American Cruise Lines
River Cruising
If your clients want to explore the United States by water, American Cruise Lines is the only game in town at this scale. They run 21 ships on domestic rivers and coastlines — Mississippi, Columbia, Alaska, the Eastern Seaboard — and every vessel is American-built and American-crewed. The newer Modern Riverboat class ships are genuinely impressive, but I'd steer clients away from some of the older fleet. The all-inclusive pricing now covers tips, port charges, and drinks, which simplifies things enormously.
American Cruise Lines is the largest river and coastal cruise line in the United States, operating a fleet of 21 small ships and riverboats across the country’s most storied waterways. Family-owned since its founding in 1991, the line sails exclusively on domestic itineraries — the Mississippi and its tributaries, the Columbia and Snake Rivers, Alaska’s Inside Passage, the Pacific Northwest, New England, and the coasts of Florida and the Southeast. Every vessel is American-built, American-flagged, and staffed by an all-American crew.
The fleet spans several generations of design. The newest Modern Riverboat class — including American Song, American Harmony, American Jazz, American Melody, American Symphony, and American Serenade — feature contemporary open-plan lounges, large balcony staterooms, and a sleek glass-and-steel aesthetic that has redefined what a U.S. river ship can look like. Meanwhile, the new Patriot Class coastal ships, designed as catamarans, bring the same small-ship intimacy to protected coastal waterways. The line adds roughly two new ships per year, keeping the fleet among the youngest in the industry.
Onboard, the experience is all-inclusive. Fine dining with regionally inspired menus, complimentary wine and beer at lunch and dinner, a daily cocktail hour, Starlink Wi-Fi, over 400 included shore excursions, and — as of 2025 — tips and port charges are all bundled into the fare. Entertainment leans towards enrichment: onboard historians, local musicians, and naturalist guides replace the Broadway-style shows found on ocean ships. The atmosphere is relaxed and sociable, with no formal nights and a smart-casual dress code throughout.
What sets American Cruise Lines apart is access. Their small ships dock in town centres that ocean vessels cannot reach, and their domestic focus means no passport is required. From the classic nine-day Lower Mississippi between New Orleans and Memphis to the new 51-day Great United States voyage spanning 15 states coast to coast, the breadth of itineraries is unmatched. For international visitors wanting an immersive American journey — or for Americans rediscovering their own backyard — this is the line purpose-built for the task.
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