american cruises from baltimore

Baltimore Cruise Guide > Cruises

Cruises from Baltimore

Welcome to our complete schedule of cruises from Baltimore, Maryland. There are cruises leaving year-round. See what's available in 2024 .

Go straight to cruises out of Baltimore in January 2024 , February 2024 , March 2024 , April 2024 , May 2024 , June 2024 , July 2024 , August 2024 , September 2024 , October 2024 , November 2024 , December 2024 .

January 2024

January 6: 13-night Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean January 7: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises January 14: 14-day Caribbean cruise on Carnival Cruises January 19: 8-night Southeast & Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean January 27: 12-night Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean January 28: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises

February 2024

February 4: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises February 8: 8-night Southeast & Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean February 11: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises February 16: 8-night Southeast & Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean February 18: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises February 24: 12-night Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean February 25: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises Valentine's Day cruises from Baltimore

March 3: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises March 7: 8-night Southeast & Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean March 10: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises March 15: 8-night Southeast & Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean March 15: 10-night Chesapeake Bay cruise on American Cruises March 17: 7-day Bahamas & Caribbean cruise on Carnival Cruises March 23: 12-night Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean March 24: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises March 25: 10-night Chesapeake Bay cruise on American Cruises March 31: 7-day Bahamas & Caribbean cruise on Carnival Cruises

April 4: 8-night Florida & Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean April 4: 10-night Chesapeake Bay cruise on American Cruises April 7: 8-day Bahamas & Caribbean cruise on Carnival Cruises April 12: 8-night Southeast & Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean April 14: 10-night Chesapeake Bay cruise on American Cruises April 15: 12-day Transatlantic cruise to Spain on Carnival Cruises April 20: 12-night Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean April 21: 7-day Bahamas & Caribbean cruise on Carnival Cruises April 24: 10-night Chesapeake Bay cruise on American Cruises April 28: 7-day Bahamas & Caribbean cruise on Carnival Cruises

May 4: 7-night Chesapeake Bay cruise on American Cruises May 5: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises May 9: 7-night Chesapeake Bay cruise on American Cruises May 11: 7-night Chesapeake Bay cruise on American Cruises May 12: 7-day Bahamas & Caribbean cruise on Carnival Cruises May 16: 7-night Chesapeake Bay cruise on American Cruises May 18: 7-night Chesapeake Bay cruise on American Cruises May 19: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises May 23: 7-night Chesapeake Bay cruise on American Cruises May 25: 5-night Bermuda cruise on Royal Caribbean May 26: 14-day Greenland & Canada cruise on Carnival Cruises May 30: 9-night Bermuda & Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean

June 8: 5-night Bermuda cruise on Royal Caribbean June 9: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises June 13: 9-night Bermuda & Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean June 16: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises June 22: 5-night Bermuda cruise on Royal Caribbean June 23: 7-day Bahamas & Caribbean cruise on Carnival Cruises June 27: 9-night Bermuda & Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean June 30: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises

July 6: 5-night Bermuda cruise on Royal Caribbean July 7: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises July 11: 9-night Bermuda & Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean July 14: 7-day Bahamas & Caribbean cruise on Carnival Cruises July 20: 5-night Bermuda cruise on Royal Caribbean July 21: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises July 25: 9-night Bermuda & Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean July 28: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises

August 2024

August 3: 5-night Bermuda cruise on Royal Caribbean August 4: 7-day Bahamas & Caribbean cruise on Carnival Cruises August 8: 9-night Bermuda & Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean August 11: 7-day Bermuda cruise on Carnival Cruises August 17: 5-night Bermuda cruise on Royal Caribbean August 18: 14-day Greenland & Canada cruise on Carnival Cruises August 22: 9-night Canada & New England cruise on Royal Caribbean August 31: 5-night Bermuda cruise on Royal Caribbean

September 2024

September 1: 7-day Bermuda cruise on Carnival Cruises September 5: 9-night Canada & New England cruise on Royal Caribbean September 7: 11-night Canada & New England cruise on Norwegian September 8: 14-day Greenland & Canada cruise on Carnival Cruises September 14: 5-night Bermuda cruise on Royal Caribbean September 19: 9-night Canada & New England cruise on Royal Caribbean September 22: 7-day Bermuda cruise on Carnival Cruises September 28: 5-night Bermuda cruise on Royal Caribbean September 29: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises

October 2024

October 3: 9-night Canada & New England cruise on Royal Caribbean October 6: 7-day Bermuda cruise on Carnival Cruises October 12: 5-night Bermuda cruise on Royal Caribbean October 13: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises October 17: 9-night Canada & New England cruise on Royal Caribbean October 20: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises October 26: 5-night Bermuda cruise on Royal Caribbean October 27: 7-day Bermuda cruise on Carnival Cruises October 30: 10-night Chesapeake Bay cruise on American Cruises October 31: 9-night Bermuda & Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean

November 2024

November 3: 14-day Caribbean cruise on Carnival Cruises November 6: 14-night East Coast Passage cruise on American Cruises November 9: 12-night Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean November 9: 7-night Chesapeake Bay cruise on American Cruises November 10: 14-night East Coast Passage cruise on American Cruises November 16: 7-night Chesapeake Bay cruise on American Cruises November 17: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises November 21: 8-night Florida & Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean November 23: 10-night Chesapeake Bay cruise on American Cruises November 24: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises November 29: 8-night Southeast & Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean Thanksgiving cruises from Baltimore

December 2024

December 1: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises December 3: 10-night Chesapeake Bay cruise on American Cruises December 7: 12-night Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean December 8: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises December 13: 10-night Chesapeake Bay cruise on American Cruises December 15: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises December 19: 8-night Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean December 22: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises December 23: 10-night Chesapeake Bay cruise on American Cruises December 27: 8-night Southeast & Bahamas cruise on Royal Caribbean December 29: 7-day Bahamas cruise on Carnival Cruises Christmas cruises from Baltimore New Year cruises from Baltimore

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American Cruise Lines

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American Cruise Lines fleet

Acl american liberty, acl american legend, acl american eagle, acl american glory, american harmony, american song, american independence, american star, american spirit, american serenade, american symphony, american melody, american jazz, american constitution, american constellation, review of american cruise lines.

ACL-American Cruise Lines Inc (AmericanCruiseLines.com) is a USA-based travel company founded in 1991 and headquartered in Guilford, Connecticut. Currently ranked USA's largest river cruise company , ACL operates traditional stern-paddlewheel riverboats and also several small-sized oceangoing ships. ACL ships cruise mainly in the USA, including Alaska, West and East Coast, the USA's biggest rivers (Mississippi, Tennessee, Potomac, Columbia, Snake, Hudson), also in Florida (St George River).

The company's current President and CEO is Charles B. Robertson who succeeded ACL's founder Charles A. Robertson (1948-2020).

ACL's management team includes:

• Dawn Lancaster (Accounts Payable Lead/Groton CT)
• Kayleigh Yates (Pastry Chef/New Roads LA)
• Brad Csuka (VP of Marketing/Stratford CT)
• Susan Shultz (Director of Sales/Guilford CT)
• Shelly Hartfield (Director of Product Development/New Albany IN)
• Meghan Sturgeon (Creative Director/Guilford CT)
• John Foley (Director of Information & Technology/Bethel CT)
• Makena Hoyt (Travel Coordinator/Salt Lake City UT)
• Matthew Kelley (First Mate, from Kingston MA)
• Marcus Lemon (Line Cook/Orlando FL)

In August 2021, ACL announced a major refurbishment project for its entire paddlewheeler fleet. The redesigned boats were renamed "American Splendor" (fka America), "American Heritage" (fka Queen of the Mississippi) and "American West" (fka Queen of the West), and only American Pride retained its name. The refurb project was via partnership with Studio DADO (Miami-based interior design firm) which was commissioned for the American Melody's interior spaces. By this project (completed by March 2022), the ACL paddlewheelrs' staterooms, bars and lounges, dining rooms and public areas were completely redesigned, featuring new color schemes, artworks, furniture, carpets, textiles, accessories.

Since January 2022, all ACL deals with added domestic flights (between airports in the USA, which includes all the company's 19 ports in 16 US states) are with flat-rate priced airfares (fixed/not subject to future changes). ACL river voyages' prices are inclusive of a pre-cruise hotel overnight.

Since December 2022, all ACL deals are inclusive of port charges and fees (commissionable for travel agents).

ACL's main competitors are American Queen Voyages (fka AQSC) and Viking Cruises USA .

One of the most prominent features of all ACL ships is that they are USA- flagged , which means that the company hires only American citizens as hotel staff and crews, and pays taxes in the USA (on all cruise deals).

ACL deals are not so cheap, and consist of:

• larger-than-average staterooms (with the first balcony cabins in the US coastal cruise shipping business)
• spacious public rooms (bars and 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".

All ACL ships are USA-built/refurbished, by the shipbuilder Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corporation (Salisbury, Maryland).

Next infographic of the Queen of the Mississippi (now American Heritage) shows what is what and where on this unique riverboat.

In mid-February, 2020, ACL signed with Vicksburg MS a 20-year deal for preferential berthing rights and ACL investments for upgrading the riverfront docking facility. By the deal, ACL pays the city per-passenger fees and receives priority mooring along the waterfront. ACL also provides shuttle bus services for its customers for land transportation to nearby attractions and popular downtown businesses.

In January 2023 ACL announced the fleetwide introduction of high-speed (Starlink-provided) satellite internet and Wi-Fi services. Starlink's LEO satellites (positioned at low Earth orbit) provide stable and fast internet connections to moving marine vessels and ACL beta-tested the service in 2022. As a promo, ACL offered the Starlink Wi-Fi and the shipboard Room Service complimentary during the entire 2023.

In late-October 2015, ACL announced the start of the construction of a new coastal cruiser (by Chesapeake Shipbuilding/Salisbury, Maryland USA), with scheduled delivery in 2017-Q1. The vessel ( American Constellation ) was followed by the sistership American Constitution (2018).

These boats have passenger capacity 170 and are sized slightly larger compared to ACL's old coastal cruisers. They are fully stabilized (active wing stabilizers by Rolls-Royce Marine) and have the USA river cruising industry's largest and most luxurious staterooms. All cabins are with marble-tiled bathrooms and floor-ceiling glass doors opening to step-out balconies.

Traditionally for large-sized US riverboats, American Song has a fore-located boarding ramp (bow-location on Deck 1) that allows passengers to go ashore at any place along the ship's cruise itinerary route. The ramp has an innovative design being constructed as a retractable gangway (passenger bridge). The technology is often implemented on some of the largest ferries and features an opening bow door.

