Review of AMERICAN Cruise Lines (UPDATED 2026)

American Cruise Lines: Unbiased Reviews and Tips

Updated July 2026 by Jackie Sheckler Finch

American Cruise Lines is the largest U.S. River and small ship cruise line, and the only operator of a 100 percent U.S.-flagged fleet of riverboats and small cruise ships in the world. The company's roots go back to 1972, when shipbuilder Charles A. Robertson and his wife Carol launched a small sightseeing operation on the Connecticut River. More than 50 years later, the family-owned and operated line has grown into the fastest-growing cruise line under the U.S. flag.

The company's expanding fleet carries 90 to 180 passengers per ship, with 28 ships slated to be in service by 2028, with three or more new vessels typically introduced each year. Ships are American built, flagged, and crewed, and so can fly the American flag at the stern. All vessels are constructed at the company's own affiliated shipyard in Salisbury, Maryland, using steel sourced primarily from Alabama and Pennsylvania, along with engines and generators from American manufacturers such as Caterpillar, John Deere, and Cummins. Many of line’s guests love the America-centric focus of pretty much all aspects of the company’s operations.

Because all its ships come from the same shipyard, American's vessels share many features, including some of the largest cabins in small ship cruising — most with private balconies — 100 percent outward-facing accommodations, top-deck secondary lounges with wraparound views, spacious sundecks, and dedicated single cabins on every ship. The fleet includes several styles of vessel, from modern riverboats and new Coastal Cats (with hybrid catamaran-style hulls) to classic paddlewheelers — the last paddlewheel riverboats still offering overnight cruises in the U.S. (note, the paddlewheels are used in conjunction with standard engine power).

American's itineraries are entirely domestic, calling only at U.S. ports along more than 35 states' worth of rivers, coasts, lakes, bays, and inland waterways. Because the line’s ships sail close to shore and often dock where larger vessels cannot, passengers enjoy continuously changing scenery and can step directly into the heart of the small towns and historic sites they visit. Routes include the U.S. East Coast from Florida to Maine and New England; the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac and Hudson rivers; the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River and its tributaries (the Ohio, Tennessee, and Arkansas rivers); the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest, Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands; and cruises to and within Southeast Alaska via the Inside Passage. American also offers longer itineraries combining cruises with land-based visits to National Parks.

The line's sister brand, Pearl Seas Cruises, operates the 210-passenger Pearl Mist on the Great Lakes, in eastern Canada, and along the American East Coast. Unlike the rest of the fleet, the Pearl Mist was built in Canada, is flagged in the Marshall Islands, and sails with an international crew; it underwent a major redesign for the 2023 season. Read more about the Pearl Mist in our review here.

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The American Cruise Lines' Fleet

Amid an impressive building spree, American Cruise Lines will have 28 ships by year-end 2028, carrying between 90 and 180 passengers each.

Coastal Cats (small ships with hybrid catamaran hulls)

• 100 passengers, built in 2023 and 2024
• 4 ships — Including the American Eagle (2023), American Glory (2023), American Liberty (2024) and American Legend (2024)

Patriot Class (small ships)

• 130 passengers, built in 2025, 2026 and 2027
• 6 ships — Including American Patriot (2025), American Pioneer (2025), American Maverick (2026), and American Ranger (2026); American Mariner and American Navigator will launch in 2027

American Riverboats

• 180 passengers, built between 2018 and 2028
• 9 ships — Including American Harmony (2019), American Song (2018), American Jazz (2020), American Melody (2021), American Symphony (2022), American Serenade (2023), and American Encore (2026). American Anthem will launch in 2027 and American Grace in 2028

Paddlewheel Riverboats

• 110 to 180 passengers, built between 1995 and 2016; all completely refurbished in 2022
• 4 ships — American Splendor (2016), American Heritage (2015), American Pride (2012), and American West (1995)

Constellation Class

• 170 passengers, built in 2017 and 2018; both have had extensive interior design updates
• 2 ships —American Constitution (2018) and American Constellation (2017)

Independence Class

• 90 passengers, built from 2005 to 2010; the line’s oldest small ships, which have received some design updates
• 3 ships — American Independence (2010), American Star (2007) and American Spirit (2005)

American Cruise Lines Passenger Profile

Mostly Americans, 55 and up into the 80s and 90s, and a high rate of repeaters; there are numerous passengers on any given cruise using canes and walkers (all the ships have elevators). Some British, mostly in groups, and a few Australians.

