Overnight Mississippi River Riverboat Cruises

Overnight Mississippi River riverboat cruises offer historic views of America from grand vessels that feature genuine turn-of-the-century décor and local flavor that you can’t find anywhere else. However, before you start planning an overnight passage along the Mighty Mississippi there are a few factors you should be aware of.

Take a trip back in time on the Mighty Mississippi.

As of April 2009 there are no river ships offering full-service overnight cruises on the Mississippi or its tributaries. What’s more, it doesn’t appear as though the void will be filled anytime soon. Cruise experts blame the halt in service on the slumping economy, low demand, and rising costs. The biggest blow to the industry came in late 2008 when the king of overnight Mississippi cruise companies, Majestic America Line, shut down. By itself, the company accounted for approximately 85 percent of overnight cruises on the entire Mississippi River system. The year 2009 marks the first time since the early 19th century that river ships no longer allow passengers to cruise through the night on America’s greatest commercial river.

Your dream of floating down the Mississippi while sleeping on a majestic riverboat may be hold for now, but all is not lost. Several cruise companies are offering pseudo-overnight trips to travelers looking for romance and nostalgia on the Mighty Mississippi. The quasi-overnight trips feature accommodations at waterfront hotels sandwiched between days on the river.

The charming Julia Belle Swain was built in 1971 and is considered one of the few authentic steam-powered passenger vessels still in operation on the Mississippi. The Wisconsin-based vessel offers overnight cruises to Winona, Minnesota; Lansing, Iowa; and Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, with passengers spending nights at hotels on shore. Trips include live music and historical entertainment, along with regional cuisine and spectacular sights along the river.

Note: All cruise excursions on the Julia Belle Swain Steamboat have been cancelled for the 2009 season due to the current economy.

This traditional-style boat is solely propelled by its large stern paddle wheel and offers overnight trips with night accommodations at shore-side lodges. For the 2009 season the vessel will cruise from Peoria, Illinois to St. Louis, Missouri during the months of May, August, and September only.

Some of the outstanding features of the overnight trip include:

• Magnificent views of river wildlife
• Professional storytelling
• World-class ragtime piano music
• Workshops on river history
• Gourmet meals
• Unlimited on-board soft drinks, coffee, and tea
• Visits with the captain in the pilothouse to learn the rules of the river

The Spirit of Peoria offers one and two-night excursions; prices vary according to individual itineraries.

Riverboat Twilight offers passengers an exciting and unforgettable cruise on the Mighty Mississippi. This 1987 recreation, diesel-driven paddle-wheeler offers overnight riverboat cruises from Le Claire to Dubuque, Iowa, with evening accommodations ashore.

Highlights of the two-day, overnight trip include:

• History lessons on the river and the wildlife, which call it home
• Elegant on-board dining
• Overnight stay at the regal Grand Harbor Hotel situated on the banks of the Mississippi
• A tour of the National Mississippi River Museum
• Transportation to Cable Car Square shops or the Diamond Jo Casino

Enjoy a Mississippi sunset.

If you are interested in taking an overnight Mississippi River riverboat cruise, it is imperative that you inquire with individual companies first. Due to economic reasons the aforementioned Mississippi River riverboat cruise companies are not guaranteeing trips will run beyond 2009. As of this writing, no other U.S. small-ship cruise lines have announced plans to operate any Mississippi River itineraries, which means that your travel options may remain limited for the foreseeable future.

For more information regarding the latest changes to the small-ship cruise line industry, specifically those companies operating Mississippi River overnight trips contact the Cruise Lines International Association.

Overnight Mississippi River riverboat cruises can be an unforgettable experience for passengers able to arrange voyages in an uncertain cruise industry. With several options available, however, it is possible to enjoy these nostalgic sailings before the sun sets on riverboat cruises.

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