Viking & American Cruise Lines Mississippi Comparison
By Aaron Saunders
River cruises encompass nearly every part of the globe. While for most the term conjures up visions of European castles and capitals of culture, North American travelers have another option that is closer to home: the Mighty Mississippi.
Operating on the Mississippi, however, is no easy feat — and there’s a reason only two major cruise lines currently base ships there: American Cruise Lines and cruise juggernaut Viking.
First, to operate in inland waters of the United States, a ship has to be built and flagged in the U.S. Most U.S. shipyards simply don’t have the experience that European ones do in building these vessels, so constructing a vessel can be an expensive process. American Cruise Lines owns their own shipyard, which helps; Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, MD.
American's shipyard; Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, MD. * Photo: American Cruise Lines
Viking, together with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, had to partner with a company called Edison Chouest Offshore, better known for servicing the deep-sea oil community, to construct its only vessel on the Mississippi. The process was complicated enough that, at this point, Viking has no confirmed plans to build any other U.S.-flagged ships, though it does operate its expedition fleet (Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris) on the Great Lakes on sailings between the U.S. and Toronto, Canada.
River cruise lines must also staff their Mississippi ships with all-American crewmembers, which sounds easy but becomes difficult as crewmembers are presented with the realities of working seven days a week aboard a ship. Desertion is common, and training is often done on the fly.
Both lines are affected by this; we had service gaffes on both voyages that would be unthinkable on an oceangoing ship, from a waiter who showed up too stoned to work and was later fired; to rotating through four (yes, four!) cabin stewards in a single weeklong voyage as each subsequently deserted the vessel in port.
Despite these growing pains, both lines offer a strong product on this storied waterway. And even if you think you know what the Mississippi has in store for you, you’re probably mistaken. It is at once backwards and innovative; historic and contemporary; urban and remote.
As seen from Baton Rouge, Louisiana — dusk on the Mississippi. * Photo: Sandra & John Nowlan
Which line should you set sail with for your own Mark Twain-esque journey?
Here’s our list of differentiators between these two respected and popular cruise operators. American Cruise Lines has been on the rivers the longest, but competitor Viking has quickly caught up. There are things I like about each line, and things I feel each line could improve upon.
Points of Comparison Between Viking and American Cruise Lines on the Mississippi
How Many Ships Sail The Mississippi?
Viking
Viking currently has just one vessel, Viking Mississippi, in operation on the Mississippi.
American Cruise Lines
American Cruise Lines currently operates five vessels on the Mississippi River, including three of the line’s new modern riverboats (American Serenade, American Symphony and American Melody), and two classically styled paddlewheelers: American Splendor and American Heritage.
Maximum Capacity?
Viking Mississippi (built 2022): 386 passengers
The 386-pax Viking Mississippi in Natchez. * Photo: Viking
American Serenade (built 2023), American Symphony (built 2022), American Melody (built 2021), American Splendor (built 2016): 180 passengers.
American Heritage (built 2015): 150 passengers.
The 150-passenger American Heritage. * Photo: Jackie Sheckler Finch
Maximum Crew?
Viking
Viking Mississippi: 147 American crewmembers.
American Cruise Lines
American Serenade, American Symphony, American Melody: 43-50 American crew.
American Splendor: 57 American crew.
American Heritage: 50 American crew.
A beloved American Cruise Lines restaurant server. * Photo: Heidi Sarna
Cabin Size?
Both American Cruise Lines and Viking offer standard double-occupany cabins that are far more spacious than the standard rooms on your average oceangoing cruise ship. American Cruise Line’s newest vessels, along with Viking Mississippi, offer all-balcony accommodations. American’s paddlewheel-styled ships still have some river view (window) cabins, but neither line sells inside cabins. American, unlike Viking, also has single-occupancy cabins on their Mississippi ships (and the entire fleet actually).
(Note, compared to the compact cabin size of its Europe River vessels, Viking Mississippi cabins are downright spacious.)
Viking
Viking Mississippi: 268 sq. ft to 1,024 sq. ft.
A standard cabin on Viking Mississippi. * Photo: Aaron Saunders
American Cruise Lines
American Serenade, American Symphony, American Melody: 275 sq. ft to 650 sq. ft. (single-occupancy balcony cabins are 250 sq. ft.)
American Splendor, American Heritage: 290 sq. ft to 445 sq. ft. (single-occupancy cabins are 203 – 230 sq. ft.)
