Adventure and Enrichment in Every Destination

American Cruises Lines offers the most comprehensive guided shore excursions that bring out the distinct flavor and unique culture of the destinations we visit. We offer over 400 shore excursions which are meticulously planned and supported with personal guides who are well-versed in each region. Guided, small group excursions are available in every port of call and range from museums, historic landmarks, and culturally enriching sites to more active excursions such as hiking, kayaking, and bicycling. With various onshore options, guests can tailor their cruise experiences according to their passions and interests.

Excursion Spotlight

Whale Watching Cruise

Immersive Excursion
On The Puget Sound

Depart Friday Harbor for an exciting whale watching cruise in search of the Orca, Humpback, Minke, and Gray Whales. Enjoy an adventure aboard a vessel equipped with indoor and outdoor viewing platforms and crewed by the most experienced captains around. San Juan Island is considered the one of best places to view whales in their natural habitat.

Deception Pass Jet Boat Adventure

Exciting Excursion
On The Puget Sound

Learn about Deception Pass and the surrounding area on this amazing jet boat adventure aboard the Island Whaler- an aluminum jet catamaran! Take a unique ride on a seated open-deck boat and enjoy a 360 degree unobstructed view of the National Historic Landmark, Deception Pass Bridge, the Old Prison Rock Quarry, Deception Island, and a bald eagle’s nest.

Over 400 Onshore Experiences

Mississippi River Cruises

Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum & Music Hall of Fame - Memphis, TN

Learn about our country’s musical pioneers and the obstacles they overcame to influence American culture and the world. View never-before-seen-memorabilia, interactive exhibits, and much more.

Available on Lower Mississippi River, Music Cities, Complete Mississippi River, Grand Heartland, and Mississippi River Gateway cruise itineraries.

Mark Twain Cave Exploration & Wine Tasting – Hannibal, MO

Led by a knowledgeable guide, explore the Mark Twain Cave, a labyrinth of a 260 passageways which inspired the author’s famous work, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) played here throughout his childhood, and 170 years later, you can still see his name written on a wall in the cave. After, quench your thirst with a wine flight or wine slushy as you learn about the history of local wine.

Available on Complete Mississippi, Upper Mississippi, and Grand Heartland cruise itineraries.

Paducah Local Loop– Paducah, KY

Visit a variety of sights on the Paducah Local Loop. Stop at the River Discovery Center to celebrate the Paducah’s maritime history or visit the Paducah Railroad Museum, featuring a variety of memorabilia from the romantic past of America’s railroads. However you choose to spend your day, it will not be short of adventure.

Available on Mississippi River Gateway, Ohio River Explore, The Tennessee Rivers, and Grand Ohio River cruise itineraries.

New England Cruises

Fort Scammel Experience by Cruise – Portland, ME

On board the Elizabeth Grace, view iconic lighthouses and stone fortresses built in the early 19th century surrounding Portland Harbor. Explore Fort Scammel, the only fort in the harbor to see active combat.

Available on Grand New England and New England Explorer cruise itineraries.

Provincetown Dunes Adventure – Provincetown, MA

Explore the Dune Shacks of Peaked Hill Bars Historic District in your very own private SUV. Witness the shacks that come into view as you weave through the dunes. View the picturesque Pilgrim Lake, while listening to your guide share the history and ecology of this beautiful location.

Available on Grand New England, Maine Coast & Harbors, and New England Explorer cruise itineraries.

Lobstering & Lighthouse Cruise – Camden, ME

Climb aboard the Lively Lady with Captain Dominic as you watch live lobster fishing and enjoy the views of Curtis Island Lighthouse.

Available on Grand New England, Maine Coast & Harbors, and New England Explorer cruise itineraries.

Southeast U.S. Cruises

Dolphin Discovery Cruise – Hilton Head Island, SC

Enjoy an adventure with the playful and endearing bottle-nose dolphins. Your knowledgeable guide will share bottle-nose dolphin facts, including how the shallow waters around the island provide the perfect place for dolphins to find food.

Available on Historic South & Golden Isles and East Coast Inland Passage cruise itineraries.

Arlington National Cemetery Experience – Washington, D.C.

A final resting place for more than 400,000 active duty service members, veterans, and their families, this cemetery is an enduring tribute to those who have dedicated their lives defending the ideals of our nation.

Available on American Revolution cruise itineraries.

Blackwater Kayaking Experience – Cambridge, MD

Enjoy a guided tour, led by a local naturalist, as your paddle down the Little Blackwater River. Watch Great Blue Herons fishing on the banks and search for the endangered Delmarva Fox Squirrel. Don’t forget your camera for some amazing photo opportunities.

Available on American Revolution cruise itineraries.

Puget Sound Cruises

Whale Watching Cruise – Friday Harbor, WA

Enjoy an adventure aboard a vessel equipped with indoor and outdoor viewing platforms and crewed by the most experienced captains around. Friday Harbor is considered the one of best places to view whales in their natural habitat. You may also spot sea lions, seals, porpoises, eagles, otters, and a large array of sea birds.

Available on Grand Puget Sound and Puget Sound cruise itineraries.

Butchart Gardens & Victoria City Experience – Victoria, BC

Visit one of Victoria’s most famous attractions, Butchart Gardens. A National Historic Site of Canada, the gorgeous grounds feature millions of bedding plants in over 900 varieties. In addition to exploring the beautiful gardens, you will have time to walk around the city before boarding the return ferry.

