river boat tours baton rouge

Lower Mississippi River Cruise

• Get inspired by the possibilities.
• Build your ideal trip.
• Admire the mix of architecture and cultures of New Orleans
• Discover the distinctive culture of the Mississippi River Delta region
• Learn about the historic conflicts of Vicksburg, Mississippi
• Immerse yourself in the musical history of Memphis, Tennessee
• Village Visits
• Archaeological Site Visits
• River Cruises
• Urban Exploration
• Mississippi River
• North America
• United States
• Baton Rouge
• Mississippi
• New Orleans
• Gulf of Mexico

Full Itinerary

Day 1: new orleans, la, day 2: embark | cruising the mississippi river.

• Accommodation
• 1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

Day 3: Oak Alley, LA | Houmas House, LA

• 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Day 4: Baton Rouge, LA

Day 5: natchez, mississippi.

• Fort Rosalie & Trading Post
• Historic Natchez in Photos  
• Historic Natchez Bluffs & Gazebo  
• Rosalie House  

Day 6: Vicksburg, MS

• Jackson Street Gallery
• Local Shops
• Old Courthouse Museum  
• Biedenharn Coca–Cola Museu m 
• Vicksburg Civil War Museum  
• Lower Mississippi River Museum  

Day 7: Day of Cruising

Day 8: memphis, tn, day 9: memphis, tn | disembark.

• 1 Breakfast

American Heritage

Dates & prices, my preferred start date.

Initial deposit is $500pp, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.

Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge

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:

• American Cruise Lines, Inc. - General Information - American Cruise Lines, Inc.

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

• 8 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners
• 8 Nights Accommodations
• Accommodations as listed
• Ground transportation as listed
• Activities as listed
• Meals as listed
• Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
• Onboard Entertainment 
• Onboard gratuities
• Port charges and fees
• Complimentary cocktail parties
• Dining service
• Travel Insurance
• Personal Expenses
• Flight costs (please request a quote)
• Additional excursions during free time
• Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
• Signature shore excursion - Should be reserved in advance due to limited availability.

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Take an Adventure with River of Swamps Boat Tours

Authentic Atchafalaya Basin Swamp Tours

River of Swamps Boat Tours operates between Baton Rouge and Lafayette, LA in an area known as the Atchafalaya River Basin. This rich natural swampland is best experienced with local outdoorsman, Ronnie Briscoe. Ronnie can show you areas not seen by tourists and help you make memories to last a lifetime.

Your Swamp Tour Guide Says...

What makes this boat tour awesome?

Because I use a smaller boat, with only six passengers max, I have the ability to venture deep into the magical swamps of the Atchafalaya Basin, where air boats and bigger boats cannot go. Therefore, I provide a personalized swamp tour without sacrificing the comfort of a bigger boat. My boat is powered by an outboard motor that is not loud as an airboat which takes away the natural sounds and quietness of the natural swamp environment with virtually no effects to the wildlife.

Swamp Tours and Guided Fishing Trips

True Louisiana Boating Experiences

Basin Swamp Tour

Photography

Swamp Wildlife Tour

More Boat Tour Options

Cajun crawfish experience.

See how the Cajuns do it! Venture into the swamp to find our crawfish traps and help harvest your own sack of true Louisiana crawfish. Contact Ronnie for more info and booking information. 

Call or Contact

Have questions about our tours? Call Ronnie at [337]-257-4889 or give him a shout here. 

SWAMP TOURS

Thanks for reaching out, we'll be in touch!

Highlights of the Mississippi River

At a glance.

This 5-day Highlights of the Mississippi River cruise adventure begins and ends in New Orleans, a melting pot of French, African, and American culture. Here you can enjoy exclusive access to its vibrant music scene and the best in Cajun and Creole cuisine.

Travel to the magnificent Houmas House Plantation and enjoy its beautiful gardens and unique collection of Louisiana art. Be greeted with colorful Mardi Gras beads in Baton Rouge, before taking a one-of-a-kind guided tour through this fascinating city. Sip a cool Mint Julep on the west lawn of the Oak Alley Plantation in 19th-century fashion.

Highlights of the Mississippi River Highlights

• New Orleans, LA
• Oak Alley, LA
• Baton Rouge, LA
• Houmas House, LA

Highlights of the Mississippi River Details

--> day-to-day itinerary.

Pre-Cruise: Complimentary Package New Orleans, LA

Each Mississippi itinerary comes complete with a Complimentary Pre-Cruise Package, providing you with a seamless way to board the ship and explore the local area. Arrive the day before your scheduled cruise date and American Cruise Lines will handle the rest. The package includes a premium hotel stay, where you can enjoy the city at your leisure. On the morning of the cruise, meet in the hotel lobby after breakfast and we will transport you to the ship to begin your cruise. All luggage will be brought directly from the hotel and placed in your stateroom aboard the ship.

