American Cruise Lines

American Cruise Lines (ACL) is an USA-based cruise travel company founded in 1991 and headquartered in Guilford, Connecticut. One of the industry's small cruise lines, ACL operates traditional stern-paddlewheel riverboats and also several small-sized ocean-going ships. ACL offers almost exclusively USA cruises, in Alaska, the East Coast, and on the biggest US rivers Mississippi, Columbia, and Snake.

One of the most prominent features of all American Cruise Lines ships is that they are all US-flagged. They were all built/refurbished in the USA by the Chesapeake Shipbuilding company (Salisbury, Maryland). Being a true USA cruise ship company (all its vessels are registered in the  US) means that this line hires only American hotel staff and crews, and pays American taxes on all cruise deals. ACL company's deals are not so cheap, and consisting of:

• larger than average staterooms (with the first (only) balcony cabins in the US coastal cruise business)
• spacious public rooms (bars & lounges)
• gourmet cuisine
• highly personalized service
• hassle-free experiences, complimentary drinks before dinner, intimate, relaxing and friendly atmosphere
• amazingly charming itineraries sailing the inland waterways and stopping at ports every day (these are smaller ports inaccessible to larger vessels)
• an evening enrichment program by professional onboard lecturers
• the cruise ship "Queen of the Mississippi" debuted in 2012 as the largest of all ACL ships. Her sister ship was recently launched (March 2015) under the name American Eagle.
• The line's ships builder is Chesapeake Shipbuilding.

Follows the American Pride cruise ship (Queen of the Mississippi) infographic showing what is what and where on this unique riverboat.

New ships

At the end of October 2015, the company announced the start of the construction on a new coastal cruiser by Chesapeake Shipbuilding (Salisbury, Maryland USA), with scheduled delivery in spring 2017. The vessel was later named American Constellation. From this series was built a second ship, which was later named American Constitution (launched in 2018).

These ships have passenger capacity 170 and as size are slightly larger compared to the company's current coastal cruisers. The new ships are fully stabilized (active wing stabilizers by Rolls-Royce Marine) and have the US river cruising industry's largest and most luxurious staterooms. All cabins are with marble-tiled bathrooms and floor-ceiling glass doors opening to private balconies.

In November 2016 the company announced the start of the construction on a 3rd (larger) vessel with a capacity of 195 passengers (American Song). At the end of February 2017, American Cruise Lines announced plans for a fleet of 5 new cruise ships. The first newbuild from the new series was scheduled for launch in 2018. Each riverboat has capacity 200 passengers, European design, larger staterooms with hotel-sized bathrooms and private balconies.

USA river cruise excursions for free

Any American Cruise Line's guest booking USA river cruises on Mississippi or Columbia rivers will get absolutely free shore excursions. This amazing offer is a year-round deal. These free shore tours are offered in each port of call. The tours list includes:

• "Battle of Vicksburg" (in Vicksburg, Mississippi)
• "Oak Valley Plantation" (in Oak Alley, Louisiana)
• "Mark Twain Boyhood Home-Museum" (in Hannibal, Missouri)
• "Mount St Helens" (in Rainier, Washington)
• "Winery" (in Richland, Washington).

Next YouTube video is the company's official release about the signature "Mississippi River Paddlewheeler" cruising experience.

American Cruise Lines itinerary program include the USA's Eastern and Western seaboards. The line also offers Alaskan cruises during summer. The company's main river cruise destinations are the US rivers Mississippi-Ohio (northbound and southbound itineraries) and Columbia-Snake (eastbound and westbound itineraries).