A typical roomy cabin aboard the American Serenade. * Photo: Aaron Saunders
How Many Mississippi Itineraries Are Offered?
Both Viking and American Cruise Lines offer weeklong Mississippi itineraries as well as longer 10-, 12- and 14+-night journeys too.
Viking
10 for 2026, including land and cruise packages.
American Cruise Lines
17 for 2026, including land and cruise packages.
LEARN MORE: Here's an overview of American's many Mississippi itineraries.
Convenient Bow Ramps?
Viking
Viking Mississippi does not have bow ramps like the American vessels do; it must tie up at docks or mooring points along the river.
American Cruise Lines
American Cruise Line's fleet of modern riverboats have ramps inset within a hydraulic bow that allows the vessel to “nose in” to ports where docking facilities are otherwise not available.
The bow ramp “door” is open on the American Serenade. * Photo: Aaron Saunders
The bow of the Viking Mississippi. * Photo: Aaron Saunders
Are There Eleavtor?
Both American Cruise Lines' and Viking's vessels on the Mississippi have elevator access between all passenger decks, which is especially convenient for those with mobility issues, and/or using canes, walkers or wheelchairs.
Viking
Viking includes a selection of complementary beverages standard with the fare, including soft drinks, tea and coffee, plus beer and wine with lunch and dinner. An additional package — Silver Spirits — can be purchased at a nominal cost to make all beverages inclusive.
American Cruise Lines
American Cruise Lines offers complimentary beverages, including wine, beer and cocktails at mealtime (and before/after dinner), plus soft drinks, tea, coffee and juices throughout the voyage. All American ships also have a 24/7 self-serve area in one of the lounges with non-alcoholic drinks, chips and snacks throughout the day.
A cocktail on the Mississippi Viking. * Photo: Aaron Saunders
Are Gratuities Included?
Viking
No; standard gratuities on the Mississippi are $20 USD per person, per night.
American Cruise Lines
Yes; American Cruise Lines includes gratuities for crewmembers as part of the voyage fare. Note, some passenger may give their favorite crew an extra cash tip, but it’s not expected.
Are Excursions Included?
On both lines, a selection of complimentary excursions are provided, along with port shuttles in locations where docking facilities are remote. Both Viking and American Cruise Lines also offer optional, specialized excursions that carry an additional charge (such as visits to Graceland).
Graceland, Elvis Presley’s mansion in Memphis. * Photo: Sandra & John Nowlan
How Are Dinners Handled Onboard?
Dinner on both Viking and American Cruise Lines is open seating, with passengers dining with whomever they wish to for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Meals in the main restaurants of American's ships are served (there are no buffets).
Cuisine tends to be American-themed, with local specialties like gumbo or catfish popping up now and then. Wine and beers served are also predominantly American. Quality is comparable on both lines, with a slight edge, in my opinion, to Viking.
Is Room Service Available?
Viking
No; though snacks are provided in the ship’s common areas.
American Cruise Lines
Yes; breakfast only.
What Extra Amenities Are Offered?
Viking
Viking Mississippi has an infinity plunge pool at the back of the Aquavit Terrace; this gorgeous space, however, gets hot, hot, hot in warm weather — a situation that isn’t helped by having the funnel uptakes adjacent to it. The ship also has a gorgeous wraparound promenade deck that feels very much like being on the line’s oceangoing ships. Self-service laundrettes are also available.
American Cruise Lines
Most American Cruise Lines vessels on the Mississippi offer self-service guest laundry facilities, along with a small but very functional fitness center. Its newest riverboats offer plenty of top deck seating and panoramic lounges forward or aft from which to watch the sights of the passing river.
American Cruise Lines offers a complimentary pre-cruise hotel stay on all of its itineraries — every cruise in every region of the country.
American Cruise Lines offers a 24/7 snack area. * Photo: Heidi Sarna
How Do Prices Compare?
Because these are U.S.-based cruises, Mississippi River fares are on the high side no matter which line you choose.
American Cruise Lines:
Off-season, you can find 7-night American Cruise Lines Mississippi River cruises (plus an 8th pre-cruise hotel night) starting at about $3,800 USD per person. The line’s longest journeys on the Mississippi start around $12,000 USD per person.
Viking:
Similar Viking weeklong Mississippi cruise itineraries start as low as about $3,300 per person USD (and do not include the free pre-cruise hotel night like ACL does).
