Travel & Leisure Facts and Notes

A Mississippi cruise is truly a wonderful experience. But to avoid the crowds, you can take advantage of a little known secret that will make your cruise a much more individual experience. Instead of booking a downriver cruse, take an upriver one, starting on the Mississippi Delta. You will be much less inconvenienced by fellow travelers.

Galveston, in Texas, is a great starting point for a Mississippi cruise. The city, which is built on an island, has a much higher proportion of German-Americans than the surrounding area due to immigration patterns, and is blessed with some wonderful and airy parks.

Galveston also has some superb beaches and fishing spots in close reach, which would amply justify a local stay for a day or two before departing on your Mississippi cruise.

Another, somewhat more common alternative, is to begin your Mississippi cruise in New Orleans. Don’t let the threat of hurricanes put you off, in season this is a fantastic place to explore.

In effect, by starting or ending your Mississippi cruise in New Orleans you will be contributing to the city’s recovery by spending your time and some of your tourist dollars there.

For visitors, the most interesting part of the city is the French Quarter. This is the area for strolling, people-watching, window shopping, and feeling the heat before leaving for a Mississippi cruise.

As for food, there are lots of superb options. If you fancy Oysters, visit the Acme Oyster Bar, which is near Canal Street. For a quick takeaway snack, get a muffaletta at a baker in the French Quarter. It’s a sandwich made with olives, also prevalent on day Mississippi cruise outings

Talking about cuisine, you will find that two distinctive styles predominate. These are Creole and Cajun cooking. Creole food is inspired by French bourgeois cuisine and is more refined and heavy, which makes it popular for formal dinners during a Mississippi cruise.

Cajun cuisine is lighter than Creole, and it’s also spicier due to African influences, and it features lots of exotic preparations such as alligator stew and turtle soup, all inspired by the availability of these meats in the delta. Prepare to be offered these recipes on your Mississippi cruise too!

Concerning your safety, make sure to bring a hat and sunscreen if you are leaving for your cruise in the summer and be especially vigilant for pickpockets in the town centers. You can relax your guard once you have boarded your Mississippi cruise.