Follows the list of all American Cruise Lines ships, in brackets (Year Built/Passenger Capacity/Cabins_total)

• Queen of the Mississippi (riverboat, 2015)
• Queen of the West riverboat (riverboat, 1995)
• America (2016)
• American Constellation (2017) - the new ship offers 2 new Canada and USA itineraries - "Grand New England" and "Grand Historic South"
• American Constitution (2018) - the new ship offers 2 new Canada and USA itineraries - "Grand New England" and "Grand Historic South"
• American Pride riverboat (riverboat, 2015, fka "American Eagle") -  8-day Columbia and Snake Rivers cruises (one-way itineraries) leaving either from Portland Oregon or Clarkston Washington
• American Glory (2002) - USA and New England cruises, also along East Coast USA and on Florida rivers leaving from Jacksonville, Portland ME, and Providence.
• American Song (2018)
• American Spirit (2004) - 7- and 11-day Alaskan itineraries from Juneau AK and Seattle WA
• MS Independence (2010)

"Grand New England" cruise itinerary

The new 10-night / 11-day cruise itinerary of the company (named "Grand New England") covers New England destinations, among which are charming islands and coastal towns located within the Northeast.

The itinerary visits the following ports of call:

• Day  1 (Boston MA)
• Day  2 (Provincetown MA)
• Day  3 (Newport RI)
• Day  4 (Martha's Vineyard MA)
• Day  5 (Kennebunkport ME)
• Day  6 (Camden ME)
• Day  7 (Bar Harbor ME)
• Day  8 (Rockland ME)
• Before the Rockland arrival, the cruise ship passes through the 10-km / 6-ml Merchants Row passage.
• The itinerary is operated by the new ACL ships American Constellation and American Constitution.

"Grand Historic South" cruise itinerary

The 10-night / 11-day "Grand Historic South" cruise itinerary is a roundtrip from Charleston SC to destinations along southeast USA's Intracoastal Waterway.

The new itinerary visits the following ports of call:

• Day  1 (Charleston SC / South Carolina)
• Day  2 (Wilmington NC / North Carolina)
• Day  3 (Beaufort NC / North Carolina) - horse-drawn carriage ride tour
• Days  4 and 5 (Savannah GA / Georgia)
• Day  6 (Sapelo Island GA / Georgia) - Oyster Roast
• Day  7 (Jekyll Island GA / Georgia) - "Millionaires Village"
• Day  8 (Fernandina Beach FL / Florida) - Amelia Island
• Day 9 (cruising)
• Day 10 (Beaufort SC / South Carolina)
• Day 11 (Charleston SC / South Carolina)
• The itinerary is operated by the new ACL ships American Constellation and American Constitution.

The itinerary route features architecturally significant traditional homes, grand plantations, wildlife, amazing coastal landscapes. Also included are locally inspired cuisine specialties prepared by the ship's master chef.

"American Revolution" cruise itinerary

The 12-day "American Revolution Cruise" itinerary visits some of the most historically significant port cities along the Chesapeake Bay.

• The itinerary also includes new ports - Washington DC, Chestertown MD, Mount Vernon VA. In Washington DC, passengers can enjoy private tours of any of Smithsonian Museums or a guided tour of the National Mall. In Chestertown MD, they can visit Schooner Sultana (replica of Royal Navy Frigate Sultana / in the British Navy between 1768-1772). At Mount Vernon VA, the cruise company's expert guides offer an exclusive tour through George Washington’s Estate.
• Passengers also travel to the last battlefield of the Revolutionary War in Yorktown and Jamestown's first English settlement.
• In addition to the ashore enrichment program, the shipboard expert is Dr. Harold Cones (biology professor, emeritus / retired from professional life at Christopher Newport University).
• The "American Revolution Cruise" itinerary is leaving roundtrip from Baltimore MD. Voyages started in spring 2018 on the new ship American Constitution. Available departure dates in 2018 include Oct 29, and Nov 8.

American Cruise Lines 2019-2020 itinerary program

Company's line-up of holiday cruises for 2018 season includes Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s voyages along Lower Mississippi and Florida's Southeast Coast. Also available is an 11-day "Colonial Christmas Cruise" for both Christmas and New Year on the "American Revolution" itinerary roundtrip from Baltimore MD (in the Chesapeake Bay). The cruise is best for history buffs and includes a rare stop in Washington DC (on capital’s southwest waterfront). All holiday cruises include a complimentary pre-cruise stay on the ship with a welcome reception. 

