Mississippi River Odyssey

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 where some of the most seminal moments of 20th-century civil rights history occurred in Memphis. Visit the Smithsonian-affiliated National Civil Rights Museum, housed on the site of the Lorraine Motel where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in 1968. Its Legacy Building features 260 artifacts and multimedia exhibits that chronicle five centuries of the civil rights struggle in America. See the Mason Temple, home of the Church of God in Christ, the second-largest Black denomination in the country. It was here that Dr. King made his famous “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech. You will also stop at the “I Am a Man” Plaza created to honor the sanitation workers who went on strike in 1968. Your tour will also include a stop in Mound Bayou, where you will have time to learn the fascinating history of the US’s oldest all-African American community.

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.

Follow in the footsteps of the legendary “Man in Black” as you explore the life and career of Johnny Cash. Drive by motorcoach into the Arkansas Delta, where Cash spent his formative years. Along the way, discover the history, culture and agricultural heritage of this region whose landscapes and hardships inspired many of Cash’s songs. At the Dyess Colony Visitor Center, explore exhibits and view a short film that tells the story of the community where the Cash family settled in 1935. Continue to his restored childhood home and step inside to gain a deeper appreciation for the faith, resilience and family values that became recurring themes throughout his music. After lunch at the Wilson Café, return to Memphis for a panoramic tour showcasing sites connected to Cash’s rise to fame, and stop at Overton Park Shell for a behind-the-scenes tour of this legendary outdoor venue.

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.