meticulously kept to preserve the memory of early Southern American history. Here, imposing houses share the riverscape with moss-draped oak trees and farm fields. It is easy to imagine steamboats and other vessels delivering supplies and materials to these stately front doors. Today, several properties are designated National Historic Landmarks.
SAT 31 MAY - MISSISSIPPI CRUISE - NEW ORLEANS
The birthplace of American jazz. Founded by French colonists in 1718, New Orleans served as a territorial capital before 1803. Its St. Louis Cathedral—named for King Louis IX of France—is the oldest cathedral in the country. After breakfast, disembark the ship and transfer to your hotel. Stay New Orleans Hotel (2 nights).
SUN 01 JUN - NEW ORLEANS B,D
Today visit the Mardi Gras Museum to see firsthand what it takes to bring Mardi Gras to life year after year. The afternoon is free and a farewell dinner tonight.
MON 02 JUNE – NEW ORLEANS/AUCKLAND
The morning is free and then transfer to New Orleans airport around 1.00pm for your flight home. Depart New Orleans on your United Airlines via San Francisco. Fly over the Dateline.
WED 04 JUNE – AUCKLAND
Arrive Auckland.