Pre-Cruise Packages must be reserved at least 30 days before your cruise date.

Day 1: New Orleans, LA

Welcome to New Orleans. This vibrant city, also known as the Big Easy, is the perfect destination to begin your Mississippi River voyage. Arrive the day before your cruise and and explore the most popular attractions and cultural highlights of New Orleans at your leisure. With complimentary transportation to the ship, we will make your tour is as worry-free as possible.

Day 2: Houmas House, LA

Explore the Houmas House and its history as you stroll along the gardens, ponds, and the majestic live oak alley that adorn the grounds. Discover the southern splendor of “The Sugar Palace,” with its 16 rooms filled with period antiques and Louisiana artwork.

Day 3: Baton Rouge, LA

Baton Rouge features all the history you would expect in a state capital, but with an added downhome flavor that makes it truly unique. Led by our private guide, enjoy a tour of the cities’ most famous attractions, including the Old and New State Capitol and the interactive Louisiana State Museum.

Day 4: Oak Alley, LA

Once serving as an antebellum sugar cane homestead, Oak Alley Plantation is named after its most distinguishing feature, a row of 300-year-old oak trees. This leafy canopy forms a quarter-mile path leading to the Mississippi River. Restored to its 19th-century grandeur, this classic Greek Revival-style antebellum mansion is breathtaking.

Day 5: New Orleans, LA

Welcome back to New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz, and where art and culture abound around every corner of this unique city. The open-air artist colony proudly displays local works on the iron fence in Jackson Square, while the city’s 45 museums carefully preserve its rich history. Stay an extra day or even a few nights to enjoy the famed French Quarter.

--> Dates & Rates

Dates and rates are effective the date the information was updated on this site. Dates and rates may have changed by the cruise line prior to an update here. Contact Sunstone Tours & Cruises for the latest dates & rates.

Prices displayed are per person based on double occupancy.

Prices subject to change.

• Cruise passage
• All gourmet meals
• Breakfast room service
• Cocktail hour each evening
• Entertainment aboard the ship
• Acclaimed enrichment program
• Wi-Fi throughout the ship
• Personalized service from a dedicated crew

Not Included

• Air transport to/from embarkation/debarkation destinations
• Most shore tours (unless otherwise noted)
• Port charges and fees

American Heritage

The 150-passenger American Heritage offers an authentic paddlewheeler experience with all the comforts of home. Guests can enjoy large staterooms with private balconies, hotel-style bathrooms, and complimentary room service.

American Heritage Details …

American Splendor

The 185-passenger American Splendor is one of the finest paddlewheeler ever built, introducing features never before seen on the Mississippi. America embodies a casual ambiance and relaxed atmosphere while providing panoramic views of the passing scenery. Fellow guests will quickly become new friends.

American Splendor Details …

American Symphony

The 175-passenger American Symphony is the newest modern riverboat sailing the Mississippi River. She is one of the most sophisticated and elegant riverboats available on U.S. waters.

American Symphony Details …

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Mississippi River Cruise aboard American Serenade

To replace the River Cruise offered by American Queen Steamboat Company, we're offering a Mississippi River Cruise presented by American Cruise Lines aboard their American Serenade.

• Detailed Overview
• Tour Itinerary
• Other Information
• Pick-up Points
• Departure Dates
• Useful Links

Join Perkiomen Tours as we cruise from New Orleans to Memphis along the Mississippi River aboard American Cruise Line’s American Serenade . The lower stretch of the Mississippi is the river of Legends - the river of centuries-old, shaded oak trees, elegant antebellum plantations, cobblestone streets and Victorian mansions. Hear the river's music in rock and roll, blues, jazz and zydeco and savor its culinary diversity with a host of distinctive Creole and Cajun delights. This is the soul of the Mississippi River. Inhale the sweet fragrance of magnolia blossoms, relax in a rocking chair with a glass of sweet tea and watch the essence of the South unfold around you.

Escorted (motorcoach portion)

Sailing from New Orleans to Memphis aboard American Cruise Lines' American Serenade

National WWII Museum

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Birmingham, Alabama

Tour of New Orleans

Vacherie, Louisiana

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Natchez, Mississippi

Vicksburg, Mississippi

Memphis, Tennessee

25 Meals Included

Motorcoach Transportation

Hotel Accommodations

To replace the River Cruise offered by American Queen Steamboat Company, we're offering a Mississippi River Cruise presented by American Cruise Lines aboard their American Serenade. Inaugurated in 2023, this 180-guest capacity, American-made ship features trendy interior décor, an innovative hydraulic bow and retractable ramp, one of the most gorgeous sun decks ever seen on a river-going ship, a four-story atrium in the center of the ship offering panoramic views, an onboard fitness center, shuffleboard, self-service laundry, nightly entertainment, and a variety of sizable lounges. The ship offers spacious staterooms & suites (ranging from 250 to 650 sq feet), all offering full-size bathrooms, roomy closets, and private balconies. Its interior design is both elegant & refined, drawing inspiration from geography across America and highlighting natural textural elements and serene color palettes. American Serenade sets the bar high for domestic US river cruising.

