Passenger Information

The following information will answer many of your questions about the details of your cruise. For additional information please call American Cruise Lines toll-free at 800-460-4518.

Reservations

Reservations should be made as far in advance as possible to ensure the availability of the cruise and stateroom choice.

All-Inclusive Fare

American Cruise Lines, Inc.’s per person fare includes passage, select shore excursions, dining service, snack, complimentary cocktail parties, entertainment, and gratuities aboard the ship. Fares do not include all shore excursions.

Every American Cruise Lines shore excursion falls into one of three categories: 1) FEATURED shore excursions are complimentary. Featured excursions are selected excursions which typically are offered daily on Columbia & Snake River, Mississippi River, and Alaska Cruises. 2) PREMIUM shore excursions typically cost between $10 and $99.3) Signature Excursions are unique, exclusive experiences with limited availability. They are reserved and billed in advance, and are non-refundable. Shore excursion details will be available in the Online Cruise Portal approximately 60 days before the cruise. For more information on shore excursions, please visit Onshore Excursions or speak with your Cruise Specialist.

Promotions

American Cruise Lines is pleased to offer promotions on various itineraries across our cruising regions. Each promotion is specific to a particular cruise itinerary. American Cruise Lines reserves the right to modify or discontinue any promotions or policies at our discretion. Valid on new bookings only.

Savings per stateroom are based on limited availability. Certain restrictions apply. Ship, itinerary, savings, and schedules are subject to change. Reverse itineraries available. Free Airfare available on select dates. Promotions are non-transferable and cannot be combined with other offers. (Travel advisors: This offer does not apply to Groups.)

If you would like more information about our current promotions, please contact us at 800-814-6880 to speak with a Cruise Specialist for the latest offers.

Single Occupancy

Single Occupancy: Single cabins are available on all ships. If one person chooses to occupy a double stateroom, he/she will be charged 150% or 175% of the double occupancy rate depending on the type of stateroom occupied.

Vessel Accessibility

American Cruise Lines small vessels are designed to accommodate all guests while meeting United States Coast Guard construction standards.  American Cruise Lines strongly encourages guests to inform their Cruise Specialist of specific travel requirements and if they may require an accessible stateroom or other accommodation.  Specific accessibility requests must be made at time of booking.  Guests may inform their Cruise Specialist at the time of booking if they are traveling with any mobility equipment to ensure we can provide a stateroom that best accommodates their specific need.  Advance notification allows for the crew to prepare for guests’ arrival. 

All vessels in the American Cruise Lines fleet have designated accessible staterooms available.  These rooms are based on need and are booked on a “first come, first served” basis.  American Riverboats, Patriot Class, Coastal Cats, and Constellation Class vessels are equipped with two modern elevators that can accommodate mobility devices.  American Cruise Lines vessels are designed to operate on shallow waters and dock at small facilities.  The crew is trained in the use of boarding transfer chairs and guests are transferred from the dock to the vessel in the transfer chair.

If the need for an accommodation arises after a cruise has been booked, please contact our Customer Service department for assistance.  While onboard, any accommodation requests may be directed to the Hotel General Manager.

Passengers must bring and be solely responsible for any necessary items related to all medical conditions or mobility challenges. Guests who are unable to care for their basic needs (e.g. dressing, eating, moving from wheelchair to seating and/or from seating to wheelchair or standing and attending safety drills) must have a capable traveling companion.
 

Deposits and Payments

A deposit of $500.00 per person is required to confirm any reservation on trips of 9 nights or less, and a deposit of $900.00 per person is required to confirm any reservation on trips of 10 nights or more. Final payment is due 90 days prior to the sailing date. Any reservation made within 90 days of the departure date must be accompanied by full payment and is subject to Cancellation Terms. Contact American Cruise Lines, Inc. for additional deposit and payment information concerning groups.

Passenger Cancellation Terms

American Cruise Lines’ 24-hour cancellation policy allows you to reserve your cruise knowing that if you change your mind within 24 hours, you will receive a 100% refund. Cancellation requests must be received within 24 hours of initial payment. After 24 hours cancellation charges apply.

All cancellation requests must be received by email to reservations@americancruiselines.com

Our Cancel For Any Reason Protection Plan (the “Plan”) offers the opportunity to receive a refund beyond our standard refund policy. The Plan is a cancellation fee waiver offered by American Cruise Lines and the Plan cost is non-refundable in the event of cancellation. This Plan is not insurance. You receive Deluxe Protection when you purchase the Plan within 14 days of initial payment for your cruise package or Basic Protection when you purchase the Plan 15 days or more after initial payment. More details about our Cancel For Any Reason Protection Plan can be found in the link here.

