Memphis TN Tennessee

591 Cruises availables At departure or passage at this port

American Cruise Lines (500 Cruises)

American Melody

180 Passengers
2700 tons
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American Serenade

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American Splendor

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American Symphony

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Viking River Cruises (91 Cruises)

Viking Mississippi.

Viking Mississippi

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Port of Memphis, USA | Cruise Port Guide

Here, the Mississippi ceases to be an abstraction from a geography textbook. Wide, brown and powerful, it rolls before your eyes a mass of water that has carried steam, cotton and the music of an entire nation. River ships dock at Beale Street Landing, exactly where the most famous street in the South ends at the river: you only need to climb the bank for Memphis to begin, without transition or downtime.

Beale Street, the Matrix

Three street corners are enough to understand why this avenue is a National Historic Landmark. Neon signs, guitars in shop windows, clubs whose open doors let a riff escape by mid-afternoon: Beale Street saw the birth of much of urban blues, when W.C. Handy set down the music of the Delta on paper here. In the evening, the street becomes a permanent festival; during the day, it can be explored more calmly, among record shops and walls covered in musical memories.

A Room on the World's Balcony

A little over a kilometre from the landing, the National Civil Rights Museum occupies the former Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968. The turquoise façade, the wreath on the balcony of Room 306: few places in America are as sure to bring a lump to your throat. The museum, remarkably designed, traces a century of civil rights struggles. You leave in silence, and that is exactly the intended effect: some ports of call must also pass through such places.

Musical Pilgrimages

Music provides the rest of the itinerary, to be chosen according to the time available:

  • the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, steps from the famous street, to grasp in one go the story leading from gospel to rock;
  • Sun Studio, about three kilometres away, the launch pad for Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis;
  • Graceland, about fifteen kilometres to the south, the King's home turned global pilgrimage site — best kept for longer stops or organized excursions.

Even without stepping through a single museum door, the day's soundtrack is guaranteed: here, a sidewalk without music is a sidewalk out of order.

Ducks, Barbecue and a Pyramid

Memphis cultivates its rituals with contagious pleasure. At the Peabody Hotel, the duck march — the ducks come down from their suite by elevator every day to paddle in the lobby fountain, a tradition kept up since the 1930s — draws a delighted crowd. At the table, the city defends its barbecue with theological fervour: dry-rub ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, endless debates over the best spot. And north of downtown, a 32-storey glass pyramid gleams at the water's edge, a former arena turned temple of outdoor retail; its improbable silhouette punctuates every photo taken from the deck.

Walking Along the River

Between stops, Tom Lee Park along the river unrolls lawns and viewpoints over the Hernando de Soto Bridge and the barge convoys. Sunsets here are exceptionally generous: the Mississippi blazes, the neon lights come on behind, and you understand why so many songs begin on the banks of this water.

The Sustained Note

As the lines are cast off, Beale Street still sends a few bars over the bank, like a horn section that refuses to finish. Memphis isn't visited, it is listened to — and long after departure, as the ship sails down the great brown river, a sustained note remains somewhere between memory and ear.

Frequently Asked Questions

At Beale Street Landing, exactly where the South's most famous street meets the Mississippi. You climb the bank and Memphis begins, with no transition and no dead time.
Downtown, yes. Beale Street starts at the top of the bank and the National Civil Rights Museum is a little over a kilometre away. Sun Studio, about three kilometres out, and Graceland, some fifteen, require a taxi or an excursion.
Walk Beale Street, then choose: the National Civil Rights Museum a kilometre away, or the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum right there. Add the Peabody duck march and a plate of ribs. Graceland should be saved for long calls or organized excursions.
Because much of urban blues was born there, when W.C. Handy set the delta's music down on paper. The street is a designated historic landmark. At night it becomes a permanent festival; by day it can be walked more calmly, among record shops and walls covered in musical memory.
A museum housed in the former Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King was assassinated on 4 April 1968. The turquoise facade, the wreath on the balcony of room 306: few American places tighten the throat so surely. It traces a century of civil rights struggle, and you leave it silent.
Sun Studio, the launch booth for Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis, is about three kilometres away: manageable by taxi. Graceland, the King's home, lies some fifteen kilometres south and needs a long call or an organized excursion.
A ritual kept up since the 1930s: each day the Peabody Hotel's ducks ride the elevator down from their suite to paddle in the lobby fountain, before a delighted crowd. It is free, short and thoroughly Memphis.
Barbecue, defended here with theological fervour: dry-rub ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, and endless argument about the best address. Ask a local for advice, but be ready for three different answers.
Yes, with careful choices. The duck march, the 32-storey glass pyramid north of downtown and Tom Lee riverside park appeal to children. The National Civil Rights Museum suits teenagers and adults better: the subject is heavy, and deliberately so.
At Tom Lee riverside park, right by the landing, with lawns and viewpoints over the Hernando de Soto bridge and the barge tows. The sunsets there are rare in their generosity: the river catches fire and the neon comes on behind.