In November 2016 ACL announced the start of the construction on a 3rd (larger / new-class "Modern Riverboat") vessel with capacity 195 passengers. In late-February 2017 were announced plans for a fleet of 5 newbuilds .

• The first vessel from the new "Modern Riverboat" series was launched in 2018 ( American Song ). Followed the sisterships American Harmony (2019), American Jazz (2020), American Melody (2021), American Symphony (2022), American Serenade (2023).
• In mid-June 2021 ACL signed with Chesapeake Shipbuilding the contract for constructing two more units (5th and 6th) of the "modern riverboat" series. Both vessels (yet to be named) are planned for inauguration in 2022 growing the company's fleet to 15 (5x small, 4x paddle-wheelers, 6x modern riverboats).

In January 2022 ACL announced a plan to grow its fleet to 25+ vessels by adding 12 units of a new class (Project Blue), each with max passenger capacity 109 (plus 50 crew), length 241 ft (74 m), beam/width 56 ft (17 m), 56 staterooms (~85% balconied). ACL's Coastal Cats/catamarans are currently planned for launch/inauguration two units per year - in 2023 ( Eagle , Glory ), 2024 ( Liberty , Legend ), 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028.

Next video reviews the best features of ACL's 2021-2022-built Modern Riverboats (Melody, Symphony, Serenade).

USA river cruise excursions for free

Any ACL guest booking river cruises on Mississippi or Columbia rivers gets absolutely free shore excursions. This is a year-round deal and the complimentary land tours are offered in each port of call.

The list of tours 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).

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

IN January 2020, ACL signed a 5-year preferential berthing agreement with Port NOLA (New Orleans) for Thalia Street Wharf/riverboat dock. By this deal, ACL also received 2 (optional) 5-year renewals. Preferential homeporting is for at least 50 voyages (guaranteed departures) annually. For 2020, ACL scheduled 68 calls at Port NOLA.

In 2023 (March-December) ACL had its ever-biggest Mississippi program with five ships (Melody, Heritage, Serenade, Splendor, Symphony) and 12 itineraries running between homeports St Paul MN and New Orleans LA. The season featured a new boat (American Serenade) and the new 8-day itinerary "The Tennessee Rivers Cruise" between Chattanooga TN and Nashville TN. ACL's entire Mississippi 2023 program included voyages with a complimentary pre-voyage 1-night hotel.

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021

Due to the COVID pandemic, ACL suspended its entire fleet's passenger shipping operations (all vessels) canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 14, 2020, through May 2021.

Fleet operations resumed on the following dates (by ship) in 2021.

• American Independence (May 1 from Charleston SC)
• MS America (May 4 from New Orleans)
• Queen of the Mississippi (May 1 from Memphis TN)
• Queen of the West (May 15 from Clarkston WA)
• American Star (May 8 from Charleston SC)
• American Song (May 9 from Clarkston MI)
• American Pride (May 1 from Portland OR)
• American Constellation (May 7/Alaska from Seattle WA)
• American Constitution (May 10 from Boston)
• American Spirit (May 8/Alaska from Seattle WA)
• American Harmony (May 1 from New Orleans)
• American Jazz (May 2 from New Orleans)
• American Melody (Aug 27/ Maiden Voyage from New Orleans)

Note: Under CERTS (Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act), in August 2021 the company received USD 42,7 million (CAD 58,83M / AUD 58,3M / EUR 36,2M) grant from the USA's government. The CERTS provides grants to eligible (USA-based and all American-crewed) passenger transportation companies (motorcoach, school bus, shipping, pilotage) that have experienced 25% or more annual revenue losses due to the COVID crisis.

ACL boats initially operated with reduced (75% of the max) passenger capacity. All affected bookings were fully refunded (100% monetary refund). With rebooking was offered 125% FCC (Future Cruise Credit) based on the fares paid for the canceled cruises. The FCC must be used before December 31, 2021.

Itinerary of American Cruise Lines

ACL-American Cruise Lines itinerary program includes the USA's Eastern and Western coasts. ACL also offers Alaskan cruises during summer as well as the USA's river cruise regions Mississippi-Ohio (northbound and southbound itineraries) and Columbia-Snake (eastbound and westbound itineraries).

In 2022, ACL ships sailed 35+ USA-only itineraries visiting ports in 31 states.

New itineraries and cruisetours (2024)

ACL's schedule 2024 groups 50+ itineraries across 35 US states, 19 vessels (ships and riverboats) and a total of 125 ports in the USA. The program features two new ports - Sag Harbor (Long Island NYC) and Washington DC .

In 2024, the company also introduced "National Park Cruises", two of which are in Alaska.

• The 18-day "Grand Alaska National Parks" itinerary offers 11 days for cruising (Glacier Bay NP, Inside Passage, Frederick Sound) plus 7 days for guided tours in Denali NP and Kenai Fjords NP (from Fairbanks to Juneau).
• The 15-day "Alaska National Parks" itinerary offers 8 days of Glacier Bay cruising plus 7 days for Denali and Kenai Fjords tours (from Fairbanks to Juneau).

In 2024 ACL debuts two more NP cruisetours.

• The 11-day "Great Smoky Mountains National Park" itinerary is on two rivers (Tennessee and Cumberland) and offers 2 days for land tours (Great Smoky NP) between Knoxville TN and Nashville TN (both ways).
• The 15-day "National Parks and Legendary Rivers" itinerary offers 8 days for cruising (Columbia and Snake rivers) plus 7 days for guided touring (Glacier NP, Yellowstone NP, Grand Teton NP) between Jackson WY and Portland OR (both ways).

Also new are the three 8-day itineraries "Downeast Maine" (roundtrip from Bangor ME ), "Yankee Seaports" (between Boston MA and NYC) and "Florida Gulf Coast and Keys" (roundtrip from St Petersburg FL, which includes tours in Dry Tortugas NP and Everglades NP).

In 2024 (spring and fall) ACL introduced voyages leaving roundtrip from Washington DC, with the ship ( American Constitution ) mooring/docking at The Wharf (along the city's southeastern waterfront).

Themed as "American Revolution Cruise", they traverse the Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River, and the York River, with Washington DC serving as homeport. These are also the only cruises on the Potomac River. The 10-night/11-day "American Revolution Cruise" itinerary visits Annapolis MD, St Michaels MD, Cambridge MD, Norfolk VA (overnight), Williamsburg/Yorktown VA, Mount Vernon VA, and ends with an overnight in Washington DC.

ACL ships and riverboats' deployment

Follows the list of all ACL ships and riverboats, in brackets (Year Built)

• American Heritage riverboat/fka Queen of the Mississippi (2015)
• American West riverboat/fka Queen of the West (1995)
• American Splendor riverboat/fka 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 (2015, fka "American Eagle") - 8-day Columbia and Snake Rivers cruises (one-way itineraries) leaving either from Portland Oregon or Clarkston Washington
• (Modern Riverboat class) - American Song (2018), American Harmony (2019), American Jazz (2020), American Melody (2021), American Symphony (2022), American Serenade (2023)
• American Spirit (2004) - 7- and 11-day Alaskan itineraries from Juneau AK and Seattle WA
• American Independence (2010)

ACL's Coastal Cats (Project Blue catamarans) are a separate fleet of 12x newbuilds scheduled for launches in 2023 ( American Eagle , American Glory ), 2024 ( American Liberty , American Legend ), 2025 (TBN), 2026 (TBN), 2027 (TBN), 2028 (TBN).

In 2021, ACL introduced 3x new itineraries - "Cape Codder" (New England/ Cape Cod Canal ), "Music Cities" (American music-themed / 8-day between Nashville and Memphis) and "Alaskan Explorers" (11-day Glacier Bay cruise), also 50x new land tours and more pre-cruise hotel packages (Four Season Hotel deals in select USA river ports).

The classic 10-night "Grand Puget Sound Cruise" itinerary visits Washington's San Juan Archipelago .

In 2023, ACL introduced new for the brand ports - San Francisco and New York City (including Sag Harbor and Port Jefferson on Long Island NY ). ACL's catamaran cruises (2023-2024 schedule) added Florida's Key West , St Petersburg , Key Biscayne and Fort Myers Beach/Estero Island .

ACL itineraries scheduled for the Coastal Cats/catamarans

Next are listed all currently announced/operated itineraries (as themes, lengths, homeports and call ports) scheduled for ACL's Coastal Cats (Project Blue catamarans).

8-day / 7-night " Chesapeake Bay Cruise " is a roundtrip from Baltimore MD . Call ports include Yorktown-Williamsburg VA, Crisfield MD (Tangier VA), Cambridge MD (Oxford MD), St Michaels MD, Annapolis MD.

8-day / 7-night " Cape Codder Cruise " (visiting 8 ports and featuring navigation on the Cape Cod Canal ) is a roundtrip departing from Boston MA . Call ports include Glouchester MA, Plymouth MA, Martha's Vinyard Island MA, Falmouth MA, New Bedford MA, Provincetown MA.

8-day / 7-night "Maine Coast and Harbors Cruise" (visiting 8 ports) is a roundtrip from Portland ME . Call ports include Bar Harbor ME, Belfast ME, Camden ME, Rockland ME, Boothbay Harbor ME, Bath ME.

8-day / 7-night " New England Islands Cruise " (visiting 8 ports) is a roundtrip departing from Providence RI . Call ports include Baltimore MD, St Michaels MD, Norfolk VA, Kitty Hawk NC, Beaufort NC (Morehead City NC), Wilmington NC, Charleston SC, Beaufort SC, Hilton Head SC, Savannah GA, St Simons Island GA, Jekyll Island GA, Amelia Island FL (Fernandina Beach).

8-day / 7-night " Hudson River Fall Foliage Cruise " (visiting 8 ports) is a roundtrip departing from NYC/New York City NY . All call ports are in the New York state and include Catskill, Albany, Kingston/Hyde Park, West Point, Sleepy Hollow, and NYC (overnight stay before debarkation).

8-day / 7-night " Historic South and Golden Isles Cruise " (visiting 8 ports) is a one-way itinerary operated between homeports Charleston SC and Jacksonville FL ( Amelia Island ). Call ports include Charleston SC, Beaufort SC, Hilton Head Island SC, Savannah GA, Jekyll Island and St Simons Island (GA), Amelia Island FL (overnight).

