mississippi riverboat cruise st paul

Discover the Beauty

OF THE MIGHTY MISSISSIPPI

St Paul And Mississippi River Cruise

Explore the Mississippi River—a cultural treasure of America! Spot bald eagles, herons, egrets, and falcons as you travel back in time from St. Paul’s bustling downtown harbor through the Mississippi National Great River Park. Come aboard our riverboat cruises to see the natural marvels Minnesota has to offer.

Featured Twin Cities Riverboat Cruises

Take a peek at these popular, limited-availability Mississippi riverboat cruises.

Lunch & Lock

Sightseeing Cruises

Captain's Dinner Cruise

Sunset Cruise

Margaritas on the Mississippi

Captain’s Dinner Cruise

Sightseeing, Dining & More

Whether you want to simply take in the wonders of the Mississippi or enjoy a delicious meal with your family while sightseeing the colorful scenery, we have the perfect river cruise option for any occasion.

Dining Cruises

Holiday Cruises

Memorable Private Events on the Water

With a unique event venue, make your next private event a day you and your guests will talk about for years to come. Our high-capacity vessels are equipped for entertainment options, delicious menu selections, a fully stocked bar, and other necessities. We have professional event managers on staff that will help you plan unforgettable weddings, school celebrations, corporate outings, and reunions, among other private events.

Wedding Cruises

Prom & Graduation

Corporate Events

Customizations & Services

What Our Clients are Saying

“Hidden Gem! What a fun way to spend some time enjoying this beautiful area. Did the sunset dinner cruise, and oh my, the food is wonderful, the brisket is melt-in-your-mouth good. I almost ate the whole pan. Went with the drink package, worth the money! All the staff was so friendly and helpful. This is a must-do item for anyone that comes to visit. Excellent value and great memories!”

“If you’re going to ride a boat, you should definitely ride one the boats down at Padelford. They have three different boats and a ton of public cruise options. You could go on a public sightseeing, a sunset dinner, a margarita on the Mississippi, a rib dinner, a lunch & lock, the options are endless. All food is created by their Chef John Cooper, who creates all the food with love and care. They also do private events like weddings, corporate events, family reunions, and anything you can think of.”

“I had such a nice experience on my excursion! The crew was polite. The boat was clean. It’s awesome to be able to have a cocktail and snack while doing the tour. It was really nice. Thank you for a great time!”

“The service was very good, as well as the food. We had a good time.”

“It was a beautiful fall evening on the river! Our first margarita cruise with Padelford. Our new tradition. Great food and service. We enjoyed every minute. Then we bought their captain’s hats and took lots of pictures. We had a ball! Can’t wait to go back. Plus, we met new friends!”

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Padelford Riverboats 205 DR Justus Ohage Blvd. Harriet Island St. Paul, MN 55107

LOCAL: 651-227-1100

• Expeditions
• Complimentary Brochures
• St. Paul, Minnesota to New Orleans, Louisiana

America’s Great River

• From $11,999
• 12 Guided Tours
• Dates & Pricing
• 2024 2025 2026

America’s Great River Map

Span the length of the Mississippi

History and culture unfold as you traverse the Mississippi on this enriching voyage. Enjoy relaxing scenic sailing and unparalleled bird-watching as the landscape changes between the bluffs of the North and the bayous of the South. Learn about the American civil rights movement and the Civil War. Along the way, tap your feet to the rhythm of American folk, soul and jazz music—and taste a delicious array of regional cuisine.

Viking Inclusive Value

All you need included, with no surprises or hidden fees

To learn more about each port of call and our included as well as optional excursions, click on the individual days below.

Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change and may vary by departure.

More features, services and excursions included

One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call

Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)

Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner

24-hour specialty coffees, teas  & bottled water

Port taxes & fees

Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase

Visits to UNESCO Sites

Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances

Your Stateroom Includes:

River-view stateroom

Bottled water replenished daily

110/220 volt outlets

Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows

Private bathroom with shower, heated floor & anti-fog mirror

Premium Freyja® toiletries

Plush robes & slippers (upon request)

40" or 42" flat-screen Sony® TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, plus CNBC, CNN, FOX & more

Telephone, safe, refrigerator

Individual climate control

*All amenities on board Viking Longships; amenities vary on other ships.

