American Cruise Lines
Is This Your Business?4.6
4.6
Author: Kaitlyn Short
LAST UPDATED: March 25th, 2025
American Cruise Lines is a historical tour cruise line based out of Connecticut. Cruises are offered year round and last 7-14 days. The company's ships travel to Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, up and down the Mississippi River, and across the Northeast and Southeast United States. American cruise lines also offers special theme cruises such as their Lewis and Clark Cruise, Civil War Cruise, and Mark Twain Tribute Cruise.
The Good
- Safety
- Great amenities
- Dining options
Safety
American Cruise Lines, Inc.'s ships are equipped with safety, navigation and communications systems, including defibrillators and oxygen. Many systems on the ships have back-up redundancy for safety and convenience. All American Cruise Lines, Inc.'s ships are U.S.-flagged, certified and regularly inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Public Health Service and the Federal Communications Commission.Great Amenities
American Cruise Lines features spacious staterooms at more than 220 square feet each. These staterooms provide private balconies and large picture windows with a spectacular view of the sea and landscape. Each room includes the following amenities:- Twin or King-sized bed
- Twice-daily stateroom service
- Remote-controlled satellite TV w/DVD player
- Internet access
- Individual climate control system
- Writing desk & stationery
- Hair dryer
- Spacious closet and four-drawer dresser and dual night tables
- Twice-daily stateroom service
- Twin or King-sized be
- Remote-controlled satellite TV w/DVD player
- Internet access
- Individual climate control system
- Writing desk & stationery
- Hair dryer
- Spacious closet and four-drawer dresser and dual night tables
Dining Options
Dinner options include local fare from the port destinations during the length of the cruise and the restaurants cater to any special dietary needs of its guests. Enjoy freshly baked breads and muffins to start your day and steamed lobsters, beef, and lamb during the evening hours. Lunch options feature sandwiches, soups, and salads and delicious pies for dessert. Chilled red and white wines are served each day during lunch and dinner. Dress codes are resort casual and seating is unassigned.Lounge Areas
The American Cruise Line ships also contain oversized lounges for guests to relax, socialize, and play games. These lounges have a well-stocked library and internet stations. Wifi use is free for guests to enjoy. Guests are also welcome to bring visitors onboard.The Bad
- No activities for children
- Offshore excursions
- Seasickness
No Activities for Children
American Cruise Lines is designed for older adults without children. There are no activities or programs for children. Entertainment options for adults are limited to nightly lectures from local experts, offshore excursions, and chatting with other fellow passengers during the evening cocktail hour. While the line does serve alcohol during lunch and dinner, it does not sell alcoholic beverages to guests or visitors.Offshore Excursions
The cruise line ships only set sail twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. The rest of the time, the ships are tied up at docks for offshore excursions. While the offshore excursions are relatively inexpensive, they are limited in options and consist mainly of tours walks with local historians and bus tours to museums. These excursions range in price from $20-$75.Seasickness
American Cruise Line ships are built to rarely move during sea travel and minimizing seasickness. However, the small sizes of the ships and lack of stabilizers do create uncomfortable motions during some exposed passages. For guests not accustomed to cruising, these sea motions can be quite unpleasant. The decor on the American Cruise Line ships resembles that of a generic hotel chain's front lobby. Color palettes throughout the ships are muted and plain.The biggest upside is the main lounge with tall windows that provides the perfect vantage point for passing scenery outside the ship. Luxury amenities are limited when compared to their cruise lines in the industry.Deposit
There is a $500 deposit required per person in order to confirm any reservation for a cruise lasting less than nine days. A $900 per person deposit is required for all trips lasting ten or more days. Complete payment for any booked cruise is to be made 90 days prior to the boarding date. Single travelers are welcome. Shore excursions typically cost $20 to $70 and can be paid onboard near the end of your cruise.The Bottom Line
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Nancy Tassiello
very very disappointed in the room rust on shower curtain rod
draw plastic refaced falling off not even a hook on the bathroom door just the plate.
The ship was old and run down
no bar or music through the entire trip
except on the last day on top deck didn't get that
I couldn't believe the bar was a card table with a nylon covering
no premium vodka
rug stains
elevator was scary
the staff was excellent
the food was excellent
the excursions were good
The workout room again was not what I expected all old equipment
no TV
We waited 2 years so we could get the biggest room
suite it by no means was what I expected for $20,000.00
This ship should have been much cheaper as now it is in your brochures
I would like a fair compensation for what I paid for and received
I waited 2years the this room 326
I
5 months ago
CLARK GASIOR Sylvan Lake, AB
The staff was Excellent!
