One of the things I love about river cruising is the idea of unpacking once and letting the captain take it from there. When many people think of river cruises, they imagine the highly popular river cruises in Europe. But there are actually some pretty amazing river cruises in the United States, too. Imagine making your way down the mighty Mississippi River or gliding past the cute seaside villages of New England. There’s a ton of variety on U.S. river cruises, with sailings to meet every interest and budget.
On river cruises in the USA, the ships tend to be smaller and more intimate than traditional ocean liners so that they can easily navigate the country’s relatively narrow rivers. On some American river cruises, ships are luxe Southern paddlewheel boats. Others are modern riverboats that look like miniature ocean liners, similar to what you’ll find in Europe. There are even some lines that take to the rivers on expedition ships reminiscent of Antarctic voyages. Here’s everything you should know about river cruising in the United States.
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What’s included on a river cruise in the United States?
With U.S. river cruises, nearly everything is included in a single price. Your stateroom, meals, activities, onboard entertainment, and usually some excursions are all part of the package price. I think of it as a floating all-inclusive vacation. Sometimes, pre-cruise hotel stays are also part of the package, depending on the cruise line or destination. Occasionally, river cruise lines operating in the United States even offer free one-way airfare promotions. So if you have the flexibility to wait for a deal, you can probably find one.
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Pro tip: As with any cruise, it’s always a good idea to arrive a day before your embarkation so you don’t miss the boat. Arriving a day early also gives you the chance to explore your embarkation port, which you likely won’t be able to do once you’re on the ship.
What is the target audience for U.S. river cruises?
The primary audience for river cruises in the U.S. is older travelers who are retired or semi-retired. That said, American river cruises are becoming increasingly popular with younger couples, families, and multigenerational groups.
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Families on multigenerational vacations often find river cruising to be a great fit because there’s something for every age group, from family bike rides to lounging on the sun deck. Everyone gets to see a lot, whether they’re hopping off at every port or just appreciating the view from the ship. And since there are no passports or international travel to navigate, U.S. cruises are easier from the get-go.
How many passengers are typically on river cruises in the United States?
Typical river cruises in the U.S. can have anywhere from less than 100 to over 400 guests. Most are in the 150 to 200 range. That’s small enough to feel friendly and big enough that you get the chance to meet new people every day. Because these sailings tend to be smaller, you’ll also find that there are no lines for most things like getting off the ship or meals in the way you’d would find on large ocean liners.
Can I book direct or should I go through a travel agent?
Either is a good choice. Cruise lines have specialists you can call to book. If you plan on bundling airfare with your cruise, this is an easy and direct way to book. Booking directly with the cruise line also means if you have a special request or want to make a change you can just call them to arrange it, instead of calling your travel agent who then calls the line.
Travel agents can help you narrow down choices and offer pro advice. They can be on call in case you have issues along the way, too. This route will probably be the right fit for you if you’ve never booked a cruise on your own before and have a lot of questions.
What are the best river cruises in the USA in 2025?
Currently, the cruise lines that offer river cruises in the United States are American Cruise Lines, Viking River Cruises, and National Geographic Expeditions. Here’s what you need to know about each of these U.S. river cruise companies to help you choose the best fit for your cruise vacation.
1. National Geographic Expeditions
National Geographic Expeditions offers a wide range of sailings around the world, but in the United States, there’s only one river cruise: Columbia and Snake Rivers: Food, Wine, and History. This cruise comes as a six-day cruise or an eight-day cruise. No matter which cruise length you choose, you’ll sail on either the National Geographic Sea Lion or National Geographic Sea Bird. Both ships have a maximum guest count of 62 people.
On this trip, you’ll get insight into the region’s best wines and go on vineyard excursions. Each evening, guests will taste wine that has been personally selected by the executive editor of Food & Wine Magazine. On many sailings, you’ll sail with National Geographic experts like naturalists, ecologists, and conservationists.
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Highlights of the sailing include hiking Beacon Rock, a private event with Syncline Winery at the Columbia Gorge Museum, exploring the Palouse River by Zodiac, and seeing Hell’s Canyon in a jet boat.
Included with the cruise are transfers to and from the airport for those who book the recommended group flights, accommodations on the ship, meals, activities, excursions, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Not included in the price are airfare, private transfers, laundry, WiFi, spa treatments, travel insurance, and gratuities.
2. American Cruise Lines
You can choose from seven different destinations with American Cruise Lines, and each cruise makes multiple stops up and down the route to visit cities and towns along the way. American Cruise Lines’ fleet of 27 ships ranges from modern riverboats to remodeled paddle wheelers to small ships for coastal cruises. With daily entertainment that includes musicians, historians, and naturalists, there’s always something to do onboard.
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American Cruise Lines offers U.S. river cruises all around the country, including the Mississippi River, New England, Southeast, Puget Sound, Alaska, and the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Voyages range in length from five nights to over three weeks. Most staterooms on American Cruise Lines ships have a balcony with unobstructed views.
American river cruises with American Cruise Lines are all-inclusive. Dining, entertainment, Wi-Fi, and many shore excursions are part of the price. Beer and wine are complimentary at lunch and dinner, as are evening cocktails. Most river cruises (and some coastal itineraries) include a pre-cruise hotel stay.
3. Viking River Cruises
Recognized worldwide for its overseas river cruises, Viking’s river cruises in the U.S. focus on the Mississippi River and its many ports of call. Currently, Viking River Cruises sails eight different itineraries along the Mississippi, including trips that highlight the unique culture of New Orleans, and the vibrant music scene in Memphis.
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The aptly named Viking Mississippi is an upscale modern river cruise ship that can host up to 386 guests in 193 outside-facing staterooms. Even the ship’s smallest staterooms clock in at a comfortable 268 square feet, including a private verandah.
Each of Viking’s Mississippi River cruises includes one complimentary shore excursion in every port. Onboard you’ll have the opportunity to hear educational lectures, see performances from local heritage groups, and enjoy the scenery from the outdoor decks. Wi-Fi, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and enrichment activities are part of the fare.
