Trading the unseasonably hot and humid temperatures of Burlington, Iowa, for the air conditioning onboard Viking Mississippi — complemented by a free, nonalcoholic pina colada slushy — felt like the domestic riverboat equivalent of Nordic bathing.
While not as intentional as the stimulating alternation between hot and cold environments offered at the spa on Viking’s ocean cruises, it was nevertheless a welcome reprieve.
And it was far from the only thing I appreciated onboard the ship.
A Unique Design
This unique vessel is a hybrid product that incorporates several of the best elements from the rest of the line’s fleet. Our marvelous cruise director, Tim, succinctly explained that if the rest of the vessels “had a love child, we would be it.” And the resulting design is near perfect.
The riverboat itself naturally takes cues from the line’s previous riverboats, but also its ocean ships and even its expedition vessels. Its bow mirrors the wide, crisp crest of the line’s signature Viking Longships, while its side profile stands taller, closer in stance to Viking Star and her sisters. Clients will likely appreciate these similarities, as Viking notes that 85% of the ship’s guests have traveled previously with the brand.
The Infinity Plunge Pool onboard Viking Mississippi
Credit: 2024 Jason LeppertThere’s an Infinity Plunge Pool (which helps make up for the lack of a full spa), on the upper deck overlooking the stern, another feature that’s reminiscent of the seagoing vessels. It’s here that my wife and I enjoyed a cooling soak after another steamy day of touring onshore. While not large enough for any actual swimming, it is deep enough for a sublime submerge.
Elsewhere, Mississippi compares to, but also differs from, the Viking ocean ships with its reprised double-decker Explorers’ Lounge. Instead of being perched high on the ship, though, the scenic venue resides at the waterline just behind the bow, akin to the alfresco Aquavit Terrace on the line’s other Longships. Here, it features a selection of inviting padded seating and rocking chairs, and extends to a full wraparound promenade deck.
Similar to the expedition ships, the Living Room and its self-contained library stretch immediately behind the first level of the forward observation lounge. A technological standout among the traditional Scandinavian decor is the use of transparent digital displays that can be seen through when not active, thus making the social gathering space feel even more open and airy than it already is.
I also appreciated a centrally placed U-Turn Audio Orbit Custom vinyl record player in walnut wood — the very same make and model I own at home — appropriately sitting below a guitar-inspired ceiling of natural wood “strings.”
Entertainment and Dining
Speaking of entertainment, a house jazz trio frequently fills the air with toe-tapping tunes while guest musicians — from a classical harpist to an excellent Billy Joel and Elton John tribute artist — and enrichment lecturers come onboard every so often, as well.
In fact, the upper level of the forward observation lounge has been reconfigured since the vessel’s launch to serve as equal parts lecture hall and scenic lounge. I only wish the drapes were fully pulled back when not in use to maximize the expansive day vistas.
Mississippi’s own Aquavit Terrace, on the other hand, sits in the same place as on Viking’s ocean ships: just forward of the infinity pool and aft of the River Cafe, the riverboat’s take on the line’s World Cafe. This buffet and the terrace’s added barbecue station make for a casual (read: shorts-friendly) alternative to The Restaurant downstairs, where a light dress code still applies.
The River Cafe is one of the dining options.
Credit: 2024 Jason LeppertCulinary offerings also straddle the line between Viking’s ocean and river fare. The main dining room’s nightly selection is larger than on the line’s Longships, but not quite as extensive as on the seagoing vessels, though its quality is definitely on par with the latter.
A mix of comfort foods (such as Cajun crab cakes) and elevated cuisine (including a “surf and turf” of lobster and chateaubriand) was simply delicious. We often dined at the cafe, where self-serve breakfasts, lunches and dinners all impress, ranging from morning biscuits and gravy to midday hamburgers to steak, sushi and other seafood at night.
Friendly Service and Spacious Cabins
And no matter the venue, the service was some of the friendliest I’ve ever experienced on a cruise, thanks to many talented crew members transferring over from the now-defunct, but once-exceptional, American Queen Voyages. The same was true of our jovial cabin steward, who looked after our lovely, 268-square-foot Deluxe Veranda Stateroom, a near carbon copy of those on Viking’s ocean ships. Other repeated categories are similarly carried over.
A Deluxe Veranda Stateroom
Credit: 2024 Jason LeppertWe also thoroughly appreciated the larger-than-average shower and an abundance of USB charging ports and electrical outlets.
What allows for all of these roomier venues, staterooms and suites onboard is an overall larger ship size compared to the Longships. Viking Mississippi stands five decks tall with a length of 471 feet (since the vessel was recently elongated) and a width of 75 feet to carry up to 386 guests.
Room for Improvement
Nearing its first two years in service, Viking Mississippi has emerged mostly successfully after experiencing some initial growing pains. To illustrate the efforts the line has made to perfect the product, the riverboat was recently lengthened by 21 feet (2.5 feet at the bow and the difference at the stern) to not only improve propulsion efficiency, but also to streamline the hull form and thus reduce vibrations felt by passengers. It paid off, because the ride is one of the smoothest I’ve ever felt on a cruise.
That said, the Mississippi experience is very close to, but not quite as polished as, Viking’s global ocean ships and European riverboats, with overall cleanliness and maintenance coming in just shy.
The Local Experience
Otherwise, Viking Mississippi provides an outstanding means of experiencing Americana via the line’s Scandinavian lens.
On our 12-day America’s Heartland route, we journeyed from St. Louis, Missouri, to Twin Cities, Minnesota. Seeing Hannibal, Missouri, birthplace of both Mark Twain and the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown (of Titanic fame) piqued my interest, as did visiting the timeless Galena, Illinois, a locale as picture-perfect as a studio backlot.
Both my wife and I were also particularly fond of our apple cider tasting in Maiden Rock, Wisconsin, and our exploration of quaint Red Wing, Minnesota, to name a few tours. And La Crosse, Wisconsin, served as an ideal blend of American and Norwegian cultures, befitting the overall Viking experience.