ACL Itinerary Detail

American Cruise Lines' finalized itinerary is not released until about 90 days prior to cruise departure. American Cruise Lines offers one complimentary excursion (Featured Excursion) per day and additional excursions at an additional cost. An entire list of the offered excursions will be available via your individual portal about 60 days prior to cruise departure. At that time, you will be able to select your excursions and pay through the portal. Pre-registering for all excursions when the information is available is recommended, especially for Premium & Signature excursions. Reservations may also be made aboard the ship, but please be aware that some excursions may be sold out ahead of time.

We depart this morning for our 12-day journey. Traveling south will bring us to Wytheville, VA, the location of our overnight accommodations. Stops for rest and lunch will be made enroute. We will also make a short attraction stop along Interstate 81 before arriving at our hotel. Dinner will be on our own this evening.

After a continental breakfast we will check-out of the hotel and continue southwest to Birmingham, AL. A lunch stop will be made enroute. We'll stop in Chattanooga, TN to stretch our legs and enjoy some sights. Upon arrival, we'll check-in to our overnight accommodations. You can enjoy the free Kickback dinner at the hotel from 5:30-7:00 PM.

After breakfast we'll depart on the last leg of our journey to New Orleans, LA. Stops will be made enroute for rest and lunch. Upon arrival we will visit the National WWII Museum which tells the story of the American Experience in the war that changed the world - why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means. We will then check-in to our New Orleans accommodations. This evening is yours to get acquainted with this culturally diverse city that is steeped in history and brimming with culinary legacies of flavor. Dinner is on our own.

New Orleans, LA - This morning, after breakfast, we'll enjoy a driving city tour of New Orleans with a step-on guide. Celebrate New Orleans' unabashed and unapologetic joy and experience the city from a first-person perspective. Later this morning, you will board American Cruise Line's American Serenade. We'll set sail this afternoon. Lunch and dinner are provided aboard the ship.

Vacherie, LA - Vacherie is a small settlement in St. James Parish, located on the west bank of the Mississippi River exactly halfway between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Vacherie is one of the many places in Louisiana found on Creole culture - a mix of influences from the French, Spanish, West Africans, and Native Americans combined. Specific excursion information TBA.

Baton Rouge, LA - Founded in 1699 by French explorers, its rich past is evident in its diverse architecture, from historic homes to modern skyscrapers. Here we can learn about the many diverse aspects of Louisiana. Specific excursion information TBA.

Natchez, MS - Natchez is the oldest city on the Mississippi and is a walkable, vibrant, and beautiful historic city where preservation and progress go hand in hand. The city has a reputation as a friendly, welcoming town where "Y'all means all!" Specific excursion information TBA.

Vicksburg, MS - Founded in 1811 and incorporated in 1825, Vicksburg rapidly grew as a center for commerce, agriculture, and river traffic. Vicksburg's best-known contribution to American history is probably the part she played in the Civil War. Here you can visit the Vicksburg National Military Park, Vicksburg National Cemetery, USS Cairo, Old Court House, and more. Specific excursion information TBA.

Full Day of River Cruising - Sit back, relax, and enjoy the amenities of the ship & the slow-paced lifestyle of cruising on the Mississippi River. Enjoy daily entertainment in the River Lounge, catch some rays on the Sun Deck, or play a round of shuffleboard. The day is yours to do as you please aboard the ship.

Memphis, TN - Also called Homes of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock & Roll, Memphis is where Elvis Presley, B.B. King, and Johnny Cash recorded albums at the legendary Sun Studio. Other landmarks include Elvis' Graceland, Rock n Soul Museum, Blues Hall of Fame, and the National Civil Rights Museum. Specific excursion information TBA.

Today after breakfast, we disembark the American Serenade. After disembarkation, we depart for Wytheville, VA, the location of our lodging for this evening. Stops for lunch and rest will be made along the way. Dinner is on your own this evening.

Today we complete our homeward journey, arriving back in Pennsburg by early evening. Stops for rest and lunch will be made along the way.

Please note

Our intention is to run each tour as originally planned and published. However, if deemed necessary to do so, Perkiomen Tours reserves the right to make changes to tour components, schedules or itineraries without prior notification. Tips for Perkiomen motorcoach drivers and tour escorts are not included in the price of this tour. We feel that these gratuities should be extended on an individual basis and dictated by the level of service provided. Motorcoach seating is assigned at the time of reservation but cannot be guaranteed. Although we do our best to keep each traveler in the seat assigned at the time of reservation, there are times that it is necessary to move seat locations. Please be sure to verify your final seat number(s) with your driver at the time of boarding. Historically, daily seat rotation was practiced on most multi-day tours. We have suspended this practice for a period of time. Seat rotation will be explained by your driver or tour escort if reinstated.