Price

$$$ — Pricey but nearly all inclusive so no nickel-and-diming surprises on a cruise.

Included Features

• Beer and wine at lunch and dinner, as well as happy hour, during evening entertainment and by request at other times
• Nightly pre-dinner full-bar cocktail hour with extensive hors d’oeuvres
• All meals and snacks, including popcorn and ice cream typically served during the evening entertainment
• Wi-Fi
• Featured shore excursions in every port; with other shore options requiring additional fees
• One night pre-cruise hotel stay and transfer to the ship as well as post-cruise transfer to airport
• Elevators reaching all decks, roomy enough for wheelchairs and walkers
• All entertainment and enrichment on board ship
• Cruise fares also cover all gratuities, port charges, taxes, and fees
• Self-service laundry facilities

American Cruise Line Itineraries

The line sails the Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland, Arkansas, and Tennessee rivers; the Eastern Seaboard from Maine to Florida including new Gulf Coast cruises; Chesapeake Bay and the Potomac River, the Hudson River, the Great Lakes; and the Pacific Northwest including the Columbia and Snake rivers, Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and Alaska.

The line also offers specialty cruises, including theme cruises and extended cruises over 50 days.

Mississippi River itineraries range from as few as 7 nights to as many as 22, with cruises in the Upper and Lower Mississippi, Cumberland, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Ohio rivers. Themed cruises include Mark Twain cruises, Music cruises, Culinary cruises and Holiday cruises, plus a new Great Smoky Mountains National Parks cruise.

Northeast: 8- to 15-night cruises ply the Maine coast, New England islands, Cape Cod and Hudson River, with themed Lobsterbake and Fall Foliage cruises.

Southeast: 8- to 15-night itineraries include Chesapeake Bay, the East Coast Inland Passage, Florida rivers, and Florida and the Gulf Coast including stops as far as Key West. Themed cruises include Culinary cruises, Civil War cruises, and Holiday cruises.

Pacific Northwest including the Columbia and Snake rivers, Puget Sound, and Alaska: Cruises and National Parks itineraries from 8 to 18 nights sail the Columbia and Snake rivers, including a Legendary Rivers & National Parks itinerary, and a Lewis & Clark-themed cruise; Puget Sound and San Juan Islands cruises, including the new Northwest National Parks itinerary, and cruises throughout Southeast Alaska, including an Alaska Inside Passage cruise and two Alaska National Parks cruises.

Great Lakes: 8- to 13-night itineraries including cruises from Syracuse/Oswego, NY; Buffalo, NY; Milwaukee, WI; and roundtrip from Milwaukee, WI. Itineraries explore Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan. Itineraries include visits to Niagara Falls and Mackinac Island and feature exploration on the Upper Peninsula.

Sample Itineraries

Where to start? American offers a lot of different cruise itinearies, with more variations each year. Here are some examples of what's on offer:

The 7-night Gulf Coast Cruise between Pensacola, FL, and New Orleans, LA, (New in 2026) sails both directions to enjoy the rich maritime and military history of Pensacola; the USS Alabama Battleship in Mobile, AL; a jaunt aboard a traditional shrimp boat in Biloxi, MS; a ferry ride to Fort Massachusetts on West Ship Island; and a stroll along the party-famous French Quarter in New Orleans.

