If you grew up in Middle Tennessee, there’s a good chance you have a General Jackson story.
On Tuesday, December 15, 2026, the 300-foot paddlewheel showboat makes its final scheduled cruise on the Cumberland River. After 41 years, it is retiring for good.
Opry Entertainment Group announced the decision on October 19, saying the showboat is being retired because of “ongoing maintenance challenges” that have affected its operating schedule.
If you were hoping for one last evening under the Nashville skyline, read the next section first. The final cruise is a lunch.
The Final Cruises
| Date | Cruise | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Mon, Dec 14 | Showboat Holiday Spectacular | Last evening cruise, 7:00 to 9:45 p.m. |
| Tue, Dec 15 | A Nashville Christmas | Final scheduled cruise, a Christmas lunch cruise departing at noon |
December 15 is the last sailing on the published schedule, not a separately announced farewell event. We could not confirm remaining ticket availability for either cruise, so check the official cruise listings.
Why It’s Ending
The company’s stated reason is maintenance, and the boat’s summer showed the strain. Days before the Fourth of July, mechanical difficulties canceled the fireworks cruise, leaving more than 1,200 ticketholders to choose between a full refund and a discounted $65 dockside event. WSMV reported that the boat would stay tied up through July 19.
In the coverage we reviewed, the company has not said what failed, what repairs would cost, or anything about attendance. Maintenance is the only confirmed reason.
114 Jobs End With It
A notice filed with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development lists 114 affected workers and a permanent closure effective December 15. The state’s memo says the company notified its dislocated worker unit on October 15, four days before the public announcement, and a regional rapid response team is coordinating services for the employees.
The coverage we reviewed does not say whether any of them will be placed in other roles.
A Boat That Outlasted the Park It Was Built For
Opryland announced plans for the showboat in 1983. Jeffboat of Jeffersonville, Indiana built the four-deck paddlewheeler, which was launched April 20, 1985 and christened on July 2 that year. It was designed as an Opryland USA attraction, with a two-story Victorian Theater at its center where passengers could eat and watch live music while the boat moved along the river.
Then Opryland USA closed in 1997. The General Jackson kept sailing for close to three more decades.
If Opryland is part of your own history, you’re not the only one still thinking about it. We collected the things Nashville had in the 1990s that locals still miss, and looked at what Nashville’s biggest loss really is.
What Happens to the Boat?
No one has said. As of October 23, there is no confirmed sale, relocation, preservation or demolition plan for the vessel. The confirmed decision is retirement, and its future after December 15 is open.
Before You Book One Last Cruise
- Where: 577 Opry Mills Drive, Nashville, TN 37214. The dock is behind Opry Mills, not at the downtown riverfront.
- Book: through the General Jackson’s cruise page, which links to both holiday programs, or call the box office at 615-458-3900.
- Sailing is not guaranteed. Opry Entertainment Group has said every date on the public cruising calendar is expected to sail. But mechanical problems already canceled a cruise this year, and weather and river conditions can also affect a departure. If you’re driving in from out of town, confirm with the box office first and check the refund terms at checkout.
If the timing doesn’t work out, we’ve also rounded up three Christmas trains in Tennessee and the Christmas train rides near Nashville that sell out by October.
On December 15, the General Jackson is scheduled to make its last trip down the Cumberland.
