Important Basics About Cruises along the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is considered as being the longest river in the nation. The Indians were the ones who lived on it`s shores and who coined the name. They called it the “Big River” or the “Messipi.”
In our times, a cruise along the waters of the Mississippi is considered pretty popular as a lot of travelers will see it as a method of getting a small glimpse from the history of the river. Sailing the 2.300-mile long river will most certainly allow travelers have a different knowledge of this nation.
This is the perfect way to learn about the culture and history of the U.S. But a cruise along the Mississippi will not be restricted to just learning about United States` history; you will be able to delight yourself with regional cuisine and local live music as well.
Such as cruise will generally be offered on board a paddle-wheeler, which usually has a Victorian décor inspired from the nineteenth century. The members of the staff are usually quite friendly and the client service pretty good.
There are a lot of cruise lines providing cruises on the Mississippi and each type of package will offer a distinct length. There are cruise packages which range from three to twelve days, depending you are interested in spending along the river. If you do not wish to spend that much time aboard a Mississippi riverboat, you may choose an hour long cruise tour.
The pace of such a cruise is not considered too fast, if we are to thinking of those mega ocean liners. Generally, these riverboats will sail with around 6 miles/hour, offering guests plenty of time to absorb the surrounding beauty of the Mississippi`s scenery.
A lot of cruise lines have special offers included for the Christmas or Valentine`s Day. Such cruises will be more expansive than traditional cruise trips and the guests will be treated with some exciting display of fireworks along the cruise.
The length of a Mississippi cruise will usually depend on how many ports of call are included in the package. Since the whole river system has more than fifty rivers and waterways, you should be certain you will have many chances of exploring and learning about the Midwest.
Although you can choose any period of the year to take your cruise on the Mississippi, in winter season the northern itineraries are closed. If you consider yourself sensitive to humidity or heat, try to avoid choose a cruise during the summer season, as the basic of the river is pretty warm during this period of time. Be certain you will book your cruise in advance because each and every riverboat will allow less than five hundred guests per trip. If you want to save some money, you should avoid add-ons as much as possible, and also try eating on shore if you can and not on board.
How to Find Mississippi River Paddle-Wheel Riverboat Cruises
The traditional cruises on the Mississippi on board old-fashioned paddle-wheel riverboats were stopped in 2008. Several cruise lines which operate traditional riverboats such as the Mississippi Queen or Delta Queen stopped offering tours with overnight accommodations on board. In present times, the only cruise tours with a paddle-wheeler which are will be available will be available only during the day or evening. On board those overnight cruises, the guests will be able to stay in various hotels located near the shores of the Mississippi River. However, it`s possible to also spend some time along the Mississippi aboard one either one of those paddle-wheelers during the night.
1. You should write several ideas about the type of experience you want to explore. Try to acknowledge if you wish a cruise during the day or night. Also, are you only interested in trying an old-fashioned paddle-wheel riverboat or just a replica? Do you want to take your dinner to be included in the cruise? In which period of time will you be interested to take your cruise? What part of the Mississippi you want to take your cruise?
2. Try using the online environment so you may find a few paddle-wheelers and select those types of sites that will provide advertisements on specific cruise lines which offer cruises in that certain part of the Mississippi you are interested in visiting. Try to be sure of the available ships for a certain geographic region. For example, searching for “Minnesota paddle-wheelers” may be a pretty good idea if that should be the side of Mississippi you are interested in seeing. Pick only those sites that are sponsored by specific local boards or any official sites for a specific region.
3. Follow those types of links to the paddle-wheel lines. Research as much as you can about those specific cruise providers at their sites. Make a search engine query on any certain operator which will provide paddle-wheel cruises on the Mississippi and see as much reviews as you possibly can about that specific line. Try looking for any specific reviews from past guests on cruise message boards.
4. You should contact the cruise line that you might feel will be the most appropriate for your cruise. Get in touch with one of the company`s representatives for any possible questions which you might have about their services. You should always take into consideration asking him about the boat`s captain, the boat`s history or about the point of interest along the cruise. Try finding out more about that certain period of time in which your cruise is scheduled, which is the cruise port of departure and how many hours will the cruise last. If you are interested in picking a dinner cruise, ask him more questions about the menu or about the entertainment offered on board. Try making a booking for any specific reservation, but only when you will feel confident about what you have chosen.
Available Options for Resorts along the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is flowing from Lake Itasca, which is situated in Itasca State Park, to the south side of the Gulf of Mexico. All tourists can visit the headwaters of the Mississippi, accommodate at one of the resorts situated close to the shores, or take a tour across the Mississippi within Itasca State Park. The resorts located near the Mississippi will provide scenic views, close proximity to the cruises, and access to relaxation.
At Chestnut Mountain Resort, all the available accommodations will generally include several guestrooms and suites. They offer a king-size bed with a Jacuzzi, along with many other amenities. Guests will be able to have access to wireless connection and to four on-site restaurants. You may take a 1 1/2 hour cruise tour aboard the Mississippi Explorer and also ride the alpine slide of the park down the Mississippi River bank. This particular resort will have a few distinct amenities to offer, like sauna, mini-golf courses and interior pool. During the summer you are able to rent bikes, while during the winter season you may ski down nineteen runs. The Powder Playcare program will be available for all interested kids as well.
