NATCHEZ — The American Queen is expected to dock in Natchez this morning as a part of its second cruise up the Mississippi River under new ownership.

The steamboat stopped for the first time in nearly five years last Monday, unloading just over 400 passengers for tours, shopping and eating in Natchez.

The boat began its second cruise in New Orleans Thursday and has stopped in Oak Alley and St. Francisville, La., on its way to Natchez.

Passengers who visit Natchez today will have the same tour offerings as those on the first cruise did, cooking at Twin Oaks and tours of Frogmore and Magnolia Hall. Other passengers will be free to explore town on their own with the aid of three American Queen tour buses that will run routes through downtown Natchez all day long.

Today’s visit will be the last for the Queen for several weeks. The steamboat will do three tours on the upper Mississippi River, starting from Memphis and Cincinnati before it returns to Natchez on May 18. After that the steamboat will dock in Natchez weekly through late June.