CocoChip

My husband and I just returned from a Viking Mississippi cruise from Memphis to New Orleans, and I wanted to give our perspective on some things in case it is helpful to others. Jumping first to my bottom line, I think that anyone with appropriate, informed expectations and an interest in learning about the wonderful music, history and culture of the lower Mississippi will enjoy this cruise as much as we did. But if you come expecting the same experience as a Viking European cruise, with a well-seasoned International service staff, and scenic cruising past castles, vineyards and quaint villages, then perhaps you will be disappointed. We were told by more than one guide that Viking has been making a huge financial investment on both infrastructure and area jobs to support this cruise, and everyone from the bus drivers and local tour guides, to the entertainers and onshore attraction operators (and even the legislators we saw in the Louisiana capitol building we toured) welcomed us enthusiastically and were clearly appreciative for our presence. This is an area of the country that I think can use such investment, and I was impressed by Viking's commitment. We did the 3-night pre-cruise extension in Memphis starting on Wednesday, and were put up in the Peabody Hotel. Lovely historic hotel in a great location, and we enjoyed meeting some fellow cruisers before embarkation. Included excursions included visits to Graceland, Sun Records Studio and the Rock & Soul Museum. We thought that all of these excursions were excellent and thoroughly enjoyed them. We loved this focus on the wonderful music that has originated from this area. Others who flew in on Friday just for the cruise were put up at another hotel not as centrally located, perhaps because the city was full with a World Barbecue Championship contest on the river front that weekend. On Saturday, we had a choice of three excursions, and selected the National Civil Rights Museum, with a later stop en route to the ship at the Grammy Museum. The Civil Rights Museum was very powerful and moving, and I felt was appropriate to our later visits to several plantations from the pre-Civil War era. We embarked the ship in Rosedale, a small town about 2 hours south of Memphis. We were told by someone that the reason the cruise does not start in Memphis is that to cover that extra distance the ship would have to run its engines at a speed that causes uncomfortable vibrations. So instead they bus passengers from Memphis, with a short rest stop at the Grammy Museum (we would have liked more time to enjoy this museum). The ship itself is beautiful, with the classic Viking decor and ambiance. We had no issues at all with our cabin or its daily servicing. It was clean, comfortable and well maintained. It was on the 3d floor near the stern, and we had no problem sleeping through any minimal engine noise (for the most part the ship cruises at night and arrives at each port in the dark). Service in the main dining room and the 5th floor cafe was generally good. We always ate dinner in the main dining room, and enjoyed the selections, although the variety was not as extensive as on Viking Ocean cruises. My impression is that they may still be having a little trouble with staffing, but the ship was sold out for our cruise, so at peak dining hours there were just a lot of people all wanting to eat at the same time. Only one night was the wait for service a little longer than desirable. As another commenter noted, I think that a ship like this one, sailing wholly within U.S. waters, may be required to hire only U.S. workers, and let's face it, many Americans do not like taking service jobs - as evidenced by the many restaurant and store help wanted signs in most places these days. So Viking may be having trouble hiring and retaining workers for these demanding jobs. For shore excursions, Viking has its own fleet of new buses that accompanied the cruise all down river. Excursions were well run and organized. The bus drivers were professional and attentive to passengers with mobility issues, and the guides were enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The included excursions were usually a "best of" type of tour by bus and/or walking of 1-2 hours, so there was time to take an optional tour in the afternoon. We particularly enjoyed the B.B. King Museum, the Vicksburg National Military Park (although did not have enough time in the visitor center), Rosedown Plantation, ***** Plantation, Whitney Plantation and Houmas House. Some of the plantations seem to skirt around the history of slavery, but the Whitney hits it head on with very informative displays and is definitely worth seeing. There were afternoon enrichment lectures every day in the main lounge called the Living Room. Evening entertainment was always live musical performances, ranging from Blues to Cajun, New Orleans Jazz and 1940s WW2 hits. Shows were in the Living Room from 6:00 to 6:45pm and again from 8:15 to 9:00pm, so you could catch it before and/or after dinner. The Living Room itself is a somewhat awkward space that could use some rethinking by Viking. The view of lecturers, performers and video screens is blocked from many seats by various partitions, consoles and sculptures. Groups use it for conversation and card playing in the afternoon and evening, which impacts the noise level for those trying to listen to performers and lectures. The lower Mississippi is lined with an extensive levee system, and other areas are just wooded. So the passing scenery is not particularly varied or interesting. Towns are set back behind the levees so you cannot really see them until you go ashore. There is passing barge traffic that is fun to watch. But for the most part I would say that you should take this cruise for the shore excursions and the onboard experience, not for the scenery. Hope that this info is helpful for some of you!