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A wonderful but lesser-known way to start on a Mississippi cruise is to leave from the Gulf of Mexico and cruise upriver, leaving from either Galveston or New Orleans. Many cruise companies offer these options, as their ships have to travel both ways.

Galveston is a lovely place to start on a Mississippi cruise, being a short drive from Houston, and an interesting sight in its own way. It already was a bustling port city on the 19th century, and was an arriving point to many immigrants to the country.

Before leaving on your Mississippi cruise you may want to stop in the city for a couple of days, as interesting sights abound. There are several close and lovely beaches for sunbathing and swimming, for instance, as well as some lovely landscaped gardens in the city proper.

Another, somewhat more common alternative, is to begin your Mississippi cruise in New Orleans. Don’t let the threat of hurricanes put you off, in season this is a fantastic place to explore.

In effect, by starting or ending your Mississippi cruise in New Orleans you will be contributing to the city’s recovery by spending your time and some of your tourist dollars there.

For visitors, the most interesting part of the city is the French Quarter. This is the area for strolling, people-watching, window shopping, and feeling the heat before leaving for a Mississippi cruise.

You certainly won’t go hungry in New Orleans, as there are tons of options, from the humble muffaletta, a sandwich with olives, to a ritzy supper with oysters and seafood. And you will probably encounter both these local staples again, on that upriver Mississippi cruise.

As for local specialties, Creole and Cajun cuisines are the staple in New Orleans and also common on a Mississippi cruise. You’ll notice that they are pretty different approaches to food. Creole food is Europeanized in taste, and uses lots of wine, butter, thick sauces, enjoy pastries and is the backbone of local fancy dining.

Cajun cuisine is more hearty and rural, with lots of hot food, and includes whatever animal that you can get without it eating you first! You can get alligator, and in fact you will see it on a lot of menus. Try these in the city, as not all Mississippi cruises will have them on their menu.

Concerning your safety, make sure to bring a hat and sunscreen if you are leaving for your cruise in the summer and be especially vigilant for pickpockets in the town centers. You can relax your guard once you have boarded your Mississippi cruise.

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