Smithsonian Journeys will offer a Mississippi River cruise for the first time since the pandemic, as the company expands its river cruise portfolio. The brand regularly offered Mississippi cruises from 2007 to 2019, but canceled scheduled sailings between 2020 and 2022.
Next year, she will return to this waterway with a nine-day itinerary beginning in Memphis and ending in New Orleans, aboard one of American Cruise Lines ' classic paddlewheelers , the American Splendor . Presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Doris Kearns Goodwin will be the guest speaker.
Although Smithsonian Journeys will only offer one departure date in March, its return to the Mississippi indicates renewed traveler interest in exploring the river by boat. This is just one example of how Smithsonian Journeys is expanding its river cruise portfolio this year. According to a spokesperson, demand for its river itineraries has always been high.
The company has also partnered with AmaWaterways to offer river cruises in Europe with experts on board starting this April, with 33 departures scheduled. Each ship will carry two experts who will deliver lectures.
“We have seen an overwhelmingly positive market response, highlighting a continued and growing demand for meaningful and enriching travel,” said Angela Ferragamo, vice president of marketing at Smithsonian Travel.
In recent years, Smithsonian Journeys has also shown interest in expanding its cruise portfolio into other regions. In 2022, the brand partnered with Ponant, marking its first alliance with an expedition cruise line.
Smithsonian Journeys also offers river cruises in Canada and Peru. In addition, the company plans a Nile River cruise in 2027 to view the total solar eclipse.
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