Pre & Post Cruise Extensions

More days means more to discover, with extension packages you can add before or after your Viking cruise or cruisetour. Enjoy additional days to explore your embarkation or disembarkation city, or see a new destination altogether with a choice of exciting cities. Pre & Post Cruise Extensions vary by itinerary and are subject to change.

Pre: Cultural Capitals—Minneapolis & St. Paul

Pre: Twin Cities Discovery

Post: Best of the Bayou: Acadian Lafayette

Post: The Best of “The Big Easy”

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Viking River Cruises

• Mississippi

Viking Ocean Cruises

• Scandinavia
• British Isles & Ireland
• North America
• Caribbean & Central America
• South America
• Mediterranean
• Quiet Season Mediterranean
• Australia & New Zealand
• World Cruises
• Grand Journeys

Viking Expeditions

• Great Lakes
• Longitudinal World Cruises

2024-2027 RIVER CRUISE AND AIR FARES:  Offer applies to bookings made from October 1-31, 2024. Terms & conditions for select promotions may vary. $25 deposit is applicable to all River itineraries. Special fares plus up to FREE International airfare valid on select departures of Grand European Tour, Lyon Provence & the Rhineland, European Sojourn and Capitals of Eastern Europe, London, Paris & D-Day, Rhine & Main Explorer . Airfares may vary on other gateways & departures. Airfare does not have to be purchased to get cruise\cruisetour offer. All prices are in US dollars and for US residents only. Additional restrictions may apply. 2024 : Pay in full by October 31, 2024 or at time of booking if within 120 days of departure. 2025 : Pay in full by November 30, 2024. 2026 : Pay in full by April 30, 2025. 2027 : Pay in full by January 15, 2026. Offers expires October 31, 2024.

$25 DEPOSIT:  For itineraries 35 days or less, a $25 deposit applies to March 2025 & onward departures; for itineraries greater than 35 days, a $25 deposit applies to May 2025 & onward departures; World Cruise products excluded; call for details.

AIR UPGRADE:  Upgrade to Premium Economy air from $799 per person or Business Class air from $3,499 per person based on select gateways and dates. Additional airline-imposed baggage charges may apply; for more information visit  Airline Luggage Restrictions  . Air prices are per person based on cruise/cruisetour check-in date and include transfers plus all government taxes/fees of approximately $160 and air fuel surcharges. Air seats are limited; airfares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full payment of air is received. For more information about customized air services and US gateways, visit the Viking Air Plus page.

GENERAL RESTRICTIONS:  Cruise fares listed are cruise only in U.S. dollars, per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement savings are off applicable rates. Cruise fares listed are valid for U.S. residents only. All fares and offers are for new bookings only and are subject to availability, may not combinable with other offers except Viking Explorer Society Travel Credits and Viking Referral Rewards, are capacity-controlled and may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Special fares are based upon published full brochure fares; cruise fares do not include pre-paid charges, optional facilities, and personal charges, as defined in the terms and conditions of the  Passenger Ticket Contract  which may be viewed elsewhere on this website. Full brochure fares may not have resulted in actual sales in all stateroom categories and may not have been in effect during the last 90 days. Promotional fares may remain in effect after the expiration date. Air promotion applies to roundtrip flights only from select Viking Cruises U.S. gateways and includes airport-to-ship or hotel transfers, air taxes and air fuel surcharges. Roundtrip airport transfers are included when air is purchased with a cruise or cruisetour package; if air is not purchased from Viking, transfers may be purchased separately. All transfers must be in conjunction with a Viking-purchased cruise, cruisetour, land extension or extra hotel nights. Viking reserves the right to correct errors or omissions and to change any and all fares at any time. For up-to-date prices, please call Viking or your Travel Agent. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Complete terms and conditions may be found in the  Passenger Ticket Contract .

AIR OFFER RESTRICTIONS:  Offer expires October 31, 2024.