CB=Continental Breakfast, B=Full Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

Payment Schedule:

A deposit of $500 per person is due at time of booking in order to reserve a cabin on this cruise.

$500 per cabin is non-refundable upon reservation.

Final payment is due December 6, 2024.

Cancellation Policy (if not purchasing Trip Insurance):

Up to 91 Days prior $500 per cabin non-refundable

90 - 46 Days prior 50% + $500 per cabin non-refundable

45 - 0 Days prior 100% per person non-refundable

Tour Includes:

Pre-Cruise Lodging Enroute to New Orleans

Post-Cruise Lodging Enroute Home

Shipboard Accommodations

Featured shore excursions in each port of call

Non-alcoholic beverages

Local experts, historians and naturalists

Onboard entertainment

Gratuities for Ship Staff

Taxes, Fees & Port Charges

Meals Listed in the Itinerary: Indicated by B (breakfast), L (lunch), D (dinner)

Items Not Included:

Meals Not Listed in the Itinerary

Gratuities for Perkiomen Drivers and Escorts

Items of a Personal Nature Like: Phone Calls, Laundry, and Medical Assistance

Fuel Surcharge, Fees, Taxes, etc. are subject to change without notice & may result in additional charges

Cancellation/Interruption Protection:

Perkiomen Tours recommends that you consider purchasing Travel Insurance for your tour. Optional Cruise Cancellation Protection Plan for the cruise portion of your tour is offered through American Cruise Lines and purchased & paid for through Perkiomen Tours. Pricing varies based on the cost of the cruise fare, etc. If this is of interest, be sure to request a price of the optional Cruise Cancellation Protection Plan while making your reservations. Once determined, the cost will be added to your reservation and must be paid at the time of deposit. If you’d prefer, Travel Insurance may also be purchased through a 3 rd party instead.

Please be aware that optional Cruise Cancellation Protection Plan offered by the cruise line may not cover transportation (motorcoach) to and from the cruise terminal. Travel Insurance for the motorcoach portion of your tour must be purchased directly by you from a third-party of your choice. Please be aware of the timing of your purchase of third-party travel insurance. Each carrier has their own requirements. One option is Travel Safe Insurance. You can inquire about and purchase insurance directly from Travel Safe through our website, www.perkiomentours.com.

Packing Suggestions:

Daytime dress is casual, slacks and shorts are acceptable. For evenings, country club casual attire is suggested. A dress, dressy skirt and blouse or a pant suit for ladies. Gentlemen may wish to wear a sport coat, but it is not required. It is kindly requested that guests do not wear shorts to dinner in the main dining area.

Other packing recommendations include comfortable, non-slip walking shoes, sunscreen, a hat, sweater and/or jacket for cool evenings, and light rainwear. Be sure to check a National Weather source and pack accordingly.

River cruising offers less recreational activities than a cruise ship. We suggest bringing along a book, puzzle books, a deck of playing cards, etc to pass the time when you are not exploring at the ports of call or enjoying the onboard entertainment.

American Serenade Stateroom Amenities

All staterooms include:

Picturesque view of the ever-changing scenery

Private Balcony

2 Twin-Sized Beds or 1 King-Sized Bed

Dresser & Closet with Hangers

Desk & Chair

Full-Size Private Bathroom

Housekeeping (twice a day)

Satellite TV with DVD player

Individual Climate Control Systems

In-Room Keurig Coffee Brewer

Complimentary WiFi

Room-to-Room Telephone

Alarm Clock

Basic Toiletries (hairdryer, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, hand soap, body lotion)

Spacious Closets

Veranda & Grand Suites (only) also include:

Mini-Fridge with juice, water, red & white wine (replenished throughout cruise)

Sweet Treats delivered each night

Fruit & Cheese Plate and Bottle of Premium Champagne upon arrival

Onboard Dining Details:

All food and beverage (alcoholic & non-alcoholic) are included in the cost of the cruise.

The dining area onboard accommodates all guests at one seating. The atmosphere is informal – seating is unassigned, and dress is country club casual. Most tables are set for 2-6 guests and each table offers a view of the outside. All dining is open seating, all meals are cooked to order and are plated, and you may arrive at your leisure. Menu items change daily and feature classic American cuisine and regional specialties. The Mississippi River region is known for its Cajun & Creole cuisine, and many menu options feature local ingredients highlighting the region.

Mealtimes are as follows:

Breakfast is served between 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM*

Lunch is served between 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM.

Dinner is served between 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM.

*Please note that breakfast is served 6:30 AM – 8:00 AM on the day of disembarkation (Day 11).

Complimentary wine & beer are available during lunch and dinner.  

There is a complimentary cocktail hour every day in the River Lounge at 5:30 PM and includes cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and light entertainment.

Alcoholic beverages are included and available 24/7. Just ask a deck hand!

