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Review: american cruise lines.

Posted by David Porter on Wednesday, February 14, 2024 · 14 Comments  

Here is our review of American Cruise Lines after sailing with them on their 8-day Great Rivers of Florida river cruise.

American Cruise Lines (ACL) is the leader in U.S. River & Coastal cruising and the largest domestic cruise line in the country.

The company offers a new fleet of 19 riverboats and small cruise ships, each accommodating just 90 to 180 guests. American is the only cruise line in the world with a fleet of 100% U.S. built & flagged riverboats and small cruise ships.

This distinction enables the company to offer all-domestic cruises that visit only U.S. ports of call along both U.S. rivers and coasts. The Line offers over 50 itineraries, which range from 6 to 60 Days in length, and explore in 35 U.S. states.

American’s small ships cruise along protected U.S. waterways from Alaska to Florida, and major U.S. rivers, including the Mississippi River (Ohio, Cumberland, and Tennessee Rivers); the Columbia and Snake Rivers; the Hudson River; and Florida Rivers (St. John’s and Tolomato). American Cruise Lines has over 50 years of experience cruising the U.S. and specializes in authentic American experiences, personalized service, and well-curated destination-focused cruises.

American Cruise Lines Sunrise Amelia Island

One of the ship’s crew members photographing the sunrise at Amelia Island.

Our Ship: The American Eagle

As I mentioned above, American Cruise Lines currently has 19 ships sailing on America’s rivers and coastal waterways. Here is a breakdown:

  • Independence Class (3 ships) – these are the cruise line’s oldest ships, built in 2005, 2007, and 2010 and can accommodate 90 passengers. While I don’t know for certain, my guess is that maybe these ships will be retired as ACL continues to build out its Coastal Cat fleet.
  • Coastal Class (2 ships) – These ships, built in 2017 and 2018, carry a maximum of 170 passengers and operate on both coasts of the United States.
  • Classic Paddlewheelers (4 ships) – for those of you who might enjoy a little nostalgia, these ships operate on U.S. rivers and all four were remodeled in 2022.
  • American RiverBoats (6 ships) – These ships built from 2018 through 2023 are ACL’s new series of American Riverboats.  They hold a maximum of 180 passengers and offer guests a modern experience and large staterooms.
  • Coastal Cats (4 ships) – These are ACL’s newest line of ships. They hold a maximum of 100 passengers, with a very low draft, and offer guests entry into America’s coastal regions and rivers that have not been available heretofore. ACL plans to build 12 of these ships. Two are currently sailing, with two more arriving in 2024.

American Cruise Lines Coastal Cat

Carol with our character actor/tour guide in St. Augustine

Carol and I were very impressed with the American Eagle from the moment we stepped on the ship. The colors were bright and modern, but what is immediately most impressive is that their entry-level staterooms start at 300 sq/ft., and the ship holds a maximum of 100 passengers. Many other companies building small European-style river cruise ships are stuffing entry-level guests into staterooms that are 135 sq/ft. But here, you are certain to enjoy a stateroom that is over twice that size.

And for those of you who enjoy suites, the American Eagle offers four Sky Suites at 470 sq/ft and two Grand Suites at 620 sq/ft. Tip : book early to get a suite; they always sell out first.

We also found the ship to have enough public space aboard to comfortably accommodate everyone without any of the crowding found on other ships.

Public Spaces

  • Restaurant – American specialties with plenty of space for all to be seated.
  • Sky Lounge – The perfect place to read a book, play a board game, or hang out with new friends. And each morning, this is the spot for early risers to enjoy a continental breakfast.
  • Lookout Cafe – Located just outside the Sky Lounge is the Lookout Cafe. It was a wonderful spot to enjoy the cruise on the very back of the ship, but it was also the spot where I could get an early-morning breakfast sandwich before the restaurant opened.  Carol and I enjoyed all of our breakfasts in the Sky Lounge and Lookout Cafe.
  • Chesapeake Lounge – This communal space offered space to seat everyone and was used primarily for lectures on our journey, complimentary bar and hors d’oeuvres each night, after-dinner music, and was also the spot for our Super Bowl Party.
  • Bow Terrace – This small space, just outside of the Chesapeake Lounge, offers a wonderful place to enjoy your morning coffee or an afternoon cruise with the wind in your hair. Carol and I spent quite a bit of time here as we sailed the Intercoastal Waterway.