If you cancel, money-back refunds or issuance of Cruise Credits will be made according to the schedule below. All cruise package cancellations will incur a non-refundable $250.00 per person Cancellation Administration Charge, unless cancelled within 24 hours of initial payment. Cancellation Administrative Charges can be applied as a courtesy discount to a new cruise package for you if you make the initial payment within one year of cancellation. If only add-on experiences (i.e. Signature Excursions) are cancelled the Cancellation Administrative Charge will be waived, but fees will still apply according to the table below. Please contact us at 800-894-8570 to find out more.

DAYS BEFORE CRUISE
EMBARKATION DATE

STANDARD CANCELLATION TERMS CANCEL FOR ANY REASON PROTECTION PLAN
BASIC PROTECTION DELUXE PROTECTION

Up to 91 Days      

100% money-back refund*

100% money-back refund*

100% money-back refund*

Between 90 and 46 Days      

50% money-back refund*

80% money-back refund*

90% money-back refund*

Between 45 and 10 Days

0%

80% money-back refund*

90% money-back refund*

9 Days or Less and Up until the Start of Your Cruise Package

0%

70% in Cruise Credits*

80% in Cruise Credits*

*Cancellation Administrative Charge of $250.00 per person will be applied to all refunds in the table above.

†Each Cruise Credit issued to you may be applied against one dollar of a future cruise package purchased by you. Cruise Credits have no cash value, are non-transferable, and must be used for travel within twelve months from the date of issuance.

Cancellation Protection Program

American Cruise Lines, Inc. wants you to have the best cruise ever. That’s why we created the Cancel For Any Reason Protection Plan, providing you with peace of mind, because, unfortunately, the unexpected does sometimes occur. A Cancellation Administrative Charge of $250 per person is deducted from any money-back refund or issuance of Cruise Credits. For information on the Cancel For Any Reason Protection Plan, contact American Cruise Lines, Inc. at 800-894-8570. You can also read our protection plan summary and important information and terms to learn more.

Changing Your Cruise

You may request changing your cruise itinerary or departure date up to 91 days before the scheduled sailing. Cruises may not be changed within 90 days of sailing. All changes will incur a $125 per person administrative fee and will be subject to fare increases - if applicable.

Pre-Cruise Hotels and Transportation

Hotel Stays and Pre-Cruise Packages are available on select cruises. Pre-Cruise Packages must be reserved 30 days or more prior to departure date.  Hotel will be selected and reserved by American Cruise Lines. Transportation will be provided on the morning of your cruise from the hotel to the ship. Package does not include transportation to the hotel. Hotel selections are subject to change and availability.

Itineraries and Sailings

American Cruise Lines, Inc. does not guarantee departure point, termination point or any intermediate stop. Itineraries, schedules, routes, ships, and staterooms are always subject to change at any time without notice due to weather conditions, availability of docks, shoaling, river conditions, operation of locks, mechanicals, or any other reason. The times and dates of departure and arrival are also subject to change. Some Intracoastal Waterway cruises may travel coastwise at times. The Mississippi River between St. Paul and St. Louis has particularly fickle river conditions which may require itinerary modification.

Terms and Conditions of Passage

Passenger’s rights and obligations relating to all cruises are set out in the “Terms & Conditions of Passage.” By booking a cruise with American Cruise Lines, Inc., you agree to the Terms & Conditions of Passage, which can be found at www.americancruiselines.com/general-information/terms-and-conditions or mailed to you upon request.

Passenger Bill of Rights

The Members of the Cruise Lines International Association are dedicated to the comfort and care of all passengers on oceangoing cruises throughout the world. To fulfill this commitment, our Members have agreed to adopt the following set of passenger rights.

Nonperformance of Cruises

For information regarding our policy in the event of the nonperformance of a cruise, please click here.

  • Nonperformance of Cruises: Refund Policy and Instructions. If American Cruise Lines, Inc. (“ACL”) cancels your cruise, or delays your cruise for more than 3 calendar days, and you do not accept an alternative cruise or choose not to travel on a delayed cruise, you are entitled to a refund of cruise fare and charges for accommodations, services and facilities (including port fees, taxes and other ancillary charges paid to the carrier relation to your cruise) for the cancelled or delayed cruise. (ACL may offer you an alternative to a refund, such as a future cruise credit, which you are free to decline to receive a refund). In order to claim such a refund, within six months after the originally scheduled embarkation, please submit a copy of the boarding pass, proof of payment (and amount), and a copy of the cancellation or delay notice by email to reservations@americancruiselines.com. ACL will review the request and respond by email within 180 days of the date the claim is made. 

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Effective Date: November 25, 2024