Ohio River Cruise

Pittsburgh Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay

Each Mississippi itinerary comes complete with a Complimentary Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay, providing you with a seamless way to board the ship and explore the local area. 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 after breakfast 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.

The Andy Warhol Museum

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.

Pittsburgh Experience - Complimentary Excursion

Long known for steel manufacturing, Pittsburgh was an essential stop along the Ohio River for national and international commerce making it a wealthy town in the 18th and 19th centuries. Pass by the Heinz Stadium home to the NFL Pittsburgh Steelers and PNC Park, home to the MLB Pittsburgh Pirates.

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

Senator John Heinz History Museum - Complimentary Excursion

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.

Children’s Toy & Doll Museum - Complimentary

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.

Campus Martius Museum & Ohio River Museum - Complimentary Excursion

Tour 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.

The Castle Historic House Museum - Complimentary Excursion

Tour 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.

Old Washington Exploration - Complimentary Excursion

Step back in time while you tour the historic town of Old Washington. Starting at the 1790s Visitor Center, your costumed tour 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. This two-hour walking tour will include stops at the Simon Kenton Shrine, Albert Sidney Johnston House, and the Harriett Beecher Stowe Slavery to Freedom Museum.

Maysville Highlights - Complimentary Excursion

Enjoy the small town charm of historic Maysville, during this narrated tour. Begin at the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center, which brings the stories of explorers, artists, and movie stars to life through award-winning dioramas and its collection of historic artifacts. Next, visit the historic Russell Theater, a true piece of the town’s history. The tour will conclude at the Cox Building which was built in 1886 and features Richardson Romanesque architecture. 

Cincinnati City Experience

Your comprehensive city discovery begins in the heart of the city at Fountain Square before viewing the Contemporary Arts Center, the Taft Museum in beautiful Lytle Park, Union Terminal, Music Hall, Washington Park, Smale Riverfront Park, Eden Park, Bicentennial Commons, Paul Brown Stadium, Great American Ball Park – home of the Bengals and Reds, Mount Adams, and so much more. 

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

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. 

The Frazier Kentucky History Museum Exploration

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.

Kentucky Derby Museum & Horse Park - Complimentary Excursion

Get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Churchill Downs, the site of the famed Kentucky Derby. Here, you will have exclusive access to every facet of the race, from the Press Box and Jockey’s to Millionaire’s Row, the most coveted seats on race day. Visit the Kentucky Derby Museum to see actual Derby footage dating as far back as 1918.

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory

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.

Jim Beam American Outpost

Bourbon enthusiasts will revel in a visit to the famous Jim Beam distillery. Celebrate “America’s First Family of Bourbon,” as you learn about their over 200 years of bourbon-making and view historic artifacts. Your private tour will include a visit to the home where three generations of Beam distillers lived. Step inside the Stillhouse Exhibit, which features an authentic 1800s copper, believed to be one of the oldest in America. Your tour will conclude in the rack house, where the bourbon is aged and the sampling begins. Visit the popular gift shop to purchase a variety of bourbons, bar ware, and other Jim Beam merchandise. 

Kentucky Derby Museum & Horse Park - Complimentary Excursion

Get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Churchill Downs, the site of the famed Kentucky Derby. Here, you will have exclusive access to every facet of the race, from the Press Box and Jockey’s to Millionaire’s Row, the most coveted seats on race day. Visit the Kentucky Derby Museum to see actual Derby footage dating as far back as 1918.

The USS LST Ship Memorial Exploration

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.

Audubon Museum and Nature Center

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.

Paducah Exploration Shuttle

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.

Paducah City Excursion & National Quilt Museum

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, take a leisurely stroll 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.

River Discovery Center

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. 

Cape Girardeau Experience - Complimentary Excursion

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.

Day Fresh Brewery Exploration

Enjoy a guided exploration of the Anheuser-Busch InBev campus. Admire stunning views of the property as you learn about the company’s history, brewing methods, and the life of an Anheuser-Busch beer from seed to sip - from its beginnings as quality ingredients to the crisp taste of the finished product. After, visit the Clydesdale Paddock and Stables, the Beechwood Aging Cellars, historic Brewhouse, and the Bevo packaging facility. Receive a Day Fresh beer as a keepsake.

Missouri History Museum

Enjoy a guided tour through two of the museum’s most popular exhibits; The 1904 World’s Fair: Looking Back at Looking Forward, an event that attracted over 200,000 visitors to the opening day, and Seeking St. Louis, delve into the history of the Gateway City from its founding through the new millennium.

Note: This excursion is only offered on cruises ending in St. Louis, MO and on the Complete Mississippi and Grand Heartland itineraries.

Discover St. Louis - Complimentary Excursion

This narrated exploration provides you with a wonderful overview of the city, including downtown St. Louis and the riverfront, Citygarden Sculpture Park, the historic neighborhoods of Soulard and Lafayette Square, Forest Park, and The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, a stunning church which rivals the cathedrals in Rome, Italy.  

Note: This excursion is only offered on select cruises ending in St. Louis, MO and on the Complete Mississippi and Grand Heartland itineraries.

Discover St. Louis - Complimentary Excursion

This narrated exploration provides you with a wonderful overview of the city, including downtown St. Louis and the riverfront, Citygarden Sculpture Park, the historic neighborhoods of Soulard and Lafayette Square, Forest Park, and The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, a stunning church which rivals the cathedrals in Rome, Italy.  

Note: This excursion is only offered on select cruises ending in St. Louis, MO and on the Complete Mississippi and Grand Heartland itineraries.