8-day / 7-night " Yankee Seaports Cruise " (visiting 8 ports) is a one-way itinerary operated between homeports NYC and Boston. Call ports include Long Island (Sag Harbor/day 2, Port Jefferson/day 3), New London Connecticut (Mystic Seaport/days 4-5 overnight), Newport Rhode Island (day 6), Plymouth Massachusetts (day 7).

15-day / 14-night " East Coast Inland Passage Cruise " (visiting 15 ports) is a one-way itinerary operated between homeports Baltimore and Jacksonville FL/Amelia Island. Call ports include Baltimore MD, St Michaels MD, Norfolk VA, Kitty Hawk NC, Beaufort NC (Morehead City NC), Wilmington NC, Charleston SC, Beaufort SC, Hilton Head SC, Savannah GA, St Simons Island GA, Jekyll Island GA, Amelia Island FL (Fernandina Beach).

Florida Gulf Coast and Keys

In 2023, ACL-American Cruise Lines introduced the 7-night/8-day "Florida Gulf Coast & Keys" itinerary.

The roundtrip from Tampa was specifically designed for ACL's catamarans/Coastal Cats and was introduced with the ship American Glory.

On this ACL ex-Florida voyage, on days 3 and 4 the ship stays in Key West overnight. This allows tourists to explore Key West City on Day 3 (with a complimentary guided tour to the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum) and the Dry Tortugas National Park on Day 4 (visiting Fort Jefferson/Civil War prison)

"The Civil War Battlefields Cruise" (2024)

In May 2023 ACL announced the introduction of the 34-night/35-day "Civil War Battlefields Cruise" visiting all major battlefields from the American Civil War (1861-65) in 13 states.

Starting on May 4, 2024, from New Orleans, the unique itinerary ends in Gettysburg (on June 6th). This is a B2B/back-to-back cruise involving 3x ships (American Melody, American Symphony, American Eagle), cruising on 3x rivers (Mississippi, Tennessee, Potomac), as well as coastal navigation (along ICW-Intracoastal Waterway/East Coast USA, and the Chesapeake Bay).

Prices started at US$24700 per person or US$726 per night. Fares were inclusive of a pre-cruise hotel stay in New Orleans, daily excursions, onboard entertainment/meals/beverages/WiFi/tips/gratuities, all land transportation and hotels between the segments, all port charges.

Next are listed the itinerary's call ports and ships.

American Melody (Days 1 to 8) "The Anaconda Plan and the Vicksburg Campaign" segment from New Orleans to Memphis.

American Symphony (Days 9 to 14) "Major Land Campaigns of the Civil War’s Western Theater" segment from Nashville to Chattanooga.

American Symphony (Days 15 to 17) "Scorched Earth"

American Eagle (Days 18 to 26) "The Union Advantage: a focus on naval power" segment from Jacksonville to Norfolk

American Eagle (Days 27 - 33) "Eastern Theater of the Civil War" segment from Norfolk to Washington (disembarkation) and bus travel from Baltimore to Sharpsburg MD (for Antietam).

(Days 34 to 35) "Battle of Gettysburg: The Turning Point for the North" segment is a Land Package to Gettysburg PA.

• DAYS 1-2 Pre-Cruise Hotel in New Orleans
• DAY 3 Houmas House, LA
• DAY 4 Baton Rouge, LA
• DAY 5 Siege of Port Hudson | St. Francisville, LA
• DAY 6 Battle of Port Gibson | Natchez, MS
• DAY 7 Siege of Vicksburg | Vicksburg, MS
• DAY 8 The Anaconda Plan | Day of River Cruising
• DAY 9 Memphis Naval Battle | Memphis, TN
• DAY 10 Battle of Stones River | Nashville, TN
• DAY 11 Battle of Fort Donelson | Clarksville, TN
• DAY 12 Paducah, KY
• DAY 13 Battle of Shiloh | Savannah, TN
• DAY 14 Florence, AL
• DAY 15 The Battles for Chattanooga | Chattanooga, TN
• DAY 16 Battle of Chickamauga | Atlanta, GA
• DAY 17 Sherman's March to the Sea | Atlanta to Jacksonville
• DAY 18 Battle of Olustee | Jacksonville, FL
• DAY 19 Brunswick, GA
• DAY 20 Savannah, GA
• DAY 21 Hilton Head, SC
• DAY 22 Beaufort, SC
• DAY 23 Day of Cruising
• DAY 24 Fort Sumter | Charleston, SC
• DAY 25 Beaufort, NC
• DAY 26 Kitty Hawk, NC
• DAY 27 Battle of the "Monitor" and the "Merrimac" | Norfolk, VA
• DAY 28 The Peninsula Campaign | Yorktown, VA
• DAY 29 Battle of Fredericksburg | Washington, D.C.
• DAY 30 Alexandria, VA
• DAY 31 St. Michaels, MD
• DAY 32 First Blood of the Civil War | Baltimore, MD
• DAY 33 Antietam | Sharpsburg, MD
• DAY 34 Battle of Gettysburg | Gettysburg, PA
• DAY 35 Transfer to Airport from Gettysburg

"The Great United States Cruise" (2024)

In late March 2023, ACL announced the 60-day B2B/back-to-back "The Great United States Cruise". The unique itinerary combines 4 rivers and coast-to-coast travel on 3 ships, ranking it ACL's longest-ever domestic itinerary.

"The Great United States Cruise" departs from  Portland OR on August 14, 2024, and visits 20 American states and 4 time zones within the continental USA. It also includes a national parks package visiting Grand Teton NP, Glacier NP, and Yellowstone NP.

The first leg of the itinerary is from the Pacific Coast (Portland OR) for cruising on Columbia/Snake rivers (ship American Jazz ). The second leg is on the Mississippi River (ship American Symphony /from New Orleans to Saint Paul). The third leg is from Maine to New York/up the Hudson River (ship American Independence ).

The 60-day voyage ends in NYC/New York Harbour on October 14th (2024).

Flights from Jackson Wyoming to  New Orleans  and  Saint Paul  to  Portland ME  are included.

The price per person ranges between US$51060-77945. The pricing includes all flights, a pre-cruise hotel stay, hotels between the cruise segments, all meals and beverages, daily land tours, Internet, port charges, and gratuities.

San Francisco Bay Cruise itinerary (2023-introduced)

ACL's 2023 schedule (ship American Jazz) included the company's first-ever California voyage.

The 7-night/8-day "San Francisco Bay Cruise" itinerary (roundtrip from San Francisco ) visits four other Californian ports ( Stockton , Sacramento , Napa , Vallejo ) and ends with an overnight in San Francisco. Overnight port stays are offered in either Sacramento or Napa. A pre-cruise hotel package (inclusive of San Francisco Four Season Hotel overnight stay) is optional.

ACL's San Francisco Bay Cruise itinerary features scenic cruising in San Francisco Bay and San Pablo Bay (an evening stop in Vallejo), as well as cruising on the Napa River and San Joaquin River.

The voyage includes passing the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Treasure Island. A guided San Francisco city tour visits Ghirardelli Square and Fisherman's Wharf. The cruisetour's signature experiences also include NASCAR-style driving (at Stockton 99 Speedway) and visiting a Napa Valley Winery (wine-tasting excursion). A guided Old Sacramento tour visits the underground city, the port, and the California State Railroad Museum.

"Grand New England" 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" itinerary

The 10-night / 11-day "Grand Historic South" itinerary is 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 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" 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 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.

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Chesapeake Bay-American Star

Cruise the Chesapeake Bay roundtrip from Baltimore on these 6-night departures! Visit beautiful ports of call like Annapolis, Yorktown, and Tangier Island. But what makes a Chesapeake Bay cruise especially special? Fresh Crab! The history of Chesapeake Bay is alive in these small ports and towns as old as the 1600s. The region has always been important, for trade, industry, and military. Tour the history of early America as you cruise around the Bay including a trip to Colonial Williamsburg and Yorktown.

Cruise Details

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*Per person/double occupancy. Special single rates apply where listed. Excludes port fees. Itineraries may operate in reverse.

Your Itinerary

1 Embark in Baltimore, MD From the cobblestone streets to the colonial architecture and Fort McHenry – the history of Baltimore is the history of America.

2 Williamsburg & Yorktown, VA No three towns represent early American history better than Yorktown, Colonial Williamsburg, and the Jamestown Settlement. You can take the Yorktown Trolley through 9 stops throughout historic Yorktown, including battlefields and the Watermens Museum. Transportation is available to 18th century Colonial Williamsburg, once the largest British capital in the New World. From there, you can take a shuttle to the Jamestown Settlement, the first permanent English colony established in 1607. If you’d like to spend your day a little differently, head over to the Williamsburg Winery, the largest winery in Virginia.

3 Cruising the Chesapeake Bay Spend your day sailing one of the most spectacular cruising ground in North America. The Chesapeake Bay is the nation's largest estuary, with its name originating from the Algonquian word Chesepiooc, meaning "at a big river." Home to over 22 miles of waterways, canals, lakes, and rivers, the unique combination of saltwater and freshwater which fills most of the Bay has created a rich habitat for fish and blue crabs, as well as other natural resources. Relish time cruising along the beautiful landscapes and historic small ports and towns that dot its shores.

4 Cambridge, MD & Oxford, MD See the Bay aboard the skipjack Nathan! Skipjacks are oyster dredging sailboats, used in the Chesapeake Bay since the 1880s. Join the crew of the Nathan as you sail the Choptank River. If you’d rather relax, head towards the 18th century LaGrange Plantation for a Sweet Tea party! Oxford was founded 1683, and quickly set up as the only port of entry for British trade on the East coast. The town flourished until the Revolutionary War, and is now a quiet town that you can explore by walking tour. Or you can choose to visit the Oxford Museum or Oxford Custom House – a replica of the first Federal Custom House.

5 St. Michaels, MD Start with a walking tour of colonial St. Michaels before venturing out to explore the many options in this town. St. Michaels is home to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, and 18-acre waterfront property with 10 exhibit buildings, working boatyard and the historic lighthouse. Or take a private eco tour of the Chesapeake Bay with a naturalist to point our wildlife and landmarks as you go.

6 Annapolis, MD A trolley tour of Annapolis is available, giving you a good overview of the history and the town. Get your ID out for a tour of the Naval Academy, founded in 1845. Or if those don’t interest you, perhaps visit the Annapolis Maritime Museum, located in an old oyster packing building, or take an audio tour of historic Annapolis.

