Chesapeake Bay Cruise

Enjoy a 1-night stay at the Four Seasons Hotel located at the entrance of Georgetown, steps from world-leading institutions and historic monuments. 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, enjoy breakfast at the hotel, an exploration of our nation's capital, and transportation 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 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.

Enjoy a walking and trolley exploration of Historic Yorktown. Led by our knowledgeable guide, visit the Yorktown Victory Monument. Walk down Main Street and learn about the history and significance of Yorktown during the American Revolutionary War. Continue to the Gallery at York Hall where local artisans display their work, before boarding the Trolley for the return to the ship.  

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Explore the Jamestown Settlement and discover the story of the people who founded this historic town. Learn about the Native Americans of Virginia they encountered, through film, gallery exhibits, and living history. Visitors can board replicas of the three ships that sailed from England to Virginia in 1607 and explore life-size re-creations of the Colonists’ fort as well as a Powhatan village. In the outdoor areas, costumed historical interpreters describe and demonstrate daily life in the early 17th century.

Activity Level: Medium | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown tells the story of the nation’s founding, from the twilight of the colonial period to the dawn of the Constitution and beyond. Exciting indoor galleries feature period artifacts, immersive environments and films, including “The Siege of Yorktown,” with a 180-degree surround screen and dramatic special effects.

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Travel along the Colonial Parkway, which connects Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown, to witness beautiful views of the York River and the Virginia countryside without the obstruction of commercial traffic or signage. Upon arrival in Colonial Williamsburg, enjoy a guided walking excursion through this 18th-century city followed by free time to explore at your leisure.

Activity Level: Medium | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Partial 

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.

Since the 1880s, skipjacks have sailed the Chesapeake Bay. While there were once as many as 800 or more of these beautiful vessels, today fewer than two dozen of the original dredge boats remain. The Nathan was built by volunteers to preserve wooden boat building technology and the nautical heritage of the region and offers guests a unique opportunity to experience the vanishing skipjack heritage. Cruise on the scenic Choptank River, help raise her sails, or take a turn at the helm, and hear stories of the working watermen.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: No

Enjoy an adventure exploring the landscape surrounding the childhood home of Underground Railroad Conductor Harriet Tubman. Led by a certified National Park Service guide, view the setting of her escapes north. Visit Stewart’s Canal, the waterway dug by Harriet and her father, Ben Ross. View Harriet Tubman State Park and explore the Bucktown General Store, the site of her first known act of defiance.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Explore Dorchester County’s Little Blackwater River, a premier wildlife waterway, led by a local naturalist. As you paddle along this serene national refuge, view a bald eagle’s nest while searching for its inhabitants. Watch Great Blue Herons fishing on the banks and search for the endangered Delmarva Fox Squirrel, and so much more. Be sure to bring your camera for great photo opportunities.

This is a Signature shore excursion and should be reserved in advance. Please call (800) 460-4518 for information.

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA ACCESSIBLE: No

Enjoy a leisurely bike ride along flat surfaced roadways into Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Led by a local guide, learn about local history and culture as you search for Bald Eagles, Ospreys, Great Blue Herons, many species of waterfowl, as well as deer and turkey.

This is a Signature shore excursion and should be reserved in advance. Please call (800) 460-4518 for information.

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA ACCESSIBLE: No

Enjoy a guided walking exploration of historic St. Michaels, a charming waterfront town, named as one of the Top 10 Best Small Coastal Towns in America by USA Today. Explore the picturesque harbor front on Maryland's Eastern Shore, lined with bustling marinas and ornamented with boats of all shapes and sizes.

Stroll through St. Michaels' famed Historic District, as we rediscover 350 years of shipbuilding, classic historic homes, and the famous battle of St. Michaels from the War of 1812. Our exploration concludes along the community's quaint Talbot Street shopping district, lined with one-of-a-kind boutique shops, fabulous eateries, and towering church steeples.

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

This 18-acre waterfront museum, which is dedicated to furthering the understanding of the maritime heritage of the Chesapeake Bay area, features 10 exhibit buildings, a historic lighthouse, and a working boatyard. Docking right in the heart of the museum, American Cruise Lines’ guests can enjoy a private exploration of this fascinating museum.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

The Classic Motor Museum is dedicated to appreciating and preserving America’s heritage of automotive innovation. Explore the museum to learn the history of motoring, from its earliest days to the current state of transportation. View everything from a Ford model T to today's Porsche 911 Turbo.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

A Colonial-attired guide will lead you through Annapolis' historic district and into the Maryland State House. Walk in the footsteps of George Washington, where in 1783, inside the State House, he resigned as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. Continuing through the downtown area, pass many 18th-century mansions and learn about the significance of their beautiful architecture. Throughout your exploration, your guide will share Annapolis history with you, including stories of the famous statesmen that built these magnificent structures.

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Step aboard the classic Harbor Queen for a narrated cruise along the Annapolis Harbor and the banks of the U.S. Naval Academy. Hear the history of the Academy, discover Annapolis' role as a historic seaport, and learn about the region's waterways. Along the way, catch of a glimpse of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Founded in 1845 by Secretary of the Navy, George Bancroft, the Academy was started as the Naval School at Old Fort Severn. Experience “Life on the Yard” as you explore the Academy campus with a professional, certified guide. The excursion highlights life at the U.S. Naval Academy past and present and includes Lejeune Hall, Bancroft Hall, Tecumseh, Herndon Monument, Main Academy Chapel (when open) and the crypt of John Paul Jones, Revolutionary War hero.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Ride through the streets of the Annapolis Historic District as an experienced and knowledgeable colonial-attired guide provides historical anecdotes and narration throughout your journey. Pass Maryland's Governor's Mansion and the Historic State House, the country's oldest state capitol in continuous use. Other sights include Hammond-Harwood House, St. Mary's Church, and Charles Carroll House, as well as St. John's College, originally a young men's school that educated George Washington's grandsons. Enjoy a stop at the Maryland WWII Memorial which overlooks the scenic Severn River and the U.S. Naval Academy for an opportunity to stretch your legs and take photos.

Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

If you choose to extend your stay, a number of great excursions are available, including the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Civil War Museum, and the city's many art museums.