American Cruise Lines is fundamentally different from Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon and most of the other companies in this guide.

Its specialty is the United States.

American Cruise Lines operates small ships and riverboats on U.S. rivers, coastlines, bays and inland waterways, making it possible to take a destination-focused cruise without traveling overseas.

For travelers interested in American history, music, culture and landscapes—or those who simply prefer domestic travel—American Cruise Lines deserves serious consideration.

Cruise Style: Premium small-ship U.S. cruising

Ownership: American-owned and operated

Ships: Built in the United States

Crew: American crew

Primary Destinations: United States rivers, coasts, lakes and bays

River Highlights: Mississippi, Columbia, Snake, Ohio, Cumberland and Tennessee systems

Ship Sizes: Generally small, often approximately 90–180 passengers depending on class

Best Known For: U.S. river cruising and one of the largest domestic small-ship fleets

Best For: Travelers wanting to explore America by water without international travel

The simplest answer is geography.

While most major river cruise companies concentrate on Europe, American Cruise Lines specializes entirely in the United States.

Its ships are American-built, American-crewed and U.S.-flagged.

The company also operates a much broader range of vessel designs than most European river companies.

The fleet includes:

• Modern American Riverboats
• Classic Paddlewheelers
• Coastal Cats
• Patriot Class ships
• Constellation Class ships
• Independence Class ships

That means choosing the ship itself can matter more on American Cruise Lines than it does when choosing between nearly identical European sister ships.

Mississippi River

The Mississippi is the heart of American Cruise Lines' river program.

Itineraries explore both the Upper and Lower Mississippi.

Potential destinations include New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Natchez, Vicksburg, Memphis, St. Louis and communities throughout America's heartland.

Best for: American history, music, Southern culture and travelers interested in the story of the United States.

Explore the Mississippi River

Ohio River

The Ohio provides access to historic communities and connects with longer Mississippi journeys.

Best for: American history and travelers looking beyond the most familiar Mississippi itineraries.

Explore the Ohio River

Tennessee & Cumberland Rivers

American Cruise Lines has expanded its itineraries through Tennessee and the Cumberland system, creating opportunities to experience places associated with American music, history and Southern culture.

Best for: Music, history, Tennessee destinations and repeat U.S. river cruisers.

Explore the Tennessee River

Columbia & Snake Rivers

These Pacific Northwest rivers provide one of American Cruise Lines' most scenic itineraries.

The journey is closely associated with Lewis and Clark and combines dramatic landscapes with Pacific Northwest history.

Best for: Scenery, Lewis and Clark history, the Pacific Northwest and travelers who prefer nature to large cities.

Explore the Columbia & Snake Rivers

American Cruise Lines also operates extensive coastal itineraries in New England, Alaska, Puget Sound, the Southeast, Florida and the Great Lakes.

American Cruise Lines generally costs more than an entry-level European river cruise.

Shorter domestic cruises frequently begin in approximately the $5,000–$7,000 per-person range, while longer itineraries, suites and extended journeys can cost substantially more.

Some lengthy U.S. itineraries can move well into five figures per person.

Part of the difference reflects the economics of operating American-built, U.S.-flagged vessels with American crews.

Always compare the total vacation rather than assuming a domestic cruise will automatically be less expensive because international airfare is unnecessary.

Inclusions vary by itinerary and promotion but can include:

• Onboard meals
• Daily entertainment and enrichment
• Wi-Fi
• Selected shore excursions
• Beverages
• Port charges
• Certain pre-cruise hotel packages
• Promotional airfare on qualifying departures

Review the exact sailing because American Cruise Lines frequently offers changing packages and promotions.

American Cruise Lines emphasizes regional American cuisine.

Menus may reflect the destinations being visited, particularly in regions known for distinctive food traditions.

Ships are small enough that passengers quickly begin recognizing fellow travelers.

Onboard programming commonly focuses on the history, music and culture of the places being visited rather than large-scale entertainment.

