MISSISSIPPI RIVER CRUISE 2020
Land Tours Included In Your All-Inclusive River Cruise Holiday!
MISSISSIPPI CRUISE SAMPLE ITINERARY & TOUR PROGRAM
Board this authentic newly built, luxury paddlewheeler as we celebrate the music, history, Jewish heritage and culture of the Lower Mississippi. Your journey begins and ends in New Orleans, a melting pot of French, African, and American culture. Here you can enjoy exclusive access to its vibrant music scene and the best in kosher Cajun and Creole cuisine. On our curated tours of area plantations such as the Oak Alley, Frogmore, and Rosedown, you will hear stories about southern life from a team of passionate experts who we have assembled to show you each place in detail. Explore historic towns and beautiful gardens along the way and be treated to an exclusive classical piano concert at the famous J.N. Stone House. In Vicksburg, our expert guides show you the battlefields, the USS Cairo, and the most significant historic sites throughout the city. Now add to this once-in-a-lifetime journey your Kosher River Cruise historians and lecturers who bring the areas Jewish history, heritage and stories of the old and new south to life.
Jewish Heritage of the South: Jews in Mississippi? Can one realistically picture a Jewish man asking his brother, “Hey, Billy Bob. Y’all gonna pick up a box of matzah for the seder?” If you live in the South the following facts come as no surprise. For the rest of you, consider the fact that the second- and third-oldest existing synagogues in the United States are in Charleston, S.C., and Savannah, Ga., respectively. The first Jewish United States senator was Judah Benjamin from Louisiana. He later served as secretary of state in Jefferson Davis’ cabinet of the Confederate States of America from 1861 to 1865. Along the Mississippi River Valley, in towns and cities with names like Natchez, Vicksburg and Port Gibson, best known for Civil War battles and bluesmen, Jewish communities thrived in the second half of the 19th and early part of the 20th centuries. Never large in number, they made up for a lack of people power with a sense of community. Today there exists a Jewish cultural corridor along the Mississippi River, stretching from Memphis to New Orleans, linking aged Hebrew cemeteries, old synagogues, structures which once housed Jewish-owned department stores and other landmarks with a Jewish cultural connection in the land of grits and magnolia trees. Join Kosher River Cruises as we explore from the comforts of our luxury riverboat the wonders, history and Jewish heritage of the mighty Mississippi.
Click Below For Mississippi Land Tour Video
Day 1 (Mo) New Orleans, LA
Welcome to New Orleans, also known as the Big Easy. This vibrant city is the perfect destination to begin your Mississippi River voyage. Afternoon embarkation
Day 2 (Tu) Oak Alley, LA
Once serving as an antebellum sugar cane homestead, Oak Alley Plantation is named after its most distinguishing feature, a row of 300 year old oak trees. This leafy canopy forms a quarter-mile path leading to the Mississippi River. Restored to its 19th century grandeur, this classic Greek Revival-style antebellum mansion is breathtaking.
Day 3 (We) Natchez, MS
Celebrating its 300th year, Natchez is a city full of Jewish history and southern hospitality. Kosher River Cruises will take you on a guided exploration of this fascinating area with visits to its gardens, historic homes, and museums. While here, we will treat you to a special concert in the music room of the J.N. Stone House.
Day 4 (Th) Vicksburg, MS
The city of Vicksburg served as a pivotal turning point during the American Civil War. Come with us as our informative historian leads us through the National Military Park which commemorates the campaign, siege and defense of Vicksburg. Here we explore about Jews in the Civil War which had representation in both the Northern and Confederate armies. Our local expert guides and park rangers show you the battlefields, the USS Cairo, and the most significant Jewish historic places throughout the city.
Day 5 (Fr) St. Francisville, LA
Established in 1809 and overlooking the Mississippi River, St. Francisville is a quaint southern town that offers a glimpse into history. One of the largest shipping ports on the Mississippi prior to the Civil War, St. Francisville is a small town with grand appeal. Experience this town’s rich history as you tour historic plantations, including the famous Rosedown and The Myrtles. We continue down river where we will dock at Houmas for a memorable Shabbat experience among new friends along the Mississippi.
Day 6 (Sa) Shabbat, Houmas House, LA
We spend a memorable Shabbat together docked along the mighty Mississippi. In the afternoon you will have the option to partake on a walking tour from our boat of the Houmas House and its history as well as its 38 acres of gardens, ponds, and majestic live oak alley during this port stop. Make sure to explore the southern splendor of “The Sugar Palace” through 16 rooms filled with period antiques and Louisiana artwork. Evening farewell dinner and onboard entertainment by The Victory Belles: The Victory Belles come aboard to sing all the classic patriotic songs that you want to hear, including Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy and God Bless America.
Day 7 (Su) Baton Rouge, LA
Baton Rouge features all the history and wonder you would expect in a state capital, but with an added down home flavor that makes it truly unique. Our expert local guides will take you on a tour of the cities’ most famous attractions including the Old & New State Capitals and the interactive Louisiana State Museum.
Day 8 (Mo) New Orleans, LA
Welcome back to New Orleans, disembark
Optional 2-Night Stay & Tour – Monday to Wednesday:
New Orleans the Birthplace of Jazz. Culture and arts abound around every corner of this unique city. The open-air artist colony proudly displays local works on the iron fence in Jackson Square, while the city’s 45 museums carefully preserve its rich history. Stay an extra few nights to enjoy the famed French Quarter, explore its Jewish history and heritage and America’s greatest night life and music scene. *Entertainment times, days, and performers are subject to change
*Tour will be a combination of both Jewish and secular sites.
* Please note mooring and casting off times are only guidelines. We reserve the right to make changes to the itineraries and excursion programs. Due to unforeseen circumstances such as low or high water or a defective ship sections of the river can be closed to traffic. In such cases the ship-owner reserves the right to transport guests along that section by bus, accommodate them in hotels and /or change the course of that part of the journey. In some circumstances it may be necessary to transfer to another ship. These situations are rare but do happen from time to time and are all part of riverboat vacations. There’s nothing anyone can do to control Mother Nature.
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WhatsApp SMS: +1 (206)-536-3150
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