Available on Grand Puget Sound and Puget Sound cruise itinerary.

Tacoma Beer Experience – Tacoma, WA

The Tacoma’s brewery scene can be traced back all the way to 1897. Taste a sampling from four of the top tier Tacoma breweries. As you travel from place to place, learn about local history and hear bawdy stories of Tacoma’s railroad past from a local expert storyteller.

Available on Grand Puget Sound cruise itineraries.

Alaska Cruises

Ketchikan Duck Boat Adventure – Ketchikan, AK

Explore the city of Ketchikan by land and sea. Begin your excursion visiting sites by motorcoach, including salmon spawning grounds and Ketchikan’s Old Red Light District. At the boat launch, plunge into the Tongass Narrows and cruise between neighboring islands, viewing the beautiful Deer Mountain and Ketchikan’s quaint waterfront community.

Available on Alaskan Explorer and Alaska Inside Passage cruise itineraries.

Stikine River Jet Boat Adventure – Wrangell, AK

The Stikine River – the fastest navigable, free-flowing river in North America – is truly a photographer’s dream. Enjoy the picturesque scenery and massive glaciers while searching for a wide variety of wildlife, including moose, deer, brown and black bear, and the bald eagle.

Available on Southeast Alaska, Alaskan Explorer, and Alaska Inside Passage cruise itineraries.

LeConte Glacier Jet Boat Adventure – Petersburg, AK

Explore LeConte Glacier Bay on a jet boat adventure. As you enter the narrow Fjord, watch for seal and eagles on the icebergs, mountain goats near hanging glaciers, and icebergs falling off the face of a glacier.

Available on Southeast Alaska, Alaskan Explorer, and Alaska Inside Passage cruise itineraries.

Columbia & Snake River Cruises

Fort Clatsop Experience – Astoria, OR

Visit the winter encampment site of Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery. Take the opportunity to explore the visitor center and take a walk through a replica of the Fort that was built during their famous journey into the West.

Available on National Parks & Legendary Rivers, Columbia & Snake Rivers, Northwest Pioneers, and Highlights of the Columbia River cruise itineraries.

Artist Point - Yellowstone National Park, MT

Enjoy an exceptional perspective of the 308-foot Lower Falls from this well-known overlook on the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River. This breathtaking view is something that you truly have to see with your own eyes.

Available on National Park & Legendary Rivers cruise itineraries.

Neon Sign Museum – The Dalles, OR

Explore the Neon Sign Museum to learn more about the vibrant history, craftsmanship, and culture that shaped America, as seen through the evolution of pre-electric vintage signage and advertising. View a variety of signs and advertisements from the turn of the century through the 1960s.

Available on National Parks & Legendary Rivers, Columbia & Snake Rivers, and Northwest Pioneers cruise itineraries.

Pre-Cruise Packages

Extend the journey with more days to discover and explore. American Cruise Lines has a variety of Pre-Cruise Packages allowing our guests to fully immerse themselves in the region in which they are traveling and to seamlessly board the ship. These convenient packages include a 1 to 2-night stay in a premium hotel, breakfast, a city exploration which concludes at the ship, and concierge luggage service. Choose from our new National Parks Post-Cruise Packages, Boston Four Seasons Pre-Cruise Package, and more.

2-Night Graceland Pre-Cruise Package

The complete Elvis experience is yours with two nights at The Guest House at Graceland, breakfast each morning, and The Graceland Experience, a tour of Elvis' mansion and grounds. The following day, enjoy a Memphis City Exploration which concludes at the ship the morning of your cruise.

Boston Four Seasons Pre-Cruise Package

Arrive in Boston the night before your cruise and stay at the highly acclaimed Four Seasons Hotel, conveniently located in the heart of downtown. Take part in a narrated city excursion which visits sites such as Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, and take in all of the sights that Boston has to offer.

Hells Canyon Flightseeing adventure

Enjoy our Hells Canyon Flightseeing Adventure over, through, and around the Nez Perce's "land of the winding rivers." On this unforgettable narrated experience, soar over scenic rolling hills, crystal clear rivers, and abounding timbered wilderness as you learn about the region’s spectacular ecology, geology, and history.

Seattle Four Seasons Pre-Cruise Package

Stay the night before your cruise at the Crowne Plaza Seattle Downtown to receive concierge luggage service and enjoy a narrated city excursion of Seattle visiting highlights such as Pike Place Market, and Elliott Bay.

Testimonials

Testimonial

Columbia & Snake Rivers

“There was so much to do and I wanted to do it all! I enjoyed all the different things offered and the guides on the outings were very nice and the bus drivers too.”

– Leslie N. – Bernalillo, NM

Testimonial

Lower Mississippi

“Loved the shore excursions! We were pleased when we had an extra day in New Orleans vs docking at Houmas. The variety of things to do was great and the guides were informative. The bus drivers were friendly and very competent. We learned a lot and appreciated that it was well planned out for us. Mikalla was wonderful!! ”

– Linda T. – Avon, CT

Testimonial

Puget Sound & San Juan Islands

“I especially liked the guided and self walk around the various towns. I liked that we actually had time to take our time in visiting several of these areas.”

– James C. – Kalamazoo, MI