American Cruise Lines

American Cruise Lines is owned by the Robertson family of Connecticut, who began running small-ship cruises in the 1970s and relaunched the company in its current form in the early 1990s. Its niche has always been domestic cruising: US-built, US-flagged ships with American crews, exploring rivers and coastlines that big ships can’t reach.

The fleet has grown quickly to around 28 small ships. Modern riverboats such as American Song and American Melody, with glass-walled lounges and large balconies, sail the Mississippi and the Columbia and Snake Rivers alongside classic-style paddlewheelers. Small coastal cruisers, including the newer Project Blue series, sail Alaska’s Inside Passage, Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, New England, the Chesapeake Bay, the Hudson River and the Southeast coast. New ships are added most years.

Many cruises run 7 to 10 nights, with longer journeys such as a full Mississippi voyage, and themed itineraries around American history, including Civil War, Revolutionary War and Lewis and Clark routes.

American Cruise Lines is comfortable, friendly and very American. Guests are mostly retirees from the US in their 60s to 80s, with many solo travelers and couples, and a high share of repeat guests. Dress is casual, with an optional dressier evening. Ships are small and intimate, with open-seating dining, a nightly cocktail hour and onboard historians or naturalists. Life is unhurried: daily stops at small towns and historic sites, often docking right in town, with time to walk ashore. The pace and passenger mix won’t suit younger travelers or anyone seeking nightlife, and these are not luxury ships, though cabins are spacious for the size.

Meals are served in a single dining room with open seating, featuring American regional cuisine such as Gulf seafood on the Mississippi, Pacific Northwest salmon on the Columbia and lobster in New England. Menus change daily and use local ingredients. Snacks and a nightly cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres are included.

Entertainment is low-key and destination-based: onboard historians and naturalists, local musicians and performers who come aboard in port, and lectures about the region. Evenings are relaxed, with conversation in the lounges and occasional live music.

Children are allowed, but there are no kids programs and families are rare. The ships and itineraries suit adults best.

Cabins are among the largest in small-ship cruising, and many have private balconies. Modern riverboats offer large balcony cabins and suites, and every ship has single cabins for solo travelers. Ships have elevators to all decks, which helps travelers with limited mobility.

All drinks are included, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, with no separate drink packages. Wine, beer, cocktails, soft drinks and specialty coffees are part of the fare.

Gratuities, port charges and fees are included in American Cruise Lines fares, so there are no service charges to budget for.