Carol and I enjoyed sailing with ACL on their Great Rivers of Florida itinerary . We sailed on the St. Johns River, the Tolomato River, and the Intercoastal Waterway. We never felt a wave, and Amelia Island and St. Augustine were the stars of the show. One of our clients wrote on our Instagram Page that Amelia Island was her happy place. We had never been, but we’ll be back.

Carol and I sailed with ACL in one of their Vista Private Balcony Staterooms. To see the first impressions video of our stateroom, please CLICK HERE . Be sure to turn your volume up.

American Cruise Lines Cuisine

Roasted Beef Tenderloin w/ Carolina Stoned Ground Grits

The Cuisine

We found the cuisine aboard the American Eagle to be very good. In fact, every guest that we dined with aboard the ship agreed.

To the right is a photograph of our first meal aboard the ship. I was hoping for some southern grits on this cruise, and my wish was granted on our very first meal.

Each morning, at breakfast, we were given the day’s menu for lunch and dinner. We then made our selections and turned in the cards so that the kitchen would know how many of each item to have on hand. And don’t worry, if you change your mind, they could handle that as well.

And for those of you who might have dietary restrictions, on the first day of sailing, the cruise line offered a meeting with the chef to discuss your individual needs.

Oh, and for those of you who enjoy a treat during the day, there was “Cookie Time” each day at 10:00 and 3:00.

american cruise lines google reviews

Best onboard service we’ve ever experienced.

I would be remiss if I didn’t bring this up. The experience, the atmosphere, and the vibe that the crew created on this cruise were the best we’ve ever experienced on any cruise ship.

I am struggling with how to explain this. We’ve certainly had outstanding service with friendly staff on any number of the cruises we’ve experienced. But this crew created an atmosphere aboard the ship that, I don’t know, endeared us all to them? And it just wasn’t me.  Every guest that we interacted with felt the same way.  Dare I say that we fell in love with the crew?

For example, from the moment we walked on the ship, Alicia, the ship’s Hotel General Manager, greeted us by name, and she was always magically around, making sure that we were delighted in every way. One passenger commented how she worked miracles to get a prescription aboard the ship, and we found in her a sincere desire to make us feel at home and well taken care of. And again, this just wasn’t me.  We heard the same from many of our co-passengers.

And it just wasn’t her. Wyatt, the ship’s cruise director, the chef, the servers, and the gal that cleaned our room each day were absolutely the best we’ve experienced.  Clearly, they’ve been trained well, and the desire to serve the guests on the ship was a part of the cruise line’s DNA.

Listen, you can have the best ships in the world, but if the staff and crew can’t make you feel at home and well taken care of, then forget it.

I must say, I wasn’t expecting this level of down-home, relaxed, yet professional service.

I want more.  In fact, I didn’t want to get off of the ship. If this ship was doing back-to-back itineraries, I would have begged and pleaded to stay aboard.

Summing It All Up

If I had to put a star on the whole experience, I would give it 4-stars.  They are not trying to be a floating Four Seasons. I would give their down-home cuisine 4.5-stars, and I would give their service 5-stars.

In short, with this level of experience available right here in the good-ole USA, and 50 different itineraries available around the country, and more new ships on the way, this is a wonderful way to cruise close to home. While offering you a wonderful opportunity to explore our country from the perspective of its rivers and coastlines.  I’m hooked, and we will be back.  In fact, I hear the San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest calling my name. And oh, what about the ability to visit all of the little towns and villages in the Atlantic Northeast?

I could go on and on, but I’m already approaching 2,000 words.  So, if you have questions, just put them below in the comments section and I’ll do my best to answer them.

How to Book a Cruise With American Cruise Lines

Of course, you can book a cruise directly with American Cruise Lines.

But did you know that booking with Roaming Boomers Travel or Amerian Cruise Lines will net you the exact same price?

