Deep South Rhythms, New Orleans & Caribbean Cruise

Fly to Atlanta, meet your Tour Manager, then board our coach and journey into the southeast corner of Tennessee and Chattanooga - of "Choo-Choo" fame - on the banks of the Tennessee River.

Tonight perhaps enjoy your first Southern-style dinner.

After a brief tour of Chattanooga, which includes a visit to the Chattanooga Choo-Choo Hotel, a former railroad terminal and forever linked to the song of the same name, you'll journey to Nashville. After a drive through the wooded Tennessee hills and farmland, you'll arrive for a one-night stay in the world capital of country music. Home to the legendary Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ole Opry, Nashville is one of America's foremost music cities. Why not join our optional excursion, this afternoon, to discover the Country Music Hall of Fame and legendary Studio B (home to countless country hits and a galaxy of Elvis’ RCA recordings) or head out to pick up a rare record at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop or catch some live music?

Set off on your Elvis-themed journey, starting with a visit to small-town Tupelo, where you may wish to visit the tiny house that was the star's birthplace. After a brief pitstop, you'll head to another of the cradles of American music, Memphis, on the bank of 'the Big Muddy', the Mississippi River. You'll spend two nights here, so why not head out this evening and soak up the atmosphere of famous Beale Street, the city’s musical heart?

Don’t miss today's optional, full-day Memphis Sounds excursion, which will include a visit to legendary Sun Studio, where rock and roll was born in 1951, with the recording of 'Rocket 88', and where music history changed forever three years later with Elvis's live recording of Arthur Crudup's 'That’s Alright, Mama'.

From Sun Studio, you'll make your way to Elvis Presley Boulevard to pay a visit to Graceland, the King’s home, last recording studio and final resting place. After a fascinating day, enjoy another evening in Memphis, perhaps sampling the pork ribs that have led to its unofficial position as The Barbecue Capital of America.

Leaving Memphis, you'll continue south through Mississippi, following the course of "Ol' Man River" towards Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico, for a two-night stay in the great city of New Orleans.

An optional guided tour introduces the Big Easy, this morning, including the time-warped, iron-balconied buildings of the French Quarter.

This afternoon, you'll have the chance to join an optional Bayou and Alligators tour for a glimpse of the city’s surrounding countryside and wildlife. Later, spend a second evening in New Orleans surrounded by hot music and even hotter Creole food, or perhaps join our optional Steamboat Dinner Jazz Cruise to enjoy a cruise down the Mississippi.

Board your Carnival cruise ship for your seven-night cruise to the Caribbean and Mexico. Settle in, then explore the ship's facilities. Why not consider an upgrade to an outside stateroom – a small supplement buys you an unforgettable ocean view?

Enjoy the pool, the spa or perhaps just a seat at the bar on your first day at sea.

Make the most of your stellar onboard facilities with cocktails by the poolside, or perhaps a spa treatment, on your second day at sea. 

Our first port of call is Jamaica's Montego Bay. Kick back to the rhythms of reggae and enjoy time shopping for hand-woven straw hats and delicate wood carvings or, more simply, relax barefoot at one of the many beach bars.

Today is spent in Grand Cayman, where you can choose from a range of optional tours sold on board the ship - including the best scuba diving in the Caribbean Sea. Otherwise, stretch out on the glimmering white sands at Seven Mile Beach or stroll around the shops, cafes, and museums of George Town.

Enjoy a full day in the celebrated Mexican resort of Cozumel. Among the activities you can book here you'll find sightseeing tours, sub-aqua diving and even a submarine tour.

Spend another day relaxing at sea as your Carnival cruise ship sails back across the Gulf of Mexico towards the USA.

After checking out of the hotel, you’ll journey north into Alabama to spend the final night in Birmingham, a city rich in history linked to the Civil Rights' Movement.

After a free morning, transfer to Atlanta airport to check in for your flight home.

Arrive back in the UK after an overnight flight.