The ship Very disappointing
The excursions , disappointing, we did the 2 week, online pre-booking, and we were not registered for several.
The ship stairway carpet was extremely worn, and also torn in one spot. River Lounge not vacuumed every day. Stateroom not cleaned very well. A pair of shoes under the bed, from previous guest. The back of a chair very dirty, when we boarded and the whole time we were on the ship.
Not advertised as non-smoking, they reluctantly let us smoke at the back of the ship(fine), no seating and no ashtray.
The whole top deck is open, surely a couple of tables could be provided.
1 year ago
Review Source
Karen Broido Davis, CA
I enjoyed the food and lectures, but there was no wifi, Upon leaving the ship to fly home, we were told to take bus A, which would take us to the Delta Terminal. I was with my 100 year old mom and had 5 pieces of luggage. The bus driver said he couldn’t take us to that terminal, and had never been able to do so because the bus was to high to get through to it. If I’d been told this we would have made other arrangements!We were taken to the international terminal. My cousin got me a cart and helped me get the luggage onto the cart. I had ordered a wheelchair for my mom, but there was no skycap around. So with my mom walking with her walker and me pushing the cart, we finally found a skycap and made it to the Delta terminal. When I called American Cruise Lines customer service about this, instead of apologizing, she said, well we got you to the airport didn’t we!
2 years ago
James Hake Marietta, GA
Our first cruise with ACL had a high level of dissatisfaction. A cracked Locke on the Columbia River showed a weakness of the officers onboard. The backup plan was to go to Google and find out where passengers could be sent. We too were doing this - with difficulty because the WiFi was not working. They bused us to Fort Vancouver without coordinating the guides that were present. This could have been more interesting. Busing us 45 min to the Vista was no more than a 10 min view.
The officers had little knowledge of Oregon - Willamette Valley, Canon Beach - both within 1 to 2 hours. There was no backup or contingency plan. They genuinely tried and continued to go through the process - it was too late. They brought us back to Portland - where we had come into early. The boat was docked where we embarked - inconvenient to the city, next to a very busy and noisy bridge, and under the direct landing flight path of the Portland Airport. To make matters worse for those of us still on board, another sister boat docked right next to us on our last night - engines/generators on. What were they thinking?
5 years ago
Debbie Payson, AZ
Staff was awesome! The ship wasn’t as nice as I expected though. It badly needs a major overhaul! The room was a bit cramped, and the balcony needed to be at least 6” deeper to accommodate a person getting into and out of the chairs.
Food was pretty good, but not anything spectacular. I was very impressed by the variety of choices for me that were gluten free. The excursions were nice, well organized, on time, good locations. The exception to that was our “ walking tour” of Port Townsend. The guide assigned to my group, the historian from the museum, wasn’t up to the task. We only walked about 100 yards total, mostly stood in the sun and tried to stay interested.
5 years ago
Frank Kierchhoff Mission Viejo, CA
The food was marginal at best. Sent back two meals that were not eatable. Presentation of meals was poor.Service was amateurish. Entertainment at night was BINGO and Games??? Not very entertaining.Tours were just OK, Waiting for buses 45 minutes after you have toured the Museum etc. not good. Tour guide was at times confusing, he seemed to be all over the map sometimes very hard to follow. Attention to detail needs work, no plates or forks for appetizers at cocktail hour 3 nights in a row??? Sanitary wipes and towels in exercise room, time changes for events and tours without proper notification, blinking message light on room phone reported but never corrected, place pillow over phone because red light was reflecting on ceiling over bed?? Spending $10k for a cruise expected better quality of service all a round. All that being said were advised by friends that the Mississippi to Memphis cruise was significantly better we are rolling the dice to give American cruise one more shot.
