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American Cruise Lines

4.5 Stars (17 Reviews)
Most Reviewed
Brands that earn the Most Reviewed badge have received the most customer reviews in their category on Retirement Living over the last 12 months.
Updated: January 27, 2023
By: Jeff Smith
Jeff Smith
Sr. Content Manager
As Retirement Living’s senior content manager, Jeff oversees the product and publishing of all retirement, investing, and consumer wellness content on the site. His extensive expertise in brand messaging and creating data-driven stories helps position Retirement Living as a top authority for senior content and community resources.
Sr. Content Manager
Edited By: Lauren Hamer
Lauren Hamer
Sr. Editor
Bringing more than a decade of editorial experience to Retirement Living, Lauren focuses on reporting senior-related issues, including retirement planning, finance, consumer protection, and health and wellness. Lauren has edited consumer content for Credible, Angi, Slickdeals, Jobs for the Future, and more.
Sr. Editor

American Cruise Lines specializes in small ship cruises, with ports of call along United States rivers and the New England shore. Their fleet offers intimate, personalized amenities and luxurious, roomy staterooms. Cruises focus on exploration and enrichment programs that allow guests to get to know America in a new way. Their all-inclusive experiences include daily cocktail hour, wine and beer with meals, and complimentary shore excursions on most itineraries. Passengers can choose from 35 cruise itineraries that visit 28 states.

American Cruise lines

Editorial Breakdown

Destinations 4.5 Stars
Amenities 4.6 Stars
Customer Service 4.3 Stars
Price 4.5 Stars

Overall Rating 4.5 Stars

Bottom Line

For travelers who want to explore American heritage, American Cruise Lines offers multiple itineraries that incorporate uniquely local topics—from Civil War history to Graceland to Mark Twain’s river-riding and more.

17 American Cruise Lines Reviews

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5 Stars

August 31 2022 1:05AM

Recently took a week cruise of Puget Sound & San Juan Islands with four other family members. Everything about the cruise was wonderful including the meals, accommodations, the crew, and the excursions. It was sincerely enjoyed by all.

My wife and I also took an American Cruise of the New England Islands years ago which we also enjoyed very much.

Robert R.
Leland, NC
5 Stars

August 29 2022 6:11PM

While every port along the way offered something special to see and enjoy, there was one excursion that we went on that was also exciting and gave us an experience of the natural habitat of the swamp. The port was Baton Rouge where we went on the Cajun Pride Swamp Adventure.

Mike D.
Tucson, AZ
5 Stars

August 28 2022 3:31AM

My aunt and I had a wonderful time travelling with American Cruise Lines from New Orleans to Memphis earlier this year. The entire staff was determined to make our trip as grand as it could be. We are already thinking about where we should go next. Thank you for an excellent first cruise for us.

Mary M.
Good Thunder, MN
4 Stars

August 26 2022 6:35PM

The southeast cruise from Charleston, South Carolina to Amelia Island, Florida was enjoyable, with excellent tours, very good food and service and a good ship, with a few limitations, which were as follows: (1) Because the ship was older, it had problems dealing with a turbulent sea in the Atlantic, when we had to divert to the ocean because of a problem with a Bridge.

The journey on the Atlantic was rough and I believe may have led to a disabled engine. The disabled engine prevented us from cruising from Georgia to Amelia Island, which we were looking forward to. We ended up being bussed to Jacksonville, Florida to fly home. The trip was April 23-30, 2022.

Wayne R.
Cerritos, CA
5 Stars

August 26 2022 5:15PM

My wife and I have been on 2 ACL cruises (New England and Columbia-Snake River) and we have scheduled 2 others. The cruises were most enjoyable with excellent service, food and with nice staterooms. We look forward to sailing again soon. ACL is a first rate superb cruise line.

Tripp J.
Columbia, SC
5 Stars

August 26 2022 4:13PM

Where to begin? First my wife and I have traveled extensively on small ships across Europe. To our delight each trip has been memorable. This led to a decision to try for a similar experience but across the US. We selected the American Cruise line.

Our experience has been excellent with trips across the US and we are anxiously awaiting our next trip down the Mississippi river. Our sixth trip. What we like most is that as soon as we embark on each excursion our itinerary is mapped out for us.

We have used American Cruise lines and have praised the crew for their diligence in making each trip one to be remembered.

Bob W.
Ledyard, CT
5 Stars

August 26 2022 4:05PM

We traveled from New Orleans to Memphis over our anniversary in April. The Crew was excellent in caring as the airlines lost our luggage but the crew told us they would find it and catch up with the ship. The luggage arrived just before we departed.

The food was excellent and the service top notch. They catered to our requests. The information/education and entertainment were excellent. The Hotel Manager was at every meal and checked on every table. Planning to do it again in 2023 to Alaska.

Tom T.
La Verne, Ca, CA