Coffee, non-alcoholic beverages, and snacks are available 24 hours a day and can be found in lounges throughout the ship.

If you’re looking for lighter fare, the Ellipse Café, located on the Sun Deck, offers simple American classics including burgers, hot dogs, and salads.

Most special dietary needs can be accommodated. Please let us know in advance of any allergies, preferences, and dietary restrictions. This information should be included again when filling out the Guest Information form on the online cruise portal.

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

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Pick-up Point Times

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Rollin’ on the River: Baton Rouge serves as port of call to three major cruise lines

‘When I was a boy,” begins Mark Twain in Old Times on the Mississippi , his 1875 memoir, “there was but one permanent ambition among my comrades … to be a steamboatman.” Though Twain may never have quite materialized into a full-time river rat (instead becoming the author of the Great American Novel—too bad), he did chart a few journeys up and down Old Muddy in his day, even landing in the “tropical swelter” of Baton Rouge, a fragrant city “clothed in flowers … like a greenhouse.”  

That spirit of adventure hasn’t yet been lost on modern travelers. This summer, even levee-bound landlubbers will see for themselves new vessels from Viking , American Queen Voyages and American Cruise Lines dropping anchor in our downtown port, sending droves of new explorers into our city that marked, for the novelist, the start of “the absolute South.”

Viking, perhaps best known for its grand river tours of Europe, will set sail its first-ever Mississippi River cruises this month with the Viking Mississippi, a brand-new ship accommodating up to 386 guests in 193 staterooms designed to suit its one-of-a-kind style built specifically for the river. The ship—which was built in Houma by Edison Chouest Offshore —features open verandas for al fresco dining, a 360-degree promenade deck, and the Explorers’ Lounge and Bar with panoramic views of the river. Interior designer and architect Richard Riveire , a Texas native, says that he relied on memories of his grandmother’s firefly-dotted porch for the unique design, sending an appreciation for the sights and sensations of the journey deep through every detail.

 “We are very pleased at the initial response and support we have received from guests and community partners along the Mississippi River,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking, when the new ship was announced.  

Starting this summer, the ship will initially carry passengers on three Baton Rouge-inclusive itineraries: “Heart of the Delta” and “New Orleans and Southern Charms”—both of which also include stops in nearby Mississippi, St. Francisville and Darrow—as well as “America’s Great River,” which travels between New Orleans and St. Paul, Minnesota. With shore excursions showcasing the Old Governor’s Mansion and Capitol Park, plus tours of the Rural Life Museum , USS Kidd , and the Atchafalaya Swamp, travelers can expect their one-day stop in the Capital City to be full of history.

Architectural distinctiveness is also one of the main calling cards for American Queen Voyages’ American Queen vessel, the largest paddlewheel steamboat ever built. With Gilded Age-inspired design Twain would have likely recognized (along with a sitting room named in his honor), the ship joins its other Mississippi-bound vessels the American Countess and the American Duchess in scheduling an 8-hour stop in Baton Rouge during its 9-day “Round Trip New Orleans” itinerary. Motorcoach tours will allow passengers to explore art, food and historical markers in a snapshot of Southern culture.

“Many of our guests have cruised Europe many times but want to deeply discover North America now,” says Michael Hicks, senior director of marketing communications for American Queen Voyages. “We call it the Ameri-cation.”

American Cruise Lines might second that statement, setting sail a Mississippi River fleet of five riverboats this year, including two classic paddlewheelers (American Heritage and American Splendor, newly renovated and redecorated for 2022), plus three new contemporary-style riverboats (American Melody, American Jazz and American Symphony, the latter of which will debut this August), all of which stop in Baton Rouge. With a smaller size accommodating 100 to 190 passengers, these ships offer a more intimate experience, along with local excursions to the LASM and LSU Museum of Art .

“Most of our river cruise guests generally tend to be more mature, retired travelers, and most co me from the U.S. and North America, but we do also have guests of all ages on board, and from around the world,” says Alexa Paolella, public relations manager for American Cruise Lines. “Baton Rouge is a historic and amazing city, and it’s featured along many of our most popular Mississippi River itineraries. From visits to the USS Kidd to explorations of the bayous, there are far too many wonderful attractions to name just one.”

The sentiment is music to the ears of tourism experts at Visit Baton Rouge , who meet each ship with smiling faces, a mobile information cart, and an offering of Mardi Gras beads.  

“It’s great to see those passengers exploring Baton Rouge’s restaurants and coffee shops and museums,” says president and CEO Paul Arrigo, “and know that they’re going back home and talking about the great time they had here.”

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Baton Rouge (Louisiana)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Canada and USA Rivers

Local Time 2024-08-21 01:57

Port Baton Rouge cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Baton Rouge LA is a Mississippi River cruise port and the capital city of Louisiana (USA) with population around 230,000 (urban 595,000, metro 830,000). The city is also Louisiana state's political hub and its second-largest metropolitan area (after New Orleans ).

