U.S. River Cruises
The Widest Selection of U.S. River Cruises
American Cruise Lines offers the finest U.S. river cruises available. Find the right river cruise for you.
The Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the first river that most people think of when it comes to cruising in the United States. American Cruise Lines has five riverboats that run almost the entire year on the Mississippi and its tributaries, including the Arkansas River, the Tennessee River, the Ohio River, and the Cumberland River.
The Columbia & Snake Rivers
The Columbia and Snake Rivers on the border between Washington and Oregon are also extremely popular. These rivers mark the route of Lewis and Clark and are the only navigable path to the Idaho border. Be amazed by the beautiful and ever-changing landscapes.
More Rivers to Explore
American Cruise Lines offers more U.S. river cruises than any other line, exploring the nation’s most scenic waterways. Journey along the Ohio, Tennessee, and Cumberland Rivers, sail the storied Hudson, drift through the Arkansas’ heartland, or discover the historic Potomac, all while enjoying comfort, personalized service, and panoramic views of America’s beauty.
Ohio River Cruises
Cruising the Ohio River from St. Louis to Pittsburgh offers a steady view of changing landscapes and river life. Along the way, towns like Louisville, Madison, Cincinnati, and Marietta share stories of commerce, community, and the enduring rhythm of the water.
Tennessee & Cumberland River Cruises
The Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers reveal winding valleys, wooded bluffs, and towns shaped by music and industry. Stops in Paducah, Muscle Shoals, Clarksville, Chattanooga, and Nashville trace a river route rich in history, creativity, and Southern River culture.
Hudson River Cruises
The Hudson River begins amid the Catskills’ green slopes and continues past West Point’s stone walls and Sleepy Hollow’s legends, ending with New York City’s skyline rising ahead—a journey that links nature, history, and the heart of the Hudson Valley.
Arkansas River Cruises
The Arkansas River takes you along wooded banks, farmland, and quiet bends from Tulsa’s Art Deco skyline to Muskogee’s Native American heritage to Fort Smith's legacy with tales of lawmen and outlaws. Continue to Cleveland and Memphis following a waterway shaped by trade, music, and frontier history.
Potomac River Cruises
Sailing the Potomac River features views of Washington, D.C.’s monuments and skyline, historic waterfronts, and riverside parks. Passing Mount Vernon, George Washington’s estate, the journey blends national history, scenic landscapes, and the enduring flow of a river central to America’s story.
Learn About Our 50+ River Cruise Itineraries.
Why River Cruising
America’s coasts and rivers are our country’s original roads and form a maritime highway that connects almost every major city in the U.S. They traverse our biggest cities and most historic towns, yet also flow through areas more remote than any road.
Our river cruises offer a unique way to explore iconic cities, historic landmarks, and hidden waterways, all from the comfort of a small, intimate ship. That’s why American River Cruises™ with American Cruise Lines are the perfect vacation opportunity for the discerning traveler.
A Personalized Experience
Riverboats are inherently smaller with fewer guests on board, making for a more intimate and personalized travel experience. Though our ships are small, American Cruise Lines has the largest staterooms on any riverboat or small cruise ship in the world.
Rooms average over 300 square feet, with our newest ships having rooms well over 600 square feet. That compares favorably to most other riverboats around the world where rooms can be approximately 180 square feet due to physical limitations on rivers in Europe.
Cultural Enrichment
As we travel along America’s legendary rivers, we provide our guests with an elevated cruise experience through immersive cultural exploration, well-designed enrichment programs on board and ashore, and all the comforts that come with cruising on the newest fleet in the country.
The crew and onboard experts also become well acquainted with guests and can cater to individual tastes and requests. It’s not uncommon that the crew knows each guest by name and that onboard historians share a meal with guests.
A Smooth Journey
Unlike cruising on the open ocean, the riverboat journey is a smooth one, with land never far out of sight and beautiful landscapes nearly close enough to touch.
A riverboat is able to dock in the heart of destinations inaccessible to large cruise ships, resulting in an up-close exploration of the small towns and unique cities that define America.
Step Aboard our Riverboats
Take a virtual stroll through our ships—explore staterooms, lounges, restaurants, and our most popular spots on board.
Why Our Guests Love “Cruising Close to Home”
THE AMERICAN CURRENT Learn More About River Cruises
Our blogs about river cruising feature top destinations, exciting excursions, and unique regional highlights. Get insider packing tips, local culture insights, and fun facts to help you plan an unforgettable river adventure.
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