Therefore, why not book your American Cruise Lines coastal or river cruise with us and take advantage of our expert advice and service?

We promise to work hard to earn your trust. And with us, you’re always a VIP.

For more information or to book a fun cruise with American Cruise Lines, please call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request ( click here ), and we’ll reach out to you.

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Category: Travel News & Tips · Tags: American Cruise Lines

14 Comments on “ Review: American Cruise Lines ”

Your articles are always interesting and offer good advice. Your first hand experience adds believability to what you publish. We are interested in the ACL cruise along the Columbia and Snake Rivers.

We did the Maine cruise last year & the Historic South this year. I could notagree more with your review. A great company. Loved it that all veterans were recognized also.

I have been on two ACL cruises. The Lewis and Clark cruise on the Columbia and Snake Rivers, and the Upper Mississippi cruise. Really enjoyed both cruises. Have scheduled a New England Adventure cruise. Looking into San Juan Islands in Northwest.

We also went on Pearl Seas cruise on the Great Lakes.

Small ship cruising is very enjoyable. I would recommend any of the cruises to mature adults.

You’re back! Thanks again for sharing! 🙂

Thanks for your review- May I ask when (month) you took the Columbia/Snake cruise and if there were any optional excursions you took that you would recommend- Thanks

We did our cruise with another cruise brand in the first week of November. As the optional excursions are constantly in flux, we recommend that you choose an excursion that has interest for you. We really don’t have strong opinions on shore excursions.

We went in July. A couple of years ago. Most shore excursions are included. Went to Mt. St. Helens.

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. 🙂

Thank you for the kind words. 🙂 I’ll reach out to you privately to discuss a possible booking.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. We’re looking forward to helping our clients cruise closer to home.

We’re booked (through Roaming Boomers) on their Paddle boat this May going on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. We can’t wait. We will make sure to share our adventures and let you know our experiences. We are anticipating a fantastic trip and can’t wait. We are expecting this to be beautiful and awe inspiring as well as totally relaxing.

Hi Mary Lou,

You’re going to love it. We can’t wait to hear about your journey.

Great review Dave and Carol. We have sailed with ACL twice (Snake River and the southeast coast trip up from Amelia Island). Both were very enjoyable. We are doing the American Revolution cruise in Washington DC in 2 weeks. Again – we enjoy all parts of traveling with ACL. but mostly the crew. I get to know most of them by name – even dined several times with the entertainment duo on board and stayed in touch with both for several months afterwards.

Great to hear from you.

As people learn about these experiences that are available in their own backyards, so to speak, we’re finding interest growing. Carol and I are interested in quite a number of their cruises. When we were on our last cruise, the cruise director said that this cruise in Tennesee was really scenic: https://www.americancruiselines.com/cruises/mississippi-river-cruises/tennessee-rivers-cruise

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American Cruise Lines has a rating of 3.59 stars from 50 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally satisfied with their purchases. American Cruise Lines ranks 3rd among Cruises sites.

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“Small Ship Cruising at Its Best”

This was our first cruise with American Cruise Lines, and it exceeded our expectations in every way. While the food, our stateroom and the tours were all above average, what really sets this line apart is the staff and how they treat their guests. They really make you feel like family. The 10-night, Grand Puget Sound cruise created a lot of special moments and memories. Do yourself a favor and discover what you can experience on a small ship.

“Disappointed”

Itinerary not as advertised. This was a mystery cruise for passengers and crew as ACL seemed to be making it up as they went along. I've sailed with ACL before and on the same ship. The San Francisco Bay cruise was a complete 180 degree from my previous ACL cruise. Their Customer Service was poor and also did not seem to know what was going on. Not the way to run a business

Reviews (50)

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  • Follow Sylvia B.

There wasn't a single aspect of my cruise on the lower Mississippi River that I would change. The employees were all very kind and helpful, they went out of their way to make everything enjoyable. The food, chefs and wait staff were all excellent. My room was clean and comfortable. The excursions were interesting and well planned, the onboard and guest entertainment was wonderful. I signed up for another cruise this year and cannot wait to see what they have in store. It was very helpful having laundry facilities on board also. I cannot recommend this company enough, and I also appreciate that it is all American!

