Where do American Cruise Lines cruises leave from on the East Coast?

Our Southeast itineraries leave from Charleston, SC; Philadelphia, PA; Washington, D.C.; Baltimore, MD; Amelia Island, FL; St. Petersburg, FL; Jacksonville, FL; and Pensacola, FL.

Southeast U.S. & Intracoastal Waterway Cruises

Q: What should I pack for a Southeast cruise?

Packing for an East Coast cruise will be dependent on the season. If cruising the southern USA during warmer months, it's important to bring lightweight clothing, sun protection, and light layers. If you're cruising during the colder months, make sure to pack layers to adjust to the changing temperature. No matter when you cruise, it's important to pack comfortable shoes and items like a rain jacket and umbrella to ensure you're ready for all weather.

Q: What is the best time of year to cruise the Southeast US?

There are three key seasons to cruising the East Coast: spring, fall, and winter. Springtime is great for mild weather, blooming flowers, and lighter crowds. Fall is the perfect time to see the magnificent leaves turn without the cold. Winter cruises offer a warm escape, festive holiday cheer, and serene coastal landscapes.

European explorers found sanctuary in the bountiful lands of the Southeast centuries ago. Now, these tranquil waterways allow American Cruise Lines to offer guests with an exploration of history and natural beauty along the Intracoastal Waterway and Inland Passage routes of the East Coast.

Discover the early American ideal on our Chesapeake Bay cruises, be treated to Southern hospitality as we cruise the Intracoastal Waterway and scenic Inland Passage, and explore the sun-kissed treasures of the Florida Gulf Coast. Our U.S. East Coast and river cruises bring guests to unique, historic, and bucket-list destinations such as Colonial Williamsburg, Washington, D.C.; Annapolis, MD; Baltimore, MD; Charleston, SC; Amelia Island, FL; St. Augustine, FL; St. Petersburg, FL; and Key West, FL.

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A line of both red brick and colorful buildings and tall palm trees along a street in Downtown Charleston, including the tall, white spire on top of St. Michael's church.

Southeast Sea Islands Cruise

Charleston, SC to Amelia Island, FL

Free Airfare* Plus Save up to $1,000

9 Days / 8 Nights

From

$5,990

$5,490

View Cruise Details Book Now

An aerial view of boats docked in a marina in St. Petersburg with the bright blue Gulf Coast waters spanning for miles in the distance. There are several buildings and trees on the shoreline.

Florida Gulf Coast & Keys Cruise

St Petersburg, FL to St Petersburg, FL

Free Airfare* Plus Save up to $1,000

9 Days / 8 Nights

From

$6,575

$6,075

View Cruise Details Book Now

The Battery, a long strip of antebellum homes along the Charleston peninsula. There is a stone wall separating The Battery from the sand. In the distance, the blue sky is beginning to turn into a purple and orange sunset.

East Coast Inland Passage Cruise

Baltimore, MD to Amelia Island, FL

Free Airfare* Plus Save up to $2,000

16 Days / 15 Nights

From

$9,910

View Cruise Details Book Now

A person kayaking through the calm green waters of a creek, surrounded by thick greenery in Amelia Island on the American Cruise Lines excursion "Lofton Creek Kayaking". The water is clear enough to see hundreds of small fish swimming near the surface.

Great Rivers of Florida Cruise

Jacksonville, FL to Jacksonville, FL

Free Airfare* Plus Save up to $1,000

9 Days / 8 Nights

From

$5,630

$5,130

View Cruise Details Book Now

Biloxi Lighthouse, a tall white lighthouse with a small black fence around the bottom of it in Biloxi. There is a two-story yellow house with pillars on the front, bright green grass, and short trees in the background.

Gulf Coast Cruise

New Orleans, LA to Pensacola, FL

Free Airfare* Plus Save up to $1,000

8 Days / 7 Nights

From

$4,565

$4,065

View Cruise Details Book Now

*Offer Valid Only on New Bookings on Select Dates

Explore the Unique Charm and History of the Southeast U.S.

Our Southeast U.S. cruises explore some of the most scenic and historically significant waterways in the country. Sail through the Chesapeake Bay, cruise the protected Intracoastal Waterway, and experience the vibrant coastal cities of the Southeast. Popular routes include journeys between Charleston and Amelia Island, Florida Gulf Coast itineraries, and cruises visiting historic ports along the Mid-Atlantic and southern East Coast.