The 8-night Lower Mississippi River Cruise between Memphis, TN,  and New Orleans, LA (both directions) features cruise stops at Vickburg and Natchez in Mississippi; and St. Francisville, Baton Rouge, and Oak Alley in Louisiana. Highlights include a visit to Elvis Presley’s home at Graceland in Memphis and a stop at Sun Studio where an 18-year-old truck driver paid $3.98 to make a record. If he was looking for fame, he certainly found it, more than anyone could ever dream. Put your hand on the same doorknob that Elvis touched way back then.

The 8-night New England Islands Cruise sails roundtrip from Providence, RI, stopping at various ports like Nantucket Island and Martha’s Vineyard, MA; Block Island, Newport, and Bristol, RI. Highlights include the Avenue of Mansions in Newport and many picturesque New England coastal villages and islands.

The 8-night Music Cities River Cruise is a journey from Memphis, TN, to Nashville, TN, with a reverse itinerary available. The cruise is aptly named as it features the soul roots of the Delta Blues and the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll in Memphis to the timeless sounds of country music in Nashville. Explore charming river towns like Paducah, KY, with its famous quilt museum, and Clarksville, TN, with a shore excursion for The Johnny Cash Experience, featuring the talented Mark Cash, nephew of the legendary Johnny Cash. Nashville brings an unforgettable evening at the famed Grand Ole Opry.

The 8-night Columbia & Snake Rivers Cruise sails both ways between Clarkston, WA, and Portland, OR. Highlights include visits to Astoria and Mount St. Helen’s, exploring the Hood River, The Dalles, Richland, Pendletown, and a Hells Canyon Jet Boat adventure.

The 8-night Ohio River Cruise from Louisville, KY, to Pittsburgh, PA or reverse itinerary. Feel the excitement of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs and explore the rich bourbon heritage of Louisville at local distilleries. Cruise to Cincinnati and step up to the Cincinnati Reds Museum to learn more about the first professional baseball team in the U.S. End the cruise in “Steel City” Pittsburgh with the largest museum in North America dedicated to a single artist – Andy Warhol who was born in Pittsburgh. In 2027, this itinerary will offer a 9-night cruise.

The 8-Night Florida Gulf Coast & Keys Cruise sails roundtrip from St. Petersburg, FL, and visits small towns along the Gulf Coast, including Marco Island and Punta Gorda. Highlights also include docking in the heart of Key West at Mallory Square and visits to Dry Tortugas National Park. Enjoy the traditional Key West Sunset Celebration where folks gather at Mallory Square to toast the sun as it sinks below the horizon, transforming the sky into an artist’s palette of color. Mighty fine way to end any day.

The 8-night Hudson River Cruise (Fall Foliage or Summer Classic itineraries) sails both directions between New York City and Albany, NY. Highlights include visits to the World Trade Center Memorial in New York City, cruising the Hudson by the Statue of Liberty while enjoying the New York City skyline, visits to Sleepy Hollow, West Point, Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Mansion, and Hyde Park.

The 8-night Arkansas River Cruise Journey from Tulsa, OK, to Memphis, TN. Cruise through American’s heartland on the brand-new Arkansas River cruise, where the ship cruises past winding waterways framed by farmland, forested bluffs, and limestone cliffs. Experience the Art Décor architecture of Tulsa and celebrate the Native American Heritage of Muskogee, OK. Hear tales of lawmen and outlaws at Fort Smith, AR. Other highlights include Little Rock, AR, Cleveland, MS, and Memphis, TN.

The 8-night Lake Michigan & Upper Peninsula cruises roundtrip from Milwaukee, WI, with stops in Sheboygan, WI; Escanaba, MI; Green Bay, WI; and Muskegon, MI. In Green Bay, explore two of the city’s most iconic destinations starting with Lambeau Field, home of the legendary Packers. Then head to Ahnapee Brewing for a tasting of craft selections paired with classic Wisconsin snacks. Of course, that is only one of the six fascinating Green Bay shore excursions on this popular cruise.

