River cruise clients looking for a change of scene will be fascinated by the history and rich musical heritage of Viking’s voyage from New Orleans to Memphis.
Cyclone Alfred is threatening to do its worst in Southeast Queensland when I depart for New Orleans in early March for the start of an eight-day cruise to Memphis, and the weather in America’s South is equally unsettled.
The city’s famed Mardi Gras celebrations have been disrupted by wild winds and fierce thunderstorms – but it’s business as usual by the time I join our media group for dinner at buzzy French-Creole restaurant Tableau in the heart of the French Quarter.
The next day we take a leisurely pre-breakfast stroll around streets and buildings adorned with extravagant decorations in the symbolic Mardi Gras colours of purple, green and gold, then jump on a hop-on hop-off bus tour that takes us on a looping tour around New Orleans’ CBD, mansion-studded Garden District and artsy Warehouse District.
Luckily, the threatened rainstorm holds off until we head off to board the ship, a quick cab ride from the hotel, and at 8pm sharp, Viking Mississippi slips her moorings and our voyage north is underway.
Viking heritage
To comply with US regulations, Viking Mississippi was built at Edison Chouest Offshore’s LaShip shipyard in Houma, Louisiana, and set sail in 2022.
In line with all the other ships in Viking’s ocean and river fleets, Viking Mississippi has, “No children under 18, no casinos, no art auctions and no formal nights”.
Travellers who have sailed on any of Viking’s European river ships, or one of its ever-expanding fleet of ocean ships will immediately recognise familiar features on board Viking Mississippi.
The Living Room, The Restaurant, River Café and the two-deck Explorer’s Lounge all have floor-to-ceiling windows to maximise the light and river views.
There’s an Aquavit Terrace, distinctive Norwegian-patterned soft furnishings, and even a Lichen Garden (created with stones and glass) underneath the forward stairs.
Not being so constrained by bridge heights and lock widths, the five-deck ship is far more spacious than her European river ship cousins and her interiors feel more like those on Viking’s ocean ships.
American-influenced design features include blown-up reproductions of early river maps on the aft stairwell, a chapter of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn on the forward stairwell, an old-school working record player in The Living Room, and hanging canoe light fixtures in The Restaurant that reference Native American designs.
What’s on board
Starting on Deck 1, there’s a wraparound promenade for walking or running – six laps equals 1.6 kilometres, and it’s well used during our cruise by fitness-conscious guests. The Bow, an alfresco viewing area, adjoins the two-deck Explorers’ Lounge, which is home to Pap’s Bar and a striking two-deck-high reproduction of an early map of the Lower Mississippi.
The upper deck of the Explorers’ Lounge is used for lectures and presentations when curtained off, or as a daytime relaxation space.
Guest Services and a small shop lead into the spacious Living Room, which hosts live music performances, daily briefings from the Cruise Director, presentations and more; you’ll also find a good selection of board games and a well-stocked library in the Living Room.
The Restaurant at the aft of the ship is open for à la carte breakfast, lunch and dinner. It offers menus that change daily and include regional dishes and “always available” classic options. If you’ve never tried grits, gumbo, catfish or shrimp etouffee, now’s your chance!
Expect to eat early, whether at The Restaurant or the more casual River Café on Deck 5 – dinner starts at 5.30pm in the River Café, and 6pm in The Restaurant.
Decks 2, 3, 4 and half of Deck 5 are dedicated to staterooms and suites. The indoor-outdoor River Café has TVs in a nod to America’s popular sports bars and adjoins the Aquavit Terrace where a separate barbecue area serves typical barbecue fare and raw seafood.
Beyond the Aquavit Terrace is the shaded Sun Terrace and a small infinity plunge pool.
Suites and staterooms
Our 25-square-metre Deluxe Veranda Stateroom on Deck 2 is one of 128 entry-level staterooms. It has a full-size balcony and the room’s colour scheme is in restful shades of blue, cream and white.
The blond-wood wardrobe and drawers provide plenty of space for two people’s clothes. There’s a matching desk with ample power points and USB ports, and the bathroom is well-designed with a glass-walled shower. Our twin beds are extremely comfy; the usual beds in these staterooms are king-size.
Amenities include a minibar with soft drinks and snacks that are replaced daily, a coffee machine (you can request a kettle if you want to make tea), large flatscreen TV and under bed storage for stashing suitcases.
I’m intrigued by the artwork hanging on the wall, a black-and-white photo of the distinctive steel Gateway Arch in St Louis, Missouri alongside a nine-year-old child’s drawing of the arch.
We’re told that the artwork in all the staterooms was created by schoolchildren from communities along the river – the result of a program developed in partnership with Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School.
The top-level suites are 10 Explorer Suites, located at the stern and bow of the ship for optimum river views; they range in size from 61 to 95 square metres and feature wraparound balconies, bathrooms with full-size baths and extra perks such as a Silver Spirits drinks package and complimentary laundry and shoe shine services.
Mississippi itineraries
This eight-day Mississippi Delta Explorer cruise is one of eight different itineraries (8, 11, 15 and 22 days) that Viking operates on the Lower, Middle and Upper Mississippi.
We’re on the Lower Mississippi and comprehensive two-night pre- and post-cruise extensions are offered in New Orleans, Memphis and Nashville.
Middle Mississippi cruises generally run from Memphis to St Louis, and Upper Mississippi cruises from St Louis to St Paul, but the 22-day itinerary, for example, goes all the way from New Orleans to St Paul in Minnesota.
We stop at Darrow and St Francisville in Louisiana; Natchez, Vicksburg and Greenville in Mississippi; and Memphis in Tennessee, with a “sea day” before we get to Memphis.
Viking Mississippi fast facts
- Capacity: 386 guests, 148 crew
- Accommodation: 193 all-outside staterooms and suites: 10 Explorer Suites (61-95 sqm), 7 Terrace Suites (39.5 sqm), 16 Penthouse Junior Suites (37 sqm), 24 Penthouse Veranda Staterooms (31 sqm), 8 French Balcony Staterooms (28 sqm), 128 Veranda & Deluxe Veranda Staterooms (25 sqm)
- Dining: The Restaurant on Deck 1, River Café on Deck 5
- Public facilities: self-service laundrettes on Decks 2, 3 and 4, medical centre on Deck 2
- Length: 143.5m
- Beam: 23m
Stay posted for part two of this review coming soon.
For more information, visit vikingrivercruises.com.au
