One of the things I love about river cruising is the idea of unpacking once and letting the captain take it from there as we explore a variety of fabulous destinations. When many people think of river cruises, they imagine the highly popular river cruises in Europe. But there are actually some amazing river cruises in the United States, too. From making your way down the mighty Mississippi River to gliding past the cute seaside villages of New England, river cruises here offer something to meet every interest and budget.
On U.S. river cruises, the ships tend to be smaller and more intimate than traditional ocean liners in order to navigate the country’s narrow rivers. On some American river cruises, ships are luxurious 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 some excursions are all part of the package. Think of it as a floating all-inclusive vacation. A pre-cruise hotel stay may also be part of the package depending on the cruise line or destination. Sometimes, river cruise lines operating in the United States will also 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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If pre-cruise hotel stays are not part of the up-front cost, some river cruise lines will offer it as an add-on cost. 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. Still, some American river cruises are becoming increasingly popular with younger couples, families, and multigenerational groups.
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Younger couples may find that the activities away from the ship are exciting. Often these are not something that can be experienced except through the river cruise line. Families traveling on a multigenerational vacation will love river cruising because there’s something for every age group, from family bike rides to lounging on the sun deck. 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?
While the numbers can vary greatly depending on both the U.S. river cruise line and the destination, 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 of how small the passenger count is, you’ll also find that there are no lines for most things like getting off the ship or meals like you would find on large ocean liners.
Can I book direct or should I go through a travel agent?
Your choice entirely, since 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 professional 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, there is a small selection of cruise lines that offer river cruises in the United States: 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: 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.
What makes this itinerary so intriguing is that you’ll sail with an editor from Food & Wine Magazine, who will share insight into the region’s best wines and go on vineyard excursions with the group. Each evening, guests will taste wine that has been personally selected by the editor. Along with a wine expert, 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 Zodiak, and seeing Hell’s Canyon in a jet boat.
The six-day voyage starts at $3,720 per person, while the eight-day starts at $5,827 per person. 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 25 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. You can expect to pay between $2,500 and $12,500 per person depending on the length and destination of your river cruise. 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. Viking’s U.S. river cruises start at $3,499 per person.