• 8-day Thanksgiving Cruises (November 24, 2018) Lower Mississippi River, from New Orleans LA to Memphis TN and reverse; Historic South and Golden Isles: from Charleston SC to Jacksonville FL; Great Rivers of Florida: round-trip from Jacksonville, FL.
• 8-day Christmas Cruises (December 1, 8 and 22, 2018) Lower Mississippi River, round-trip from New Orleans LA; Historic South and Golden Isles: from Charleston SC to Jacksonville FL and reverse; Great Rivers of Florida: round-trip from Jacksonville FL (December 1, 2018)
• 8-day New Year’s Cruises (December 30, 2018) Lower Mississippi: round-trip from New Orleans; Historic South and Golden Isles: from Charleston SC to Jacksonville FL.
• 11-day Special Christmas and New Year’s Cruise: Colonial Christmas Cruise on Chesapeake Bay round-trip from Baltimore MD (December 23, 2018).

American Cruise Lines 2019-2020 schedule offers more choices as itinerary lengths along company's most frequented routes. Itineraries range from 5 to 22 days. In 2018, ACL revealed that American Song will be homeported in New Orleans for Lower Mississippi River cruise itineraries (October-December 2018). The boat joins there the paddle wheelers Queen of the West and American Pride. Coming in 2019, American Harmony cruises on Mississippi.

Company's 2019-2020 season includes 2 new "Coastal Ships" (American Constitution, American Constellation) and 2 new "Modern Riverboats":(American Harmony, American Song). Next, are listed 2019-2020 itineraries and ships by region 2019-2020.

• The Pacific Northwest: Puget Sound and Alaska (2 ships - American Constellation, American Spirit)
• Columbia and Snake Rivers (3 riverboats - American Pride, American Song, Queen of the West)
• USA Northeast and Southeast Coasts (3 ships - American Constitution, American Star, MS Independence) destinations - New England, Maine, Hudson River, Chesapeake Bay, Charleston, South Carolina to Florida
• The Entire Mississippi River Region - including Ohio River and Cumberland River (3 riverboats - American Harmony, America, Queen of the Mississippi)

American Cruise Lines offers 3 Premium Pre-Cruise Packages in 2019. From luxury hotel stays to jet boat tours, the offerings are available for journeys departing from Boston, Memphis TN, and Clarkston WA.

• All cruises from Memphis feature a Premium Graceland Pre-Cruise Package. Passengers receive VIP Graceland tickets (including lunch), 2 nights at the Guest House Hotel close to Graceland, a Memphis City Tour, transportation to the cruise ship. The package is offered on all 8-day Lower Mississippi Cruises between NOLA and Memphis.
• American Cruise Line’s Pacific Northwest voyages departing from Clarkston feature a 2-night Premium Hells Canyon Pre-Cruise Package. Passengers take a Hells Canyon Jet Boat Tour. Lunch at a ranch is included, along with two nights in Clarkston WA at a hotel situated at the ship’s dock. The promotion is offered on all 11-day Northwest Pioneers Cruises and 8-day Columbia & Snake River Cruises.
• Vacationers taking the 11-day Grand New England Cruises, sailing roundtrip from Boston, are able to choose the Premium Four Seasons Pre-Cruise Package. They spend a night at the Four Seasons Hotel (breakfast at the Bristol Restaurant is included) and take a Boston City Tour.

In addition to line's 2019 Premium Pre-Cruise Packages, American offers Complimentary Pre-Cruise Packages, with hotel and transportation to the ship.

American Cruise Lines ship tracker

Our American Cruise Lines ship tracker is a function integrated into all review pages. At page-bottom in each page, you'll find a map with the ship's current location (AIS position). All the real-time tracking data is provided by VesselFinder. It's all about convenience - you will find where is your riverboat (ship) cruising today and now along its current itinerary!

Note: You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All river passenger shipping line companies and their fleets are listed there.