7 Disembark in Baltimore, MD Disembark after breakfast.

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*Prices may vary due to seasonality

The fresh and salt waters of the Chesapeake Bay is home to the beautiful and tasty fresh blue crab! The Chesapeake Bay culture and industry, of course, is partially built on this harvest, and people travel from all over the world each year to indulge. Every Chesapeake Bay cruise will serve crab. But the Crabfest dates will dive deep into the culinary and economic legacy of the blue crab in the region.

Onboard Experience

The American Cruise Line fleet of ships are the newest and most environmentally friendly small ships in the US. The cruise line prides itself on their hospitable staff, and that you’ll be graciously received no matter which ship you cruise on. The large staterooms with interior entrances ensure you have a relaxed, private area to watch the river from, or visit any of the many onboard lounges. Daily entertainment will be brought onboard, including musicians, historians and naturalists.

Regionally-Inspired Menus

American Cruise Lines uses fresh, local ingredients to show off the culinary glory of the region you’re cruising in. On the Mississippi River, that could mean Andouille Gumbo, a po’boy with red beans and rice, and bourbon pecan pie. In New England, you could find Littleneck clam ceviche on the menu followed by a spiced apple pudding with maple whipped cream. In the Pacific Northwest, you’ll find fresh fish on the menu, including shrimp bisque or Dungeness Crab cake, and a marionberry cheesecake that’ll make your mouth water! Your ship will provide you with a list of all the locally-sourced ingredients when you unpack.

Eagle Society

Once you’ve cruised aboard any American Cruise Line ship, you are an Eagle Society member. It’s free to be a member, but your loyalty to American Cruise Lines is greatly rewarded. You’ll receive Eagle Society luggage tags, and member-only gifts when you board each cruise. After 3 cruises, you’ll receive complimentary premium shore excursions. After 10 cruises, you’ll get a complimentary 11th cruise. There are special Eagle Society cruise dates every year. Plus all Eagle Society member benefits can be used when booking with USA River Cruises, plus you’ll still be eligible for our loyal customer benefits as well.

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Home » Cruise » An In-Depth American Cruise Lines Review: What to Expect

An In-Depth American Cruise Lines Review: What to Expect

The escalating hassles of international travel turned my attention recently to a type of vacation that has been growing in popularity of late: Small Ship American River Cruising. Specifically on American Cruise Lines,  a cruise line that plies the inland waterways of the USA.

As a Connecticut-based empty-nest travel writer with an active, fit 81-year-old teacher-naturalist mother, I sought a trip that could satisfy our particular Mother/Daughter bonding requirements: a short drive, good food, unusual small-town ports, American history, excellent customer service, and lots of local experts. My search led me to a Chesapeake Bay Cruise, one of the company’s most popular excursions, and a subsequent cruise with American Cruise Lines on the Hudson River .

Here’s my American Cruise Lines review.

Table of Contents

Where Does American Cruise Lines Go?

American Cruise Lines offers a wide array of cruises that span the length and breadth of the United States, featuring a range of scenic and culturally rich destinations. On the East Coast, their itineraries include iconic routes along the Hudson River, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the storied harbors of New England, allowing passengers to experience everything from the fall foliage of upstate New York to the colonial history of the Chesapeake Bay.

In the Pacific Northwest, their cruises along the Columbia and Snake Rivers offer stunning vistas of the region’s dramatic landscapes, including the Columbia River Gorge and the rolling hills of Washington’s wine country. Whether exploring the American Revolution’s roots in the Eastern seaboard or following in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark in the Pacific Northwest, American Cruise Lines provides a comprehensive view of America’s diverse landscapes and historical narratives.

The Chesapeake Bay Itinerary

Round trip from Baltimore , the Chesapeake Bay itinerary would take us to Annapolis , Yorktown VA , Tangier Island , and other small towns on America’s largest estuary — during the final days of Fall Foliage, the first week of November.

I admit I was a bit apprehensive. I’d read all the American Cruise Lines reviews, both positive and negative. “Friendly. Lots of camaraderie. Great ports of call. Terrific lectures. Pricey. Floating nursing home. Tired décor.”

I honestly didn’t think I fit the demographic.

American Cruise Lines is small-ship cruising in every sense of the word. (Check out what happens when I return for a Hudson River Fall Foliage Cruise. )

The company prides itself on being completely American. (Every ship in the fleet is built in the USA, flagged in the USA, with US employees, and itineraries).

The Small Ship Difference

Even before our embarkation date, I could tell that my cruise experience on the 100-passenger ACL Independence would be vastly different from that of the mega ships I’d sailed on in the past.

A few months prior to departure, I’d received boarding passes, luggage tags, and a small, 20-page brochure that included maps, phone numbers, information about towns we’d be visiting, and shore excursions.

Emblazoned on each page was an 800 number to call with any questions or special requests. It seemed so tidy, to the point, and low-key. Almost too easy.

The Independence was docked right in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor — in the very center of the action. We parked in a garage across the street, rolled our luggage one block to within site of the ship, and handed our bags to ACL crew members, who promised to deliver them to our stateroom pronto.

Then we flashed our boarding passes at the gangway, climbed up, received our stateroom keys and name tags (to wear at all times onboard), and, well, that was it. No drama. No hoops. Just a friendly welcome aboard. 

First Impressions of American Cruise Lines Independence

It was a bit after 11am, and Mom needed coffee, stat. No problem. We were sent straight away to the Chesapeake Lounge where coffee, soft drinks, water, and delectable fresh-baked cookies, and other snacks foreshadowed the abundance of food to come. But more on that later.

The Chesapeake Lounge and three other “reading room” gathering spots – one on each of the Independence’s three levels – are furnished in traditional, comfy, New England style.

I found the ensemble of couches and upholstered chairs a perfect place to plop down for lectures or casual conversations with other passengers.

Staterooms on ACL

At first glance, staterooms are on the spare side. They are, however, larger than most on small ships (200-600 sq ft). Even better, private bathrooms sported full showers. Room 305, like all others on the second and third decks, featured a large window and private balcony. 

Incredibly, the sleekly nautical triple-drawer dresser, six smaller drawers in the writing desk, the sizable closet, and three large bathroom drawers held the contents of two large suitcases perfectly.

Mom chose the twin bed “closest to the bathroom,” leaving me with the one nudged up against the wall beneath the window.

The bedding was plump, soft, and dreamy, almost impossible to emerge from in the dawn hour. But emerge I did to sit up and lift the shade to watch, transfixed, the daily sunrise over a calm or choppy Chesapeake Bay. My appreciation for this cocoon of a room increased over the week.

Food and Drink

Overall, food onboard was very good, bordering on excellent in some cases, and missing the mark in others, but surpassing the “Big Ship” cuisine in quality and freshness. Waiters and waitresses are young, but diligent and pleasant.

Chefs provision at each port and utilize local or regional ingredients as much as possible. So, this being a Chesapeake Bay cruise, the emphasis was on crab every which way, seafood, and fresh oysters.

Conceivably, you can eat all day long. Coffee and fresh-baked treats are set out in the Chesapeake Lounge at 6:30 AM, breakfast is served between 7:30 and 9am, lunch at 12:30, drinks and appetizers from 5:30 – 6:30, at which point you sit down to dinner (which includes complimentary wine).

During the evening’s entertainment or lecture, the crew passes around baskets of popcorn, ice-cream sundaes, and root beer floats.

After a full day of gorging, I was astounded to see how many guests nodded “yes” to an 8:30pm hot fudge sundae. Obviously, these were repeat ACL cruisers who knew how to pace themselves.

Distinct Benefits of American Cruise Lines

There are two very distinct benefits to American Cruise Lines when it comes to food and drink. 

One (and many would say the most important) is the daily 5:30-6:30 complimentary open bar that features the most premium brands of hard liquor. For one whole hour, the Chesapeake Lounge turns into a convivial cocktail party, with passed and tabled hors d’oeuvres, and all the wine, beer, martinis, whisky rocks, Bloody Mary’s, or any other drink you can down.

“My bar bill on other cruise lines is sometimes almost as much as the cost of the cruise,” one guest, a frequent floater, told me. “So even though American Cruise Line is pricey, it’s worth it.”

The second benefit is one that is only feasible on a small ship. A convivial,  “if we don’t have it, we’ll fetch it for you” way of thinking. Perhaps you’d like, say, sugar-free chocolate ice cream and the kitchen has only sugar-free vanilla.

The Hotel Manager will go out while in port and purchase whatever you desire (within legal limits, of course). On our trip, this also applied to bottles of preferred Bourbon and Vodka.

On Board Entertainment

It’s not a Carnival. There are no Celebrities. It’s a small ship with intimately sized lectures, talks and music. Just after dinner, at 8:15 every night, we found delightful and insightful programs in the Chesapeake Lounge: crab experts (from both ecological and eating standpoints), Revolutionary War medical practice experts, and piano and dulcimer players.

Storyteller/historian, Doug Weeks , stayed on board to entertain us with his various alter egos. As fur-trapper, Brave Wolf , he spoke of the early Chesapeake Bay settlers including John Smith. Another night, Weeks morphed into Lighthouse Keeper, Peter Bird , injured at Gettysburg, then appointed to keep the fires burning at lighthouses in the Great Lakes and on Chesapeake Bay.

Sure, some of it was corny, but as Weeks channeled Peter Bird, passengers became engrossed in his passionate, detailed accounts. We soon learned that Bird was Doug’s Great-Great Grandfather, and all these stories had been passed down through generations of his family.

Ports of Call

Small cruise ships can dock where the big boys can’t. And so, in Yorktown, we were steps away from the National Park and the riverfront shopping-restaurant district. In Crisfield, “The Crab Capital of the World” and gateway to Tangier Island, we docked a block from the Tangier Ferry that took many of us to that tiny lost-in-time island.

We parked right inside the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michael’s, MD and were given free reign to investigate its many buildings. And while the giant cruise ships sat at terminals a bus ride from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, we were right there with the Water Taxis, museums and thousands of land-bound tourists.

Though marketed to retired professionals “age 62 and up,” American Cruise Line passengers skew older with a spattering of younger whippersnappers. Interestingly, a good number on the Chesapeake Bay cruise were retired teachers.

On my cruise, there were two very young, well-behaved boys traveling with their parents, aunt, and grandparents, one couple my age (late 50’s), a gay couple, a 13-strong family reunion, two other Mother/Daughter combos, (Doris and Ann Eberlein, Pat and Jeanne McGuire), one Grandma/Granddaughter combo (Kathryn Price and Ida Lu Brown), and lots of conventional pairs ranging in age from 50’s to hearty 90’s. 