The 10-night Great Smoky Mountains Land and Cruise Package sails both ways from Knoxville, TN, or Huntsville, AL. Led by a guide, explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for five days, staying in hotels at night. Then board the American Cruise Lines’ ship for a five-day cruise with shore excursions to legendary Muscle Shoals music studios, Civil War battlefields, the nationally renowned Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Decatur, AL.

The 11-night American Revolution Chesapeake Bay Cruise is a history buff’s dream visiting the very places where America’s story began. The cruise starts in Philadelphia, PA, where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and ends in the nation’s capital of Washington, DC (some itineraries cruise round-trip from DC). Visit the beloved estate of our first President George Washington at Mount Vernon and pay your respects at his tomb. In Jamestown, VA, walk  the site of America’s first permanent English colony. When the ship docks at “The Wharf” in Washington DC, enjoy access to iconic monuments, memorials, and museums. A reverse itinerary is also available.

The 11-night Alaskan Explorer Cruise travels from Ketchikan, Alaska’s “First City,” to Juneau, AK, with a reverse itinerary available. Discover the traditions of the Tsimshian people in Metlakatla, the only federally recognized Indian reservation in Alaska, with totem poles, longhouses, and local crafts providing a glimpse into a living Native culture. Enjoy a full day cruising Misty Fjords, learn about Skagway’s Gold Rush history, and listen as an onboard expert speaker identifies glaciers and wildlife during exclusive access to Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO biosphere.

The 13-night American Great Lakes Cruise (New in 2026) that sails three Great Lakes — Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Michigan — from Buffalo, NY, to Milwaukee, WI, or vice versa. Enjoy the legendary Motown sound in Detroit, MI; the iconic Dutch charm and windmills in Holland, MI; the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, WI; and the opulent Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, MI. For the 1980 movie “Somewhere in Time,” the Grand Hotel provides the beautiful backdrop for the love story portrayed by Jane Seymour and Christopher Reeve.

RELATED: A New England Cruise by Small Ship. By Ted Scull.

Why Go?

East Coast America begs to be seen from a small ship whether it’s exploring Maine’s indented shore line, lovely New England islands, the beauty of the Hudson River in autumn, land of pleasant living in the Chesapeake Bay, charms of the Deep South, and the Intracoastal Waterway that ties it all together.

The mighty Mississippi and its tributaries take you to America’s heartland of small towns and large river cities. After all, the Mississippi River was the nation’s first highway. One of the longest rivers in the world, the Mississippi starts as a trickle out of Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota and flows 2,384 miles to surge into the Gulf of Mexico. Port stops and shore excursions along the Mississippi are varied and fascinating.

Meanwhile a passage up the Columbia and Snake rivers offers more variety of landscapes and shore-side attractions than any stretch of river in North America. Cruise the Inside Passage up the British Columbia coast to Alaskan wonders and for an indelible slice of American history and wonderment and an intro to coastal British Columbia.

American's newest offerings include well-crafted itineraries through the natural wonders of America’s National Parks, which include all hotel accommodations, adventure guides, and some of the most untamed, beautiful, and diverse landscapes that the United States has to offer. Guided parks explorations in Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier, Smoky Mountains, Denali, Kenai Fjords, Cascades, Mt. Ranier, Olympic National Parks, and more. Then it’s time to board the ship for a leisurely journey along lovely waterways.

When to Go?

The itineraries are scheduled for the best times of the year in most regions. However, the Mississippi and Columbia/Snake river valleys can be beastly hot in the summer months, so be prepared.

Sustainability Initiatives

American Cruise Lines riverboats and ships are the newest small ships available in the U.S.A. Their engines are designed for efficiency and to meet high emissions standards (though up on the sun deck, when underway, the funnels emit a rattling engine noise). Other measures include onboard waste management protocols, advanced wastewater treatment, biodegradable products from shampoos to cleaning solutions, and reduction of single-use plastics.