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  • Follow Mary D.

We saw the mighty river while sailing north and south upon it. We felt a part of it. I was born and raised on the Mississippi River, in Quincy, Illinois, and thought I knew all about it. Well, I learned that I had just scratched the surface. On our cruise, we really saw the South, past and present. We learned about the history of the South through some museum tours. We also visited some modern plantations where today's cotton, sugar cane and crawfish are raised. Absolutely fascinating!

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  • Follow John B.

We had been told by friends that American Cruise Lines was best. ABSOLUTELY! Now: Maine's "Coastal Cats!"

Products used: American Melody

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  • Follow Donna C.

We had the pleasure of sailing on American Cruise Line's brand new ship - the American Eagle! I love the fact that it maxes at 100 guests and it is a casually refined craft that makes you feel like you are your own yacht with invited friends. This new ship is a "proprietary hybrid catamaran design" that was created for smooth sailing in "rivers, lakes, bays and protected coastlines all across America." Looking at the 2024/2025 cruise book, it is in no way REPLACING the itineraries that they are known for (the Mississippi River/Columbia & Snake River) rather, enhancing the type of destinations that they can take us to with this new design. We were thrilled with our voyage, met new friends, relaxed, ATE TOO MUCH!, and had enjoyable entertainment each evening. A special shoutout to cruise director Anyssa who never ceases to smile and Andy, the general manager who made sure everything ran seamlessly. We signed up to go on the Art Immersion Cruise, May 27 on the American Independence that leaves out of New York and ends in Boston. YANKEE SEAPORTS here we come!

Products used: coastal cruise

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  • Follow Patti W.

The first thing that we like about American Cruise Line is that there are many people our age on board. We don't need the princes lunches, gambling, mammoth slide into the pool or the mac and cheese. We are older and enjoy lectures about where we are, guided tours at our pace and cookie time in the morning and afternoon. We also enjoy it being all inclusive drinks, Wi-Fi, many tours included and gourmet meals every night. Yes, we feel very pampered with the ships only having between 90-130 on board. This also means we are not walking forever to get to our rooms or to the entertainment areas. These are fun river cruises well worth the money and very relaxing.

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  • Follow Wayne A.

My wife & I booked this Mississippi Cruise as part of our trip to the USA from Australia, it turned out to be the highlight of our entire five & a half week trip, everything from the staff, the food, on board entertainment to the onshore excursions were first class. We boarded in New Orleans the afternoon prior to our day of departure, this included an excursion the next morning to the New Orleans WW2 Museum (Fantastic) Our room on board the ship was absolutely first class. We finished our cruise in Memphis, with a Graceland tour (the best) We will definitely be sailing with American Cruise Lines again, we cannot recommend them highly enough.

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  • Follow Kazue N.

Nice relaxing cruise down the scenic Columbia River Only 200 on board Friendly staff Interesting speaker about Lewis and Clark and Sacagawea Wonderful piano player and singer

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Review Highlights

J B.

“ I was telling her one day that I missed my Diet Pepsi because they didn't have that onboard . ” in 2 reviews

Cindy A.

“ We sailed on American Heritage for 10 nights on the Ohio River , and were delighted with the beauty of that river. ” in 2 reviews

Chelsea R.

“ The training staff is very knowledgeable and helpful when it comes to questions or concerns you may have. ” in 2 reviews

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741 Boston Post Rd

Guilford, CT 06437

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About the business.

American Cruise Lines offers world-class, small ship cruises along the inland waterways and rivers of the United States. From the Mississippi River to New England and Alaska, our modern fleet of ships and paddlewheelers are the perfect way to see America. Enjoy superb refinement on the newest ships built in the USA. Relax in finely appointed staterooms that are among the largest in the world while our attentive staff creates a personalized cruise experience where your every desire is met with care and precision. …

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Overall rating

144 reviews

Photo of Scott S.

