America’s Great River

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.

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.

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.

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.