Port NOLA Louisiana Cruise from New Orleans to Nashville — 16 Days

New Orleans, USA

New Orleans makes a memorable port call. The Mississippi River runs beside a city shaped by French, Spanish, African, and American influences. From the French Quarter’s wrought-iron balconies to the Garden District’s grand homes, the city rewards unhurried exploration. Listen for brass bands, taste Creole and Cajun cooking, and ride the historic streetcar beneath live oaks. Leave time for the riverfront and beignets with café au lait. New Orleans is best savoured at its own pace.

• Land Tour (Land Tour)
• River Cruising (River Cruising)

Oak Alley Plantation, USA

In Vacherie, Oak Alley Plantation’s tunnel of live oaks leads to one of Louisiana’s most recognizable homes. The Greek Revival mansion was built between 1837 and 1839, amid the region’s sugar-cane economy. Site exhibits and tours address the enslaved people whose labor sustained the plantation. Come for the celebrated avenue; leave with a clearer understanding of its beauty and its cost.

Baton Rouge, USA

On the Mississippi River, Baton Rouge offers a Louisiana experience beyond New Orleans—more political, collegiate and distinctly local. The red-brick Old State Capitol commands downtown. The USS Kidd, a decorated World War II destroyer, is moored nearby. At Louisiana’s capital, sample Cajun and Creole cooking, explore museums, or visit historic plantations along the river. Come for a different view of the Deep South.

River Cruising (River Cruising)

Natchez MS, USA

Natchez rises above the Mississippi on a high bluff, with river views that have shaped its fortunes for centuries. Its compact historic district rewards a thoughtful walk past Federal and Greek Revival homes, churches, and gardens. Learn how cotton wealth and slavery built the city, then visit the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture. For a wider view, follow part of the Natchez Trace Parkway, an ancient route through wooded countryside.

Vicksburg MS, USA

Vicksburg sits high above the Mississippi, where river commerce and Civil War history shape the city. Its National Military Park preserves the landscape of the 1863 siege, with monuments, trenches and a scenic driving route. Downtown, explore historic streets, river views and museums that explain Vicksburg’s strategic place in American history. Pair the battlefield with the Old Courthouse Museum, then take time to watch the Mississippi flow past.

River Cruising (River Cruising)

Memphis TN, USA

Memphis sits on the Mississippi, where river commerce and music shaped a distinctly American city. At the National Civil Rights Museum, exhibits trace the struggle for equality inside and beyond the Lorraine Motel. Beale Street keeps the blues close, while Graceland offers an intimate look at Elvis Presley’s life and legacy. Allow time for both: Memphis is best understood through its music, its history, and its riverfront.

River Cruising (River Cruising)

Paducah KY, USA

Paducah sits at the meeting of the Ohio and Tennessee rivers, with a riverfront that shaped its fortunes. Downtown, 50 floodwall murals trace the city’s history across nearly a mile of concrete. The National Quilt Museum celebrates the craft behind Paducah’s UNESCO designation as a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art. Brick streets, galleries and restored 19th-century buildings make the compact center rewarding to explore on foot.

River Cruising (River Cruising)

Dover TN, USA

Dover, Delaware’s compact capital offers a clear window onto America’s early history. Begin at The Green, a historic square framed by the Old State House and handsome 18th-century buildings. Nearby, First State Heritage Park connects museums and landmarks across downtown. For a change of scale, the Air Mobility Command Museum displays military aircraft at Dover Air Force Base. Check visitor requirements before you go.

Clarksville TN, USA

Clarksville brings Tennessee’s river history into easy reach, with a walkable downtown beside the Cumberland River. Founded in 1784, the city grew through tobacco and river trade. Explore that story at the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center, where exhibits span art and regional history. At Fort Defiance Civil War Park, earthworks overlook the meeting of the Cumberland and Red rivers. It’s a rewarding stop for history and riverside views.

Nashville TN, USA

Set on the Cumberland River, Nashville pairs country music with serious history and a confident Southern spirit. Hear live musicians in intimate rooms, then visit the Country Music Hall of Fame or the Ryman Auditorium. Beyond the stage, explore Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, browse independent shops and sample hot chicken, a local specialty. Museums, historic neighborhoods and a lively dining scene give the city plenty to explore between performances. Take time by the riverfront for a quieter view of Nashville.