It starts and ends with New Orleans, not only our cruise but the history of the Mississippi River.
New Orleans is a history buff’s paradise. French explorers and traders first arrived in the 1690’s. The city was founded in 1718 by the French, named La Nouvelle Orleans – The New Orleans. For a period, it was under Spanish Control, then back to the French then purchased by the United States in 1803.
New Orleans is a hodge-podge of cultures and peoples including Africans, Haitians, plus the French and Spanish. The result is a unique Cajun and Creole dialect, cuisine, and music.
The Big Easy is the birthplace of American jazz. Jelly Roll Morton claims to have been the father of this sweet music. A festive atmosphere permeates along the balcony-lined Bourbon Street. In the heart of the French Quarter, soulful rhythms lift the spirit, especially during the city’s Mardi Gras celebration.
If New York is the city that never sleeps, New Orleans is the city with non-stop parties. Great food, great history, great people, and a constant spirit of Mardi Gras: That’s sums up New Orleans and life on the Mississippi. It was a fun cruise and one I highly recommend.