My wife and I just returned from the Historic South and Golden Isles cruise on the American Independence. The from start to finish the experience was outstanding. We will be going on another cruise with this company. I understand that the Independence is one of the older ships but I have no complaints. The room was comfortable and clean. The bathroom larger than I expected and we slept very well on the comfortable bed. The private balcony was large enough for two chairs and a small table, we used it every day. The other public rooms on the ship never seemed crowded. The food was very good. While many on board enjoyed the seafood, I have a shellfish allergy. I ate very well and the chef even prepared meals specially for me when the non-seafood options were not interesting to me. There is a happy hour in the evening and plenty of adult beverages available all the time. A passenger can bring their own liquor on board but there truly is no need. The cost of food and beverages is included in the booking, we didn't pay a dime more for any of it. The stars of the cruise were the staff. Without exception the crew was courteous, helpful and friendly. My wife and I were often being asked if we needed anything. In short we had a great time. It was an experience I will not forget. My wife and I are now planning which American Cruise Lines trip we will go on next.

Photo of John T.

My wife and I just completed a 7 day cruise, on American Cruise Line - Serenade from Memphis to New Orleans. While there were many positive aspects of the cruise there were definitely flaws in the overall experience. For one thing the young waiter/waitress staff, while highly energetic and pleasant, were not trained sufficiently to provide good service. We had to repeatedly ask them to bring water and bread to our table before taking our order. The quality/preparation of the dinner offerings (especially meat) were sub-par, often under cooked. However, breakfast and lunch dishes were better prepared. We found that the selection of wine/spirits to be sub-par when compare to other river cruise lines that we have experienced. (Note: we were told that we should have contacted the head office prior to departure and ask that specific brands be made available). They ship did not have, or ran out of, common items. Example, initially no limes, they frequently used water glasses rather than cocktail glasses and nary a champagne glass was on board; used wine glasses instead. I know, this is really picky stuff but this is supposed to be a "higher-end" cruise company. I will add that there were positive aspects to our experience: - The shore excursions were very informative and well organized (Tish Brown did a fantastic job!) One time our busses were late arriving to pick us up and rather than have everyone walk back to the ship they brought chairs up to our waiting area! That's above and beyond, especially when they also brought up cool beverages for us to drink while waiting. - Everyone seemed to enjoy the evening entertainment. The pianist and guitarist were very good and offered a wide repertoire of music. - The housecleaning staff kept the ship very clean. So, even though an effort was made to provide us with a overall positive cruise experience, it was the "little things" (when combined) that did not meet our level of expectations. Hence a 2 star rating.

Photo of Maggie R.

Alaska Cruise. Beautiful scenery and ports. However, had higher expectations for the price point. Cabin was nice. Dinning room food was mostly good but they often ran out of choices. Breakfast and lunch buffet left a lot to be desired. No specialty coffees available. I had called cruise line and they told me they had them. Ship manager told me machine was taken during Covid and never brought back. Staff were nice but not as professional as other cruise lines. Mostly young people looking for adventure that get switched around their ships. Included excursions pretty basic. Not likely will cruise with this company again.

Photo of J B.

We recently cruised the lower Mississippi from New Orleans to Memphis. We were in a Sky cabin. We were used to cruising on the larger mega liners, so this was new for us. We had a wonderful time and met wonderful friends for life! Our cabin was spotless, our attendant went above and beyond. I was telling her one day that I missed my Diet Pepsi because they didn't have that onboard. When we stopped in Vicksburg, she got off the ship and found me Diet Pepsi, unbeknownst to me! Wow! The food was good. I would have preferred our red meats to be cooked more toward the medium well side. That would be the only negative in reference to the food. We did the shore excursions that went with the cruise and had a wonderful time. There were never any crowds. Meg, Colin, crew went above and beyond. By the middle of the cruise they knew a lot of us by name. Entertainment at night was relaxed. This would be the only time I ever felt a "crowd." The ship carried about 130 on our sailing but again, we never felt any crowding or pushing. We took the 15% discount toward another cruise and booked for February on the American Eagle.

