JUNE CRUISING: Viking US river trip

At the start of May TNU Editor-in-Chief Malcolm Ginsberg (and wife Linda) took a Viking Mississippi river cruise from New Orleans to Memphis and added Nashville (not to be missed). 

Here he gives the basic ship facts, with ON TOUR: The Mississippi and Viking separately featuring the river and its cities.

The Viking Mississippi in modern parlance, is a hybrid boat.  It is a crossbreed, not a sea-going cruise ship, but a much larger vessel than the traditional European river explorer.  It has the feel and familiarity of a luxury ocean-going liner without going to sea.  And the decor is definitely Viking.

From a personal point of view we have not been on a Viking European river ship for years and so a comparison cannot be made and that was in Russia, years ago, terrific cruise and sadly no more.
See ON TOUR: St Petersburg to Moscow on the inland waterways.

The comparisons with the river Longships are there to be seen – 380 passengers v 190, 5 decks v 3, 450ft long x 75ft wide v 444ft x 38ft. Viking Mississippi has 193 staterooms, mainly balconies (just 8 French Windows) from 270sq ft upwards, full sea-going cruise ship-sized cabins with showers and amenities.  

But it is a river ship and no room service, although you can self-serve (or ask a waiter to bring to your room a tray with your choice of dining).  A proper turn-down service is offered, as well as self-service launderettes on each of the main cabin decks.  A laundry service is provided.  No gym, but deck 1 provides for a promenade deck at six laps to the mile.  And very popular. Unlike the European river ships, elevator access is provided to all decks.  For those who like to get wet an Infinity Pool sits over the stern.

When it comes to dining, we never experienced any queuing either in The Restaurant or the River Café (indoors and self-service with plentiful waiters available) or out in the open at the Aquavit Terrace and Grill.  A barbeque supplies excellent steaks. We dined on a range of dishes including American favourites and southern barbeque.  Vegetarians are catered for but it lacks Norwegian smörgåsbord.  No choice of soups. Complementary beers and wine at dining times and soft drinks anytime.

The two-deck Explorers’ Lounge has floor to ceiling windows that open to The Bow, a seating area at the front of the ship.  No speciality restaurants and one could argue, perhaps limited menus.  River ships do not have that much storage or kitchen space.  The service on board was excellent, as one would expect on Viking.

Tipping is taken care of in the package which also includes a shore excursion at each port.  No children under 18 and only one discreet smoking spot.  No charge for the excellent wi-fi.

No doctor on board but a trained medical officer and facility. Emergency hospitalization is always not far away.  Dress, even for dinner, is up to you.  The atmosphere on board is very relaxed.

Evenings were spent learning about the river, and being entertained by first rate Blues, Country and Western, and Jazz singers.  A fine listing of cabin movies was offered; CNN, Fox, but no BBC World Service.  And if you missed a talk you could catch up.

The Mississippi should not be thought of as being a flat uninspiring river.  It was 150 years ago a very busy commercial waterway and still is.  

If you are considering the trip read Mark Twain’s “Life on the Mississippi” in the months before you travel.  Perhaps “Huckleberry Finn” as well.

During the American Civil War, 1861–1865, it was the scene of battles between river gunships.  Cities grew up along its banks, some today waning, although not New Orleans and Memphis, the start and finish of our journey.  The Cotton Kings built vast mansions.  

Flooding has always been a problem with the Mississippi, vast levees constructed to keep the river at bay.  During our brief trip the landing quay at Darrow, the planned first stop, was under water.  No worries.  We visited by road from New Orleans.  Three very comfortable Viking branded coaches escorted us by road all the way and provided transport at the stops.  Same drivers all the way round.  

Back in 2011 the river level at Memphis reached a record 47.8ft above norm. As it twists and turns, on average the Mississippi River is around one-mile wide. The widest parts of the river (aside from the lakes that are created) are where other major tributaries meet the Mississippi, such as the Missouri and Ohio Rivers.

Our journey from New Orleans to Memphis covered just under 400 miles. It was a fantastic holiday.  And not a single lock, although there are 29 going North from Memphis.

Tipping is taken care of in the package which also includes a shore excursion at each port.  No children under 18 and only one discreet smoking spot.  No charge for the excellent wi-fi.

English is the only language of the ship.  The weather in early May was much the same as back home but it can rise to 30C in mid summer.

The Viking Mississippi is regulated under US Inland Navigation Rules and Coast Guard and other agencies regarding ship design and crew qualifications.  Each State we passed through has its own drinking rules and these were displayed, for legal reasons, but did not affect us.

Also see Viking Saturn and Galataport Istanbul - A review.

www.vikingrivercruises.co.uk

Index/Home page
 

READERS' COMMENT

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 200 words maximum

No one has commented yet, why don't you start the ball rolling?