Memphis to New Orleans Mississippi Golf Cruise

Memphis to New Orleans Mississippi Golf Cruise 14 Night Tour with 7 Golf Games - 12 April to 26 April 2022

from USD 9,050 per person twin share (includes USD 4,650 pp golf package)

Prices include USD 400/Stateroom Early Bird Discount

Trendsetter Travel Golf Tours Pty Ltd announces a repeat of its popular Lower Mississippi Golf Cruise in April 2022, with the tour starting 2 days after the completion of the US Masters in Augusta Georgia. There are 7 nights on board the 150 passenger riverboat Queen of the Mississippi with a total of 7 nights in minimum 4 ½ star hotels pre and post cruise. While in Memphis, we visit both Graceland (a truly fascinating place even for those who don’t care much for Elvis) and the Civil Rights Museum.

Our golf in Memphis includes Colonial Country Club, a regular PGA tour stop for over 30 years and the course where Al Geiberger became the 1^st player on the PGA Tour to shoot 59 and break the famous 60 figure. This leisurely cruise down the Mississippi allows plenty of time to visit some of the famous ports such as Vicksburg, Natchez, St Francisville and Baton Rouge while still providing time for 3 golf games. Our additional 4 games of golf, mostly on top 10 ranked courses in their respective states, includes such famous names as English Turn, Lakewood, Colonial and Mirimichi. Three of the courses we play (Colonial Country Club, Lakewood and English Turn) were once long time regulars on the PGA Tour.

We chose to sail on American Cruise Lines as it offers the premier product on the market for Mississippi paddle steamers with a near all-inclusive cruise offering. Most importantly, almost all staterooms have private balconies. And its standard size rooms are the largest available when cruising on the Mississippi River. Deck plans and brochures on the cruise are available on request. Standard room sizes are significantly larger than on European river cruise ships (and just about all rooms have a private balcony) due to the much wider Queen of the Mississippi as no requirement to use locks to travel the river.

Our cruise includes all meals while on-board Queen of the Mississippi, wine and beer with dinner, complimentary cocktails every evening pre-dinner and post dinner while attending the shows, gratuities, complimentary (and usually fast) wifi and standard shore excursions. In addition, we include 7 nights of pre and post cruise minimum 4 ½ star hotel accommodation, breakfasts each day, a day trip including both Gracelands and the National Civil Rights Museum, welcome and farewell dinners, 7 rounds of golf including coach transfers, motorised carts, prize money, and drinks post golf.

Golfers with non-playing partners can enjoy their games, knowing those partners are having an equally fine time checking out the sights, or relaxing on-board. Queen of the Mississippi has a limited number of single private balcony staterooms, thus offering unique value for a single traveller. On this golf cruise, we typically sell more single rooms and rooms to couples where one is a non-golfer than on any of our other golf cruises and tours.

Importantly, mid to late April is an ideal time to cruise the lower Mississippi with late spring golfing conditions.

Plenty of time is included in both Memphis and New Orleans for independent exploring. Both cities are famous for their night life, in particular Memphis’ Beale Street and New Orleans’ French Quarter.

The start of our golf tour/cruise on Tuesday 12 April 2022 shortly follows the completion of the US Masters at Augusta on Sunday 10 April 2022. Memphis is a 1 hour flight time from Atlanta with many direct flights. At no additional cost, Trendsetter Travel Golf Tours can advise you joining one of the many organised tours available and potentially provide a modest discount on your booking.

Your tour hosts Adrienne Witteman and David Cooper, Directors of Trendsetter Travel Golf Tours, are both enthusiastic golfers, and are both longstanding members of a prestigious Sydney golf club. They have golfed and cruised extensively throughout the world.

