American Cruise Lines
American Cruise Lines offers an exciting range of cruises across the USA including the Mississippi River, Alaska and New England. Their small ships and paddlewheelers carry up to just 190 guests. Enjoy attentive and personalised service on board, exquisite cuisine with regionally inspired dishes and daily entertainment including musicians, historians and naturalists joining every cruise.
Cruise Collection
Memphis to New Orleans
Special OfferExclusive Mardi Gras cruise and stay package! 12-night unique fly-cruise holiday from just £6995pp!
See the magnificent mansions and plantations of the Deep South and delve into the history of the Civil War in Vicksburg on this exciting cruise along the legendary Mississippi River from the 'Blues City' of Memphis. Includes guided shore excursions
Memphis to New Orleans
Southeast Alaska
Discover the unique ports, colourful history and amazing wildlife of Alaska with on-board experts and local guides, with visits to Mendenhall Glacier and Glacier Bay, a cruise past Tracy Arm's stunning vertical cliffs and whale-watching opportunities
Juneau and back
Alaskan Explorer
Special OfferComplimentary Pre-Cruise Package in Juneau!
Juneau (Alaska), Skagway, Haines, Glacier Bay, Petersburg, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Cruising the Inside Passage and Frederick Sound, Tracy Arm, Juneau
Columbia and Snake Rivers
Special OfferExclusive pre- and post-cruise extension! 16-night fly-cruise from just £11195pp!
Portland (Oregon, USA), Astoria, Mt St Helens (Washington), Columbia River or Stevenson, The Dalles (Oregon), Richland (Washington) or Pendleton (Oregon), Clarkston (Washington)
Mississippi River Gateway
Special OfferComplimentary pre-cruise hotel stay!
New Orleans (Louisiana, USA), Baton Rouge, Natchez (Mississippi), Vicksburg, Cruising the Mississippi, Memphis (Tennessee), New Madrid (Missouri), Paducah (Kentucky), Cruising the Mississippi, St Louis (Missouri)
Upper Mississippi
Special OfferComplimentary Pre-Cruise Package!
St. Louis (Missouri), Hannibal , Fort Madison (Iowa), Davenport (Iowa), Dubuque, La Crosse (Wisconsin), Red Wing (Minnesota), St. Paul
Alaska Inside Passage
Seattle (USA), Anacortes, Friday Harbour, Cruising the Strait of Georgia, Cruising the Queen Charlotte Strait, Cruising the Inside Passage and Frederick Sound (Alaska), Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Tracy Arm - South Sawyer Glacier, Glacier Bay, Glaicer Bay or Haines, Skagway, Juneau - Mendenhall Glacier
Chesapeake Bay
Baltimore (USA), Yorktown - Williamsburg, Crisfield - Tangier, Cambridge - Oxford, St Michaels, Annapolis, Baltimore
East Coast Inland Passage
Baltimore, Maryland, Saint Michaels, Maryland, Norfolk, Virginia, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Beaufort, North Carolina, Wilmington, North Carolina, East Coast Inland Passage, Charleston, South Carolina, Beaufort, South Carolina, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Savannah, Georgia, Saint Simons Island, Georgia, Jekyll Island, Georgia, Fernandina Beach, Florida, Jacksonville, Florida
Hudson River Fall Foliage
New York (USA), West Point, Kingston, Hyde Park, Troy / Albany, Catskill, Sleepy Hollow, New York
Maine Coast and Harbours
Portland (Maine), Bar Harbor, Castine - Belfast, Camden, Rockland, Boothbay Harbor, Bath, Portland
New England Islands
Providence (Rhode Island), New Bedford (Massachusetts), Nantucket Island, Martha's Vineyard, Block Island, Newport, Bristol (Rhode Island), Providence
Introduction
For the true all-American experience, explore the USA with American Cruise Lines. With over 35 unique cruises taking in 28 states, each cruise discovers the culture and history of a destination. Learn about the American Civil War as you cruise the Mississippi River, follow in the footsteps of great pioneers in the Pacific Northwest or explore New England in the Fall.
American Cruise Lines has specialised in small ship cruising for over 30 years. They have the youngest fleet of ships in the USA, offering luxurious comfort with state-of-the-art amenities. Each ship carries just 100 to 187 passengers to ensure you enjoy a personal, attentive service onboard. Sit back and relax whilst taking in the passing scenery from the large observation decks and panoramic lounges. Spacious cabins all feature windows or balconies for unspoilt views. These small ships can access ports which larger ships cannot reach, with unique itineraries including exploring Puget Sound in the Northwest and the tranquil Intracoastal Waterway in the Southeast.
American Cruise Lines have an award-winning enrichment programme with informative lectures from onboard experts including historians and naturalists, as well as live music performances. Discover the origins and traditions of music as you cruise along legendary rivers celebrating the birthplace of blues, jazz and rock n’ roll. Carefully designed shore excursions maximise your experience on shore, with complimentary included excursions and Signature Tours to give you a real insight into the areas you visit. There are also themed cruises including a Lobsterbake Cruise in New England, a Civil War cruise and a Fall Foliage cruise.
During the cruise you will be served delicious cuisine with regionally inspired dishes. Sample Cajun and Creole cuisine in New Orleans or barbecue classics in Memphis, and relish the succulent seafood for which New England and the Pacific Northwest are renowned.
Enjoy complimentary pre-cruise hotel stays with cruises on the Mississippi River, Alaska, and Columbia and Snake Rivers. We can tailor any cruises to suit you, with hotel stays, return flights from the UK and overseas transfers so you can make the most of your time in the USA.
