15 Jul Greenville, TN

 

This post is based primarily on Don's notes, occasionally supplemented with MT's notes from our cruise in July 2025. When information from other sources is added—for further explanation to readers or to satisfy our own curiosity—that is set off in a text box (as this one).
Most of the photos that accompany this post are from Don’s camera (with a caption indicating the time it was taken); those from MT’s iPhone are indicated by “MT” placed at the beginning of the photo caption. Photos from any other source (such as the public domain Wikimedia Commons), occasionally used for clarification, indicate that source in the caption.

The Viking Daily newsletter showed today's weather forecast as "Sunny 92° F" and "Sunrise: 6:05 AM | Sunset: 8:14 PM."

Don woke at 6:00 am (MT already up).

MT Tuesday, July 15, ‎2025, 8:26 AM - Viking Mississippi: view, from our veranda (balcony) of Mississippi River.

MT 6:08 AM - Viking Mississippi: iPhone screen with Facebook Photo Locater showing where that photo on the Mississippi River between Memphis and 

"Greenville" (at bottom).

At 7:00, we went to the River Café (Deck 5) for breakfast.

From 8:00-9:00. we walked on the Deck 1 track.

8:26 AM - Viking Mississippi: brass plaque on Deck 1, near bow, about the construction of the ship: "Edison Chouest Offshore Viking Mississippi, Hull 331, Year 2022," with text, below four coins, that reads as follows:

"According to ancient maritime tradition, coins ensure safe passage of a ship. Viking Mississippi's ceremonial coins honor history along the Mississippi River and Viking's Norwegian heritage: Louisiana's state quarter, where the ship was built and the home state of her godmother, Dionne Chouest Austin; Minnesota state quarter, representing the span of the Mississippi River and its headwaters in northern Minnesota; 1890 Morgan silver dollar, minted at the historic New Orleans Mint; and 1817 Carl XII Skilling Norwegian coin as tribute to the Norwegians who immigrated to the United States in the 1800s."

MT 8:53 AM - Viking Mississippi: Don playing Baggo (Cornhole) on  Deck 1.

10:42 AM - Viking Mississippi: view, from Deck 1, of Greenville levee and one of the eight busses that would take all of us for the shore excursion "Steve Azar's Mississippi." 

MT 9:42 AM - Viking Mississippi: view, from Deck 1, of sign for "Welcome to Greenville, MS 'Heart & Soul of the Delta'" on Greenville levee (telephoto 76 mm).

At 10:45, we went to the Living Room (Deck 1) meeting place for the (included) shore excursion "Steve Azar's Mississippi."

 

The My Viking Journey web site described the shore excursion “Steve Azar’s Mississippi” as follows:
 
Steve Azar’s Mississippi
INCLUDED
Day 11 – Greenville, Mississippi, United States
Tuesday, July 15
4:00 PM
3 Hours
Easy
Meal
Culture
 
Delta Music, Culture, Cuisine and History
 Delve into the rich character of the Delta through songs, stories and cuisine during this Privileged Access event.
 Hosted by Greenville-born and award-winning singer-songwriter Steve Azar, this colorful Privileged Access outing will offer a unique and unforgettable introduction to life in the Mississippi Delta. Upon arrival at your venue, enjoy a Bloody Mary, regional beer or moonshine cocktail, then take a seat and savor a delicious lunch of regional favorites, such as fried catfish, pulled pork, tamales, hush puppies and more. While you dine, watch a spirited musical performance by Azar and his band, as well as other Mississippi artists, that will showcase the blues, rock ’n’ roll, soul and gospel. A noted Greenville native will also regale you with tales of life in the Delta and on the Mississippi. At the conclusion of the show, you will return to your ship.

The bus took us to the EE Bass Cultural Arts Center, a restored public high school that houses many events, including our show in the former school's large auditorium.

MT 11:36 AM - Greenville:  EE Bass Cultural Arts Center - colorful painting.

MT 12:36 AM - Greenville:  EE Bass Cultural Arts Center - drummer in Steve Azur's band (mild telephoto 62 mm).

MT 12:37 AM - Greenville:  Steve Azur at right and more of his band (mild telephoto 43 mm).

MT 1:26 PM - Greenville:  Steve Azur and his band (VIDEO).

MT 1:35 PM - Greenville:  keyboard player in Steve Azur's band (telephoto 133 mm).

After the concert and meal, we had a chance to visit a carrousel in another part of the EE Bass Cultural Arts Center.

 

MT 1:52 PM - Greenville:  MT and Don riding the carrousel.

Back on the Viking Mississippi, at 5:30 we went to the Living Room (Deck 1) for the Daily Briefing.

At 6:00, we went to The Restaurant (Deck 1) for dinner.

At 7:15, we went to the Living Room (Deck 1) for the Destination Performance "Melodies Along the River" by the Viking Trio.

MT 7:27 PM - Viking Mississippi: "Melodies Along the River" by the Viking Trio (VIDEO).

At 8:15, we went to the Explorers' Lounge (Deck 2) for a Cocktail Demonstration, a presentation and tasting of the Sazerac with  Senior Bartender Richard.

MT 8:15 PM - Viking Mississippi: presentation and tasting of the Sazerac with  Senior Bartender Richard (mild telephoto 52 mm).

The Sazerac is a classic New Orleans cocktail, named for the Sazerac de Forge et Fils brand of cognac brandy, introduced to New Orleans in 1850, that served as its original main ingredient. It is made with rye whiskey (or cognac), Peychaud’s bitters, sugar (or maple syrup), and absinthe (or Herbsaint) rinse, garnished with a lemon peel. It is known for its spirit-forward, spicy, and herbal notes, prepared by chilling a glass, rinsing it with absinthe, and stirring the other ingredients with ice before straining.

.