Activities & Entertainment

An historian, naturalist or scientist accompanies all cruises with special interest speakers in some ports. Some cruises have a full-time musician and entertainer on the cruise as well as other performers that come on in many ports. Each evening, the cruise director or shore excursion director will give a short preview of the next day’s activities. Well worth attending.

Throughout the day, an activity director or cruise director offers games such as trivia and bingo, plus craft projects to make and take home. Craft materials for items such as bookmarks, bracelets, and suncatchers are free of charge and the crafts are small enough to easily tuck in luggage to take home.

Dining

Each vessel has a windowed dining room that can accommodate all passengers at one open seating, mostly at communal tables of four to eight with a few tables for two.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner all have a window of time in the dining room such as 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. for breakfast, noon to 2 p.m. for lunch, and 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for dinner (you must enter the restaurant before 7:30pm not be finished with your meal!). All dining is open seating.

The food is very good American fare with high quality ingredients and special regional offerings such as lobster in New England, Chesapeake blue crabs, Georgia shrimp, Florida oysters, Iowa pork chops, Wisconsin artisan cheeses, and fresh salmon and sturgeon in the Northwest. Fresh produce is often bought locally, and the food preparation is uniformly very good.

Passengers choose their lunch and dinner options at breakfast to give the galley a rough idea of what to prepare. Changing one’s mind later is no problem. Dietary needs and special requests are handled with precision and care.

The young American college and post-college-age staff (sometimes seen as temporary grandchildren to some passengers) provides friendly and efficient service, if not always polished service.

For snacks throughout the day — or night — a coffee and tea machine, chips, granola bars, cookies, candy, fruit and other munchies are available in a self-serve lounge. A refrigerator has soft drinks, bottled water, and fruit juice.

The dress code is casual. Though note, the garb at dinner typically varies quite a bit — some folks are in shorts and sweatshirts, while others don dresses and silky blouses for women and trousers and button-down shirts for men.

Ships

American Cruise Lines boasts the newest fleet in America, with ships designed to offer a comfortable and relaxing cruising experience. The fleet is organized in to a handful of ship categories:

• American Riverboats
• Patriot Class
• Coastal Cats
• Paddlewheelers
• Constellation Class
• Independence Class

All of the line's riverboats and coastal ships share similar layouts, with variations.

For all vessels, the main lounges are furnished with comfy living room-style armchairs and settees. Smaller public rooms have games and books for passengers to enjoy.

The highest deck offers an open lounge with shade and deck chair seating, and on most ships, a walking track. There are also small gyms on each ship in the fleet.

Staterooms are among the largest you'll find in the small-ship niche, with the vast majority measuring between 300 to 450 sq. ft. Options include doubles, suites and singles on all ships. Amenities on all vessels include windows that slide open, cabin balconies furnished with two chairs and a small table and on the older vessels, some with narrow step-out balconies, good-size bathrooms, writing desk, roomy closet, drawer storage, hairdryers, mini-refrigerators, and Keurig coffee machines in most staterooms.

Staterooms also have individual climate control, large flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, upscale toiletries, and often house slippers and robes to use while cruising.

All the vessels have multiple dedicated single occupancy cabins with private balconies and available without any single supplement.

With land always in sight, passengers have ample time to savor the changing scenery and experience the best of America up close.

VIDEO: Here's a look at one of American's spacious cabins, here on the American Glory.

Special Notes

All ships have a small number of dedicated single cabins. Here's more info on American's single cabins, including how many each ship has.

All have elevators that reach all decks and can accommodate wheel chairs and walkers.

Gratuities are included in the fare.

Along the Same Lines

Pearl Seas Cruises, sister company.

American Cruise Lines Contact Info

Based in Guilford, CT, you can peruse the line's website here: www.americancruiselines.com.

If you'd like help booking an American Cruise Lines trip, we highly recommend our favorite travel advisor Kevin; we send all of our readers his way. Contact Kevin via the form below if you're interested in booking assistance.

 

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