NEW! Bayous, Blues & Bluegrass

Roam the storied streets of Memphis during a guided tour highlighting the city’s history and musical heritage. You will meet your knowledgeable local guide, who will plot your course to several of the city’s most important landmarks. Set out on foot to admire views overlooking the Mighty Mississippi River from atop the bluffs that Memphis calls home. Stroll down iconic Beale Street, learning more about the city’s musical pedigree and its crucial role in the development of rock ’n’ roll, blues, jazz and R&B over the past century. Walk along Cotton Row, the historic hub of the important cotton industry, and gaze upon the historic neoclassical and Beaux-Arts style buildings that once housed merchants and brokers that line the waterfront. Cap your tour with an opportunity to browse the shops and assorted businesses along bustling Main Street.

Make a rock ’n’ roll pilgrimage to Graceland, the legendary, memorabilia-filled home of Elvis Presley. The moment you pass through the sheet-music-shaped wrought iron gates, you will find yourself immersed in the world Elvis inhabited between 1957 and 1977. See the living room with its 15-foot-long couch; the famous Jungle Room, where many songs were composed; the Pool Room, covered in hundreds of yards of pleated paisley fabric; and the Trophy Building showcasing dozens of gold and platinum records as well as other Presley family mementos. You will also see Elvis’s collection of cars and his private planes before spending some reflective time near his grave in the Meditation Garden. This tour is for all Elvis fans—and anyone interested in the history of American music.

Discover the timeless sounds and legendary performers from two seminal genres of American music. Head to historic Sun Studio, “the Birthplace of Rock ’n’ Roll,” where legendary producer Sam Phillips launched the careers of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Ike Turner and more. Hear session outtakes and see priceless memorabilia of the pioneers who blended blues and country into a new and electrifying genre. After, continue to the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, standing on the site of the onetime recording studio dubbed “Soulsville USA.” Started by siblings Estelle Axton and Jim Stewart, Stax Records is where artists like Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett brought Memphis soul to a worldwide audience. Tour the studio, then browse the museum’s expansive collection of vintage equipment, costumes and personal items. After, return to your hotel.

Explore the National Civil Rights Museum, a rich repository of American civil rights history. Travel to the Smithsonian-affiliated museum, housed in a complex of buildings on and around the site of the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968. Home to 260 artifacts, more than 40 films, oral histories, interactive media and external listening posts, the museum chronicles five centuries of the struggle for equality in America. Set out on an informative self-guided tour, gaining insight into the movement from its origins during slavery, through the Civil War and Reconstruction, the rise of Jim Crow and the important events of the late 20th century. During your visit, solemnly pause to view Room 306, where Dr. King spent his final hours, and learn more about the man who inspired millions.

Experience a blend of art, wine and culture at the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. Take a short drive by motor coach to the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, where you will be greeted by a sommelier and art historian who will lead you on a fascinating journey through a series of galleries. During your visit, you will enjoy a selection of wines as you explore the art installations and discover artistic expression as you learn about the craft of winemaking through engaging commentary and conversation. After, you will head to the museum’s rooftop to enjoy a drinks reception along with artisanal charcuterie and a selection of hors d’oeuvres. Your tour concludes with an informal Q & A, after which you will have additional time to explore the museum’s exhibits and interactive spaces independently before returning to your ship.

Discover tips and tricks of photography during a visit to the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art. After a short drive to the museum, you will begin with an engaging presentation led by a University of Memphis photography professor, who will share the principles of composition, lighting, perspective and visual storytelling while exploring the connection between fine art and photography. Then, you will put your newfound skills into practice during a guided photography session through select galleries and the museum's sculpture garden. Afterward, enjoy coffee and pastries and receive two professionally printed photographs to take home with you, along with a digital gallery of your own images. Enjoy free time to explore the museum’s galleries independently before returning to your ship.