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Cruises to Baton Rouge

25 Reviews
Baton Rouge (Photo:Berkomaster/Shutterstock)

About Baton Rouge

The capital of Louisiana will come as a surprise to passengers who expect the city to be a smaller version of New Orleans. Baton Rouge, aka "Red Stick," is much stodgier than its downriver cousin, more focused on government and bureaucracy than laissez les bon temps roule. Aside from the bars near Louisiana State University -- several miles away from the downtown pier where most riverboats dock -- the city has little nightlife and unlike other parts of the state, no indigenous music tradition.

That's not to say that a stop here is a waste. Baton Rouge is not that far from the bayous of Cajun Country, and excursions taking passengers out to visit the swamps (and see an alligator or two) are popular. Louisiana politics are decidedly more colorful than those elsewhere in the U.S., and the state's Capitol building has its own notorious history; former governor Huey P. Long, aka "The Kingfish," was assassinated there in 1935. A city tour of Baton Rouge also includes a stop at the aforementioned LSU where people can meet the university's mascot, a live tiger named Mike (the current cat, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, is extremely popular with a live cam and an Instagram account).

Riverboats dock on the Mississippi River at a levee that has been renovated with walking and bike paths. Attractions within walking distance include the U.S.S. Kidd, the Belle of Baton Rouge Casino and the Old State Capitol.

  • More about Baton Rouge

  • Why go to Baton Rouge?

  • Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

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Viking Mississippi
Viking Mississippi (Image: Viking River Cruises)

7 Night
Heart Of The DeltaDetails

11 Reviews
Leaving:Memphis
Cruise Line:Viking River Cruises
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Viking Mississippi
Viking Mississippi (Image: Viking River Cruises)

7 Night
New Orleans & Southern CharmsDetails

11 Reviews
Leaving:New Orleans
Cruise Line:Viking River Cruises
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Viking Mississippi
Viking Mississippi (Image: Viking River Cruises)

7 Night
Heart Of The DeltaDetails

11 Reviews
Leaving:New Orleans
Cruise Line:Viking River Cruises
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Viking Mississippi
Viking Mississippi (Image: Viking River Cruises)

8 Night
Heart Of The DeltaDetails

11 Reviews
Leaving:Memphis
Cruise Line:Viking River Cruises
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Virgin Voyages

16 Night
America's Great RiverDetails

11 Reviews
Leaving:New Orleans
Cruise Line:Viking River Cruises
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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16 Night
America's Great RiverDetails

11 Reviews
Leaving:St. Paul
Cruise Line:Viking River Cruises
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Cruise Critic Favorite

7 Night
Memphis To New OrleansDetails

46 Reviews
Leaving:Memphis
Cruise Line:American Queen Voyages (formerly American Queen Steamboat Company)
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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Cruise Critic Favorite

7 Night
Memphis To New OrleansDetails

46 Reviews
Leaving:Memphis
Cruise Line:American Queen Voyages (formerly American Queen Steamboat Company)
Nov 4, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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8 Night
Memphis To New OrleansDetails

46 Reviews
Leaving:Memphis
Cruise Line:American Queen Voyages (formerly American Queen Steamboat Company)
Dec 30, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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8 Night
Memphis To New OrleansDetails

30 Reviews
Leaving:Memphis
Cruise Line:American Queen Voyages (formerly American Queen Steamboat Company)
Nov 13, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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7 Night
Memphis To New OrleansDetails

30 Reviews
Leaving:Memphis
Cruise Line:American Queen Voyages (formerly American Queen Steamboat Company)
Apr 10, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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7 Night
Memphis To New OrleansDetails

30 Reviews
Leaving:Memphis
Cruise Line:American Queen Voyages (formerly American Queen Steamboat Company)
Sep 25, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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7 Night
Memphis To New OrleansDetails

30 Reviews
Leaving:Memphis
Cruise Line:American Queen Voyages (formerly American Queen Steamboat Company)
Oct 30, 2023
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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7 Night
Memphis To New OrleansDetails

46 Reviews
Leaving:Memphis
Cruise Line:American Queen Voyages (formerly American Queen Steamboat Company)
No prices currently available for this sailing.
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More about Baton Rouge

Why go to Baton Rouge?

Pros:

As the capital of Louisiana, Baton Rouge has a bit of history to explore including a former World War II battleship

Cons:

This city doesn't offer much of the culture you may think of when Louisiana comes to mind

Bottom Line:

If you're into governmental history stick around Baton Rouge, otherwise head out to the nearby swamps

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

Louisiana only seems like a foreign country; the U.S. dollar is the only currency accepted. Credit cards are also widely available. ATMs are available once you leave the levee; the closest one is on Third Street, a short walk. There's also an ATM in the Belle of Baton Rouge casino.

Language?

English is the language spoken, but you should expect a Southern drawl.


Baton Rouge Cruise Reviews
The Viking-included excursion was mediocre. Too much time spent listening to the guide talk about the shooting of a former governor when we visited the state capitol building. The museum was interesting.Read More
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jwgtucson
We took the panoramic tour, which was good but not very long. The tour included a trip to a museum, which was very interesting. If you don't know much about Huey Long, it is a good idea to read up on him before visitRead More
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MostlyLegal
It was Xmas day, so everything was closed but we really enjoyed the walking tour. The ship's historian led the tour. Very educational. Hope to go back on a day when the government building are open for tours.Read More
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dvactor
The Houmas house and plantation were nice, guided tour of house was included. Walked around Baton Rouge ourselves and a tour of the Louisiana state museum was included. Excellent museum. Interesting displays regardiRead More
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cutters60

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