Folks From All Over

What amazed me was not so much the range of ages, but the geographic diversity. There were folks from California, Texas, Arizona, Wisconsin, Michigan – from many US States.

Republicans were thrown in with Democrats, liberals with conservatives, and through the magic of Cocktail Hour lubrication, open seating, and inquisitive minds, everyone spoke to each other. Everyone seemed interested in each other’s stories, and, over the course of the week, I witnessed friendships forming before my very eyes.

This, apparently, is not unusual. On this cruise, I watched as Ida Lu Brown, grandma of 17, great-grandma of 25, great-great-grandma to four, warmed up to Doris Eberlein on the 75 minute ferry boat ride to Tangier Island.

I became very fond of Dawn and Jay Ponce from Yuma, AZ – a retired school Principal and her business-owner husband. “I can tell if you lived closer together, you’d be close friends,” my Mom observed.

“American Cruise Lines attracts kindred spirits – intelligent, curious, friendly,” stated California lawyer, Nancy Duval. Duval was one of four widowed women who met on an ACL cruise three years ago. They’ve been traveling together every year since.

She met retired 5th grade teacher, Laurel Hansen (this time, on her 19th American Cruise Line cruise), retired teacher/librarian Sherry Johnson, and Sally Cobb – all solo at the time. Lone travelers don’t seem to stay lone for long.

Many Guests Return Again and Again

By the end of the week, I was seriously considering signing up for another cruise. Perhaps The Mark Twain Tribute Cruise on the Mississippi. There certainly was incentive – a 15% discount if you put down a deposit before leaving the ship. I didn’t – only because I’ve got too many road trips planned. But I was in the minority. As many repeat passengers were settling accounts – paying for shore excursions and tips – they were also booking future cruises.

Bottom Line

Expect a low-key intimate experience, not the bells, whistles, fanfare, and free-time choices of larger cruise ships.

Expect to socialize. Though you can get away with sequestering yourself in your room, most ACL passengers are welcoming and primed to meet others. (Think: opposite of Middle School). Large dining room tables invite mixed groups. And the daily cocktail hour is friendly and boisterous .

American Cruise Line features an assortment of itineraries on waterways all over the USA. “Theme” Cruises, like the Mark Twain Tribute Cruise on the Mississippi, New England Lobster Fest Cruise, Columbia River Wine Cruise and Hudson River Fall Foliage Cruise tend to book up at least a year in advance.

All articles belong to Getaway Mavens LLC, and all photos belong to us as well, unless otherwise noted. It’s all copyrighted. Please don’t repost anything elsewhere without asking us first. All rights reserved. This site uses cookies to enhance your experience.

We make no guarantees of any price listed on our site. We’re not responsible for content on external websites linked to ours, including linked resources, an external blog post, any partner site, hotel property sites, or affiliate sites. We only write about places we have vetted, but can’t guarantee that your experience will be exactly the same.

Posts may contain affiliate links at no cost to you. Several of our trips are also compensated by the respective tourism boards for the city or state we are visiting. This never impacts how we share the destination with you – opinions are always our own and we pride ourselves on that. We do not sell links or accept unsolicited guest posts under any circumstances. Don’t even ask.

United States Copyright, Getaway Mavens, LLC

Malerie Yolen-Cohen is the Author of the cross-country travel guide, Stay On Route 6; Your Guide to All 3562 Miles of Transcontinental Route 6. She contributes frequently to Newsday, with credits in National Geographic Traveler, Ladies Home Journal, Yankee Magazine, Shape.com, Sierra Magazine, Porthole, Paddler, New England Boating, Huffington Post, and dozens of other publications. Malerie’s focus and specialty is Northeastern US, and she is constantly amazed by the caliber of restaurants and lodging in the unlikeliest places.

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2 thoughts on “An In-Depth American Cruise Lines Review: What to Expect”

HI Joan – people wear “Resort Casual” for dinner. Not cocktail attire, but no jeans or shorts, either. Sportcoats for men at night. Daytime much more casual.

Hi Joan!! So glad you enjoyed the cruise. I worked on the harmony (one of the newest ships among the acl fleets) and have to say it was a pleasure reading your article and having the oppertunity to do a little comparison of expirience. Thank you so much for you little slice of insight.

Comments are closed.

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Set sail from the Charm City’s historic harbor on Carnival cruises from Baltimore, Maryland. Many of Baltimore’s vibrant neighborhoods and most important sights — including the original Star-Spangled Banner waving over Fort McHenry — can be found near the lively seaport, making it a snap to get a taste of the city. A collection of museums, markets, and maritime activities — like a thriving centuries-old marketplace — will start your Carnival cruise from Baltimore in style. Then, once you’re aboard, your ship will open the door to a host of new adventures. With destinations like Bermuda, The Bahamas and the Caribbean, cruises out of Baltimore have the variety to please everyone in your party.

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Chesapeake Bay Cruise Tips

Trivia question: What's the nation's largest estuary?

Answer: The Chesapeake Bay, with almost 12,000 miles of shoreline. Fed by five major rivers, it flows 189 miles from its headwaters in Maryland to its mouth in Virginia. Needless to say, the bay offers a wealth of cruise possibilities.

But until recently, unless you arranged a private sailing, there were few options for overnight exploration of these waters. Now, a couple of cruise companies, American Cruise Lines and Blount Small Ship Adventures, are offering bay itineraries that dive into the region's rich culture and history.

Back in the day, multi-night pleasure cruises on the Chesapeake were all the rage. As early as 1840, the Baltimore Steam Packet Co., aka the Old Bay Line, ran steamship service between Baltimore and Norfolk. It was renowned for its fine dining and gracious accommodations, complete with a Gentleman's Smoking Lounge. Witness this rhapsodic account by an 1853 passenger:

"I know of no more delightful trip from Baltimore down the Chesapeake … upon the broad blue waters with an exquisite breeze, which came up with invigorating freshness from the silver waves."

Road and air travel eclipsed the Old Bay Line and it went out of business in 1962. But present-day cruisers can once again experience the region via small-ship cruising. Cruises normally embark in Baltimore with several options: round-trip, debarking in Philadelphia, or sailing down the Eastern Seaboard to a city in the South such as Jacksonville, Savannah or Charleston.

Best Time for Chesapeake Bay Cruises

Spring and fall are both sweet spots on the bay. Avoid summertime, which tends to be hot and muggy. Spring brings glorious blooms and fall foliage is dazzling. Ideal timing is late April to May and September to mid-October.

Chesapeake Bay Cruise Lines

Two cruise lines currently have itineraries slated for Chesapeake Bay.

American Cruise Lines' newest ship, American Constitution , debuted in May 2018 with three 10-night sailings on the Chesapeake. It returns to the bay in fall 2018 for one cruise each in October, November and December, and will also offer the sailing in 2019.

American Cruise Lines also offers a 15-day East Coast Inland Passage itinerary that sails through the bay on several of its older coastal ships, including American Star and Independence, through 2020. The cruises run between Jacksonville and Baltimore.

Blount Small Ship Adventures will offer two nine-night itineraries in May and June 2019, from Baltimore and Philadelphia. Blount also has several nine-night itineraries between Savannah and Baltimore that also take in Chesapeake Bay ports.

Chesapeake Bay Itineraries

There are several types of Chesapeake Bay itineraries.

Round-trip Baltimore: These cruises will circumnavigate the bay, hitting a wide array of small towns and historic sites. These cruises are best for those who want to dive into the region and would rather embark and debark from the same port.

Baltimore to Philadelphia: These itineraries hit most of the same towns as the round-trip Baltimore itinerary, with the option of adding time in Philadelphia. While these cruises might not seem as convenient, trains run regularly between Baltimore and Philadelphia, making travel between these cities easier than most.

Eastern Seaboard Itineraries: These sailings aren't as bay focused as the other two, usually skipping the smaller fishing villages for larger cities and better-known historic sites such as Norfolk, Annapolis and Yorktown. These cruises are also usually longer than the other two, and also take in major Southern ports such as Charleston or Savannah.

Chesapeake Bay Cruise Ports

Baltimore Cruise Port: Cruises depart from the city's vibrant Inner Harbor, site of the National Aquarium, the Maryland Science Center, the American Visionary Art Museum and more.

Norfolk Cruise Port: Home to the Naval Station Norfolk, the world's largest naval base, the city is in many ways a company town. But there's plenty for casual visitors to see, including Nauticus, a sprawling maritime museum that incorporates the World War II battleship USS Wisconsin. Don't miss the excellent Chrysler Museum of Art. The city also has a zoo and a botanical garden.

Yorktown: The city constitutes one leg of Virginia's Historic Triangle, which also includes the Jamestown Settlement and Colonial Williamsburg, the latter of which is usually offered as the port's main excursion. In Yorktown, a must-see is the new American Revolution Museum. Yorktown Battlefield, site of the last major battle of the Revolutionary War, is a National Park Service site with interpretive programs. Riverwalk Landing on the York River, where ships dock, is a pleasant place to stroll.

Washington, D.C., and Alexandria, Virginia: In Washington, ships dock at the city's new District Wharf development, which sports locally-owned shops and eateries, plus entertainment venues. It's a 1-mile walk to the major monuments on the National Mall, or take the free shuttle. Alternate docking is across the Potomac River in Alexandria. The city's historic Old Town, with its brick walkways and tidy historic homes, is a pleasant place to shop and stroll. Water taxis will deliver you to the other side of the river.

Mount Vernon: George Washington's estate 17 miles south of Washington sits on a hill overlooking the Potomac River. Tours include the home's interior, plus the slave quarters, distillery and gardens. Costumed interpreters interact with visitors at certain times of the day.

Cambridge, Maryland: A landmark six-sided lighthouse on the Choptank River at the end of the pier in Long Wharf Park is open for self-guided tours. The historic town (founded in 1684) has a nice selection of galleries and shops to browse. The new Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center, 10 miles south of town, is worth the trip.

St. Michaels, Maryland: One of the bay's most manicured towns, it features rows of quaint shops and B&Bs lining its streets. The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, occupying a collection of waterfront buildings, will provide you with all you need to know about the Chesapeake.

Oxford, Maryland: You can walk from one end of this tiny town (population 600) in minutes. Its claim to fame: The Oxford Bellevue Ferry, believed to be the nation's oldest (since 1683!) privately owned ferry, crosses the Tred Avon River between Oxford and Bellevue.

Crisfield, Maryland: If you love crab, you've come to right place. The town claims fame as the Crab Capital of the World. Situated on the Atlantic Flyway, the area is big among birders, too.

