Viking opens 2024 Mississippi cruise dates on strong demand

The company’s first US river vessel, the 386-passenger Viking Mississippi, is scheduled to debut in August 2022 and will sail on the Lower and Upper Mississippi, between New Orleans and St. Paul, Minnesota.

Several cruises sold out through 2023

Several departures have already sold out through the 2023 season, leading Viking to open 2024 dates sooner than planned.

'We are pleased with the continued response and support we have received from loyal guests and valued partners ahead of our new Mississippi River sailings,' Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen said.  'As we begin to restart ocean operations this spring, we also look forward to a new chapter in 2022 when we begin sailing our first US river voyages.'

Ports span seven states

Viking’s cruises are expected to carry more than 5,800 along the Mississippi in 2022 and more than 17,600 during the first full sailing season in 2023. Ports span seven states: Louisiana (Baton Rouge, Darrow, New Orleans and St. Francisville), Mississippi (Natchez and Vicksburg), Tennessee (Memphis), Missouri (Hannibal, St. Louis), Iowa (Burlington, Dubuque and Davenport), Wisconsin (La Crosse) and Minnesota (Red Wing, St. Paul).

Itineraries of eight or 15 days

Itineraries include 'America’s Great River, 15 days between New Orleans and St. Paul, with multiple sailing dates now available in June, July, September and October 2023 and 2024. Fares start at $10,999 per person with discounted airfare.

'America’s Heartland, eight days between St. Louis and St. Paul, is now available on multiple dates August to September 2023 and 2024. Pricing starts at $4,399 per person with discounted airfare.

'Heart of the Delta,' eight days betweeen New Orleans and Memphis, is offered on dates in November 2022 with additional dates open from January to June and October to December 2023 and 2024. Pricing starts at $4,399 per person with discounted airfare.

And there are multiple departures of 'New Orleans & Southern Charm,' eight days, round-trip New Orleans, in November/December 2022 and January/December 2023 and 2024. Fares begin at $3,999 per person with discounted air.

'Mississippi Holiday Season,' eight days between Memphis and New Orleans, is offered on multiple dates in December 2022 with pricing from $3,999 per person with discounted air.