American Cruise Lines Fleet
American Cruise Lines operates the newest and most diverse small‑ship fleet in the U.S., typically carrying just 90–180 guests. Six distinct ship styles are available, including modern riverboats, classic paddlewheelers, and next-generation Coastal Cats, which are purpose-built for shallow-draft exploration and close-to-shore scenic cruising. ACL’s fares are notably all‑inclusive on board—covering all meals, snacks, and alcoholic/non‑alcoholic beverages 24/7, plus a hosted cocktail hour—along with select shore excursions and onboard gratuities.
USA River Cruising — Modern Riverboats and Classic Paddlewheelers
Sail America’s great waterways with American Cruise Lines. From the Mississippi to the Columbia & Snake Rivers—and along the East Coast’s Intracoastal—ACL pairs all‑inclusive onboard comfort with spacious, American‑built ships designed for scenery, culture, and convenience.
Cruising with American Cruise Lines
- 🛳️ Ships across U.S. rivers & coasts (90–180 guests)
- 🛏️ Large staterooms (many with private balconies and single‑occupancy options)
- 🍽️ All meals & beverages included (daily cocktail hour)
- 🚌 Select guided shore excursions included (varies by itinerary)
- ♿ Elevators on most ships; easy gangways; relaxed, close‑to‑home travel
- 🌿 American‑built ships with shallow drafts for inland waterways & small ports
Meet the Fleet
Explore ACL’s three headline categories below—each tuned to different rivers and styles of travel. Click through to compare ships and routes.
🚢 Modern American Riverboats
Five‑story atriums, panoramic lounges, and some of the largest staterooms on America’s rivers. Examples include American Symphony, American Serenade, American Melody, and American Harmony—favorites for Mississippi, Ohio, and Cumberland & Tennessee routes.
American Symphony
American Symphony is a 180-guest riverboat featuring spacious staterooms with private balconies, modern amenities like a glass atrium and fitness center, and multiple dining venues serving regionally inspired cuisine. The ship offers immersive Mississippi River cruises, including 8-day New Orleans round-trips and 9-day Upper Mississippi journeys between St. Louis and St. Paul, complete with cultural shore excursions and expert guides.
American Serenade
American Serenade is a 180-guest riverboat featuring oversized staterooms with private balconies, award-winning contemporary design, and premium amenities including a four-story glass atrium, fitness center, and multiple dining venues serving refined regional cuisine. The ship offers Mississippi River cruises ranging from 8-day New Orleans round-trips exploring bayous and plantations to epic 16-day journeys from St. Paul to New Orleans, with expert-guided excursions through culturally rich towns like Hannibal, Memphis, and Natchez.
American Melody
American Melody is a modern 180-guest riverboat featuring staterooms ranging from 250 to 650 square feet with private balconies and floor-to-ceiling glass doors, plus upscale amenities including multiple dining venues, a multi-story glass atrium, fitness center, and a unique bow ramp for shore excursions. The ship offers 7-to 9-night Mississippi River cruises, including Upper Mississippi journeys from St. Louis to St. Paul through Mark Twain country, as well as round-trip New Orleans cruises that explore the Deep South with stops in historic towns like Natchez and Baton Rouge.
American Harmony
American Harmony is a 180-guest riverboat featuring luxurious staterooms with wraparound balconies, floor-to-ceiling glass doors, and premium amenities, plus a dramatic five-story glass atrium, multiple dining venues, and accessibility features including elevator access and a unique bow ramp. The ship sails the Columbia and Snake Rivers, offering itineraries that range from 9-day Lewis and Clark journeys from Portland to Clarkston, through wine country and volcanic landmarks, to 16-day National Parks packages that combine river cruising with guided tours of Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks.
🚢 Classic Paddlewheelers
Nostalgic exterior lines meet modern comforts inside. Think spacious lounges and glass‑walled dining rooms on American Splendor, American Heritage, and American Pride—ideal for Mississippi or Columbia & Snake scenery with a sense of river tradition.
American Splendor
American Splendor is a classic 180-guest paddlewheeler that combines nostalgic charm with modern luxury, featuring various cabin types with private balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows, and premium amenities. The vessel also boasts three lounges, a fitness center, and a glass-enclosed dining room with panoramic views. The ship offers 9-12 day cruises through the Tennessee Valley and Great Smoky Mountains, exploring Civil War battlefields, Muscle Shoals recording studios, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and cultural landmarks in Nashville, Chattanooga, and Savannah.
American Heritage
American Heritage is a modern 150-guest paddlewheeler featuring a range of staterooms and suites with private balconies, plush amenities, and elegant Mississippi River-inspired interiors, as well as refined facilities including a glass-enclosed restaurant, three lounges, and a fitness center with live entertainment. The ship offers cultural river cruises ranging from round-trip New Orleans journeys that explore Cajun and Creole heritage along the Mississippi, to itineraries on the Ohio River between Louisville and Pittsburgh with stops at historic towns, Kentucky distilleries, and scenic heartland destinations like Natchez, Cincinnati, and Madison.
American Pride
American Pride is a classic 150-guest paddlewheeler featuring spacious staterooms up to 445 sq. ft. with private balconies, modern amenities, and Western/Native American-inspired décor, plus three lounges, a fitness center, and a glass-enclosed restaurant with gourmet cuisine. The ship offers cruises through the Columbia and Snake Rivers between Portland and Clarkston, featuring stops at iconic landmarks like Mount St. Helens and Multnomah Falls, visits to maritime museums and historic sites, and local winery tastings while navigating scenic Pacific Northwest landscapes and engineering marvels, such as the lock system.
U.S. Rivers & Routes
Cruise iconic American landscapes—Civil War history and jazz cities on the Mississippi; waterfalls and wine valleys on the Columbia & Snake; maritime villages and foliage along New England and the Hudson; plus Southern lowcountry charm on the Intracoastal Waterway.
Top Regions
- 🌊 Mississippip River — Upper & Lower Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland & Tennessee
- 🏔️ Columbia & Snake Rivers — Gorge vistas, waterfalls, and Washington–Oregon wine country
- ⚓ New England & Hudson — Coastal harbors, lighthouses, fall foliage