Intracoastal Waterway

Cruise along the Intracoastal Waterway, a protected network of rivers, bays, and canals that winds past quiet marshlands, charming coastal towns, and scenic waterfront homes. Along the way, watch for coastal birds like herons, egrets, and ospreys, as well as dolphins and other native wildlife that thrive in these sheltered waterways. This smooth, East Coast inland passage is a relaxing way to experience the natural beauty of the Southeast.

Everglades & 10,000 Islands

Take in the wild beauty of the Everglades and the Ten Thousand Islands, a remote maze of mangrove islets and shallow waterways. Keep an eye out for dolphins, manatees, and a variety of birdlife in one of the most unique ecosystems in the United States.

Dry Tortugas

Located 70 miles west of Key West, FL, the Dry Tortugas are home to pristine turquoise waters and historic Fort Jefferson. This remote national park offers a rare glimpse into untouched coastal scenery, rich marine life, and 19th-century history.

Colonial Williamsburg

Step back in time in Colonial Williamsburg, the world’s largest living history museum. Stroll through restored streets, meet costumed interpreters, and experience daily life in 18th-century America. As Virginia’s colonial capital, Williamsburg was a center of revolutionary activity, where colonial leaders debated independence, challenged British authority, and gathered at sites like the Raleigh Tavern in the years leading up to the Revolutionary War.

Featured Ports on Our Southeast U.S. Cruises

Key West, FL

As the southernmost point in the continental U.S., it’s no wonder Key West is an absolute paradise. Once a haven for pirates, it quickly became one of the wealthiest cities per capita in America due to its lucrative salvage industry. Today, its colorful streets, Hemingway’s former home, and century-old bars capture the rebellious, free-spirited charm that has attracted artists, writers, and everyone in between for generations.

Cherry blossoms by the water with the Jefferson Memorial in the background, with cruise guests visible to one site.

Washington, D.C.

The nation’s capital is a city where history is etched into every corner. Monuments and museums fill the National Mall, while cobblestone streets in Georgetown recall its colonial roots. Home to the White House and Supreme Court, Washington, D.C. is a place where American ideals and stories of progress come alive.

Historic Charleston, South Carolina street with colorful buildings, palm trees, and a white church steeple under a blue sky, a typical excursion destination for American Cruise Lines' river cruises.

Charleston, SC

Charleston’s cobblestone streets and colorful homes transport you back to the past. As one of America’s oldest cities, its history is filled with tales of colonial grandeur, Revolutionary battles, and Civil War turmoil. Jasmine and other flora are found throughout the historic districts, decorating centuries-old churches and preserved mansions standing as timeless reminders of its historical impact.

Baltimore, MD

Known as the birthplace of the national anthem, the city’s history is tightly woven with American identity. Its Inner Harbor is surrounded by historic sites like Fort McHenry, where “The Star-Spangled Banner” was penned, and neighborhoods like Fell’s Point, filled with 18th-century rowhouses that echo the city’s seafaring roots.

America's Most Awarded U.S. Small Ship Cruise Line

Red circular badge with "Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards 2025" in white text, awarded to American Cruise Lines

Winner badge for USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice 2026, awarded to American Cruise Lines.

American Cruise Lines 2025 Cruisers' Choice Award badge.

2026 Cruiseline.com Member Choice Awards badge for Best Cruise Lines & Ships, awarded to American Cruise Lines

Award badge for American Cruise Lines, winner of North America's Leading Cruise Line 2025 by World Travel Awards.

Award badge for American Cruise Lines, winner of the 2024 World Cruise Awards for North America's best river cruise line.

Southeast Cruises FAQs

What should I pack for a Southeast U.S. cruise?

Packing for an Southeast U.S. cruise will be dependent on the season. If cruising the more southern East Coast during warmer months, it's important to bring lightweight clothing, sun protection, and light layers. If you're cruising during the colder months, make sure to pack layers to adjust to the changing temperature. No matter when you cruise, it's important to pack comfortable shoes and windbreaker to ensure you're ready for all weather.

Learn More About What to Pack for a Southeast U.S. Cruise

What is the best time of year to cruise the Southeast U.S.?

There are three key seasons to cruising the southern U.S. East Coast: spring, fall, and winter. Springtime is great for mild weather, blooming flowers, and lighter crowds. Fall is the perfect time to see the magnificent leaves turn without the cold. Winter cruises offer a warm escape, festive holiday cheer, and serene coastal landscapes.