NOTE: U.S. flights depart one day prior to check-in date. Paid Business or Premium Economy Class may require travel in economy on flights within North America or Europe. Premium economy is limited to specific airlines and we may not be able to accommodate based on aircraft type and availability. Roundtrip airport transfers are included when air is purchased with a cruise or cruisetour package; if air is not purchased from Viking, transfers may be purchased separately. All transfers must be in conjunction with a Viking-purchased cruise, cruisetour, land extension or extra hotel nights. Air prices are per person based on cruise/cruisetour check-in date and include transfers plus all government taxes/fees of approximately $160 and air fuel surcharges. Air seats are limited; airfares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full payment of air is received.

America’s Great River

• Get inspired by the possibilities.
• Build your ideal trip.
• Explore the vibrant arts scene of St. Louis, Missouri
• Enjoy musical styles such as blues and rock'n'roll in Memphis, TN
• Learn about the Civil War history of Vicksburg, Mississippi
• Experience the uniquely diverse culture and cuisine of New Orleans
• Visit the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois
• Archaeological Site Visits
• River Cruises
• Village Visits
• Mississippi River
• North America
• United States
• Baton Rouge
• Mississippi
• New Orleans
• Gulf of Mexico

Full Itinerary

Day 1: st. paul, minnesota | embark.

• Accommodation

Day 2: Red Wing, Minnesota

• 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Day 3: La Crosse, Wisconsin

Day 4: dubuque, iowa, day 5: quad cities, day 6: burlington, iowa, day 7: hannibal, missouri, day 8: st. louis, missouri, day 9: scenic cruising | lower mississippi, day 10: memphis, tennessee, day 11: scenic cruising | lower mississippi, day 12: vicksburg, mississippi, day 13: natchez, mississippi, day 14: baton rouge, louisiana, day 15: new orleans | disembark.

• 1 Breakfast

Viking Mississippi

Dates & prices, my preferred start date.

• 193 comfortable all outside staterooms (128 Veranda & Deluxe Veranda Staterooms, 8 French Balcony Staterooms, 24 Penthouse Veranda Staterooms, 16 Penthouse Junior Suites, 7 Terrace Suites, 10 Explorer Suites)
• All suites feature two full-size rooms with large veranda
• Sun Terrace with Infinity Plunge Pool
• Aquavit Terrace, a revolutionary indoor/outdoor viewing area for al fresco dining or an American barbecue experience
• Stroll the full 360-degree promenade deck for views of scenic landscapes and regional wildlife
• River Café, a new way to dine featuring American classics and Mamsen's Norwegian specialties
• The Explorers' Lounge and Bar with two-story panoramic views of the Mississippi
• The Bow, a quiet sitting area at the front of the ship
• Elevators throughout the ship
• Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
• Self-service launderettes and laundry service
• Intelligent energy-efficient propulsion systems produce less vibrations for a smoother ride
• 42" flat-screen, interactive LCD TV with intuitive remote & complimentary Movies On Demand
• Festive French Quarter and Creole cuisine in New Orleans
• Cajun heritage in Baton Rouge
• Civil War history at Vicksburg National Military Park
• Memphis BBQ, Graceland and appreciation of the Delta Blues
• Steamboat sailings with diverse wildlife sightings
• Mark Twain's boyhood home and America’s literary history
• Up close look at America’s national symbol, the bald eagle
• Gateway Arch in St. Louis and the pioneering spirit of the Midwest
• Norwegian cultural experience at Vesterheim
• Intricate locks and dams of the Upper Mississippi

Initial deposit is $700, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.

Final payment is due 190 days prior to departure by Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and checks

See our general terms and conditions:

• Adventure Life Terms & Conditions

We are an agent for one or more providers on this trip with specific cancellation policies and terms:

• Viking Cruises - Terms & Conditions - Viking River Cruises

For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.

• 14 Breakfasts, 13 Lunches, 14 Dinners
• 12 Nights Accommodations
• Accommodations as listed
• Ground transportation as listed
• Activities as listed
• Meals as listed
• Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
• Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
• Port Taxes & Fees
• 24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water
• Visits to UNESCO Sites
• Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances
• Travel Insurance
• Personal Expenses
• Flight costs (please request a quote)
• Additional excursions during free time
• Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
• Excess baggage charges
• Drinks, beverages and meals not included in the package
• Optional shore excursions/tours/concerts

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