Grand Ohio River Cruise

Each Mississippi itinerary comes complete with a Complimentary Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay. Arrive the day before your scheduled cruise date and American Cruise Lines will handle the rest. The package includes a premium hotel stay, where you can enjoy the city at your leisure. On the morning of the cruise, meet in the hotel lobby and we will transport you to the ship to begin your cruise. All luggage will be brought directly from the hotel and placed in your stateroom aboard the ship.

Pre-Cruise Hotel Stays must be reserved at least 30 days before your cruise date. Call 1-800-460-4518 to reserve your space. 

Enjoy a 1-night stay at the Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, a resort-style hotel on the bank of the Mississippi River and located in the heart of downtown's entertainment district. This Pre-Cruise Package includes breakfast at the hotel, concierge luggage service, and a Discover St. Louis city excursion which concludes at the ship the morning of your cruise.

Pre-Cruise Packages must be reserved at least 30 days before your cruise date. Please call (800) 460-4518 for pricing and availability.

As you embark upon your journey, enjoy a Welcome Aboard Reception with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and entertainment. Meet the crew, your onboard experts, and fellow guests. Learn more about the wonderful adventure ahead of you.

Join a local guide on a narrated exploration of Cape Girardeau, a city that began as a small trading post over 200 years ago. Visit Old St. Vincent’s Church and admire its Renaissance architecture, and then Southeast Missouri State University’s Crisp Museum which features fine art exhibitions, Native American artifacts and interpretive regional history displays.

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Partial

The Mississippi River Tales Mural is the largest and most dramatic of Cape Girardeau's murals and is located on a portion of the floodwall. Covering nearly 18,000 square feet, this 1,100-foot-long mural features 24 historically-themed panels that vividly portray Cape Girardeau's rich history and heritage. Along the way, descriptive markers provide an explanation of each panel.

Activity Level: High | ADA ACCESSIBLE: No

There are a variety of activities scheduled on board when the ship is underway, which vary depending on the itinerary and scheduled date. Enjoy destination-focused enrichment programs with special guest speakers who present topics related to the region and ports of call, including Art Classes, App-titude Classes (Tech Made Easy), Cooking Demonstrations, Mixology (practice of making great cocktails,) Trivia, Game Shows, and more.

Discover downtown Paducah at your own pace. Visit the areas many museums, including the Paducah Railroad Museum, featuring equipment and memorabilia from the romantic past of America’s railroads. Stop at the River Discovery Center, which celebrates Paducah’s maritime legacy, and the National Quilt museum, where you can view exhibits by talented quilters. Explore the Lowertown Arts District & Neighborhood, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as the Civil War Museum & Tilghman House, an 1852 Greek-revival home, which tells the story of Paducah’s influence during the Civil War. Take time for shopping and walking along the riverfront to view the many wall murals which chronicle Paducah’s past.

Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessibility: Yes

Paducah’s location at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers makes it unique. The city is home to some of the nation’s largest barge and towing companies. At the River Discovery Center, learn all about the inland waterways and the impact they have on the daily lives of local residents. You can be a captain and choose your vessel type in the state-of-the-art boat simulator, as well as explore and learn about the history, environments, culture, and economy of these rivers through interactive exhibits.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Let our local guide take you through the quaint city of Paducah. This tour has been carefully divided into three distinct sections to make sure you experience all that Paducah has to offer. First, tour the downtown as our local expert guide points out the areas’ many historical sites. Then, ride along the riverfront where you will witness more than 50 life-sized panoramic murals depicting elements of Paducah’s past. End the tour at the National Quilt Museum, the world's largest museum devoted to quilt and fiber art.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

The Audubon Museum and Nature Center interprets the life of John James Audubon through his art and personal memorabilia framed within a timeline of world events. Join a park naturalist on a guided tour before enjoying some free time to explore the Museum’s three galleries and the Center’s wildlife observation room, theater, and Discovery & Learning Center on your own.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: No

Explore the only operational LST (Landing Ship, Tank) still afloat in U.S. waters. This amphibious vessel, LST-325,was designed to land battle-ready tanks, troops, and supplies directly onto enemy shores during WWII. On this guided excursion, explore the Main Deck, Troop Berthing, Tank Deck, Galley, Stern, Wheel House, Officer's Country, and the Captain's Cabin.

Activity Level: High | ADA ACCESSIBLE: No

Explore downtown Evansville on your own. Take time for shopping and strolling along the charming streets of this picturesque waterfront town. Stops include:

• Evansville Museum - Explore a permanent collection of over 30,000 objects from fine art to natural history artifacts as well as the "From the Hand of the President" collection of documents signed by Presidents of the United States.