Learn More About the Best Time to Cruise the Southeast U.S.

Where do American Cruise Lines cruises leave from in the Mid-Atlantic and on the southern East Coast?

Our Mid-Atlantic and Southeast U.S. itineraries leave from Philadelphia, PA; Washington, D.C.; Baltimore, MD; Charleston, SC; Amelia Island, FL; St. Petersburg, FL; Jacksonville, FL; and Pensacola, FL.

What destinations are included in Southeast U.S. cruises?

Southeast U.S. cruises visit a range of historic and coastal destinations along the Mid-Atlantic and southern East Coast and inland waterways. Depending on the itinerary, guests may explore cities such as Charleston, SC; Savannah, GA; Jacksonville, FL; St. Augustine, FL; Baltimore, MD; Annapolis, MD; and Washington, D.C., as well as scenic regions like the Chesapeake Bay, Intracoastal Waterway, and Florida Gulf Coast. Each itinerary is designed to highlight the history, culture, and natural beauty of the Southeast U.S.

What Sets Us Apart

An American Cruise Lines staff member fluffing a dark blue pillow on a large bed with a white comforter in an on board stateroom. There is a painting above the bed that has strokes of blue, grey, and green paint.

Southern Hospitality On Board & Ashore

We emulate the warmth, charm, and graciousness of the South both on the ship and in the destinations we visit on our Southeast U.S. cruises. From the personalized care you receive from our crew to the welcoming greetings ashore, every aspect of your cruise is designed to make you feel right at home. Be treated to the kind of hospitality that only the South can offer as you stroll through Charleston's historic cobblestone streets or wander the moss-draped avenues of Savannah.

Two American Cruise Lines entertainers smiling for a photograph aboard a small cruise ship with views of the intracoastal waterway in the distance. The woman is wearing a blue blouse and the man is wearing a black button up.

Knowledgeable Guest Speakers

Our cruises through the South offer guests an opportunity to learn more about the region's history and culture in a way that is both entertaining and educational. Even self-proclaimed history buffs will learn something new, as our onboard experts share unique insights, rare anecdotes, and lesser-known stories about the destinations we visit. From the Civil War to the civil rights movement, from Gullah culture in the Lowcountry to the legacies of old southern estates, explore the past and present of this remarkable destination.

Blackened Florida Grouper, with Caramelized Polenta Cake, Cilantro Lime Grits, and topped with Mango Pico de Gallo and Champagne Butter Sauce served on American Cruise Lines.

World-Class Southern Cuisine

Let us take you on a culinary journey of world-class cuisine from the plentiful shores of Chesapeake Bay to the scenic Intracoastal Waterway and the sun-soaked Florida Gulf Coast on our Southeast U.S. cruises. Each meal is a celebration of the region's maritime heritage, featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients that reflect the unique flavors of the coast. Indulge in Chesapeake Bay's renowned blue crabs, savor succulent seafood caught fresh from the Gulf, and enjoy vibrant dishes inspired by diverse cultural influences.

The Pineapple Fountain, a large fountain with water flowing down from layers that looks like a pineapple split in three sections, with the crown as the top layer in Charleston Waterfront Park. Perfectly trimmed bushes surround the circular pool below the fountain and the stone path leading up to it.

Stunning Southern Landscapes

On your journey, be treated to some of the most breathtaking scenery of the U.S. while cruising the Inland Passage, Chesapeake Bay, and Intracoastal Waterway. Along Chesapeake Bay, cruise by rolling hills, charming waterfront towns, and sprawling estuaries, framed by a stunning backdrop of colonial history. Navigating the Intracoastal Waterway between Charleston, SC, and Amelia Island, sail past lush marshlands and scenic barrier islands and along the Florida Gulf Coast, savor a panoramic display of sparkling turquoise waters, iconic white sand beaches, and diverse coastal wildlife.

Stateroom with a large bed, comfy chairs, and floor to ceiling windows leading out a balcony.

Spacious Staterooms

Enjoy the comfort of spacious staterooms on our Southeast U.S. cruises, thoughtfully designed to provide room to relax after a day of exploration. Each stateroom offers a refined blend of style and functionality, with comfortable furnishings, modern amenities, and ample space compared to traditional cruise accommodations. Whether you are unwinding after a shore excursion or taking in views along the Inland Passage and Intracoastal Waterway, your stateroom serves as a private retreat throughout your journey.