American Cruise Lines reviews 2026–2027: ships, rivers and who it suits

American Cruise Lines at a glance

American Cruise Lines is based in Guilford, Connecticut. Charles A. Robertson founded it and ran it from 1973 to 2019, and Charles B. Robertson has been president and CEO since 2019. It is privately owned, and all its new ships are built at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland.

Fleet

24 ships in service in October 2026 by our count, with 30 named in the line's plans through 2029

Price tier

River and small-ship, priced above the big ocean lines per night

Ship size

90 to 180 guests

Where it sails

Only in the U.S.: the Mississippi and its tributaries, the Columbia and Snake rivers, the Great Lakes, the East, West and Gulf coasts, and Alaska

Itineraries

More than 50, across 40 states, all year

Included in the fare

Meals, beer and wine with meals, a complimentary cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres each evening, and shore excursions on most itineraries

Check when you book

Gratuities, optional excursions, taxes and fees. The AAA listing we checked in October 2026 excludes them unless the offer says otherwise

American Cruise Lines ships

The fleet has two halves: riverboats for the Mississippi and the Columbia and Snake rivers, and small coastal ships for bays, sounds and the Great Lakes. Every ship flies the U.S. flag, and the line says it is the only fully U.S.-flagged fleet of riverboats and small ships in the world.

• Modern American Riverboats180 guests, all balcony cabinsAmerican Song (2018), American Harmony (2019), American Jazz (2020), American Melody (2021), American Symphony (2022), American Serenade (2023) and American Encore (May 2026). This is the ship to pick for most Mississippi and Columbia River cruises.
• Paddlewheelers110 to 180 guestsIncluding American Heritage (2015, 150 guests), American Pride (2012) and American West (1995). The choice if the paddlewheel is part of the reason you're going.

• Patriot class130 guestsAmerican Patriot and American Pioneer (2025), American Maverick (June 2026) and American Ranger (September 2026). American Patriot sails the line's first Great Lakes season in 2026.
• Coastal Cats100 guestsAmerican Eagle, American Glory (2023), American Liberty and American Legend (2024): small catamarans for coastal and bay routes.
• Constellation and Independence classes90 to 170 guestsThe older coastal ships, built between 2005 and 2018: American Constellation and American Constitution (170 guests), and American Spirit, American Star and American Independence (90 guests).

New American Cruise Lines ships for 2027 to 2029

The line says it is adding about three ships a year. American Anthem, a 180-guest riverboat, starts in April 2027 on a new 16-day Grand Columbia & Snake Rivers cruise. American Mariner and American Navigator, both 130-guest small ships, follow in 2027. American Grace and American Beauty are riverboats for 2028, with American Beauty sailing the Upper Mississippi from September 2028. American Rhapsody joins the Columbia and Snake rivers in 2029. The new riverboats add single cabins and a 1,500-square-foot Signature Suite.

Is American Cruise Lines worth it?

American Cruise Lines is worth it if you want a slow, guided look at the United States from a ship of under 200 guests, and you value no long-haul flight, no passport and an evening cocktail hour more than nightlife. It is not worth it if you want entertainment, a mixed-age crowd or the most cruise for the money. Most American Cruise Lines reviews come down to that trade.

What the small ships give you: a town or landmark most days and guided tours included on most itineraries. What they take away: big-ship extras such as casinos, water parks and production shows, and the price per night is closer to a European river cruise than to a big-ship sailing from a U.S. port.

Where American Cruise Lines sails

Mississippi river cruises

This is the line’s best-known region. It sails Lower Mississippi round trips from New Orleans and one-way trips to Memphis, 8-day Upper Mississippi cruises between St. Louis and St. Paul, and a complete-river cruise from end to end. In 2026 it added a 9-day Arkansas River cruise, and it runs a newer 8-day Gulf Coast cruise between New Orleans and Pensacola. Our Mississippi river cruise guide compares it with Viking’s single ship there.

Columbia and Snake rivers

Nine-day cruises run between Portland, Oregon, and Clarkston, Washington, through the Columbia River Gorge. American Encore joined the route in May 2026, and American Anthem adds a 16-day version in 2027. Our Pacific coast cruise guide covers this corner of the country.

New England, the Hudson and the East Coast

Small coastal ships sail the coast of Maine and New England, Hudson River fall foliage cruises, and Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay cruises, plus Florida Gulf Coast and Keys cruises in winter. Our Canada and New England cruise guide compares this with the big ships that sail from Boston and New York.

Great Lakes, Alaska and the West Coast

American Patriot sailed the line’s first Great Lakes season in 2026, on cruises that stay inside the U.S. On the West Coast the line also sails Puget Sound and Alaska. For the big-ship and expedition alternatives in Alaska, see our Alaska cruise guide.

How American Cruise Lines compares

• Against Viking: Viking has one larger ship on the Mississippi, Viking Mississippi, and includes an excursion in every port. American Cruise Lines has far more routes and smaller boats, including a paddlewheeler.
• Against the European river lines: AmaWaterways and Avalon give a similar small-ship rhythm on the Danube and Rhine, at the cost of a long flight.
• In our rankings: it is our pick for river cruises in the U.S. in the best river cruise lines ranking, and a fit for the cruises for seniors guide.

American Cruise Lines prices

Our monthly price snapshot covers ocean sailings, so this page shows no from-price for American Cruise Lines. Three checks help when you compare fares.

• Ask what the fare includes on your itinerary. Excursions are included on most routes but not all.
• Ask about gratuities. Agency listings we checked leave them out of the fare, so add them before you compare.
• Check the ship. A modern riverboat with balconies and an older coastal ship are priced differently on similar routes.

American Cruise Lines FAQ

Is American Cruise Lines a good cruise line?

Yes, for travelers who want small ships, guided port days and U.S. destinations. It is the largest river cruise line in the U.S. It suits retirees and quiet travelers better than families or anyone after nightlife.

Do you need a passport for American Cruise Lines?

No. Every American Cruise Lines itinerary stays inside the United States, so no passport is needed. Bring a government photo ID. Our no-passport cruises guide lists the ocean options too.

How many guests are on American Cruise Lines ships?

Between 90 and 180. The modern riverboats carry 180, the Patriot class 130, the Coastal Cats 100 and the smallest coastal ships 90.

Is alcohol included on American Cruise Lines?

Partly. Beer and wine come with meals, and there is a complimentary cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres each evening.

Who owns American Cruise Lines?

It is a private company based in Guilford, Connecticut, founded by Charles A. Robertson. Charles B. Robertson has been president and CEO since 2019.