Itinerary
- Day 1
New Orleans
You'll arrive in New Orleans and check in to your Viking cruise ship. The afternoon is yours to walk through the French Quarter, checking out the colonial buildings and soaking in the Creole atmosphere that defines this part of the city. If you're interested, there's an optional visit to Mardi Gras World where they build and store the famous parade floats, which gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how it all comes together. Back on board, you'll settle in for a lecture covering New Orleans history and a live music performance to kick off your trip.
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Informative lecture on the history and development of New Orleans
- Lively musical performance onboard
Optional Activities
- Explore Bourbon Street and the French Quarter independently
- Visit Mardi Gras World to learn about float creation and Mardi Gras history
Landmarks Bourbon Street French Quarter Mardi Gras World 
- Day 2
New Orleans
After breakfast, a guide takes you around New Orleans hitting the major spots: the Superdome, the French Quarter again with a local's perspective, the New Orleans Museum of Art, and St. Charles Avenue. Later, once lunch is done, you choose how to spend your afternoon from several options - the National WWII Museum if history interests you, browsing the art galleries and antique shops along Royal Street, or a walking tour through the Garden District with its grand homes. Dinner happens on the ship, though you can venture out to a local restaurant instead or catch live music in the French Quarter if you'd rather.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided tour of New Orleans including Superdome, French Quarter, New Orleans Museum of Art, and St. Charles Avenue
Optional Activities
- Visit the National WWII Museum
- Shop on Royal Street for art and antiques
- Walking tour of the Garden District
- Dine at a local restaurant
- Enjoy live music in the French Quarter
Landmarks Superdome New Orleans Museum of Art St. Charles Avenue National WWII Museum Royal Street Garden District 
- Day 3
Lower Mississippi
You'll explore the Lower Mississippi area today, which is dotted with historic estates, many protected as National Historic Landmarks. You can visit one plantation or several depending on what appeals to you, or head out to the Manchac Swamp where hundreds of acres of cypress trees and freshwater marshes give you that authentic bayou experience. By afternoon, after you're back, there's a music presentation onboard that wraps up the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Music presentation
Optional Activities
- Explore historic estates in the Lower Mississippi region
- Journey to Manchac Swamp
Landmarks Manchac Swamp - Day 4
St. Francisville
The ship heads north and you arrive in St. Francisville, a historic town with over 140 buildings registered as historic landmarks. Founded in 1809 on a narrow ridge above the river, many of these structures were actually moved here from nearby Bayou Sara after major flooding hit in the 1920s. You'll spend the day walking around and can visit the Rosedown Plantation with its ornamental gardens, getting a feel for the area's architectural and cultural heritage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore St. Francisville
- Visit Rosedown Plantation and ornamental gardens
Landmarks Rosedown Plantation - Day 5
Natchez
Natchez comes into view, and you'll have the day to explore this small town with more than 500 historic buildings, including over 200 homes that have been carefully preserved. Shops and local sites are available to check out at your own pace throughout the day. If pre-Civil War mansions interest you, several are open to visitors and represent some of the South's best-preserved examples of that era. After dinner, you'll learn about local artisans and enjoy classical music onboard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Natchez at leisure
- Learn about the life of local artisans
- Classical music performance
Optional Activities
- Visit pre-Civil War mansions
Landmarks Natchez - Day 6
Vicksburg
You'll dock in Vicksburg, a city full of Southern history and Civil War significance. The main activity is visiting Vicksburg National Military Park where you can walk the battlefield and understand the pivotal Battle of Vicksburg, the moment when Confederates surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant. The park covers both the battle itself and the broader Vicksburg Campaign that led up to it, giving context to this turning point in the war.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Vicksburg National Military Park
Landmarks Vicksburg National Military Park - Day 7
Baton Rouge
You arrive in Baton Rouge on the eastern bank of the Mississippi and take a panoramic tour of the city. During this tour, you'll learn about the Cajun people and how their traditions have shaped Louisiana's history and culture. Viking staff can help you set up any optional excursions if something catches your interest. This evening, head to the Explorers' Lounge for some live music and downtime.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Panoramic city tour of Baton Rouge
Optional Activities
- Cajun heritage tour
- Exploration of the Atchafalaya Basin by boat or canoe
- Visit to the USS Kidd
Landmarks USS Kidd Atchafalaya Basin 
- Day 8
Departure
After breakfast, you'll disembark and head to the airport for your flight home. If you want to extend your time, there's an option to stay a few more nights in New Orleans before departing.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Extend your journey with additional nights in New Orleans