They invite you to join them on this fantastic cruise, stopping at great ports, with long port days combined with the chance to play 7 golf games, all at a wonderful selection of courses.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Tuesday 12 April 2022 – Memphis, Tennessee

Arrive independently in Memphis, the home of Elvis Presley and located on the banks of the Mississippi River. Stay the next 3 nights at the Westin Memphis Beale Street (refer image of hotel to right) a well located premium downtown hotel which as the name indicates is only a stone’s throw from Beale Street, the heart of the jazz scene in Memphis and the famous entertainment strip. We have used this hotel previously and it is an excellent location. Breakfast each morning is in the main restaurant (you have a breakfast voucher for each day).

Meet your fellow tour participants for drinks and welcome tour dinner at a private room in one of the leading restaurants in Memphis. Many will choose to arrive a day earlier, particularly if flying into Memphis that day from Australia or New Zealand.

Inclusions: Dinner including standard drinks both pre dinner and over dinner

Day 2– Wednesday 13 April 2022 – Memphis – Golf - Colonial Country Club

Our 1^st game on tour sees us transfer some 30 minutes to play the Colonial Country Club. Prior to the PGA Tour transferring the Memphis Open to TPC Southwind, Colonial Country Club had held the annual PGA Tour event in Memphis for 30 years. Perhaps its most famous year was in 1977 when Al Geiberger became the 1^st player on the PGA Tour to shoot 59 and break the famous 60 figure. Perhaps just as notable, this was the year when President Gerald Ford, a golfer of renowned limited ability, shot his 1^st (and we assume only) hole in one in the Pro-Am event.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Transfers, Golf (including carts)

Day 3 –Thursday 14 April 2022 – Memphis – Golf - Mirimichi

Today we travel 30 minutes to play the Championship course at Mirimichi, rated the best public access course in the Mid-South and one of the best golf courses in Tennessee (currently ranked # 11^th). The facility had been owned by Justin Timberlake who reportedly spent US$16 million upgrading the course.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Transfers, Golf (including carts)

Day 4 – Friday 15 April 2022 – Memphis – Graceland & Civil Rights Museum

Today we check out of Westin Memphis Beale Street with an eventual transfer to spend our final night in Memphis at The Guest House Graceland – a premium hotel located 300 metres from the entrance to Grandland. Your standard room will be 40 sqm with a king bed and the hotel is a comparable if not higher standard than the Westin Memphis. We are staying at the hotel as this is where the American Cruise Line cruise commences with a coach transfer the following morning to Queen of the Mississippi.

However, prior to checking into The Guest House Graceland, we will have a significant day of touring with our 1^st stop being a visit to the National Civil Rights Museum (opens at 9 am). Indeed it is a must visit venue with many compelling (and at times confronting) displays showing the civil rights movement – mainly through the 1950s and 1960s. It is built around the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King was assassinated in April 1968. The museum has been expanded in size to cover a neighbouring building where the assassin was believed to have fired the fatal shot – with a history provided of shooting and capture of the assassin. We suggest you budget a minimum of 2 ½ hours for your visit. For those finishing their tour of the museum early, there are plenty of coffee shops nearby the Museum.

We will leave for Gracelands by coach at 12 noon and have reserved tickets for approximately 12.30 pm. Adrienne and I will look after the unloading of the coach after you have entered Graceland. After you have concluded your tour of Graceland you can either walk the 300 to 400 metres (circa 5 minutes) to The Guest House Graceland or organise a taxi transfer. There are plenty of restaurants, mostly themed, for you to have lunch having entered Graceland. You should expect your tour of Graceland to take 2 to 3 hours (plus add time for lunch) with so much to see including Elvis’ personal jet, his car collection, his burial plot (with his parents), shooting range and many museums of memorabilia of Elvis and his time.

Your evening is free and assume you will look to dine at one of the many Graceland restaurants while retaining the option to taxi the 15 minutes to down town Memphis.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Transfers and entry to both Gracelands and Civil Rights Museum

Day 5 – Saturday 16 April 2022 – Memphis – Depart Memphis 1.30 pm

Check out mid-morning and take our group coach transfer to Queen of the Mississippi at the Mississippi riverboat jetty arriving around 11 am where your rooms should be available. During an a la carte lunch in the dining room (from 12.30pm), our ship starts its journey down the Mississippi around 1.30 pm.

