A wonderful but lesser-known way to start on a Mississippi cruise is to leave from the Gulf of Mexico and cruise upriver, leaving from either Galveston or New Orleans. Many cruise companies offer these options, as their ships have to travel both ways.
Galveston is a lovely place to start on a Mississippi cruise, being a short drive from Houston, and an interesting sight in its own way. It already was a bustling port city on the 19th century, and was an arriving point to many immigrants to the country.
Galveston also has some superb beaches and fishing spots in close reach, which would amply justify a local stay for a day or two before departing on your Mississippi cruise.
Another, somewhat more common alternative, is to begin your Mississippi cruise in New Orleans. Don't let the threat of hurricanes put you off, in season this is a fantastic place to explore.
In effect, by starting or ending your Mississippi cruise in New Orleans you will be contributing to the city's recovery by spending your time and some of your tourist dollars there.
Start your visit in the French Quarter, which is the town's most historical area, and also its most lively. Lots of shopping and interacting with the locals takes place there, and you can buy any items you may need on your Mississippi cruise.
Food options are also wide-ranging and will enthrall you if you are of the gourmet type. You will find a wide range of options, from highbrow oysters to the more low-key local takeaway snack, the muffaletta, an Italian-originated sandwich on an olive bread base. Both may be also served during a Mississippi cruise lunch.
As for local specialties, Creole and Cajun cuisines are the staple in New Orleans and also common on a Mississippi cruise. You'll notice that they are pretty different approaches to food. Creole food is Europeanized in taste, and uses lots of wine, butter, thick sauces, enjoy pastries and is the backbone of local fancy dining.
Cajun kitchen on the other hand is the rural, popular cooking of the area, influenced by African cookery and sometimes quite spicy, incorporating meat which is tasty, but which you may not have eaten before, such as crocodile. This is also popular on Mississippi cruises, for its exotic flair.
As for some safety tips: summer and even mid-season (spring, autumn) can get very hot both in Galveston and in New Orleans, so wear your walking shoes and take sunscreen and a hat. Also, don't leave your valuables unguarded before leaving for that Mississippi cruise!
Related links:
Mississippi Cruise Offers - How To Choose The Right One
Mississippi Cruise Options
Mississippi Cruise Options
Mississippi Cruise Offers
Mississippi Cruise Alternatives
Galveston is a lovely place to start on a Mississippi cruise, being a short drive from Houston, and an interesting sight in its own way. It already was a bustling port city on the 19th century, and was an arriving point to many immigrants to the country.
Galveston also has some superb beaches and fishing spots in close reach, which would amply justify a local stay for a day or two before departing on your Mississippi cruise.
Another, somewhat more common alternative, is to begin your Mississippi cruise in New Orleans. Don't let the threat of hurricanes put you off, in season this is a fantastic place to explore.
In effect, by starting or ending your Mississippi cruise in New Orleans you will be contributing to the city's recovery by spending your time and some of your tourist dollars there.
Start your visit in the French Quarter, which is the town's most historical area, and also its most lively. Lots of shopping and interacting with the locals takes place there, and you can buy any items you may need on your Mississippi cruise.
Food options are also wide-ranging and will enthrall you if you are of the gourmet type. You will find a wide range of options, from highbrow oysters to the more low-key local takeaway snack, the muffaletta, an Italian-originated sandwich on an olive bread base. Both may be also served during a Mississippi cruise lunch.
As for local specialties, Creole and Cajun cuisines are the staple in New Orleans and also common on a Mississippi cruise. You'll notice that they are pretty different approaches to food. Creole food is Europeanized in taste, and uses lots of wine, butter, thick sauces, enjoy pastries and is the backbone of local fancy dining.
Cajun kitchen on the other hand is the rural, popular cooking of the area, influenced by African cookery and sometimes quite spicy, incorporating meat which is tasty, but which you may not have eaten before, such as crocodile. This is also popular on Mississippi cruises, for its exotic flair.
As for some safety tips: summer and even mid-season (spring, autumn) can get very hot both in Galveston and in New Orleans, so wear your walking shoes and take sunscreen and a hat. Also, don't leave your valuables unguarded before leaving for that Mississippi cruise!
Related links:
Mississippi Cruise Offers - How To Choose The Right One
Mississippi Cruise Options
Mississippi Cruise Offers
Mississippi Cruise Alternatives
