| A Mississippi cruise is truly a wonderful experience. But | | | | Start your visit in the French Quarter, which is the |
| to avoid the crowds, you can take advantage of a little | | | | town's most historical area, and also its most lively. |
| known secret that will make your cruise a much more | | | | Lots of shopping and interacting with the locals takes |
| individual experience. Instead of booking a downriver | | | | place there, and you can buy any items you may need |
| cruse, take an upriver one, starting on the Mississippi | | | | on your Mississippi cruise. |
| Delta. You will be much less inconvenienced by fellow | | | | You certainly won't go hungry in New Orleans, as |
| travelers. | | | | there are tons of options, from the humble muffaletta, |
| Galveston, about an hour's by car from Houston, is a | | | | a sandwich with olives, to a ritzy supper with oysters |
| great starting point for a Mississippi cruise if you are | | | | and seafood. And you will probably encounter both |
| coming from the East. It is a historical area since it was | | | | these local staples again, on that upriver Mississippi |
| already a very large, bustling commercial city in the | | | | cruise. |
| 19th century. In fact the city was the Ellis Island of the | | | | You should also try out both Creole and Cajun cuisines |
| Gulf, and many immigrants (especially of German | | | | in New Orleans. Both will be widely available during |
| origin) landed in Galveston. | | | | your Mississippi cruise, but it's just great to savor them |
| Galveston also has some superb beaches and fishing | | | | on the city as well. Creole is a European-influenced, |
| spots in close reach, which would amply justify a local | | | | rich and creamy way to cook that you are sure to |
| stay for a day or two before departing on your | | | | appreciate. |
| Mississippi cruise. | | | | Cajun cuisine is more hearty and rural, with lots of hot |
| New Orleans is another very good spot from where | | | | food, and includes whatever animal that you can get |
| to begin a Mississippi cruise, and is also worth a stay to | | | | without it eating you first! You can get alligator, and in |
| savor its colorful history and great town center. The | | | | fact you will see it on a lot of menus. Try these in the |
| city is mostly recovered from the recent hurricanes, | | | | city, as not all Mississippi cruises will have them on their |
| and areas of visitor interest are all accessible. | | | | menu. |
| In fact, the Mississippi cruise business is important for | | | | Concerning your safety, make sure to bring a hat and |
| the city and those who want to help New Orleans get | | | | sunscreen if you are leaving for your cruise in the |
| back on her feet can't do better than by leaving for a | | | | summer and be especially vigilant for pickpockets in |
| Mississippi cruise from her port, after having spent a | | | | the town centers. You can relax your guard once you |
| couple of days in the city. | | | | have boarded your Mississippi cruise. |