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Do not waste your money. We booked on New England tour The company cancelled Oct. 19, 2023, the morning of the trip. They lied and said it was weather-related. It was not, the ship caught on fire we heard also everyone on the previous tour got sick. They told us because we booked with a travel agent they would not arrange air travel back home. We made our arrangements. We had TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE even though they told us in writing they would REFUND for any reason, they refused. I have spent months trying to get my money back --we have sent every document validating our claim-- they stall you by saying they need more. We have turned to credit card co. for a claim also the insurance commission in Colo. THE COMPANY IS A SCAM

Photo of Jon K.

Don't know why they would only have a 2 star rating. We just returned from the maiden sailing of American Glory and it was my favorite cruise, and we have been on many. There were things that went wrong as with any maiden sailing, but everything was taken care of and put as they should be. The weather didn't cooperate and we missed some ports, nothing you can do about the weather. The crew made up for everything, I have never seen a crew that worked so well together, they were really the ones that made the trip. Thanks

Photo of Mel S.

I forgot to mention that the entire boat looked like it came from the early 1970's...I'm referring to the decor, the worn and tired upholstery, which was also stained, the mildew odor that permeates everywhere on this old boat. All of the other passengers I met, which was most of them, were pleasant to be with. It's apparent that most were not experienced cruisers. This was a first time cruise for most as they had no idea what to expect and had no basis of comparison. I truly with I would have known this before WASTING a huge amount of money on this worthless cruise. Based on that I personally experienced, it's amazing that this cruise line remains in business. If I would have known any of this prior to booking this overpriced, horrible cruise, I would have never gone....Even if it was offered to me for free!

I want to report about my terrible experience on the American Cruise Line's American Pride boat during my June 22, 2022 cruise. This was a seven night cruise on the Columbia and Snake Rivers . Firstly, let me start by saying that this was the worst cruise I have even been on, and I have been on over 40 past cruises. Our cabin was infested with bed bugs, which make it impossible to get a decent night's sleep. That's a gross understatement of how bad it was! It was horrified to see the number of bed bugs on the bed and other surfaces. It was an unbearable experience that I wouldn't wish on anyone. Having several discussions with the Hotel Manager while on board, proved to be useless. He was given a job without any authority to do his job. His office looked like there was an explosion of paper and it could not have been more disorganized and exemplified that general manner in which this cruise line operates. To make matters worse, the dining room constantly ran out of food, alcohol, glasses and napkins. The quality of the food was well below average, with dishes often overcooked or under-seasoned. The staff was untrained and overworked as well as not being attentive and it often took a long time to get any service. The whole experience was a complete disaster. I felt like I had wasted my time and money on a cruise that was so, so far below the worst of the worst. I would not recommend this cruise ot anyone and strongly advise against it. In conclusion, if you're looking for a relaxing and enjoyable cruise experience, I would suggest you steer clear of American Cruise Lines. An cabin infested with bed bugs and the constantly depleted dining room will ruin your vacation. It did mine! There are plenty of other cruise options available that offer a better experience and much better value for your money.

I sailed them, by a huge flaw in judgement. Not only did I receive the worst possible treatment, the most untrained crew, my cabin was infested with bed bugs! I have photos and videos to support this statement. I now found that ABC news reported bacteria causing Legionnaires Disease on several of their ships! According to ABC News, the management of American Cruise lines has been unresponsive to the FDA regarding the resolution of this possible deadly disease! Why would anyone want to cruise with this, possible deadly, cruise line? No stars are in order for any review of this cruise line.

Photo of Katie G.

AMERICAN CRUISE LINES! We booked our trip of "The Historic South and Golden Isles" tour many months ago. When booking this itinerary, we looked at the virtual tour of the ship provided directly below the itinerary. The ship was modern, new, and amazingly beautiful. It was very comparable to the ship we had on the "Snake and Columbia River" tour we took last June 2022. We knew we would then enjoy this Golden Isles Itinerary. When we boarded "The American Independence", we thought we were on the wrong ship. We walked onto a dreary, old, rusty, dirty, and outdated ship that appears to have been given a slightly cosmetic update in "some areas. Some might describe it as nothing more than putting "lipstick on a pig". AMERICAN CRUISE LINES IS NOT TRANSPARENT when it comes to their website advertising. BE WARY. ASK ABOUT THE SHIP YOU WILL ACTUALLY BE TAKING BEFORE YOU BOOK ON THIS CRUISE LINE. Otherwise, you will be in for the shock and disappointment of your life...at a great monetary expense!