We sail leisurely down the river and through the night heading towards the historic town of Vicksburg. We take the route adopted by the Union iron clads in the American Civil War in 1863 as they risked the fire of many accurate Confederate cannons over-looking the Mississippi and sought to bi-pass Vicksburg and land General (later President) Ulysses S Grant’s army south of Vicksburg on the east bank of the Mississippi.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Transfer to Cruise Ship Queen of the Mississippi, Lunch (drinks included), Cocktail Hour and Dinner (drinks included) and after dinner entertainment

Day 6 – Sunday 17 April 2022 – Arrive 2 pm in Vicksburg (stay overnight)

On 4 July 1863, the day immediately following the 3 day battle of Gettysburg in far away Pennsylvania (the largest and most significant battle in American history), Confederate forces at Vicksburg surrendered to Grant’s Union Army. While the Civil War continued for another 21 months, these two events effectively ended the Confederate hopes of defeating the Union forces and forcing the Union to accept the separate nation of the Confederate States of America. The Confederates continued to fight on in the hope that mounting Union losses would cause sufficient political pressure to see the Union seek a negotiated peace (and recognise a separate Confederate State with its unique and infamous institution of slavery). The surrender of Vicksburg resulted in Union forces controlling all of the mighty Mississippi River and separated the Confederacy into a Western and Eastern part. This effectively prevented any significant amount of food and other resources being moved from the Western states of Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana to supply the Confederate armed forces.

To put the Civil War in context, at that stage the population of the USA was 1/10^th the size of today but aggregate deaths in the combined armed forces of the North and South during the Civil War exceeded 620,000 (and were probably over 700,000 if deaths due to the war in the 12 months following the surrender of the armies of the Confederacy are included). This is more USA military deaths than in all other wars combined (which includes WWI, WWII and Vietnam). Much of the south (but obviously limited to the white population) still describes the Civil War as “The War Between the States”, “War of Northern Aggression” of simply the “War”.

After arriving in Vicksburg, we take a coach tour of Vicksburg and the battlefield that surrounds the town. Our tour includes a visit to the Cairo Museum located adjacent to the battlefield where you can see the partially restored iron clad battleship Cairo which was used to attack Vicksburg until sunk by the Confederate defenders.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch (drinks included), Guided coach tour of Vicksburg Battlefield Park, Cocktail hour, Dinner (drinks included) and after dinner entertainment

Day 7 – Monday 18 April 2022 – Vicksburg – depart early afternoon

We spend the morning independently exploring the town of Vicksburg with the opportunity to visit the several fascinating museums located within the town. ACL also offers several group tours to consider joining.

We leave Vicksburg early afternoon and sail down the Mississippi arriving early evening in Natchez, a town famous for its many grand ante bellum homes. During the Civil War, Union forces destroyed a large proportion of the ante bellum homes throughout the Confederate/southern states and Natchez, like Savanah in Georgia, remains one of the few towns which remained unscathed from the Union forces.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch (drinks included), Cocktail hour, Dinner (drinks included) and after dinner entertainment

Day 8 – Tuesday 19 April 2022 –– Natchez – Golf – Beau Pre

We drive 20 minutes south of Natchez to play Beau Pre Golf Club. Constructed in 1998, Beau Pre is a private members course and considered one of the premier golf clubs in the greater Southern Mississippi – Louisiana region. We depart that evening and head down river to St Francisville.

After golf, there should be time for a walk around Natchez or join a late afternoon ship’s tour and visit one of the ante bellum historic mansions in Natchez.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Transfers, Golf (including carts), ships tour of Natchez, Cocktail hour, Dinner (drinks included) and after dinner entertainment

Day 9 – Wednesday 20 April 2022 – St Francisville – Golf - Baton Rouge

Having crossed the border from Mississippi into Louisiana, we arrive early morning in St Francisville.

