This past week, LATTEhas been aboard the stunning Viking Mississippi as we ply the waters of the Might Mississippi between New Orleans, Louisiana and Memphis, Tennessee.
Launched in 2022, Viking Mississippi is a purpose-built one-of-a-kind diesel-fuelled river ship, that accommodates 386 guests, spread across five decks.
We’re experiencing Viking’s Lower Mississippi core-itinerary which has included port calls in Darrow and St Francisville in Louisiana; Natchez and Vicksburg, Mississippi and today was our last port call, Greenville, Mississippi.
The voyage is an easy going pace from New Orleans, despite the strong current of the Mississippi. This is a working waterway, with the landscape moving from industrial to rural and back and forth during the first few days of sailing. Viking Mississippi glides smoothly and slightly on the water, and despite passing frequent floating logs set adrift, the ship holds its course, steady and without interruption.
The ports visited en-route are sleepy, seemingly dormant locations. Viking offers a range of shore excursions that unlock the history of the regions passed, from enormous plantations, to swamp tours, and historic military landmarks, such as the Vicksburg National Military Park.
In each location, Viking has a fleet of branded motor-coaches that arrive in precision to collect Viking Mississippi guests, ushering them on to their tours that explore nearby attractions and sites. It’s a seamless and professional operation that works without fault.
Today’s major off-ship experience that involved almost all guests was an entertaining performance by American country singer-songwriter, Steve Azar’s Mississippi, in a local school hall. Azar’s band kept Viking Mississippi guests enthralled as he belted out a set of his most popular hits, while guests sampled southern fare including tamales, fried catfish, pulled pork and even a drop of ‘moon shine’.
Viking Mississippi herself features seven cabin/suite options, with the lead-in being a Veranda Stateroom, then a French Balcony Stateroom. There are four variations of the Deluxe Veranda (price varies by deck location), the Penthouse Verandah, Penthouse Junior Suite, Terrace Suite and the top-of-the-line Explorer Suite.
The ship has a shallow draft of just 9-feet (under 3 metres), and the journey mostly involves sailing overnight and arriving in a new port each day, pulling up virtually in the centre of town.
Guests can chose from the formal dining experience at The Restaurant on Deck 1, or the more casual River Cafe option on Deck 5.
More from onboard the ship in LATTEnext week.
Lead image: Pictured on the bridge of Viking Mississippi with Captain Pedro Flores are Michelle Black (left), General Manager Viking Australia/NZ and Jane Moggridge (second from left), with VIP clients from Australia joining the duo on this voyage.