Annapolis: Maryland's capital city's walkable historic district is chockablock with well-maintained brick homes from the 18th century. Talk a seat on the lively waterfront or check out the U.S. Naval Academy on a guided tour.

Chestertown: This cute-as-the-dickens town is second only to Annapolis in its number of 18th-century homes. It has an interesting commercial district with one-of-a-kind galleries and shops. It's fun to stroll its tree-lined residential streets and admire the well-maintained homes and gardens.

Do advance research on port stops. Because the bay is relatively compact, port stops are lengthy, giving you time to explore on your own. Doing a little homework before you sail will enhance your time ashore.

When packing, think layers. Weather on the bay can be variable -- especially in spring and fall.

Leave the formalwear at home. These ships are small and the atmosphere is casual.

Be open to making new friends. Small ships like those that ply the Chesapeake foster togetherness. Circulate. Ask questions. Be social.

© 1995— 2024 , The Independent Traveler, Inc.

American Cruise Lines specializes in small-ship coastal sailings of the continental United States. Captivating itineraries explore some of the country's most scenic routes in destinations like the Pacific Northwest, Chesapeake Bay, Alaska and more. Passengers get an intimate look at each region on ships that carry fewer than 200 guests.

The company's modern ships are designed to easily navigate America's waterways, docking in the heart of each port and taking you where larger ships could never go. Each vessel features comfortable lounges and large observation decks, ideal for guests to relax, socialize and observe passing scenery and wildlife. Glass-enclosed dining salons provide panoramic views, and spacious staterooms boast large windows and roomy baths. Many cabins have private balconies.

Onboard entertainment includes local musicians, theatrical performances and games. A well-stocked library provides reading material and videos highlighting the region visited, while experts on board hold informal lectures and open discussions on local history, nature and culture.

In addition to oceangoing cruises, American Cruise Lines also offers river cruises along the Mississippi, Hudson and Columbia rivers in the U.S. To see itineraries and prices for the company's river cruises , click here .

Officers: American Crew: American

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How much does an alaska cruise cost in 2024.

Compare the prices of these eight voyages before booking your Alaska cruise.

Alaska Cruise Cost

Courtesy of Holland America Line

If you're planning a cruise to Alaska this year, you may be enticed by low prices (in the hundreds) for a weeklong cruise. However, it's important to know that those fares are just the beginning of the cost for the entire trip.

Typically, the lowest advertised prices with mainstream cruise lines don't include taxes and port fees, specialty dining costs, alcoholic or nonalcoholic drinks, shore excursions , Wi-Fi access, gratuities and other expenses. On top of that, bargain fares usually refer to inside cabins with no windows. In a picturesque, bucket list destination like Alaska, you will realistically want a room with a private balcony so you can take in the spectacular scenery from the comfort of your room.

When to cruise to Alaska depends on what you're interested in seeing and doing during your vacation , but summer is typically the best time to visit The Great Land. Between mid-May and mid-July, you can experience 24 hours of daylight. This period is also an optimal time for wildlife viewing; you can see bears feasting on salmon, humpback whales and orcas, furry baby moose and thousands of nesting bald eagles. Cruise lines often reserve their lowest prices for sailings early or late in the Alaska cruising season , but it's still possible to find deals in the middle of the summer.

With all of this in mind, we've listed both the lowest interior cabin fares and the average total costs for a balcony stateroom across eight popular cruise lines for weeklong itineraries in June 2024. (Note: All fares quoted are per person, double occupancy, unless otherwise noted. Prices were accurate at the time of writing.)

Find your perfect cruise

Holland America Line

Holland America Line's 2024 Alaska season extends from April to September; in 2024, there are more than 60 cruise-only voyages and cruisetours (combined land and sea packages). With the exception of one 28-day journey, itineraries range from seven to 18 days.

Average starting price (per person)

This June, Holland America 's lowest-priced itinerary is the 7-Day Glacier Discovery Southbound voyage departing from Whittier, Alaska, on June 23, 2024, aboard Nieuw Amsterdam . The voyage features scenic cruising in Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve and the Inside Passage. You'll also stop in the Alaska towns of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, before disembarking in Vancouver, British Columbia . The starting price is $409 per person for an inside cabin, and veranda staterooms start at $2,114 per person (cruise-only fare).

Starting price (per person)

For this sailing, there is a $291 charge per person for taxes, fees and port expenses. Specialty dining, alcoholic drinks (and many nonalcoholic beverages, such as bottled water and specialty coffees), excursions, Wi-Fi access, gratuities and some other amenities cost extra.

Instead of paying for these extras individually, you can book Holland America's "Have It All" package. It covers one dinner at a specialty restaurant; one shore excursion (up to $100 per guest); a signature beverage package (for drinks up to $11 each) and a Wi-Fi package. For a limited time, you can also receive a $200 onboard credit per stateroom. A veranda stateroom plus the package starts at $2,569 per person.

If you purchase the "Have It All" package with the veranda stateroom, select the location of your cabin yourself (an additional $90), add in the port taxes and fees ($291) and include crew gratuities at $17 per guest, per day for non-suite staterooms ($119), the total cost is about $3,000 per person. You'll still need to budget for drinks that cost more than $11 each; bottles of wine with dinner; additional evenings of specialty dining; other shore excursions and miscellaneous expenses.

Total cost: From $3,069 per person

Princess Cruises

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Princess is offering 14 unique itineraries and 68 cruisetours during the 2024 Alaska season, which runs from May to September. Itineraries range from a seven-day cruise to a 17-day escorted cruisetour.

Princess's lowest-priced cruise in June is the 7-Day Voyage of the Glaciers with Glacier Bay (Northbound) from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Anchorage (Whittier), Alaska , on Grand Princess. Embarking on June 5, 2024, the sailing includes scenic cruising in College Fjord and Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve, a day at sea and stops in the coastal towns of Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway in Alaska. Interior cabins start at $448 per person, while staterooms with a balcony start at $1,698 per person. If you select your own balcony stateroom (instead of letting the cruise line place you), the cost is $1,791 per person.

Additional fees (taxes, gratuities, etc.)

Taxes, fees and port expenses for this cruise will run you $284 per person. At the $1,791 rate, you will be in the Princess Standard fare class, which includes the ships' complimentary dining venues, entertainment and the MedallionClass experience.

You can upgrade to Princess Plus (starting at $2,211 for a balcony room) to add Wi-Fi access (one device per guest); gratuities; a beverage package (covering drinks up to $15 each); two fitness classes per cruise; two premium desserts per day; two casual dining meals and more. For additional amenities, such as Wi-Fi access for up to four devices per guest; a higher-level beverage package (for drinks up to $20 each); two specialty dining meals per guest; unlimited exercise classes and more, opt for the Princess Premier package. Balcony rooms under this category start at $2,351 per guest.

If you purchase the Princess Premier package with the balcony room, the total cost with port taxes and fees is a little more than $2,600 per person – and the pricing is nearly all-inclusive. This package may also include free cruise fare for third and fourth guests traveling in the same stateroom. You will still need to budget for shore excursions; note that over-the-top experiences like flightseeing, helicopter and dog sledding tours, and scenic rides on the historic White Pass and Yukon Route Railway can get pricey.

Total cost: From $2,635 per person

Norwegian Cruise Line

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line offers one of the longest Alaska cruising seasons. In 2024, there are 44 scheduled cruise and cruisetour itineraries between April and October, ranging from seven to 18 days.

The June 3, 2024, sailing on Norwegian Jewel is Norwegian Cruise Line 's least expensive Alaska cruise that month, starting at $449 per person for an inside cabin. In comparison, a balcony cabin starts at $1,879 per person. The itinerary – Alaska: Hubbard Glacier & Skagway – embarks from Seward, Alaska, and includes scenic sea days cruising Hubbard Glacier and the Inside Passage, plus stops in the ports of Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan (Ward Cove) in Alaska, before disembarking in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The line's ongoing "Free At Sea" deal is included in the price and features an unlimited open bar, free specialty dining (up to $180 for the first two guests in the stateroom), a discount of $50 per excursion and complimentary Wi-Fi access (a savings of up to $200).

Open bar and specialty dining gratuities in the package are approximately $175 per person. Taxes, fees and port expenses are about $302 per person. You'll also need to include the additional $20 per person, per day service charge ($140 for the seven-day voyage).

If you book the balcony stateroom at $1,879 per person, which includes the "Free At Sea" package, and add in the taxes and port fees, dining and beverage gratuities and the daily service charge for the crew, the total cost for the cruise is around $2,500 per person. Remaining costs for shore excursions, specialty dining over $180, additional Wi-Fi usage, gratuities and other miscellaneous costs are not included in the "Free At Sea" package.

Total cost: From $2,496 per person

Royal Caribbean International

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International's 2024 Alaska cruise season extends from April to September; there are 50 scheduled cruise-only and land-and-sea tours. Combined pre- and post-cruise tours last up to 13 nights, and cruise-only itineraries last between six to eight nights.

For the lowest fare in June, sail from Seward, Alaska, to Vancouver, British Columbia, on a seven-night cruise aboard Radiance of the Seas on June 7, 2024. The inside cabin fare starts at $438 per person. A balcony stateroom starts at $2,877 per person (to select your own room). This voyage cruises around Alaska's Hubbard Glacier, sails the Inside Passage in Canada and stops in Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan in Alaska.

The guaranteed balcony price at $2,877 is for a smaller stateroom; you can select a larger cabin for a higher cost. Taxes, fees and port expenses for the cruise are $389 per person.

The total cost for the balcony stateroom, port taxes and fees, and gratuities ($18 per person, per day) for this Royal Caribbean cruise is about $3,400 per person. This price does not include extras like specialty dining, shore excursions, beverage packages or Wi-Fi access, so you will need to budget extra to cover those expenses.

Total cost: From $3,392 per person

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Disney Cruise Line

Kent Phillips | Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line has 19 five- to nine-night itineraries for the 2024 Alaska season, which runs from May to September.

The lowest price for a seven-night Alaska cruise in June with Disney Cruise Line is the June 3, 2024, voyage on Disney Wonder . The price for an inside cabin starts at approximately $3,472 for two guests, which includes taxes, fees and port expenses. In contrast, the fare for a guaranteed veranda stateroom starts at about $6,482 for two guests (including the additional fees); at this rate, Disney will select your specific cabin.

This round-trip sailing embarks from Vancouver, British Columbia. You'll begin your journey with a day at sea, then glacier viewing at Stikine Icecap in Alaska. Guests will stop in Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan in Alaska before another sea day and disembarkation in Vancouver.