Niemeyer`s Rugged River Resort
At Niemeyer`s Rugged River Resort, guest will be able to find more than 200 acres and six different cabins near the Mississippi River. All these cabins are usually smoke free, and will also include outdoor grill, kitchen and bed linens. With each cabin rentals, a dock space will become available as well. The resort office includes camp store and high-speed wireless internet access. The grounds will include outdoor games, and trails for hiking or biking. In the close regions of this resort, an access to the Paul Bunyan Trail can be found as well. Guests at the resort can enjoy themselves on board paddle-boats, may use the hot tub for relaxation, or the heated pool for quality times of recreation. RV will also be available.
Grand Harbor Resort & Waterpark
Grand Harbor Resort & Waterpark will provide several rooms or suites, some of them including wonderful views of the Mississippi. The suite will feature fireplace options, a wet bar as well as a Jacuzzi. The in-room entertainment will usually include wireless internet access, NintendoNetTV and PPV movies. The water-park will offer tube rides, a Mississippi theme and water cannons. Tony Roma`s will serve the resort with dining close to the river at its restaurant or lounge.
Basic Descriptions of Riverboat Cruises on Several Rivers from Minnesota
Minnesota will include a few rivers on which a few cruise tours will be available. The area between St. Paul and Minneapolis will make a good starting point for tours on the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers. Tours on the St. Croix River, considered one of the Mississippi`s tributaries, can easily be reached from Taylors Falls and Stillwater; the river will offer several options for checking out the wildlife or various species of birds which might be found along the cruise.
The Minneapolis Queen, a 125-passenger paddle-wheeler boat, owned by Paradise Charter Cruises will provide an enjoyable method of sailing on the Mississippi. You may opt between the cocktail cruises or narrated sightseeing trips that will leave from Boom Island Park from Minneapolis. The tours will provide with wonderful views of the Minneapolis Skyline, St. Anthony Falls or Lock System, and many other interesting buildings along the way. Tours by Padelford Riverboats will take guests through the Mississippi National Great River Park and will also offer a distinct way of seeing the Mississippi. Along the cruise, you might spot herons, bald eagles or falcons, which will be hosted on this region. The line will offer sightseeing as well as meals tours every day during the summer.
Magnolia Blossom Cruises will offer private charter tours on the Minnesota River. The cruises will take guests around Pike Island, the village of Mendota or the St. Paul-Minneapolis International Airport. Passengers can travel under several bridges and see Fort Snelling State Park. Guests can watch may species of birds that are hosted along this region. While the cruise line will not provide public tours on the Minnesota River, they will offer a tour exclusively for private charter groups for up to one hundred and twenty five passengers.
St. Croix River Cruises
The St. Croix Boat & Packet Co. will offer tours that will sail along the Croix River which will leave from Stillwater. The line will offer lunch and dinner cruises each and every day, which will take passengers past cultural landmarks and natural wonders of the Croix River. The Taylors Falls Scenic Boat Tours offer a distinct option of exploring the St. Croix River. Cruises will depart from Taylors Falls and will take guests past the giant stone cross formation from which this river was getting its own name. Guests can see the Old Man of The Dalles, which is considered an interesting natural rock face. Cruises will be offered every day of the week from May through early October.
Basic Descriptions of Various Mississippi Resort Hotels
Being situated on the Gulf of Mexico coast, Mississippi will provide travelers many opportunities for entertainment, and swift access to main cities in the closest states. Both Memphis and New Orleans are within a short drive distance of Mississippi, and provide live music, historic and cultural sites, as well as nightlife. Many resort accommodations in Mississippi will be located throughout the entire state and allow passengers to enjoy business amenities and on-site recreation.
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino
The Beau Rivage Resort & Casino is situated in Biloxi, a town from the southern side of Mississippi which rests on the Gulf of Mexico`s shores. Biloxi hosts eleven major casinos, venues which will provide fishing charters and the longest man-made beach in the world. The Beau Rivage Resort & Casino is situated only a few steps from the water and a few hundred meters from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Vieux Marche Mall Shopping Center. Guests may indulge in spa services which are provided within the hotel, enjoy a day by the pool which will overlook Mississippi Sound, and play in the on-site arcade. The resort casino will be open all day and night for casino gambling and will include slot machines, table games and mega casino bonuses.
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino
875 Beach Blvd.
228 386 7111
http://beaurivage.com
Pearl River Resort
The Pearl River Resort is situated in Neshoba County, which will be located in the heart of Mississippi. The region will host several festivals or fairs during the entire year, which will include the Neshoba County Fair or the Choctaw Indian Fair. Philadelphia, which hosts this resort, has two eighteen-hole golf courses as well as a large network of parks. The Pearl River Resort includes over 1.000 guestrooms, ten restaurants and a casino. Guest may enjoy spa services on-site which include aromatherapy, purifying facials and Swedish massage.
Pearl River Resort
13541 Mississippi 16
866 447 3275
http://pearlriverresort.com
Westgate Tunica Resort
The Westgate Tunica Resort is situated in the Mississippi`s northwest corner, only a couple of miles from the Alabama state border and the majestic Mississippi River. The resort is also only thirty miles south of Memphis, where travelers may enjoy various attractions which will include the National Civil Rights Museum and Beale Street Historic District. This is a pet-friendly resort which has several opportunities for recreation activities, like volleyball or basketball courts, table tennis facilities or seasonal outdoor pool. All guest accommodations will feature one-bedroom suites, separate living rooms and fully equipped kitchen.
Westgate Tunica Resort
1724 Casino Center Dr.
662 357 9200
http://wgtunica.com
