October 2024
ROOM
The Viking Mississippi—Adventures on Tom Sawyer’s River
By Lydia Gregory
My journey on
Viking Mississippi’s
new 8-day
Heartland of America
itinerary began in St. Louis, MO, and ended in St. Paul, MN: both historic cities, each with its own charm—and both linchpins of the saga of the United States. In between, I walked in the footsteps of Mark Twain, marveled at the might of John Deere, tasted delicious fresh cheese in Iowa and much, much more.
OUTSIDE DECK
First Impressions
My Mississippi adventure began with a 2-night stay at
The Royal Sonesta Chase Park Plaza
in St. Louis. My room in this historic hotel, located in the Central West End near several attractions including the St. Louis Art Museum, offered views of Forest Park and was our pied-a-terre for a city tour that included a visit to the engineering marvel that is The Gateway Arch (a must).
When it was time to step aboard the
Viking Mississippi
(docked in Alton), I was immediately struck by the vessel’s spaciousness and clean lines. Launched in 2022, this purpose-built ship offers a fresh take on Mississippi River cruising.
Attention to detail is evident throughout the ship. The Nordic-inspired decor is modern, with muted colors complemented by artwork and artifacts that reflect both the brand’s Scandinavian heritage and the Mississippi’s cultural significance. I particularly appreciated the colorful maps of the Lower Mississippi dating from 1944 that cover the walls on the inside stairwells and the sketches and words pulled from Twain’s “Huckleberry Finn†that decorate the wall next to Guest Services.
With a total capacity of 386 guests, the
Viking Mississippi
offers an intimate experience with plenty of room for everyone. All 193 staterooms are outward facing, ensuring picture-postcard-perfect river views. I was assigned a
Deluxe Veranda Stateroom
, which at 268 sq. ft. with a King bed provided plenty of space with a seating area, a private verandah and a closet that was surprisingly big (I’m a notorious over packer, and I had three deep drawers left empty!). The suite had plenty of places to connect my electronics, the requisite coffee station, large-screen TV and mini-fridge, as well as unexpected thoughtful touches, like a heated bathroom floor and a makeup mirror hidden under the desktop. The high-speed WiFi worked well throughout the ship, allowing me to stay connected. There was also a small do-it-yourself laundry with free soap on two floors, a plus.
Other stateroom categories include, in order of size, the
Explorer Suite, Terrace Suite, Penthouse Jr. Suite, Penthouse Veranda Suite, French Balcony Stateroom
and
Veranda Stateroom
.
FOOD PLATE
Onboard Life
Dining on board is a highlight. The main restaurant on Deck 1, simply called
The Restaurant
, offers a menu that changes daily, featuring both regional specialties with local ingredients and international cuisine. The open seating policy encourages mingling with fellow passengers. As I was technically traveling alone, I met quite a few people, including the pilot, Kenny Williams, one of the most experienced men on the river, with 52 years of riverboat piloting under his belt. The average cruise-goer on this vessel? Retired couples enjoying their golden years.
For more casual meals, the
River Cafe
on the fifth floor became my go-to spot. Its indoor-outdoor seating area on the
Aquavit Terrace
is perfect for enjoying the buffet-style food while taking in theriver scenery. Both eateries offer breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The 2-story
Explorers’ Lounge
at the bow of the ship was a favorite public space. Its floor-to-ceiling windows offer panoramic views, which one can enjoy from the comfort of a rocking chair or one of the many conversational seating areas. It also has a well-stocked bar. Meanwhile, the
Sun Terrace
with its infinity plunge pool is a plus and great for relaxing and watching the ship leave port.
CAFE
Of note is Viking’s enrichment program. Destination specialist Gaby shared daily engaging and informative presentations, providing context to the landscapes and communities we visited. Entertainment on board was also top-notch, with local musicians who came to the ship’s
Living Room
to treat us to authentic blues, jazz and folk performances that reflected the musical heritage of the river towns we visited.
A word about the staff and crew: They are stellar. With the exception of Tim, the cruise director, who is from the UK, they are all from the U.S., and service was excellent and personable.
CHURCH
Shore Time
The shore excursions, many included in the cruise fare, are well-organized and varied, and here we have to give a shoutout to
Hotard Coaches
for their excellent drivers and Viking’s choice of guides. The stops, in order, were: Hannibal (MO), Burlington, Quad Cities and Dubuque (IA), and La Crosse, Red Wing and St. Paul (MN).
Each one had a unique charm. In Hannibal, we explored Mark Twain’s boyhood home and the environment that inspired him. In Dubuque, we walked the cathedral district and took the Fenelon Place Elevator, a tiny funicular, to a view of three states—Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. In Burlington, we visited two family-owned farms and learned about milking, while in the Quad Cities we explored the life of John Deere and visited his mansions and the brand’s modern headquarters. In Dubuque it was all about enjoying the town, poking into little shops, while the La Crosse city tour took us up to the gorgeous bluffs. In Wabasha (a few miles from Red Wing), we visited the National Eagle Center, an impressive ode to our national bird.
MUSEUM
Post-Cruise
In Red Wing we took our leave of the ship and transferred to the historic
St. Paul Hotel
. With its European-inspired architecture and old-world charm, the hotel was within walking distance of the Sunday Farmer’s Market, the striking Landmark Center, the bridge dividing the Twin Cities and tons of shops and restaurants. To say we got our steps in is putting it mildly. A city tour and a visit to the
Minnesota History Center
put everything into perspective, and an afternoon at the massive
Minnesota State Fair
was a fitting conclusion to this fun Heartland experience.
Contact Information
Viking Cruises:
vikingcruises.com
COVER
PALLADIUM SPREAD
Table of Contents
SANDALS
SANDALS SPREAD
Editor's Notes
EDU HOUSE AD
Luxury Travel Insights and Trends
MGM RESORTS
MGM RESORTS SC
SEABOURN SC
SEABOURN
Custom Content: Living the Luxe Life, Vancouver-Style
ALASKA RAILROAD SC
Cruise: These are the Cruise Itineraries to Book for Luxe Clients
Silversea: Immersive Experiences
AMA WATERWAYS SC
AMA WATERWAYS
ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES SC
ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES
EXPLORA JOURNEYS SC
EXPLORA JOURNEYS
OCEANIA SC
OCEANIA CRUISES
PRINCESS CRUISES SC
PRINCESS CRUISES
ST. LAWRENCE CRUISE LINES SC
ST. LAWRENCE CRUISES
SCENIC CRUISES SC
SCENIC CRUISES
Onboard Review: Exploring Coastal Maine on American Eagle
Onboard Review: Explora II—Luxury Line Expands and Excels
Onboard Review: Regent Seven Seas Explorer—All-Inclusive Elegance at Sea
Onboard Review: The Viking Mississippi—Adventures on Tom Sawyer’s River
Mexico/Caribbean: Exclusive Escapes—Fresh High-End Experiences in Mexico and the Caribbean
Onsite Review: Spotlight on the Brand-new AVA Resort Cancun
TURKISH AIRLINES