Depending on when you cruise, you can easily expect to pay as much as $5,000 to $6,000 (or more) per person for a weeklong Mississippi River cruise on either American or Viking. Both lines also offer various hotel and tour packages that you can purchase to add on to your cruise before or after, in the ports of embarkation/debarkation. Further, American offers cruise-tour combos that include land stays in US National Parks along with a Mississippi or tributaries cruise.
Early booking, Black Friday, and WAVE Season discounts are often available on both lines, so be sure to check websites or your local travel agent for exact pricing. And, if you happen to be headed out on either a Viking or American Cruise Line voyage in the future, you can always take advantage of the onboard booking offers to secure your next cruise, as both lines offer incentives and perks for doing so.
How Does The Mississippi Differ From A European River Cruise?
Because the Mississippi requires vessels to be American-flagged and built, they must also carry American crewmembers. Those who have sailed with European or international crewmembers on river cruises in Europe will notice a definite change in the service onboard; it’s more casual and informal on the Mississippi, and service hiccups can occur (we had a lady on American Cruise Lines who could absolutely not make a Margarita but pretended it was one anyhow; and a server on Viking who couldn’t pronounce basic menu items).
However, on both lines, crewmembers try their best to please passengers, and we’ve noticed a marked improvement in service across the board in the last few years.
Sommelier Bueno elegantly introducing the day's wines, table to table, on a Uniworld cruise on Portugal's Douro River. * Photo: Heidi Sarna
Your Fellow Passengers
Passengers aboard both lines tend to be 60-plus years of age (with a good number in the 80s-plus category), well-off, and well-travelled at least domestically within the United States, if not internationally. On both lines, the passenger base is overwhelmingly American, and predominantly Caucasian.
Viking has the more travelled passenger base here, drawing from its ocean, expedition and European river sailings.
American Cruise Lines, however, has a steady group of solid, well-travelled passengers who are staunchly loyal to the line. It can be a real pleasure to speak to your fellow guests about the sheer number of adventures and itineraries they’ve sailed within the domestic United States aboard the line.
The American Eagle. * Photo: Heidi Sarna
Is There A Better Line For Solo Travelers?
American Cruise Lines sets aside select cabins on all of this vessels specifically for solo travelers, with no single supplement required. Depending on the vessel, these single-occupancy cabins can either have a window view or a full balcony.
Viking does not offer single-occupancy cabins aboard Viking Mississippi; travelers wishing to sail solo must pay a single supplement.
An American Heritage solo cabin with balcony. * Photo: American Cruise Lines
Would First-Time Cruisers Be Happy?
Particularly for American-based travellers, a cruise on the Mighty Mississippi presents a fantastic river cruise experience that is close-to-home, loaded with history, and filled with fascinating destinations.
International travelers, however, may grow weary of the homogenous nature of the cruise and the lack of diversity among guests. However, there is no better way to experience the heartland of the United States than by river cruise.
Is This A Safe Itinerary For People Of Color Or Who Identify As LGBTQ+?
The Mississippi traverses some of the more conservative parts of the United States and traveling here as a person of color or as someone who identifies as LGBTQ+ can be an uncomfortable experience at times. A few travel writers of color we sailed with experienced instances of unmasked racism in port, while a MAGA rally during a port stop in Wisconsin unintentionally stoked divisions between passengers.
In Conclusion
Unlike a river cruise through Europe, a river cruise along the Mississippi is its own experience. Go into it with an open mind and you are sure to find something to enjoy about the rich history and unique experiences that are present along this most storied of American waterways. Give the crew some grace; they do, for the most part, try their hardest to please. And American Cruise Lines and Viking both deploy stellar ships on these runs that are both comfortable and enjoyable to spend time aboard.
While there are some aspects of these journeys that may present uncomfortable realities, such as visits to the plantations where many Black people were formerly held as slaves to wealthy White landowners, I have enjoyed my experiences on the rivers of the U.S. and look forward to setting sail there again.
Aaron Saunders has been covering the cruise industry for nearly two decades and has sailed on over 200 voyages to all seven continents. He has guided tours in Alaska; served as a Ventures expedition crewmember on Seabourn; and lectures aboard Holland America on voyages to Alaska and British Columbia. * Selfie: Aaron Saunders
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HEIDI SARNA