We will transfer by coach to play one the leading golf courses in Baton Rouge – currently several courses are under consideration.

At 2 pm that afternoon, Queen of the Mississippi departs St Francisville for Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana. We will re-board after its arrival at 5 pm.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Transfers, Golf (including carts), Cocktail hour, Dinner (including drinks) and after dinner entertainment

Day 10 - Thursday 21 April 2022 – Baton Rouge – Golf - Carter Plantation

After a short coach tour of Baton Rouge, we travel less than an hour east of Baton Rouge to Carter Plantation Golf Club. Glenn Hickey, in conjunction with Louisiana native David Toms, created the highly rated Carter Plantation Golf Club in 2003.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Transfers, Golf (including carts), Cocktail hour, Dinner (drinks included) and after dinner entertainment

Day 11 – Friday 22 April 2022 – Oak Alley – Arrive early morning – depart early afternoon

Having berthed at Oak Alley early morning, we undertake a complimentary tour of Oak Alley Plantation which is but a short walk from where Queen of the Mississippi will berth. The visit includes a guided tour of the Plantation’s grand ante-bellum homestead, walk down the 300 year old pathway of oak trees, visit the slavery exhibition. There are several worthwhile tourist shops to visit. A most enjoyable 2 hours plus was spent by our 2018 tour at Oak Alley Plantation – with countless photos taken of the stunning driveway lined by the historic Oak trees.

We depart early afternoon and sail down the Mississippi for our final destination of New Orleans.

Inclusions: Breakfast, tour of Oak Alley Plantation, Lunch (including drinks) Cocktail hour, Dinner (including drinks), and after dinner entertainment

Day 12 – Saturday 23 April 2022 – New Orleans - Disembarkation

We berth this morning in New Orleans and will have an 8 am transfer to the Hyatt Regency one of New Orleans’ luxury hotels. We cannot choose a hotel within the French Quarter as coaches are prevented within the French Quarter thus most of the larger New Orleans hotels are located outside of the French Quarter. The remainder of today is free to independently explore the many sights of New Orleans. The French Quarter comprises well over a square mile of historic buildings which have been transformed into restaurants, bars and many fascinating shops. New Orleans is one of the great cities of USA and will not disappoint. While not within the French Quarter, walking distance is the outstanding National World War II Museum which follows both the European and Pacific battle campaigns. If not visited today, a visit on the morning of Tuesday 26 April is recommended. We are in New Orleans during a major jazz festival and it should be a lively place.

Inclusions: Breakfast and transfer from ship to hotel accommodation

Day 13 – Sunday 24 April 2022 – New Orleans – Golf - English Turn

Today we travel half an hour and play English Turn, a private course which hosted a PGA Tour event for 17 years commencing 1989. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, a great track to play with the challenge of its famous island green on the 15^th hole. We are unable to play TPC Louisiana, the course which now hosts the PGA Tour’s Zurich Open as this annual tournament will be played the week we are in New Orleans.

The evening is free to explore New Orleans and perhaps visit the famous French Quarter.

Inclusions: Breakfast, transfers, golf and carts

Day 14 – Monday 25 April 2022 – New Orleans – Golf – Lakewood - Farewell Dinner

Our final round on tour is at the historic Lakewood Golf Club, a less than 15 minute drive from our hotel. The course was home to the PGA Tour’s New Orleans Open from 1963 to 1988 and 8 of the winners (including Nicklaus, Watson, Ballesteros and Trevino) are now in the World Golf Hall of Fame. As a result of a financial restructure in the early 2000’s, the once private country club opened to the public. We are fortunate in securing a multiple tee start at 8.30 am which should see us back at our hotel by mid-afternoon to perhaps take some extra time to explore New Orleans or to rest up in advance of our final tour dinner.

This evening we meet for drinks at 7.00 pm and have our tour farewell dinner at a private room in the historic Dickie Brennan’s Tableau Restaurant.