• USS LST-325 - Come aboard the last fully operational WWII Landing Ship Tank (LST) afloat in US Waters.

• Reitz Home Museum - Visit the historic Victorian house built by Evansville "Lumber Baron" and philanthropist, John August Reitz and his wife Gertrude, who emigrated from Prussia to Evansville as young adults. Noted as one of the country's finest examples of Second Empire architecture, the Reitz Home features authentic period furniture, spindled archways, and French gilt chandeliers to name a few of the home's well-preserved features.

• Main St. - Experience some of the sights, shops and restaurants of downtown that are uniquely Evansville.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Partial

This unique museum celebrates the service of the Evansville region's armed forces, focusing on the manufacturing contributions made during World War II by the region's hometown heroes. Be treated to an exclusive exploration of the Main Hall and four galleries. The Home Front Gallery displays exhibits on the wartime munitions and personal military memorabilia, including uniforms, weapons, and honors. Also featured is the Evansville Canteen - having served the troops passing through on their way to war, an exhibit honoring the sacrifices made by nurses in the war, as well as period automobiles, and military equipment, such as a landing craft from the LST 325, an Evansville-built P-47 Thunderbolt fighter plane, and a 1943 M4A4 Sherman Tank, to name a few.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Enjoy a self-guided exploration of Indiana’s first zoo, set on 45 scenic acres, with hundreds of animals representing species from around the globe. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty that surrounds you, while navigating the Zoo’s geographically grouped and themed regions, including South America, North America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Along the way, view thousands of exotic and regional botanic species which adorn the hillsides and animal exhibits.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the world-famous Churchill Downs Racetrack. Walk through a portion of the grandstands where thousands of people roar with excitement on Derby Day. Your guide will lead you to the rail of the legendary dirt track where every Derby winner has raced, from Aristides to Secretariat and many more. Have your camera ready to take pictures of the historic track. Hear stories of the early days of the Kentucky Derby through its transformation into the iconic event it is today. Enjoy a viewing of the epic film, The Greatest Race, a 360 degree, 18 minute media experience that will make your heart race and your emotions soar.  

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Discover Kentucky’s fascinating past, present, and future with exhibits like “The Spirit of Kentucky,” which demonstrates the history, craft, and culture of Kentucky Bourbon.

Explore the “Lewis and Clark Experience,” a one-of-a-kind exhibit that recreates Lewis and Clark’s 1804 mission. Find out “What’s Cool About Kentucky,” in an exhibit that illustrates the quirky, often surprising, and always authentic culture of Kentucky.

Activity Level: Low

Take a journey through this renowned distillery, where the Beam Family has been making Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey for over two centuries. From the Kentucky limestone filtered water and grains to the heritage yeast that Jim Beam himself drove to and from the distillery for safe keeping, get a behind-the-barrel look at your favorite bourbons. Explore the hardest working still in America, where Jim Beam®, Basil Hayden®, and Legent® spirits are made. Walk the bottling line where you can hand pick and purchase a single barrel bottle and customize the label for yourself. Finish your excursion with a guided, Kentucky-style bourbon tasting in one of the new tasting rooms at the American Outpost.

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Louisville Slugger is the maker of the world’s most popular bat. The company’s storied traditions and high standards for quality have produced some of the finest bats for amateurs and professionals alike. Take a guided tour of the facility and museum, learning first-hand their processes from forest-to-factory and the scientific principles used to fabricate the most important tool in “America’s Game.” Enjoy special seasonal exhibits and receive a free souvenir bat to commemorate your visit.

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Explore both sides of the river on this fantastic, all-encompassing excursion. Begin in the heart of the city at Fountain Square. Along your journey, view the Contemporary Arts Center, Procter and Gamble’s International Headquarters, and the Taft Museum in beautiful Lytle Park. Learn about Cincinnati’s most well-known landmarks including: Union Terminal, Music Hall, Washington Park, Smale Riverfront Park, Bicentennial Commons, the new TQL Stadium, and the Paul Brown Stadium and Great American Ball Park – home of the Bengals and Reds.

Enjoy the old-world charm of Mount Adams with its “shot-gun” row homes and charming district of shops and restaurants. View picturesque Eden Park, home to the Cincinnati Art Museum, Playhouse in the Park, and Krohn Conservatory. 

Cross the Ohio River to Kentucky’s historic Riverside Drive with its antebellum homes. Explore the entertainment district at Newport on the Levee and the World Peace Bell – the largest free-swinging bell in the world.  While in Kentucky, you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the Cincinnati skyline. 

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center celebrates the brave men and women who came together to create a secret network through which the enslaved could escape to freedom. Their examples of courage, cooperation, and perseverance, is relevant to this day, as we continue to deal with contemporary issues of equality and diversity. 