Baton Rouge is a major petrochemical, industrial, medical, motion picture, research and growing technology center of Southern USA. Port of Greater Baton Rouge is currently ranked the USA's 10th largest (by annual cargo shipping volumes/tonnage). It is also the farthest port upstream Mississippi River with capacity to handle Panamax cargo ships (DWT tonnage 52,500, LOA length 289 m / 950 ft), width 32 m / 106 ft).

The city owes its historical importance to the strategic site upon Istrouma Bluff. This enabled development of a business quarter that is safe from seasonal flooding. Additionally, the city built a levee system stretching from the bluff southwards. This series of dikes protect the low-lying agricultural areas and the city's riverfront. Baton Rouge was ruled by 7 different governments, including French, British, Spanish (colonial era), Confederate.

Baton Rouge is a college city with Louisiana State University, Southern University, Baton Rouge Community College, and Our Lady of the Lake College. All college students make approx 20% of the city population.

On August 1, 2020, the Louisiana state (Governor John Bel Edwards) signed an agreement with the US Army Corps of Engineers for deepening Lower Mississippi River from 45 ft (13,7 m) to 50 ft (15,2 m). The USD 250 million (~EUR 213 M) project will provide larger cargo ships (Post-Panamax vessels) with access to Port Baton Rouge, Port South Louisiana, St Bernard Port (Chalmette LA), Port NOLA (New Orleans) and Plaquemines Port (at Mississippi's mouth on Gulf of Mexico, near Belle Chasse LA). Project's funding included USD 81 million from LADOTD (Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development / state government organization).

The deepened Lower Mississippi (from the Gulf of Mexico to Port Baton Rouge) has length ~256 mi (412 km). The dredged from the river bed material (first 30 mi, near the river's mouth) will restore ~1462 acres (592 hectares / 6 km2) of critical marsh habitat.

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• Blessing Of The Mississippi River Fleet Gets Underway

Editor’s note: This is the first of a two-part series on the Fête-Dieu du Mississippi, a two-day blessing-of-the-fleet event for vessels operating on the Lower Mississippi River between Baton Rouge, La., and New Orleans. A full report of the procession, held August 14-15, will appear in the next issue of The Waterways Journal .

The first Fête-Dieu du Mississippi, a two-day blessing of the Mississippi River fleet held August 14-15, began with a Mass and procession in Baton Rouge, La.

The Rev. Michael Champagne, a priest at the Community of Jesus Crucified, said the event celebrated not only the Mississippi River but the state of Louisiana and the cultural and economic benefits the river brings.

Planning began almost three years ago. Champagne, who grew up in southwest Louisiana near the boyhood home of Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, is the driving force behind a similar fête on Bayou Teche in which mostly fishing, shrimping and oyster harvesting boats have been celebrated for 10 years.

Nearly three years ago, Champagne called Landry, who was then attorney general of Louisiana, to ask his advice about a possible blessing of the state and river. Landry told Champagne that he should start the planning with the pilot associations. He then introduced Champagne to Capt. Louis Toby Wattigney Jr., a pilot of the New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Association (NOBRA).

Together, they secured Coast Guard approval for a 2-mile moving safety zone around the seven boats of the procession and any boats—up to eight more—to join in for all or parts of the voyage. The procession boats overnighted in Convent, La., at the dock of American Commercial Barge Line’s Convent Fleet.

The Catholic Church played a large role in the development of Louisiana as missionaries accompanied French and Spanish explorers and established parishes across the state.

Then, as today, the Mississippi River was the main highway. Churches were built along the river and, since services were not always scheduled at set times, church bells would ring to announce the upcoming services.

The two-day blessing of the fleet event commenced with a Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral in Baton Rouge. The eucharistic procession then boarded the vessels at the Shamrock Marine dock adjacent to the I-10 bridge on the east bank. River prayer services and gatherings for the blessing were held at the riverside towns of Plaquemine, Donaldsonville and Convent.

As with the bells at churches of old, the first boat in the flotilla carried bells to announce the arrival of the procession so those attending services along the way could head to the levees.

Champagne, a mechanical engineer by trade who formerly worked at power plants along the river, retired after receiving his calling to the priesthood in 1988. He is a historian and has gathered an impressive collection of bells that were mounted on the lead boat. Those bells included the following: a bell cast in 1850 for the ancient “Mother Church of the Acadians” in St. Martinville; a bell dating to 1894 that called monks to prayer in three different monasteries in Louisiana for the past 130 years; a bell originally installed in 1938 at the old St. Mary of the River Church in Union on the east bank of the river (That bell fell when the steeple collapsed during Hurricane Betsy in 1965.); an 1894 bell from St. John Church in Edgard that was removed after Hurricane Ida; and a bell from the First Baptist Mission in St. Martinsville, dating from 1896.

