River Boat Travel in Tennessee

Tennessee offers seven major riverboat cruise operators and multi-day lines operating day excursions, dining trips, and overnight voyages across the state's main waterways, with year-round schedules and seasonal specialty itineraries: 

• General Jackson Showboat (Nashville, Cumberland River): A 300-foot paddlewheel boat operating 2.5- to 3-hour show and dining cruises departing from 2812 Opryland Drive. 
• Southern Belle Riverboat (Chattanooga, Tennessee River): Departs from Pier 2 at 151 Riverfront Parkway, offering 1.5-hour sightseeing excursions, dinner trips, and seasonal autumn fall foliage tours. 
• Memphis Riverboats (Memphis, Mississippi River): Runs 90-minute historical sightseeing tours and evening dinner cruises departing from 45 Riverside Drive. 
• Star of Knoxville (Knoxville, Tennessee River): A 325-passenger paddlewheel boat departing from 300 Neyland Drive that hosts 1.5-hour lunch and 2-hour dinner cruises. 
• Volunteer Princess (Knoxville, Tennessee River): A 75-foot luxury yacht operating 1.5- to 2-hour dining and sightseeing cruises from 956 Volunteer Landing Lane. 
• American Cruise Lines (Chattanooga to Nashville, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers): Operates 9-day multi-day river cruises on paddlewheel vessels, stopping in port towns including Savannah, Tennessee. 
• Viking Cruises (Memphis, Clarksville, and Nashville; Mississippi and Cumberland Rivers): Runs 8- to 22-day regional river cruise itineraries with overnight stays and port calls in several Tennessee cities.

Docked at Pier 2 along the Chattanooga Riverfront, the Southern Belle Riverboat offers views of the Tennessee River Gorge, downtown city bridges, and Lookout Mountain. Designed to mimic the luxury riverboats that navigated local waters in the 1800s, this vessel provides a classic river excursion complete with local history, dining, and live music.

• Cruise Information: 1.5-hour sightseeing tours, 2-hour dinner and sunset cruises, and longer seasonal excursion trips through the Tennessee River Gorge. 
• Boat & Cruise Highlights: Open-air top deck views, pilot house tours, live musical entertainment, bingo, and buffet dining. 
• Accessibility: The main deck is wheelchair accessible; guests are encouraged to contact dock staff prior to boarding for specific seating requests.
• Booking Information: Reserve tickets in advance through the official Southern Belle Riverboat Website or at the Pier 2 box office.

For a boutique, upscale river dining experience on the Tennessee River, the Volunteer Princess Luxury Yacht provides an intimate alternative to traditional paddlewheelers. Departing from Volunteer Landing in Knoxville, this luxury yacht offers fine dining and sunset cruises past downtown landmarks and scenic bluffs. 

• Cruise Information: 1.5 to 2-hour weekend brunch, lunch, and dinner cruises on the Tennessee River. 
• Boat & Cruise Highlights: 100-passenger luxury yacht featuring plated multi-course meals, two climate-controlled dining salons, a full-service bar, and top-deck viewing areas. 
• Accessibility: Main deck dining area is accessible; guests are advised to notify staff in advance for dock ramp assistance. 
• Booking Information: Purchase tickets for public cruises online via the official Volunteer Princess Luxury Yacht website.

Operating from Volunteer Landing in downtown Knoxville, The Star of Knoxville is a 325-passenger paddlewheel riverboat cruising the Tennessee River. From relaxed lunch outings to themed dinner parties and sunset tours, it offers views of Knoxville's riverfront and the University of Tennessee campus. 

• Cruise Information: 1.5-hour lunch/sightseeing cruises and 2-hour dinner cruises (featuring theme nights like Prime Rib, Country Music, Gospel, and Murder Mystery). 
• Boat & Cruise Highlights: Propelled by paddlewheel, The Star of Knoxville features climate-controlled enclosed decks, Southern buffet dining, open-air viewing decks, and beautiful Knoxville city views. 
• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible on the main deck; crew assistance is available during boarding upon request. 
• Booking Information: Book tickets in advance at the official Tennessee Riverboat Company website.

For travelers looking for a longer multi-day getaway, American Cruise Lines operates a 9-day river voyage connecting Chattanooga and Nashville via the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. Cruising through the Appalachian foothills and stopping in historic ports like Savannah, Tennessee, guests enjoy an all-inclusive journey packed with history, local music, and regional cuisine. 

• Cruise Information: 9-day / 8-night luxury river cruise between Chattanooga and Nashville, stopping in Savannah, TN, Florence, AL, and Paducah, KY. 
• Boat & Cruise Highlights: enjoy staterooms with private balconies, guided excursions to Shiloh National Military Park in Savannah, live music lectures, and regional dining. 
• Accessibility: Modern elevators access all passenger decks, with ADA-accessible staterooms available upon request.
• Booking Information: View sailing schedules and pricing at American Cruise Lines.

Cruising from the banks of the Opryland area down the Cumberland River toward downtown Nashville, the General Jackson Showboat is one of the grandest paddlewheel showboats in the country. Passengers step inside a two-story Victorian-style theater to enjoy live musical productions paired with Southern cuisine while taking in skyline views. 

• Cruise Information: Midday lunch cruises and evening dinner cruises (approx. 2.5–3 hours) along the Cumberland River in Nashville.
• Boat & Cruise Highlights: This is a 300-foot paddlewheel vessel featuring a Victorian-style theater, live country and musical theater shows, plated Southern meals, and stunning Nashville skyline views. 
• Accessibility: Fully accessible main decks with elevator service accessing passenger theater and dining levels.
• Booking Information: Purchase tickets via the official General Jackson Showboat Website or the Gaylord Opryland Box Office.