Guests staying in regular stateroom accommodations will have gratuities of about $15 per person, per night. Once you add that in, you're looking at a cost of close to $6,600 per room (based on double occupancy) – or around $3,300 per person, if you split it. This price covers the cruise fare, taxes and port fees, the complimentary dining venues, onboard entertainment and gratuities for the crew.

You will need to budget extra for port adventures, beverages, and meals at adults-only venues like the Cadillac Lounge and Italian-themed Palo. The line offers Wi-Fi packages for an additional fee, which you can select once on board. You will also need to pay extra for alcoholic beverages, and there is an 18% gratuity added to bar and beverage services.

Total cost: From $6,587 per room (double occupancy)

Carnival Cruise Line

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line's 2024 Alaska season runs from April through September, and there are 16 itineraries that range from seven to 14 days.

The lowest Alaska fare in June is $814 per person for the June 4, 2024, voyage aboard Carnival Spirit . The seven-day round-trip itinerary departing from Seattle, Washington , includes one day at sea, cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord and stops in the Alaska port towns of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, plus Victoria, British Columbia. A guaranteed balcony room without an obstructed view starts at $1,579 per person.

Taxes, fees and port expenses for this cruise are about $313 per person. If you'd like Wi-Fi access, you can purchase the Social Wi-Fi Plan starting at approximately $15 per person, per day. The higher level Value Wi-Fi Plan costs about $20 per person, per day, while the Premium Wi-Fi Plan comes in at around $21 per person, per day.

A nonalcoholic beverage package, Bottomless Bubbles, starts at around $10 per adult and around $7 per child each day. For nonalcoholic beverages and select alcoholic drinks (up to $20 each), purchase the Cheers package. It starts at about $60 per person, per day, but you can save 10% if you purchase the package before you sail. With Cheers, you'll also receive a discount on bottles of wine (plus other perks). Gratuities cost $16 per person, per day, in a regular stateroom. Restaurants like the Mexican-inspired BlueIguana Cantina and Guy's Burger Joint are complimentary.

When you add up the price of the balcony stateroom, port taxes and fees, the Value package for Wi-Fi access, the Cheers beverage package and gratuities, you're looking at around $2,600 per person for this Carnival Cruise Line itinerary. In addition to those expenses, you'll have to budget extra funds for shore excursions, specialty dining and some other amenities.

Total cost: From $2,564 per person

Silversea Cruises

Courtesy of Silversea Cruises

Silversea Cruises is offering 35 Alaska voyages between May and September 2024. The shortest itinerary is seven days and the longest itinerary is 16 days.

The lowest-priced Alaska cruise with Silversea in June is the June 27, 2024, seven-day sailing aboard Silver Muse from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Seward, Alaska. The intimate 596-guest ship will visit Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Skagway and Valdez in Alaska – and complete two days of scenic cruising – before disembarking in Seward.

The all-inclusive port-to-port fare starts at $4,350 per person for a Classic Veranda Suite (the most affordable suite category with a balcony). For a room with a window instead of a balcony, book a Vista Suite starting at $3,350 per person.

Silversea's all-inclusive fares include luxurious suite accommodations, Champagne upon arrival, butler service and other perks. The pricing covers port taxes and fees; complimentary gourmet dining; all beverages, including Champagne, wine, beer and premium spirits; and gratuities. You'll also receive personalized, attentive service with a nearly one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio, and at least one included shore excursion in every port. Complimentary excursions in Skagway include a ride on the White Pass Scenic Railway, a visit to a sled dog and musher's camp and the Chilkoot Trail Hike & Float Adventure. Many of the included excursions with Silversea are quite costly on other lines.

There are no additional fees with the all-inclusive fare. However, you might incur additional personal expenses if you choose to order a fancy bottle of wine with dinner or book an extreme shore excursion adventure, like flightseeing over the glaciers.

Total cost: $4,550 per person (all-inclusive)

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas' 22 Alaska cruises in 2024 sail between May and September and last seven to 14 nights.

The seven-night voyage on June 5, 2024, is the line's lowest-priced June sailing in Alaska, starting at $6,599 per person. Guests on Seven Seas Explorer will sail from Seward, Alaska, to Vancouver, British Columbia, with stops in Sitka, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan in Alaska, plus two days of scenic cruising at the Inside Passage and Hubbard Glacier.

The 2-for-1 all-inclusive fares include a luxury veranda suite with a welcome bottle of Champagne and a fresh fruit arrangement. You'll also have an in-suite minibar, free valet laundry service and other upscale amenities. In addition, the fare includes a selection of free unlimited shore excursions; free unlimited beverages with fine wines and spirits; prepaid gratuities; complimentary specialty restaurants; unlimited Wi-Fi access and more.

There are no additional expenses on this Regent Seven Seas Cruises voyage – unless you choose a shore excursion that comes with an added cost or purchase a special bottle of wine at dinner.

Total cost: $6,599 per person (all-inclusive)

Bottom line

The low base fares for Alaska cruises on larger cruise lines may grab your attention, but as you click through to see what's included and make your booking, you'll find additional costs on nearly every page.

Before making a reservation, be sure to read the fine print and find out exactly what's included (and not included) in your cruise fare. You may find that booking an all-inclusive rate with a luxury line offers a better value – an option that you may never have considered unless you compared the total price of each cruise.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed on nearly every type of cruise ship, including the newest megaships, traditional masted sailing ships, river ships in Europe and a small luxury expedition vessel in Antarctica . She has cruised to Alaska and visited The Great Land in the summer, fall and winter, and journeyed to remote areas by bush plane above the Arctic Circle. She used her knowledge of Alaska cruises and extensive research to write this article. Pratesi covers the travel and culinary industries for major publications, including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Alaska Cruise Lines
• The Top Luxury Alaska Cruises
• The Most Affordable Alaska Cruises
• The Top Northern Lights Alaska Cruises
• Alaska Cruise Packing List

Tags: Travel , Cruises , Alaska Vacations

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Home / The Orthodox Faith / Lives of the Saints /

Right-believing Prince Daniel of Moscow

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Things to Do in Elektrostal, Russia - Elektrostal Attractions

Things to do in elektrostal.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for a Rainy Day
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• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Electrostal History and Art Museum

2. Statue of Lenin

3. Park of Culture and Leisure

4. museum and exhibition center.

5. Museum of Labor Glory

7. Galereya Kino

8. viki cinema, 9. smokygrove.

10. Gandikap

11. papa lounge bar, 12. karaoke bar.

• Statue of Lenin
• Electrostal History and Art Museum
• Park of Culture and Leisure
• Museum and Exhibition Center
• Museum of Labor Glory

Greek American Experience

Global hellenic culture.

Off the Beaten Trail: the Moscow Metro

References:

• ( http://www.boredpanda.com/moscow-metro-station-architecture-russia-bright-future-david-burdeny/ )

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Updated 6m ago

What happened in the NCAA Men's Tournament first round: Scores, bracket, analysis and highlights

Upsets, Purdue's redemption highlight Friday's action

Four double-digit seeds pulled upsets Saturday, including 13th-seeded Yale 's 78-76 victory over fourth-seeded Auburn — the second consecutive day a top SEC team exited in its first game.

No. 10 Colorado (versus No. 7 Florida ), No. 12 James Madison (versus No. 5 Wisconsin ) and No. 12 Grand Canyon (versus No. 5 Saint Mary's) all won as well, meaning eight double-digit seeds advanced to the second round. No. 14 Oakland , which upset No. 3 Kentucky on Thursday, is the lowest-seeded team remaining.

The tournament picks back up Saturday with eight games, beginning with No. 2 Arizona versus No. 7 Dayton at 12:45 p.m. ET.

Friday's scores

• No. 9 Northwestern 77, No. 8 Florida Atlantic 65 (OT)
• No. 3 Baylor 92, No. 14 Colgate 67
• No. 5 San Diego State 69, No. 12 UAB 65
• No. 2 Marquette 87, No. 15 Western Kentucky 69
• No. 6 Clemson 77, No. 11 New Mexico 56
• No. 1 UConn 91, No. 16 Stetson 52
• No. 10 Colorado 102, No. 7 Florida 100
• No. 13 Yale 78, No. 4 Auburn 76
• No. 9 Texas A&M 98, No. 8 Nebraska 83
• No. 4 Duke 64, No. 13 Vermont 47
• No. 1 Purdue 78, No. 16 Grambling State 50
• No. 4 Alabama 109, No. 13 Charleston 96
• No. 1 Houston 86, No. 16 Longwood 46
• No. 12 James Madison 72, No. 5 Wisconsin 61
• No. 8 Utah State 88, No. 9 TCU 72
• No. 12 Grand Canyon 75, No. 5 Saint Mary's 66

Updated NCAA Tournament bracket

Full coverage in our men's NCAA Tournament hub

For ticket information on all tournament games, click here .

Grand Canyon's upset: What does it mean?

Grand Canyon earned its first NCAA Tournament win Friday night with a 75-66 upset of fifth-seeded Saint Mary's.

What does this mean for Grand Canyon?

Obviously a historical leap, with the first appearance in the Round of 32 coming up. But I wonder if this opens up many other possibilities in the ever-evolving world of college basketball. The Lopes ranked 55th on KenPom coming in. This is a program with power conference-level facilities and power conference-level fan energy, somehow stuck in the WAC. I don't imagine established leagues will come calling. But what about a reimagined Pac-12? What about the WCC?

There are surely a lot of other complications -- we won't get into the Grand Canyon vs. the U.S. Government issues that are the reality in this small, sports-centered space -- but any postseason basketball success is worth money and worth a league's attention. And then there's Drew, clearly on a career-resuscitating trajectory. Grand Canyon is very much a fit for him on several levels. But is that enough? Or can the school offer him a package to convince him it's enough, if bigger programs come calling?

How big a blow is this for Saint Mary's?

Well, since we asked ourselves that question: Big! It's a big blow! This was a top 20 team that won the WCC regular season and the WCC tournament. This is undoubtedly a massive letdown for a team equipped to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. The Gaels kind of waited for their moment to be a bigger deal than Gonzaga....and then flubbed it.

Randy Bennett has been at this in Moraga since 2001. He can stay as long as he wants. But...how long does he want to stay? Hard to imagine anything other than a West Coast opportunity enticing him, and right now Washington and Stanford are the only job openings in this cycle. He has it good. He also turns 62 in June. Does he want to try to have it better?

Continue reading.