The second boat carried a 17-foot crucifix that was built for this event. Champagne said most Catholic processions are on foot, with religious articles carried by raised hands. Most watching those processions are seldom more than 100 feet away.

In contrast, the river procession required larger religious items to be constructed so that onlookers could see them.

  The third boat carried the incense. Champagne said he has ministered to a lifer inmate at the state prison at Angola who has been in prison since he was 19 years old. The reformed inmate made the incense device as a show of respect.

Two boats carried the eucharist. Another boat carried a statue of Mary, and the seventh boat carried a statue of St. Joseph. Joy Mathey, a licensed captain, was aboard the seventh boat, monitoring VHF Channel 69 and making arrangements for additional boats to enter or leave the procession.

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‘One of a kind’ Eucharistic boat procession set to roll down Mississippi River 

By Kate Quiñones

CNA Staff, Aug 6, 2024 / 12:34 pm

Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament will float down the Mississippi River this August in a Eucharistic procession. 

A procession of house, tug, and steamboats is set to launch in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Aug. 14 and land in New Orleans the following evening. 

The 130-mile procession, known as the Fête-Dieu du Mississippi , has garnered attention from state and local officials who are encouraging attendance. The event is a fusion of the National Eucharistic Revival with a local tradition held by the religious Community of Jesus Crucified ( CJC ).

“The historic river procession is planned in conjunction with the national three-year Eucharistic Revival taking place in the United States and is intended as a missionary endeavor following on the heels of the recent National Eucharistic Congress held in Indianapolis this past July,” read the Aug. 4 press release. 

“Over the past three years the Catholic Church in the United States of America has been experiencing a Eucharistic Revival,” said nationally-acclaimed speaker and Baton Rouge pastor Father Josh Johnson in a statement shared with CNA. “The bishops are now sending all Catholics out on mission to share our Eucharistic Lord with everyone throughout our neighborhoods, on the highways, and even in the water!”

Jesus in the Eucharist will be accompanied by at least 14 boats.  

While a procession on foot is usually led by a crossbearer, this procession will have a dedicated boat to carry a specially-made 17-foot-tall crucifix. Another vessel carrying historic bells will announce the coming of the Blessed Sacrament, while a houseboat will bear the 14-foot-tall monstrance.

Beyond the Bayou 

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While the traditional procession is on the Bayou Teche, this year’s 10th annual procession will float along the Mississippi River, blessing the state of Louisiana and the river itself.

Louisiana’s governor and local mayors have encouraged residents to attend the river procession, citing its historical and religious significance. 

“The Mighty Mississippi, once named the River of the Immaculate Conception, has been a blessing to our great state with all types of industry, commerce, worship, and recreation occurring on its waters and along its banks,” Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said in the press release. 

Landry said the procession is “an historic moment in our state, highlighting the strong faith of our people and giving us an opportunity to ask God for his protection.”

“This historic event not only celebrates our faith but also unites our community in a spirit of reverence and reflection,” Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Broome added.  

“New Orleans could not be the world-class city it is today without the Mississippi River and those who work hard on it day in and day out to provide for their families,” noted New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, who said she “could not be more excited for the Fête-Dieu du Mississippi to bless our city, state, and river!”

Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans in a July 31 letter shared with CNA said the event is “one of a kind,” calling it “an extraordinary public witness of our faith” and encouraging laity, religious, and clergy to participate.

(Story continues below)

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Bishop Andrew Cozzens of Crookston, Minnesota, who headed the National Eucharistic Revival and Congress, endorsed the event, encouraging people to attend the Masses and processions.  

“As the bishop of the diocese where the Mississippi begins, I am so delighted that the wonderful tradition of the Fête-Dieu du Mississippi continues to grow,” Cozzens said in a statement. “As we saw through the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and Congress, whenever we honor Our Lord in the Eucharist, he pours out blessings upon us and our country.”

130 miles along the Mississippi

This year’s procession is set to begin with Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral celebrated by Bishop Michael Duca of Baton Rouge followed by a milelong procession on foot to the river. 

“It is my prayer that the men and women participating on any leg of the procession route will be living witnesses of Christ, awakening a faith-filled fire and inspiring those around them to love one another as he has loved us first,” Duca said in the press release.

Along the Mississippi River, Eucharistic Revival rally spots will host speakers, prayer, and mobile confessionals while participants await the flotilla’s passing. The Blessed Sacrament will travel through Plaquemine, Donaldsonville, Convent, Luling, and Audubon Fly before reaching its final stop in New Orleans. 

Local businessman Kurt Crosby of Crosby Tugs volunteered his houseboat to carry the Eucharist as well as a tugboat to push the “floating church” that will carry religious sisters, brothers, and priests on the river procession. 

“We are looking forward to the event, most importantly to show people the living Eucharistic Lord on the Mississippi River in this starving world,” Crosby said in the press release. 

