Sternwheeler Riverboat Cruise Tips
How to choose the boat, cabin and dates that suit you.
Get Sternwheeler QuotesChoosing a Sternwheeler Riverboat Cruise
A sternwheeler riverboat cruise is unlike an ocean cruise. There are no casinos or water slides; the river is the show. These tips help you pick the right boat, cabin and dates.
Pick the river first
Mississippi for history and music, Columbia for canyon scenery, the Ohio and Tennessee for heartland towns.
Then the season
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable on most rivers; summer is liveliest; autumn sells out first.
Then the cabin
Balcony cabins are common. Forward cabins are quieter; aft cabins are closer to the wheel.
Then the extras
Ask about pre-cruise hotel nights, transfers and which tours are included.
Life Aboard a Small Riverboat
Expect around 100 to 200 fellow passengers, open seating at meals, and a relaxed dress code. A riverlorian or historian gives talks about the river, and evenings bring live music. The pace is gentle: you will often be in port by breakfast and back aboard for a sunset cruise.
Spend some time at the stern. Watching the wheel churn and the wake spread across the river is the quintessential sternwheeler experience.
Packing and Practicalities
- Layers and a windproof jacket for the open decks, even in summer.
- Comfortable shoes with grip for riverbank landings and gangways.
- Binoculars for eagles, herons and riverside wildlife.
- Insurance once you have paid your deposit; river levels occasionally change itineraries.
Our sister site Cruising Checklist has full packing lists, and River Cruising Is Safe explains river levels and onboard safety.
Day Trip or Overnight?
If you are not sure a week on a riverboat is for you, try a short sternwheeler trip first. Excursion boats in river cities such as Chattanooga, Marietta, New Orleans and Louisville run sightseeing and dinner cruises of a few hours. If you enjoy watching the shore drift by and the wheel turning at the stern, an overnight voyage on the Mississippi or the Columbia is the natural next step, and our cruise advisors can recommend one to suit you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a sternwheeler riverboat cruise good for first-time cruisers?
Very. The boats are small and friendly, the river is calm, there is no seasickness to speak of, and you are close to home with no passport needed.
What is included?
On the overnight paddlewheelers, meals, many shore tours and some drinks are usually included. Policies vary by line and date, so ask for details with your quote.
Is there Wi-Fi?
Usually yes, though it can be patchy in rural stretches with weak cell coverage.
Get Help Choosing Your Sternwheeler
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare boats, cabins and dates for you and send free quotes.
Get Free Quotes