On the riverboat sightseeing cruise, a guide, known as a "riverlorian," will tell you all about the Mississippi River's history. This includes wartime tales, information about Mark Twain, and a description of the tragedy of the Sultana. This is a 90-minute cruise.
Food is not provided, but the ship does have a snack bar on board in case you get hungry. Adults aged 18 and up cost $20 for the ride, while seniors, college students that show their ID, military service people with proper ID, and teenagers aged 13 to 17 pay $17. Tickets for children aged 6 to 12 are $10, and those 5 and under ride free. This tour typically takes place on the Island Queen riverboat.
For a longer, more romantic view of the Mississippi River, consider the evening dinner and music cruise. This cruise, offered on the Memphis Queen II, lasts for two hours. Food on board during the cruise is the kind of barbecue that is typically associated with Memphis and the south. Enjoy pulled pork, grilled chicken, vegetables, and dessert as a live band plays during the cruise. If you feel like having a drink, there is a bar on board the ship that accepts cash and credit. For the two-hour tour, adult tickets are $45. Discounted tickets for certain groups are $42, and children's tickets are $30.
Taking advantage of holiday seasons, Memphis Riverboats offers specialty cruises for holidays like Valentine's Day, Christmas and New Year's Eve. The Valentine's Day and Christmas cruises are two hours, while the New Year's cruise runs for three hours. These cruises offer buffet dinners during the trip, including a special Christmas buffet for the Christmas cruise that includes turkey, ham and dressing. A live band plays during these special cruises for your entertainment. For the New Year's Eve cruise, you can even enjoy a courtesy glass of champagne to toast the new year. Adult tickets for holiday cruises are $50, with discounted groups pay $47. Children's tickets are $30.
If you would prefer to ride along the Mississippi on a private cruise, Memphis Riverboats can arrange that as well. Choose from their array of boats, which includes the Memphis Queen II, Memphis Queen III and the Island Queen. These charter cruises must be paid 30% in advance of the trip, then paid out In two subsequent payments. You can choose to pay for a bar setup during your ride, as well as other specialty services like decorations, balloons and machine rentals like a Sno-Cone machine and chocolate fountain. Many people choose to rent a ship for a private cruise for weddings, birthdays and graduation parties. Prices vary depending upon which boat you choose to rent.