Pittsburgh Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay

Each Mississippi itinerary comes complete with a Complimentary Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay, providing you with a seamless way to board the ship and explore the local area. 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 after breakfast 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.

Discover St. Louis - Complimentary Excursion

This narrated exploration provides you with a wonderful overview of the city, including downtown St. Louis and the riverfront, Citygarden Sculpture Park, the historic neighborhoods of Soulard and Lafayette Square, Forest Park, and The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, a stunning church which rivals the cathedrals in Rome, Italy.  

Note: This excursion is only offered on select cruises ending in St. Louis, MO and on the Complete Mississippi and Grand Heartland itineraries.

Day Fresh Brewery Exploration

Enjoy a guided exploration of the Anheuser-Busch InBev campus. Admire stunning views of the property as you learn about the company’s history, brewing methods, and the life of an Anheuser-Busch beer from seed to sip - from its beginnings as quality ingredients to the crisp taste of the finished product. After, visit the Clydesdale Paddock and Stables, the Beechwood Aging Cellars, historic Brewhouse, and the Bevo packaging facility. Receive a Day Fresh beer as a keepsake.

Missouri History Museum

Enjoy a guided tour through two of the museum’s most popular exhibits; The 1904 World’s Fair: Looking Back at Looking Forward, an event that attracted over 200,000 visitors to the opening day, and Seeking St. Louis, delve into the history of the Gateway City from its founding through the new millennium.

Note: This excursion is only offered on cruises ending in St. Louis, MO and on the Complete Mississippi and Grand Heartland itineraries.

Discover St. Louis - Complimentary Excursion

This narrated exploration provides you with a wonderful overview of the city, including downtown St. Louis and the riverfront, Citygarden Sculpture Park, the historic neighborhoods of Soulard and Lafayette Square, Forest Park, and The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, a stunning church which rivals the cathedrals in Rome, Italy.  

Note: This excursion is only offered on select cruises ending in St. Louis, MO and on the Complete Mississippi and Grand Heartland itineraries.

Cape Girardeau Experience - Complimentary Excursion

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.

Paducah Exploration Shuttle

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.

Paducah City Excursion & National Quilt Museum

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, take a leisurely stroll 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.

River Discovery Center

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. 

The USS LST Ship Memorial Exploration

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.

Audubon Museum and Nature Center

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.

Kentucky Derby Museum & Horse Park - Complimentary Excursion

Get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Churchill Downs, the site of the famed Kentucky Derby. Here, you will have exclusive access to every facet of the race, from the Press Box and Jockey’s to Millionaire’s Row, the most coveted seats on race day. Visit the Kentucky Derby Museum to see actual Derby footage dating as far back as 1918.

The Frazier Kentucky History Museum Exploration

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.

Kentucky Derby Museum & Horse Park - Complimentary Excursion

Get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Churchill Downs, the site of the famed Kentucky Derby. Here, you will have exclusive access to every facet of the race, from the Press Box and Jockey’s to Millionaire’s Row, the most coveted seats on race day. Visit the Kentucky Derby Museum to see actual Derby footage dating as far back as 1918.

Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory

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.

Jim Beam American Outpost

Bourbon enthusiasts will revel in a visit to the famous Jim Beam distillery. Celebrate “America’s First Family of Bourbon,” as you learn about their over 200 years of bourbon-making and view historic artifacts. Your private tour will include a visit to the home where three generations of Beam distillers lived. Step inside the Stillhouse Exhibit, which features an authentic 1800s copper, believed to be one of the oldest in America. Your tour will conclude in the rack house, where the bourbon is aged and the sampling begins. Visit the popular gift shop to purchase a variety of bourbons, bar ware, and other Jim Beam merchandise. 

Cincinnati City Experience

Your comprehensive city discovery begins in the heart of the city at Fountain Square before viewing the Contemporary Arts Center, the Taft Museum in beautiful Lytle Park, Union Terminal, Music Hall, Washington Park, Smale Riverfront Park, Eden Park, Bicentennial Commons, Paul Brown Stadium, Great American Ball Park – home of the Bengals and Reds, Mount Adams, and so much more. 

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

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. 

Old Washington Exploration - Complimentary Excursion

Step back in time while you tour the historic town of Old Washington. Starting at the 1790s Visitor Center, your costumed tour 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. This two-hour walking tour will include stops at the Simon Kenton Shrine, Albert Sidney Johnston House, and the Harriett Beecher Stowe Slavery to Freedom Museum.

Maysville Highlights - Complimentary Excursion

Enjoy the small town charm of historic Maysville, during this narrated tour. Begin at the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center, which brings the stories of explorers, artists, and movie stars to life through award-winning dioramas and its collection of historic artifacts. Next, visit the historic Russell Theater, a true piece of the town’s history. The tour will conclude at the Cox Building which was built in 1886 and features Richardson Romanesque architecture. 

Children’s Toy & Doll Museum - Complimentary

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.

Campus Martius Museum & Ohio River Museum - Complimentary Excursion

Tour 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.

The Castle Historic House Museum - Complimentary Excursion

Tour 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.

The Andy Warhol Museum

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.

Pittsburgh Experience - Complimentary Excursion

Long known for steel manufacturing, Pittsburgh was an essential stop along the Ohio River for national and international commerce making it a wealthy town in the 18th and 19th centuries. Pass by the Heinz Stadium home to the NFL Pittsburgh Steelers and PNC Park, home to the MLB Pittsburgh Pirates.

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

Senator John Heinz History Museum - Complimentary Excursion

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.