No. 12 Grand Canyon stifles No. 5 Saint Mary’s for first NCAA Tournament win in school history

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Yale upset is ‘what makes March Madness special’

(Photo: Kirby Lee / USA Today)

Once the guys for whom it means more finally ran out of chances, a guard named August from a town known for horse racing spun around, untucked his jersey and climbed atop a courtside table. He smiled with his mouth open and said nothing.

He quickly was joined by a kid from Morocco who likes to fish, who pointed and yelled at everyone he saw. Behind them, the lefty Greek sharpshooter from the Chicago suburbs ran into the arms of the 7-foot center who went from freshman backup to a spot on Team Israel and the All-Ivy League squad in one year. In front of them, a scruffy 16-year NBA veteran who slung his 6-foot-11 frame over a guardrail hustled in for a hug. The head coach came by last, arms out wide, leaning into a vigorous multi-human scrum that knocked off his lapel pin and included an elbow to a writer’s head.

Sunday's schedule

(all times ET):

12:10 p.m. (CBS): Marquette-Colorado

2:40 p.m. (CBS): Purdue-Utah State

5:15 p.m. (CBS): Duke-James Madison

6:10 p.m. (TNT): Baylor-Clemson

7:10 p.m. (TBS): Alabama-Grand Canyon

7:45 p.m. (tru): UConn-Northwestern

8:40 p.m. (TNT): Houston-Texas A&M

9:40 p.m. (TBS): San Diego State-Yale

Who is Tyon Grant-Foster?

Grand Canyon guard Tyon Grant-Foster led all scorers with 22 points along with eight rebounds in his team's first-round win against Saint Mary's. Grant-Foster has scored at least 20 points in six of Grand Canyon's last eight games.

Grant-Foster started his career at Indiana Hills Community College in Iowa before spending one season at his home-state school Kansas (2020-21) and one at DePaul (2021-22). Grant-Foster was rushed to the hospital after collapsing in the locker room at halftime of his season opener at DePaul. He had to be resuscitated and was revived three more times on the way to the hospital. He missed the rest of the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons before returning to the court this year at GCU.

If Grand Canyon holds on, then the Nos. 11 and 12 seeds would have gone 5-3 against the Nos. 5 and 6 seeds.

Utah State beats TCU 88-72 to advance to the round of 32

INDIANAPOLIS — No. 8 seed Utah State pulled away from No. 9 seed TCU for an 88-72 victory in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The question now: Can the Aggies realistically challenge top-seeded Purdue on Sunday?

If so, it’s going to require a Herculean effort, particularly from 7-foot center Isaac Johnson, who at 227 pounds will be giving up 73 pounds to Purdue center Zach Edey. Johnson was outstanding against TCU, scoring 19 points. He also only averages a little more than three rebounds a game and isn’t necessarily a physical interior presence. Edey is coming off a monster game against Grambling State in which he recorded 30 points and 21 rebounds. Johnson has 22 rebounds over his last eight games.

Utah State does have some weapons. Johnson, Ian Martinez, Great Osobor and Darius Brown II all scored in double figures against TCU. Osobor was the Mountain West player of the year, Brown earned first-team all-conference honors and Josh Uduje was voted co-sixth man of the year. But it will take the best performance of the season from everyone for the Aggies to have a chance.

Grand Canyon leads 52-37 in the second half

Saint Mary's finds itself in a big hole against ... Grand Canyon. Not ideal! Bryce Drew's Antelopes are not your typical WAC team, as they are loaded with high-major talent, including star Tyon Grant-Foster, a former four-star recruit who went to Kansas. I still thought Saint Mary's — which was extremely efficient in losing only one since Christmas — would prevail here. But I underestimated A) the impact of the loss of Gaels forward Joshua Jefferson to a knee injury last month; while Saint Mary's survived the WCC without him, his size and athleticism were much needed in this game; and B) the rabid Grand Canyon student section and fan base, which happily trekked in droves to Spokane and made this almost like a home game. Saint Mary's is a tiny school without much anywhere near the traveling supporting power.

And thus Grand Canyon — which beat San Diego State with relative ease earlier this year, mind you — looks well poised to move on to play Alabama.

Where's Saint Mary's offense?

No. 5 Saint Mary's hasn't scored a field goal in over four minutes, and the Gaels are down 46-34 to No. 12 Grand Canyon. Guard Tyon Grant-Foster has taken over with 18 points and five rebounds for the Antelopes. Saint Mary's is 2-of-10 shooting in the second half.

Houston coach Kelvin Sampson on why he sat J’Wan Roberts in the second half

MEMPHIS — Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson said that sitting forward J’Wan Roberts for most of the second half was just precautionary and to further rest his bruised shin with the game in hand. There didn’t seem to be any concerns about Roberts being good to go on Sunday against Texas A&M.

JMU coach Mark Byington on being considered an underdog

JMU coach Mark Byington: “I know we were looked at as underdogs, but we never felt that way.”

Wisconsin's late-season struggles

The story of the night belongs to James Madison, and rightfully so given that the Dukes have now won a nation-leading 14 consecutive games and handled Wisconsin the entire way. But what an unbelievable late-season slide for a Badgers team that entered February 16-4 overall, ranked No. 6 in the AP top 25 and seemingly ready to achieve something meaningful in March.

Wisconsin finished 6-10 the rest of the way. And although that included a spirited run to the Big Ten Tournament title game, the Badgers were always going to be judged by what they did in the NCAA Tournament. Because this team finally had serious offensive firepower, an athletic wing in AJ Storr, a group of returning veterans and a freshman infusion in the rotation.

Point guard Chucky Hepburn told reporters earlier this week that he was “thirsty for blood” and that this team had a killer instinct to make a deep tournament run. Instead, the Badgers were wounded and couldn’t recover, committing a season-high 19 turnovers. Wisconsin coach Greg Gard hasn’t made it out of the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament since 2017, a streak that will continue for another year.

Follow the numbers

There's been a lot of talk about parity in this college basketball season, but if you studied the adjusted efficiency numbers, it was pretty clear that the top teams were actually a cut above. And that has born out at least so far. No. 1 seeds UConn, Houston, Purdue and North Carolina all destroyed the No. 16 seeds — not notable traditionally, but certainly of late. The No. 2 seeds — Iowa State, Arizona, Tennessee and Marquette — all rolled to double-digit victories as well. And other than Kentucky, which was a questionably high seed given its defensive issues, the No. 3 seeds cruised as well. This could all change as soon as tomorrow, but the chalk looks pretty strong, so far.

Houston dominates Longwood

(Justin Ford / Getty Images)

MEMPHIS — With nine minutes remaining in the second half, Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson took a seat on the bench and, for the first time all game, finally cracked a smile.

It didn’t last long.

“That’s four missed free throws in a row,” he groaned to his assistant coaches after an off-target attempt by redshirt freshman center Cedric Lath. His expression returned to his customary head shake, arms folded across his chest in disgust.

Despite Sampson’s (hilarious) disappointment, there will be no 16-seed dragon slayer this year. Houston waxed Longwood 86-46 on Friday night, easily advancing to the Round of 32.

The Lancers were no match for 1-seed Cougars, who turned in another dominant defensive performance, holding Longwood to 34 percent from the field and 3 for 13 on 3-pointers (23 percent), forcing 18 turnovers in the process. Longwood, the Big South tournament champions under head coach Griff Aldrich, returned to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three seasons after finishing fifth in the conference standings at 6-10 in league play.

L.J. Cryer had 17 points, including 3-7 from 3-point range, tied for leading scorer with Damian Dunn, who chipped in 17 off the bench. All-American point guard Jamal Shead added 11 points and 9 assists. Emmanuel Sharp had 13. Most of the starters got extended rest in the second half, including forward J’Wan Roberts, who finished with 7 points and 5 rebounds. Roberts was hampered by a shin injury in the Big 12 tournament which he appeared to reaggravate in the second half, but his sitting the final 17 minutes of the game seemed more precautionary than concerning with the score well out of hand.

The win, while expected, had to be cathartic for the Cougars following a 28-point loss to Iowa State in the Big 12 championship game with the roster banged up and running on fumes. Roberts’ health will be critical to the team’s ability to make a deep run over the coming weeks, though it did receive a lift from Ramon Walker Jr., who returned from a knee injury for the first time since Feb. 19 and had one point and two boards in 14 minutes. Nine players scored for the Coogs.

The victory sets up a second-round showdown on Sunday with 9-seed Texas A&M, who put up 98 points and banged home 13 triples in a win over Nebraska earlier in the evening. Houston has advanced to at least the Sweet 16 in each of the past three seasons.

JMU knocks off Wisconsin in wire-to-wire 12-over-5 upset

(Photo: Elsa / Getty Images)

BROOKLYN — It was an upset that hardly felt like an upset by the time it was done but James Madison beat Wisconsin, 72-61, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The No. 12 seeded Dukes had control from the start and didn’t let up against the No. 12 seeded Badgers, once leading by as much as 17 points in the first half. It was James Madison’s first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2013 and the team’s first win since 1983.

The JMU victory is the fifth of eight South games won by the lower seed, which is the most of any region. Terrance Edwards Jr. led the Dukes with 14 points.

A big part of the Badgers' woes was their 19 turnovers, which JMU has scored 28 points off of.

James Madison will play No. 4 seed Duke on Sunday.

Grand Canyon leads Saint Mary's at the half

The nightcap in Spokane is a close one, to say the least. No. 12 Grand Canyon leads No. 5 Saint Mary's 28-27 at the half as GCU coach Bryce Drew — of V alparaiso buzzer-beater fame — tries to add another upset to his biography.

The first half featured 10 lead changes and was quite even. Center Mitchell Saxen has 10 points and six rebounds to lead the Gaels. Tyon Grant-Foster has nine for the Antelopes.

James Madison proves it belonged in the field

Nobody is surprised to see James Madison beating Wisconsin, but it is still something to see just how easy this has been for the Dukes, who have been in control throughout and have looked like the more talented team. Remember, the Dukes were likely to go to the NIT if they didn't win the Sun Belt tournament, despite 30 wins and an opening night victory at Michigan State. If there's an argument for NCAA Tournament expansion, it is to make sure deserving teams like this — and Indiana State — get the chance to prove themselves on this stage.

BROOKLYN — JMU fans can taste the upset but Wisconsin isn't out of it yet. The Dukes lead 68-57 after Chucky Hepburn nailed a 3-pointer with 2:33 remaining.

Both JMU and Wisconsin have starters in foul trouble

BROOKLYN —The Badgers' Chucky Hepburn and the Dukes' Noah Freidel both have four fouls with 7:29 remaining. JMU leads 55-45.

Gabe McGlothan gets the crowd out their seats