Mississippi Delta Explorer
Martha's Travel Corner — Memphis to New Orleans by river
From Martha
Hello, dear friends!
There is nothing quite like the Mississippi—wide, slow, and full of stories. On this sailing we unpack once and let the river carry us from Memphis blues and barbecue through Vicksburg and Natchez, past Louisiana towns and plantation country, all the way to jazz-filled New Orleans.
You will move through living history: battlefields and antebellum streets, river bluffs and steam-era landings—always with good food, good company, and room to breathe on deck. I would love to have you travel with us.
See you on the river,
Martha
Mississippi Delta Explorer
Martha's Travel Corner — America's great river
From Martha
Hello, dear friends!
There is nothing quite like the Mississippi—wide, slow, and full of stories. On this sailing we unpack once and let the river carry us from Memphis blues and barbecue through Vicksburg and Natchez, past Louisiana towns and plantation country, all the way to jazz-filled New Orleans.
You will move through living history: battlefields and antebellum streets, river bluffs and steam-era landings—always with good food, good company, and room to breathe on deck. I would love to have you travel with us.
See you on the river,
Martha
Tour Details
Day 1
Memphis, Tennessee
Tuesday, June 22, 2027Arrive at Memphis International Airport and transfer to your ship to settle into your stateroom. Perched on the Chickasaw Bluffs above the Mississippi, Memphis is legendary for blues and barbecue—names like B.B. King started here—and for museums from the National Civil Rights Museum to Elvis Presley’s Graceland.
- •Airport transfer to ship
- •Embark the Mississippi Delta Explorer
- •Time to explore ship amenities and enjoy your first evening on the river
Day 2
Scenic sailing — Lower Mississippi
Wednesday, June 23, 2027Cruise through the Lower Mississippi’s birdlife and shifting landscapes—deep-green forests, wetlands, and fertile farmland. This stretch of America’s great waterway has inspired literature and music for generations.
- •Full day of scenic river cruising
- •Enrichment, dining, and time on the sun deck as we sail
Day 3
Vicksburg, Mississippi
Thursday, June 24, 2027Vicksburg sits on a high bluff where the Yazoo meets the Mississippi—Southern heritage and river commerce since 1825. Abraham Lincoln called it “the key to the South”; the Civil War’s turning-point siege ended here with Grant’s victory. Vicksburg National Military Park preserves the battlefield’s rolling fields and monuments.
- •Included shore time in port (per cruise line program)
- •Explore town and sites with your included excursion in port
Day 4
Natchez, Mississippi
Friday, June 25, 2027Natchez holds one of the densest collections of antebellum homes in the country—more than 200 preserved estates line its avenues. The oldest city on the Mississippi (founded 1716) was the southern end of the Natchez Trace, letting traders avoid fighting the current upriver. Today it feels like small-town America in the best sense.
- •Included shore excursion in Natchez
- •Free time to wander the historic district
Day 5
St. Francisville, Louisiana
Saturday, June 26, 2027More than 140 buildings here are on the National Register. The town straddles a narrow ridge above the river—“two miles long and two yards wide”—and dates to 1809. Many structures were moved upriver from Bayou Sara in the 1920s after repeated flooding.
- •Included port call and excursion
- •Southern gardens, architecture, and river views
Day 6
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Sunday, June 27, 2027Louisiana’s capital sits on the east bank’s first natural bluff north of the Delta—named when French explorer Iberville marked red tribal poles on the hunting grounds. Cajun and Creole flavors, art, and the tallest state capitol building in the United States await.
- •Included time ashore in Baton Rouge
- •Optional exploration of museums, capitol grounds, and local dining
Day 7
Darrow, Louisiana
Monday, June 28, 2027The Lower Mississippi is lined with historic mansions; Darrow is the gateway to grand homes and oak-lined drives preserved as National Historic Landmarks—evoking steamboat days when supplies arrived at these river landings.
- •Included excursion to area plantations / historic properties (per sailing)
- •Scenic river approach and Southern architecture
Day 8
New Orleans, Louisiana
Tuesday, June 29, 2027The birthplace of jazz welcomes you with balcony-lined streets and the French Quarter’s rhythm. Founded in 1718, New Orleans became a territorial capital before the Louisiana Purchase. St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in the United States; French, African, and Creole threads run through food and culture. Bid farewell to shipmates—or stay on for an optional extension.
- •Disembarkation in New Orleans
- •Transfer options per your air and extension plans
Scenes along the river
Practical Information
Travel logistics
Joining the cruise
Plan to arrive into Memphis (MEM) in time for embarkation on June 22, 2027. After the cruise, you will disembark in New Orleans; many guests fly home from MSY or add a post-extension. Martha can help coordinate flights, transfers when purchased with cruise air, and hotels.
Weather & packing
Late June along the river is warm and humid—light, breathable layers, sun protection, a hat, and comfortable walking shoes for tours. Bring a light rain layer for occasional showers.
Activity level
Easy to moderate: mostly coach and walking tours; some historic sites have uneven paths or stairs. You can often opt for quiet time on board if you prefer a slower pace ashore.
How to book
This sailing is arranged through Martha's Travel Corner with the cruise line. Send a quick note for the latest fares, cabin categories, deck plan, and any eligible air or deposit promotions.
Our route
Memphis → Lower Mississippi sailing → Vicksburg → Natchez → St. Francisville → Baton Rouge → Darrow (plantation country) → New Orleans.
Ready for the Mississippi?
Reach out for cabin options, promotions, and extensions on the June 2027 Delta Explorer.