One of American Cruise Lines' notable strengths is cabin size.

Many newer ships offer spacious staterooms with private balconies.

Cabin choices vary by ship but can include:

• Single staterooms
• Balcony staterooms
• Premium balcony accommodations
• Suites
• Large Grand Suites

The availability of purpose-built single cabins can also make American Cruise Lines worth investigating for solo travelers.

American Cruise Lines is expanding rapidly and currently lists a fleet of approximately 30 vessels, including ships entering service over the next several years.

Modern American Riverboats

The modern riverboat fleet includes ships such as:

American Song, American Harmony, American Jazz, American Melody, American Symphony and American Serenade, with newer vessels including American Anthem and American Encore joining the fleet.

These ships emphasize:

• Contemporary design
• Large windows
• Private balconies
• Multi-story atriums
• Multiple lounges
• Elevators
• Spacious accommodations

Best for: Travelers who want modern design rather than the nostalgic appearance of a paddlewheeler.

Classic Paddlewheelers

The paddlewheel fleet includes:

American Splendor, American Heritage, American Pride and American West.

These ships evoke the visual tradition of American river travel while providing modern accommodations.

Best for: Travelers who feel the traditional riverboat atmosphere is part of the Mississippi or Columbia experience.

Coastal Cats

American Eagle, American Glory, American Liberty and American Legend are approximately 100-passenger vessels designed for coastal and inland-waterway exploration.

Their catamaran-inspired hull design allows access to destinations larger ships cannot easily reach.

Patriot Class

The new Patriot Class represents another evolution in American Cruise Lines' small-ship fleet.

Ships include:

American Patriot, American Pioneer, American Maverick, American Ranger, with American Mariner and American Navigator following.

These approximately 130-passenger vessels feature traditional bows, private balcony accommodations and expanded onboard amenities.

Constellation Class

American Constellation and American Constitution are larger small ships used on destinations such as Alaska and U.S. coastal itineraries.

Independence Class

American Independence, American Star and American Spirit are intimate vessels used on several domestic coastal and inland itineraries.

This is a genuine choice.

Choose a modern American Riverboat if you prefer:

• Contemporary interiors
• Large glass spaces
• Modern balconies
• A less nostalgic atmosphere

Choose a paddlewheeler if the romance and visual character of traditional American river travel are important to you.

The destination may be identical, but the atmosphere can feel quite different.

Consider American Cruise Lines if you:

• Want to travel within the United States
• Prefer not to fly internationally
• Enjoy American history
• Want to explore smaller U.S. communities
• Like small ships
• Want spacious accommodations
• Prefer domestic food, culture and history
• Are interested in the Mississippi
• Want to explore the Columbia and Snake Rivers
• Like the idea of traditional paddlewheelers
• Need a purpose-built solo cabin

Travelers primarily interested in Europe should compare Viking, AmaWaterways, Avalon, Scenic, Uniworld and Tauck.

Travelers seeking an ultra-luxury experience may prefer Scenic, Tauck, Uniworld or Riverside.

Travelers seeking extensive onboard entertainment may be happier aboard an ocean cruise.

American Cruise Lines is not simply an American version of a European river cruise company.

It is its own type of product.

The rivers are different. The history is different. The ships are different.

For travelers who want to understand America through its waterways—from the Mississippi Delta to the Pacific Northwest—American Cruise Lines provides one of the broadest selections available.

Choosing American Cruise Lines is only the beginning.

There are still decisions about the river, itinerary, departure date, ship and stateroom and sometimes another river cruise company may actually be a better match.

All About Travel can help you compare Viking with AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Scenic, Uniworld, Tauck, American Cruise Lines and other river cruise companies.

Instead of looking only at the advertised price, we can help you compare the things that can make the greatest difference to your vacation:

The river. The itinerary. The ship. The stateroom. The excursions. The inclusions. The overall price. And the way you like to travel.