All Cruises Include:
• Complimentary shore excursions every day
• All gourmet meals including regional dishes
• Cocktail hour
• Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship
• Complimentary wine and beer served with lunch and dinner
• Lectures and evening entertainment
• Use of the onboard library
Complimentary Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay
A complimentary pre-cruise hotel stay is available on all cruises on the Mississippi River, Columbia and Snake Rivers and Southeast Alaska. Arrive the day before the cruise departs and stay in a centrally-located hotel to explore the city at leisure. On the morning of the cruise, guests are transferred to the ship. Luggage is taken from the hotel straight to the stateroom on the ship. (Please note pre-cruise hotel stay is not available when the cruise is booked within 30 days of departure.)
Destinations
Mississippi River
At 2,350 miles long, the ‘mighty’ Mississippi is one of the most popular river cruises in America. Journey into the heart and soul of the Deep South. Cruise the Lower Mississippi between Memphis, the musical heartland of Rock n’ Roll, and New Orleans, city of jazz. Delve deep into the history of the Civil War in Vicksburg, discover the grandeur of the Oak Alley plantation, and visit Baton Rouge in Louisiana. The Upper Mississippi between St Louis and St Paul inspired many legendary writers and artists.
Visit Hannibal, the childhood home of author Mark Twain, and see the sights which inspired stories including Huckleberry Finn. Explore the scenic gardens in La Crosse, the colourful Victorian mansions in Dubuque and lively Davenport. American Cruise Lines also offer a unique Cumberland river cruise between Nashville and St Louis, or the Ohio River from St Louis to Pittsburgh.
New England
Discover the majestic seafaring history, coastal towns and quaint island villages of New England. See Martha’s Vineyard, Provincetown, Gloucester and Bar Harbor on a cruise from Boston. Cruise from Providence to Nantucket Island, New Bedford and Newport, or explore the coast of Maine including Camden, Boothbay Harbour and Bath on a roundtrip cruise from Portland. Experience cruising out of New York along the Hudson River, north to Albany. Soak up the views of the Catskill Mountains on the west and the Taconic and Berkshire Hills on the east. See magnificent architecture influenced by the English and Dutch and grand historic sites including Vanderbilt Mansion, home of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Pacific Northwest
In 1804, Lewis and Clark began an 8,000-mile expedition exploring the lands in the west of North America, travelling across the country towards the Pacific Ocean. Follow in the footsteps of these great explorers, cruising the Columbia and Snake rivers, visiting iconic sites from their journey. Visit Mount St Helens, where the landscape changed forever after a volcanic eruption in 1980, and sail the Columbia River Gorge – a spectacular river canyon cutting through the Cascade Mountain Range. Learn about the indigenous Native Americans in Pendleton and take in the stunning scenery at Hells Canyon, North America’s deepest gorge.
Alaska
Explore the wilderness, history and ancient culture of Alaska. Look out for the diverse wildlife including orcas, bald eagles and brown bears. Highlights include the spectacular Mendenhall Glacier, the beauty of Tracy Arm Fjord and Alaska’s Inside Passage. Learn about the history of the Klondike Gold Rush in Skagway, get up-close views of bald eagles in Haines and admire the spectacular views of Glacier Bay. There is also the option to cruise through Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, set against the backdrop of the Cascade Mountains.
Southeast America
The tranquil Intracoastal Waterway is a protected network of bays, rivers and canals, running alongside the Atlantic Ocean. Cruise between Jacksonville in Florida and Charleston in South Carolina, with highlights including Beaufort, Hilton Head Island, Jekyll Island and Savannah. Alternatively, cruise between Charleston and Baltimore in Maryland, exploring the pristine ecosystem of the Intracoastal Waterway on a Mid-Atlantic Inland Passage Cruise. There are also unique cruises along the great rivers of Florida from Jacksonville, or from Baltimore through Chesapeake Bay and the history of American Revolution.
Ships
New stylish fleet cruising USA
The premium fleet of ships carry 100 to 185 passengers. The fleet of ships is continually expanding with American Song launched in 2018 on the Lower Mississippi and American Harmony making its debut in 2019.
All ships feature a contemporary interior, spacious lounges and a choice of cabins. Each cabin is a spacious place to relax, with most cabins featuring a sliding glass doors leading out to private balconies for unobstructed views of the spectacular landscapes of America. Glass-enclosed dining areas also provide panoramic views of the passing scenery.
Constellation Class Ships
American Constellation and American Constitution, built in 2017 and 2018 respectively, carry 175 guests. These ships have been specially designed to navigate the waterways of the East Coast, visiting ports which larger ships cannot access.
Independence Class Ships
American Spirit, launched in 2005, American Star, launched in 2007 and American Independence, launched in 2010, cruise similar areas to the Constellation Class ships, however staterooms are slightly smaller. All three ships carry just 100 guests.
New Revolutionary Riverboats
In 2018, American Cruise Lines introduced a new class on modern riverboats to America's rivers. American Song, launched in 2018 and carries 184 guests. American Harmony, launches in 2019 and will carry 190 guests. It will have three times more glass than the other riverboats for even better views. Both American Song and American Harmony feature four-story glass atriums. All cabins and suites on these ships have private balconies.
Modern Paddlewheelers
American Splendor, American Heritage and American Pride offer an authentic paddlewheeler experience but with modern design features. America was launched in 2016 and carries 185 guests, Queen of the Mississippi launched in 2015 and carries 150 guests and American Pride launched in 2016, also carrying 150 guests.
American West
The American West, refurbished in 2011, is a slightly smaller paddlewheeler cruising the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