Inclusions: Breakfast, transfers, golf, carts and farewell dinner (including standard drinks)

Day 15 – Tuesday 26 April 2022 – New Orleans - Tour Ends

After breakfast, our tour ends and it is time to go our separate ways.

The Finer Details...

ALL Trendsetter clients, as part of our golf tour, will receive:

Host services by Adrienne Witteman and David Cooper.
14 night golf tour includes 7 night highly-inclusive cruise, 7 games of golf, coach transfers, motorised carts, prize money, drinks post golf, 7 additional nights in leading hotels, breakfast, welcome/farewell tour dinners (including standard drinks) and tours of both Gracelands and the Civil Rights Museum.

12 to 26 April 2022 – Lower Mississippi River Golf Tour (including Cruise)
	Picture Window Suite (290 sqft) (5 suites)	Private Balcony Suite (304 sqft) prices vary by deck (48 suites)	Large Private Balcony Suite (328 sqft) (6 suites)	Owners Suite (445 sqft) (6 suites)	Private Balcony (single room, 230sqft) (18 suites)
Cruise Fare (USD pp)	USD 4,400	From USD 4,970	USD 6,065	USD 7,295	USD 6,025
Golf Package Golfer (USD pp)	USD 4,650	USD 4,650	USD 4,650	USD 4,650	USD 6,150 (includes USD 1,500 single supplement)
Total Cruise Fare and Golf Package (USD pp)	USD 9,050	From USD 9,620	USD 10,715	USD 11,945	USD 12,175
Golf Package – Non Golfer Partner (USD pp)	USD 2,400	USD 2,400	USD 2,400	USD 2,400	USD 3,900
Total Cruise Fare and Golf Package (non golfer partner) (USD pp)	USD 6,800	From USD 7,370	USD 8,465	USD 9,695	USD 9,925

Per Person Deposits – Golf Package (non-refundable) USD 1,000 pp- Cruise USD 500 pp– Total USD 1,500 pp- Balance payable 120 days from departure. Cruise deposit refundable up to 120 days from departure but subject to an ACL USD 250 pp administration fee. While Golf Package deposit non-refundable, it can be used as a credit against a future Trendsetter golf cruise programme booked within 18 months from the date of cancellation where cancelled outside of 120 days from the tour start.

Above prices include port taxes and fees of USD 250 pp and are quoted twin share unless otherwise stated. Cruise prices subject to change until deposit paid and price locked in. Prices reflect a USD 400/stateroom discount for bookings until 17 July 2021.

While both the cruise and golf package are priced in in USD, as a group, all tour participant payments are to Trendsetter who will directly pay the cruise fares. You will pay for the tour in AUD with the USD amounts converted into AUD based upon the best USD sell rate from the Major 4 banks available to Trendsetter Travel. For NZ guests, payment in NZD is an option with payment calculated at the midpoint NZD/AUD exchange rate.
TRAVEL INSURANCE IS COMPULSORY WHILE IN USA
American Cruise Lines General Terms and Conditions (including cancellation provisions etc) can be found on http://americancruiselines.com/general-information

The package price does NOT include golf club hire but includes motorised carts at all courses, range balls at most courses, prize money for all golf games and drinks post golf. Trendsetter has booked the courses as specified but cannot be held responsible for any cancellation/s necessitated by a change to the ship’s itinerary due to weather or any other event, or late amendment by the golf course or concern by Trendsetter at the condition of the golf course (say due to course maintenance). If such an event occurs and, in the unlikely event, Trendsetter cannot organise an alternative golf course, Trendsetter will pass through any refund available.

Contact David Cooper (0413 010 638) or email david@trendsettertravel.com.au for further information on this tour. For information on all upcoming golf cruises refer www.trendsettertravel.com.au/golf-cruises-tours/introduction-testimonials/

Memphis to New Orleans Mississippi Golf Cruise – 12 to 26 April 2022