When the boats arrive in Convent at the end of the day, participants will process to St. Michael the Archangel Church, where all-night prayer will be offered. Father Vincent Dufresne, pastor of St. Michael’s, has been organizing more than 100 volunteers in preparation for the event.  

“It is my prayer that all participants, young and old alike, will be strengthened by this experience of community devotion to Our Lord and Savior; that they will continue to work for an ongoing awareness of Jesus in his real presence with us in our local churches,” he said in the press release. 

The first-ever blessing of the Mississippi River and the state of Louisiana will take place on the solemnity of the Assumption at the Audubon Fly as the flotilla makes its way along the river. 

The event will also feature a Holy Hour on the Steamboat Natchez, where participants may pray and make a Holy Hour on the water. The steamboat will meet up with the flotilla for the last hour on Aug. 15, according to an archdiocese spokesperson. 

The flotilla is set to arrive in the French Quarter at about 4:25 p.m., where there will be Benediction on the levee at 5:15 p.m. in front of Jackson Square, followed by a procession into St. Louis Cathedral, where Aymond will celebrate Mass. 

“We desire to thank God for the great state of Louisiana and its mighty river and we desire to beg God’s blessing as we embark on our future journey toward him,” said Father Michael Champagne, CJC, longtime organizer of the event.

The historic procession 

The unique procession is an outgrowth of a traditional procession known as Fȇte-Dieu du Teche, which has been celebrated annually by the Community of Jesus Crucified and local Catholics.

“For 10 years, La Fête-Dieu du Teche has led Eucharistic processions down the waterways of south Louisiana. Each procession has been a unique celebration of Catholic faith and Cajun [and] Creole culture,” Louisiana native Father Aquinas Guilbeau, OP, told CNA in an email. Guilbeau, chaplain at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., is set to speak at the event. 

The Bayou Teche procession is in honor of the feast of the Assumption and carries a statue of the Assumption of Mary along with the Blessed Sacrament. The procession makes occasional stops, disembarking to celebrate Benediction at makeshift altars along the waterways. 

“What I love best about the Fête is that it reminds me of the Gospels when people would come from all over to see, hear, and touch Jesus… Hundreds of people waiting for the Lord to come… That’s what it’s like… It’s like you opened the Scriptures and dove in,” Courtney Chrisholm, an annual participant in the Fête-Dieu procession, said in a press release. 

“At each stop along the way, there are hundreds of people adoring the Lord in the Eucharist. It’s incredible and such a gift,” she added. “Every year I have gone, I have encountered Our Lord in a new and profound way along the Bayou.” 

The annual procession is part of a series of creative ways to evangelize developed the CJC as part of the new evangelization: Bible marathons, which entail 100 hours of the Bible being read aloud in shifts; mobile confession units styled after ambulances; and even a “friar truck,” a bold red repurposed fire truck that contains a massive pulpit.  

The boat procession recalls local history, honoring the journey made by the Acadians, who were exiled from Nova Scotia for their Catholic faith, many of whom settled in Louisiana, according to the organizers of Fête-Dieu du Teche.

“This year, barely a month after the National Eucharistic Congress, the procession will go down the Mighty Mississippi, which Catholic explorers and missionaries first crossed nearly 450 years ago,” Guilbeau said. “The two-day procession from Baton Rouge to New Orleans will again claim the river, its lands, and its peoples for Christ and his Church.” 

“I pray that all the towns and cities through which the Lord ‘passes by’ will receive abundant graces of conversion and renewal. I hope to see everyone — in the words of the old spiritual — ‘down by the riverside’!” he said.

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‘Right place at the right time’: Duck boat captains rescue toddler and father from river

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — Captains of a Boston “duck boat” rescued a father and son from the Charles River after the toddler tumbled into the water followed by his father on Monday, officials said.

The Boston Duck Tours boat, which take tourists both on water and on land, was participating in quarterly safety drills when it retrieved the pair from the water. The boy was taken to a hospital as a precaution Monday morning, the Cambridge Fire Department said.

“This is crazy. This is happening while we’re doing training,” Michael Rosario, one of the captains, recounted to reporters. “Now we’re doing real-life rescue.”

The boy, who’s under 2, got past safety railing and fell into the river behind the Royal Sonesta, a riverfront hotel in Cambridge, according to Massachusetts State Police. His father quickly jumped in after him.

Photos showed both of them in the water with the father clinging to a rock face with one arm while holding his son with the other.

Rosario and co-captain Kevin O’Neill tossed out a safety ring, maneuvered close to them and dropped a ladder. Once both were safely aboard, they motored to the dock in Cambridge where they were met by first responders.

“We were happy to be in the right place at the right time,” said Tom Vigna, director of marketing for Boston Duck Tours.

This story was first published on Aug. 19, 2024. It was updated on Aug. 20, 2024, to correct the name of one of the boat co-captains. It was Kevin O’Neill, not Kevin O’Neil.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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