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Explore the Cincinnati Art Museum, located in scenic Eden Park. Featured is a diverse, comprehensive art collection of more than 67,000 works spanning 6,000 years. In addition to displaying its own encyclopedic collection, the museum also hosts a variety national and international traveling exhibitions each year.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Step back in time while you tour the historic town of Old Washington. Starting at the 1790s Visitor Center, your costumed guide will lead you through this historic Kentucky village, taking you along flagstone sidewalks graced with authentic frontier log cabins and early 19th-century homes. 

Activity Level: High | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Discover small town charm during a narrated exploration of historic Maysville. Begin at the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center, which brings the stories of explorers, artists, and movie stars to life through award-winning dioramas and a collection of artifacts. 

Visit The Russell Theater, opened in 1930 by Colonel J. Barbour Russell, a flamboyant, well-known Maysville businessman who made his early fortune in the grocery business. The structure is constructed entirely of steel, concrete, brick, and terra cotta in Spanish Colonial style with a Moorish influence.  “What the Roxy is to New York,” Russell boasted, “The Russell will be to Maysville.” 

In 1953, Rosemary Clooney, a Maysville native, premiered her movie, The Stars Are Singing.  Today, the lobby is dedicated to memorabilia of that night and other items of interest to Clooney fans. After nearly being torn down, The Russell Theater was saved by volunteers who donated countless hours restoring and preserving this heart of Maysville, which is listed in individually on the National Register of Historic Places.
 

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Explore two of Marietta’s greatest treasures: the Campus Martius Museum and the Ohio River Museum. The Campus Martius Museum features exhibits focusing on America’s migration out West and Marietta’s earliest native inhabitants. At the Ohio River Museum, discover the golden age of the steamboat and learn about the ecology of the Ohio River system.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Get a glimpse into what entertained and educated children in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This museum is truly a hidden treasure, featuring toys, doll collections, and memorabilia of years ago. Explore nine rooms displaying antique and vintage doll collections, including Kewpie dolls, Barbie dolls and GI Joe model dolls, miniature houses, as well as larger models of fairy tale homes such as the Ole’ Woman in the Shoe model and a Hansel and Gretel Gingerbread Doll House.

Activity Level: Low 

Explore this beautifully preserved, 1855 Gothic-Revival house which is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Castle was once home to some of Marietta's most prominent citizens and the site of many prestigious functions. Hear fascinating stories about its history and learn about of one of the oldest regions in the Northwest Territory.

Activity Level: Medium | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

There are a variety of activities scheduled on board when the ship is underway, which vary depending on the itinerary and scheduled date. Enjoy destination-focused enrichment programs with special guest speakers who present topics related to the region and ports of call, including Art Classes, App-titude Classes (Tech Made Easy), Cooking Demonstrations, Mixology (practice of making great cocktails,) Trivia, Game Shows, and more.

Visit the largest museum in North America dedicated to a single artist. The Andy Warhol Museum holds an extensive permanent collection of art and archives from this Pittsburgh-born pop art icon.  Explore the museum’s many galleries, which feature his paintings, photographs, unique prints, and sculptures, as well as Warhol films and videotaped works. A must-see for any art aficionado.

Please Note: This excursion is only available on cruises ending in Pittsburgh.

Named after Republican Politician Senator John Heinz, this interactive museum is full of six floors worth of Western Pennsylvania History, covering the past 250 years. Exhibits include the life of Senator John Heinz, the history of Pittsburgh, professional sports memorabilia, and much more.

Please Note: This excursion is only available on cruises ending in Pittsburgh.

Activity Level: Medium | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Enjoy your locally guided experience exploring Pittsburgh, PA, ranked one of the most livable cities in America. Located at the confluence of three mighty rivers, this resilient city has reinvented itself through the years from a smoky industrial “Steel City” to a modern city of technology, culture, and world class hospitals and universities. While on this excursion, travel through many of the city’s unique neighborhoods and hear the colorful stories of what makes Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh. Enjoy an exploration of Pittsburgh’s South Side and former Steel mill sites, as well as its Eastern neighborhoods, including Millionaire’s Row, and the Downtown “Golden Triangle.” In the Northside, enjoy the iconic sites in “Pittsburgh’s playground,” home to Heinz Field, PNC Park, and the National Aviary. And of course, no visit to “the city of bridges” would be complete without a stop atop Mt. Washington to view the spectacular Pittsburgh Skyline.

Please Note: This excursion is only available on cruises ending in Pittsburgh.

Activity Level: Low 

Why not stay an extra night or two to immerse yourself in the spirit of this vibrant city? Ask your onboard Hotel Manager for recommendations on area hotels, attractions, and more.