7 Night Roundtrip New Orleans Cruise from New Orleans

Enjoy your complimentary stay at the pre-cruise hotel. The evening is yours to become acquainted with the city. For your convenience, American Queen Voyages Hospitality Desk will be located in the hotel, and the friendly staff can assist with everything from general questions about your upcoming voyage to reserving premium experiences. Representatives from AQV and a local port/city partner will be available to provide you with dining, entertainment, and sightseeing options to maximize your time here.

Indigenous people inhabited the rich lands between the Mississippi and Lake Pontchartrain for the same reasons that would later attract Europeans: ecological resources and a network of navigable rivers, bayous, and bays. La Nouvelle-Orleans was founded by Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville in 1718 upon the slightly elevated banks of the Mississippi approximately 95 miles above its mouth. Engineers laid out a grid of streets with a Place d'Armes (Jackson Square) that would become known as the Vieux Carre (Old Square), or today's French Quarter. New Orleans's Creole, Cajun, and other diverse residents blended to develop art, cuisine, music, and general culture unlike any other in the United States. Whether you have a few days here or just a few hours, uncover the treasures of the city as you explore the unique sites and attractions lining the historic streets as seen in the famous French Quarter or admire the architecture of the stunning Garden District.

Watch small river towns and lush landscapes slowly become lost in the horizon as sunlight plays upon the deck. Take hold of a literary classic, curl up on a plush chair in a cozy corner, and relish in the moment of tranquility. Experience the fulfillment that river cruising offers.

New Roads is a historical town named after a "new road" the Spanish built in 1776 between the Mississippi and the False River, northwest from Baton Rouge. Over the years, they've celebrated a vibrant Creole culture crafted by the French, African, and other nationalities that first called New Roads home, way back when they were founded over three centuries ago. Known as the "Little Carnival Capital" of Louisiana, New Roads followed New Orleans' example by staging Mardi Gras celebrations as early as 1881. A Louisiana Main Street community, New Roads is also home to several historic estates, particularly along the False River - revealing breathtaking natural beauty and a great spot for fishing, boating, and waterskiing.

Natchez is known for its elegance, hospitality, and impressive preservation of historic homes - found on every street corner. It seems as if history fell asleep and awoke unscathed by the changing of times in this magical port. Natchez is home to over 1,000 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Most of the homes survived the American Civil War and their history flows in abundance along the Mississippi. Natchez has a long and fascinating history, dating back to 1716, making it the oldest continuous settlement on the Mississippi. Even before Natchez was settled by Europeans, the area was home to the Natchez Indians, noted for being the only Mississippian culture with complex chiefdom characteristics to have survived long into the period after the European colonization of America began. The Natchez District, along with the Sea Islands of South Carolina and Georgia, pioneered cotton agriculture in the United States. The city recovered from its post-war decline to become one of the state's leading industrial centers. Today the production of wood pulp, lumber, petroleum, and natural gas form the basis of the economy; tourism - including casino gambling - and the manufacture of tires are also important. Shops and restaurants now occupy the site of Natchez Under-the-Hill, a 19th-century town of bordellos and taverns that was a haven for outlaws and boatmen. During your visit, explore the unique shops, restaurants, museums, and historic homes, all of which inspired Hugh Bayless to include Natchez in his book "The 100 Best Towns in America".

The Baton Rouge cruises have something to offer everyone, from hop-off-hop-on tours of historical sites to strolling the lively streets of New Orleans. These cruises to Baton Rouge are all-inclusive, with beverages and cuisine onboard, transportation to the vessel from a hotel, onboard entertainment, and more. Beyond the typical attractions and activities available on a Baton Rouge river cruise, you can also explore the capital's rich history through its cuisine. With each stop on cruises from Baton Rouge you'll find new eateries to try, exciting excursions, and cities with hidden gems on every corner. Baton Rouge Cruises: History of the Area: Baton Rouge grants a strikingly different experience from those of the small-town stops throughout your voyage. In 1699, French visitors called the spot "red stick" (baton rouge) because of a boundary marker pole, stained with animal blood, on the river bluff. This energetic port houses over 300 years of history, seen in the unique architecture and through the unique arts and culture scene. Here, history-facing museums and landmarks fraternize with forward-looking art and industry to showcase all that Baton Rouge has to offer. Choose to hop on one of our deluxe motorcoaches to explore the diversity of this city, take a walk down the river path alongside the boat, or meander through the city streets. Politics is engrained into the culture of Baton Rouge. The contrast can be seen in the accounts of past settlers on display at the Old Louisiana State Capitol and inside the corridors of the current capitol - an Art Deco skyscraper. As the home of the Louisiana State University main campus and several smaller colleges, Baton Rouge buzzes with a youthful zeal of a college town while holding fast to its graceful Southern traditions. During the fall, LSU's home football games pack the immense Tiger Stadium, and the revelry is known to spill into the streets. A revival has begun in the city center; sites of interest include a riverfront casino, the USS Kidd floating museum, and Shaw Center for the Arts, an ultra-contemporary complex that clusters an art museum, gallery spaces, theaters, and restaurants in the heart of downtown.

American Queen Voyages features an exclusive port at Nottoway, located in White Castle, LA, on the south bank of the Mississippi River, part of the Baton Rouge metropolitan area. Here you can visit the estate of sugarcane magnate J. H. Randolph - the largest standing pre-war mansion in the South (53,000 square feet) - an intricate building with impressive detail. Original furnishings mingle with era-appropriate antiques to create an atmosphere that does justice to the home's original ambiance. It is fascinating history and a luxurious aesthetic - an authentic Southern experience you will not want to pass up. The surrounding town of White Castle was established as a town in the 1880s with the influx of people and business brought by the logging industry in the cypress swamps of the area. When the cypress wood was depleted, the main economic activity reverted to the sugar cane industry which had been established in the latter part of the 18th century. Individual plantation sugar mills gave way to larger mills servicing many plantations. By 1970, White Castle had three major sugar mills: Cora Texas, Cedar Grove, and Catherine Supple Plantation. Only one, Cora Texas, is still in operation. During the 1950s, the chemical industry entered the area, congregating around the Mississippi between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. This industry brought economic growth which took White Castle into the 1980s. Companies establishing chemical plants in the area near White Castle were Dow Chemical north of Plaquemine, Georgia Gulf and Hercules north of White Castle, and Ciba-Geigy on the east bank of the Mississippi.

As your American Queen Voyages journey concludes, there are other opportunities for you to take in the town - whether it's an optional premier post-cruise experience or a quick transfer to the airport for your final trip home - your AQV team can pre-arrange everything for you.