american cruise lines google reviews

we went on the ship out of Seattle. I was promised a bath tub. There were no bath tubs on the ship. The cabins were Hotel 6. I took a shower the first day and the shower drain was stopped up. It took hours to get someone to unplug it. It took 4 request and hours later to get the bathroom cleaned. I ended up going to housekeeping and begging for cleaning supplies. I helped clean the my bathroom after paying approximately $11,000. for 7 days. I was devastated. The food was sub par. The tours White-washed and denied the existence of the indigenous people and their history. I confronted two of the tour directors and they agreed to modify their future narratives. It was a complete waste of hard earned retirement funds. I was offered a 10% discount on a future cruise. I WISH I HAD READ THE REVIEWS BEFORE!!!! Respectfully Patricia R Gordon The AMERICAN SPIRIT is a bucket.

Photo of Jan T.

If I could leave no stars, I would. We had booked a trip in Sept for the Memphis to New Orleans Mississippi River trip. The Dec. trip was canceled in early October and we were told that the fees would be refunded within 6 weeks. We just wanted the charges to be reversed on our card. 13K. We were told that they couldn't do that and we would definitely be getting a check in that timeframe. We are going on 8 weeks, no refund, no correspondence, no satisfactory answers. Meanwhile, we are paying interest on the CC and they are collecting interest on our $! What a hype! Customer service is basically worthless and has no power to refund through accounting. Wasted another day pleading for my money. Ridiculous policies and deceitful practices. . My review.

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  • American Cruise Lines

American-Star-cruise-ship - The 100-passenger American Star sails the inter-coastal waterways of South Carolina and Georgia in winter and the New England coast during summer months.

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On a cruise ship, cruiseclout score: 95.0, american cruise lines: cruise close to home.

Access America's most iconic, historic cruise destinations on the rapidly growing fleet of  small ships offered by American Cruise Lines. The modern fleet provides guests a personalized cruising experience, with large staterooms that offer a front-row seat to discovering the natural beauty, history and culture of the United States. Set sail to destinations from the Mississippi River to New England and Alaska. 

The Columbia and Snake River cruises navigate the legendary route pioneered by Lewis and Clark, traveling from Portland, Oregon to Clarkston, Washington. Guests will admire natural wonders such as the Columbia River Gorge and Mount St. Helens, as well as enjoy guided tours of historic Fort Clatsop and the iconic frontier town of Pendleton, Oregon. 

Guests can also explore the Mississippi River aboard an authentic riverboat cruise or one one of the line's purpose-built Modern Riverboat vessels. Visit the historic battlefields of the Civil War and discover the musical heritage of Memphis, St. Louis and New Orleans while cruising in relaxed comfort.

Cruising Puget Sound around Washington and Victoria, Canada is as much about the journey as it is about each destination. Guests will get to explore everything the region has to offer from the gardens of Victoria to whale watching on the sun deck. 

Head southeast to experience the unparalleled beauty, grand history and hospitable warmth of the region as you cruise between Charleston, South Carolina and Jacksonville, Florida. Immerse yourself in history and culture in Charleston, tour Beaufort via carriage and soak in the incomparable grace of Savannah and Jekyll Island. 

New England cruises are equally as spectacular. Cruise passengers will spend eight days exploring the island gems of Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and Block island. Here, you will discover the maritime history, friendly culture and renowned seafood of New England.

Paddlewheel makeover

The cruise line gave its four paddlewheelers a major makeover in early 2022. Its two Mississippi River paddlewheelers, American Splendor and American Heritage, and two Columbia and Snake River paddlewheelers, American Pride and American West, were redesigned with new color palettes, luxurious textiles and linens, new furniture and carpets and regionally inspired artwork and flourishes.

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7 nights ft. laudera to antigua & martiniqua.

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