Nashville, Memphis & the Cumberland

Visit the Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum and witness some of the city’s historic music-related landmarks. Travel by motor coach through the city, passing the Memphis Pyramid, the world’s sixth-largest pyramid, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Then, view legendary Beale Street, its nightclubs a melting pot of delta blues, jazz, rock ’n’ roll and R&B; and Sun Studio, the “Birthplace of Rock ’n’ Roll” where pioneers such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, B.B. King and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded their early records. Then, stop to explore the Smithsonian-affiliated Memphis Rock ’n’ Soul Museum, its array of exhibits tracing the development of Memphis, Mississippi Delta and Midsouth music. At the end of your tour, you will have free time to explore on your own, perhaps visiting the historic Peabody hotel to watch the duck march.

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.

Visit B.B. King’s Blues Club for a performance by some of the best blues and soul musicians in the South. Embark on a journey through Memphis toward Beale Street, a legendary avenue steeped in musical history. Upon arrival, meet your guide and set off to explore the street, once a vibrant hub for Black traveling musicians and one of the birthplaces of blues and rock ‘n’ roll. Discover the stories behind the street’s transformation into a cultural mecca and stroll along the Brass Note Walk of Fame. Visit B.B. King’s Blues Club, a tribute to the King of Blues himself. Explore a collection of B.B. King memorabilia before settling in for a live performance by talented local musicians. As you listen, enjoy a hearty Southern-style dinner, featuring regional classics and signature cocktails. Return to your ship with a deep appreciation of Beale Street’s enduring influence.