Why a Viking river cruise is a good way to discover the Mississippi

No river in america 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 manner 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 relies on it — as a result of it does. With its dashing currents and spectacular lock system, the Mighty Mississippi pulses life into companies and supplies a transportation route for the transport of products that the locals need to each purchase and promote.

At present, river cruises alongside the Mississippi provide an opportunity to expertise a few of that very same steadfast promise and attract in bustling massive cities and smaller cities which have been all however forgotten for the reason that daybreak of air journey.

As the latest cruise line to supply implausible 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 mean you can proceed your journey within the fantastic locations the ship visits.

My current 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 Purple 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 wished. If, like me, you’ve got all the time been intrigued by the Mississippi, this is why a Viking river cruise is a superb method to expertise this a part of the U.S.

An itinerary of tiny cities you did not know you wished to go to

The lore of the Mighty Mississippi is nice for historical past buffs. After 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 Subject of Desires 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 glorious and of a better high quality than the free ones, the complimentary ones have been nonetheless fairly nice.

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My favorites included an $89 go to to the Anheuser-Busch brewery and museum in St. Louis, the place I noticed among the well-known Clydesdale horses; a $99 outing to see the precise Subject of Desires, 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 ebook 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 Purple Wing, the place the shopkeepers choose a ebook to present you in your first go to.

Pretty individuals — ashore and on board

What shocked me most about my Viking Mississippi journey was that the individuals 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 select some up the following day in Alton. Because it seems, there aren’t any shops within the downtown space that promote it. You could journey a number of miles away to search out bigger shops, and good luck discovering an Uber or taxi in a city that dimension.

After I went right into a boutique thrift store and requested the lady working if she knew the place I may discover some, she mentioned she did not however supplied to provide 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 informed me they did not carry floss, she too supplied me a few of her personal, pointing to her braces and explaining that she carries it along with her always. That sort 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 forged as one of many ghost gamers in “Subject of Desires.” He makes use of his position to lift funds for charities and nonetheless dons the uniform on the subject right this moment, the place you will discover him prepared to provide excursions, chat with guests, pose for images within the close by cornfield and discuss all issues baseball, Kevin Costner and Ray Liotta (who, as Sherman will inform you, 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 forged of pleasant characters. Tim, the cruise director, is stuffed with dad jokes throughout day by day trivia, and Richard is an absolute wiz behind Paps Bar within the Explorers’ Lounge.

When you scent one thing wonderful within the hallway close to your cabin, it is most likely Michael, a room steward who’s obsessive about Bathtub & Physique Works scents. And do not miss an opportunity to speak with waitstaff members Darrell, who’s an absolute breath of recent air very first thing within the morning, and Kindra, who can provide stellar suggestions for what you must binge-watch subsequent on Netflix.

The perks of a highway journey — however with out the highway

As a result of a few of these cities are so small, they do not have main airports, making them tough to achieve. Other than a handful of annual festivals — similar to Hannibal’s Twain on Principal, in celebration of writer Mark Twain — that have a tendency to attract vacationers as a part of one-town getaways, these riverside municipalities are sometimes greatest suited to highway journeys.

However what in case you do not personal a automotive, don’t love driving or don’t need the effort of planning highway journey logistics like the place to remain and what number of days it is going to 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 worth of fuel, finding the closest relaxation cease to restock your snacks or determining a playlist that can go well with everybody within the automotive. On Viking Mississippi, you possibly can 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 should miss out on enjoyable views to maintain your eyes on the highway.

A novel hybrid onboard vibe

When you’ve cruised on considered one of Viking’s ocean ships or considered one of 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. Nonetheless, it affords a little bit of a twist.

Combined in with Viking memorabilia, a conventional Norwegian costume show and an onboard store that sells Norwegian wool sweaters are references to the Mississippi. Large 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 would seem to be an odd combine, it is a manner for passengers to benefit from the line’s hallmark Scandinavian class whereas nonetheless being reminded of the native components they’re going to expertise ashore.

Viking Mississippi flies an American flag and is crewed by Individuals, however you possibly can nonetheless anticipate the refined, upscale components which are Viking signatures — one thing that units the road other than its competitors within the U.S. market.

Improbable onboard service

After experiencing questionable service with a distinct U.S. river cruise line a few years earlier than crusing with Viking Mississippi, I used to be elated to find that Viking’s employees is superb. 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 method to anticipate passengers’ wants. They deal with particular requests with ease and charm, they usually appear genuinely pleased to be doing their jobs — one thing that is not all the time the case on different strains.

After I sailed with the opposite cruise line, I acquired 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 seen I exploit not less than two a day, and one of many waiters within the River Cafe buffet noticed me mild 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.

If you come again from a busy day of exploring ashore, you possibly can anticipate 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 are 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, nevertheless it’s the small cities alongside the best way that actually make the expertise memorable. From vintage shops and native artwork and ultra-friendly individuals to manufacturers like John Deere and Purple Wing Footwear which are synonymous with exhausting work, you will discover many surprises throughout a crusing within the area. However, with Viking, you too can anticipate terrific service, snug lodging and an opportunity to chill out.

Need to be taught extra about Viking and Mississippi river cruises? We have you coated with these tales.