The Appeal of Vicksburg

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By Tim Rubacky, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Product Development

Picking ports isn’t an easy task. There are so many choices, so many wonderful places to go and so many friendly communities that we realize no matter which cities and towns we choose, someone will be disappointed that their home wasn’t selected as a port of call. When choosing embarkation and debarkation ports (or, as we like to call them, “turn-around” ports), the stakes are even higher. We are committed to offering unique vacations and doing things a bit differently than anyone else. We know that’s what makes American river cruising like no other vacation on earth. We’ve chosen the big cities with multiple attractions such as Memphis, New Orleans, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Louisville, St. Paul and Chattanooga.

But we’ve also chosen Vicksburg as well. The Civil War is woven through the fabric of the South and our three Civil War cruises endeavor to bring the past alive once again. We realized we could visit Vicksburg as a port of call. But we also realized that if we were to remain true to our goal of offering a different vacation experience, we ought to utilize Vicksburg as a turn-around port.

Vicksburg is one of my favorite places. It is the epitome of the Deep South with antebellum mansions, quaint streets, huge oak trees dripping with Spanish moss and a sense of hospitality you feel the moment you set foot inside the city limits. Perched above the Mississippi River with sweeping views down the main channel, Vicksburg offers boutiques, art galleries, cafes and fine restaurants. From the Balfour House to the McRaven house to the Old Court House Museum, Vicksburg has something of interest to everyone. The historic Anchuca Mansion, the Jacqueline House African American Museum, Catfish Row Art Park and the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum draw visitors year-round.

But this city at the meeting point of the Mississippi and Yazoo rivers is perhaps best known as the site of one of the pivotal battles of the Civil War. Vicksburg National Military Park is nearby with the U.S.S. Cairo Gunboat Museum and General Pemberton’s Headquarters.

The Siege of Vicksburg resulted in the city finally having to surrender to Union forces, allowing the North complete control of the Mississippi River. Lasting 47 days, the siege was critical to the war efforts of both sides since the city’s position on top of a bluff made it a natural geographic point to control all traffic up and down the Mississippi. General John C. Pemberton surrendered on July 4, 1863. The day before, General Robert E. Lee lost the Battle of Gettysburg. The two events combined are regarded by most historians as the turning point of the entire war. While more than 3,000 Confederate soldiers were killed or wounded, nearly 30,000 were captured. Today, Vicksburg National Military Park and its cemetery are hallowed ground.

And to truly experience that sense of history, it’s important to spend more than just a few hours in Vicksburg. That is why we chose the city as the embarkation or debarkation port for our three Civil War theme voyages. With a free one or two-night stay in a luxury hotel before or after the cruise, guests can immerse themselves in the history of Vicksburg and the important role it played in shaping our nation. The three departures are designed to explore the footprints of the blue and gray. Please join us and spend some time in one of my favorite cities.

American Experience and Artful Travelers present the Epic Civil War Journey - August 9-21, 2012: 13-day holiday between Vicksburg, Miss. and Chattanooga, Tenn. Ports include Helena, Miss.; Memphis, Tenn.; Paducah, Ky.; Savannah, Tenn. (Shiloh National Military Park); and Decatur, Ala.
Epic Civil War – August 19- September 1, 2012: 13-day holiday between Chattanooga, Tenn. and Vicksburg, Miss. Ports include Decatur, Ala.; Florence, Ala.; Savannah, Tenn. (Shiloh National Military Park); Paducah, Ky.; Ashport Landing, Tenn.; Memphis, Tenn.; and Vicksburg, Miss.
Civil War – August 30-September 7, 2012: 10-day holiday between Vicksburg, Miss. and Louisville, Ky. Ports include Helena, Ark.; Memphis, Ten.; Henderson, Ky.; and Louisville, Ky.