5 years ago
Michael Ernest Savannah, GA
My most recent experience --the Alaska Explorer July 2 --13
Hotel Baranof 2 stars- rooms unsatisfactory
Ship staff and crew 5 stars
Shore excursions 4 stars--sorry we missed Skagway
Food -- soup, salads, and Deserts 4-5 stars. Entrees -- all fish dishes were
overcooked ( dry and tasteless ) I did not eat the meaty dishes except the
OSSO BUCCO which was excellent. I also did not eat the Lobster and
Ciopino Most lunches I ate in the port towns
2 years ago
Betsy Boorse New Orleans, LA
The American Heritage paddlewheel is our 1st ACL cruise. We have been very pleased with the excursion options. Our dining room servers, Morgan and Rick, have been excellent. There have been room issues, food issues and supply shortage issues (no dryer sheets for guest laundry and toiletries only by request). This was a "bucket list" trip for me. This cruise line is a definite step down from Viking, our regular cruise line. Personally, I would choose a different company.
2 years ago
M. Connell San Mateo, CA
Outstanding food in both quality and presentation. Happy hour: food runs out in five minutes with no replacements. Most shore excursions are very good and well organized. Some major mistakes - West Point: saw the sights but gave us no time to see movie or exhibits in the visitor's center -- major disappointment. Ship's representative accompanies about half of the shore excursions. Usually very good ADA service. Would sail with ACL again.
5 years ago
Barbara Tamblin Rocklin, CA
After cruising the complete Mississippi last year, a 5 star trip, this cruise was a surprising disappointment. There did not seem to be enough experienced staff in charge, excursions overbooked, no body from the staff accompanied any of our excursions leaving the bus driver or local guide "responsible" for groups, we actually gave up seats for very angry passengers
5 years ago
Sandra Madison, GA
We went on the Maine cruise last year and enjoyed it a great deal, but not the Hudson River cruise. The food and dining staff were wonderful, the cruise director not so. She was a non presence. She never spoke to us or anyone else that I could. She gave misinformation about the disembarkment procedure. The cruise stops were not good. If one did not go on the excursions, one did nothing. I would not recommend the Hudson River cruise. We are giving American Cruise Line one more chance next year , but many on board said, “ Never again.”
5 years ago
John Collie Scottsdale, AZ
The boat is old and made a lot of noise at sea. The food vas very good and the wait staff did a good job serving. Bringing guests aboard for dinner caused us a problem because the dinner ran out of seats. The on board expert was not very interesting as his presentations were his opinions based on his historical background. The nightly entertainment was so so. The tour director was very new and did an excellent job for her experience. You should train better.
5 years ago
Paula San Francisco, CA
Ship was clean. Room was clean however bathroom seemed to only be cleaned a couple of times. Food was good. Dining room service could use some improvements. Service usually three hour from start to finish. The dining hours could be extended for a more convenient dining experience. More experience wait staff would be good also. My husband has red wine and iced tea dumped on him twice. The shore excursions were very poor. A big waste of time. Two of the towns we were docked in had nothing to do.
5 years ago
Review Source
Eileen Wolk Mountain View, CA
There was a pig roast at a place called the Oyster Bar. While the food was good, the venue was not. Too many people for the restaurant. Inadequate toilet facilities. We got wet where we were seated.
The swamp tour was very disappointing. The animals we saw were trained to come out when the boat arrived, because they were fed.
1 year ago
Review Source
candace twynham Columbus, OH
Hurricane Leo was certainly an impediment to half the cruise. Additional onboard activities while not touring would have been welcome. On the other side of the coin, the crew was wonderful and the chef was the best we have had on a cruise!
1 year ago
SR Faithful Woodbridge, NJ
Just called about an 11 night cruise from Baltimore to Williamsburg area. Have you ever been between Baltimore and Virginia in November for $13,000 ($500/person/day)? June? July? But November? There is absolutely nothing in St. Michael’s in November. And, it’s really not all inclusive. Celebrity, here I come.
2 years ago
Lslondre Playa Vista, CA
In November American Cruise Lines were poorly staffed, poorly prepared except for the shore excursions, and had inventory problems of beef, sour dough bread and Swiss cheese to name three. They seemed to have a cost control program on food and wine. Served $6 bottles of wine as featured. I would rate them a C+.
3 years ago
Carolyn G Maynard, MA
This cruise had the most turbulance. I am having trouble walking. The last day was a nightmare. When the taxi driver asked for our luggage, Chris said we were all set. We got to the airport----no luggage.Sent driver back and they would not give him the luggage until all the buses were loaded. We barely made our flight. Please look into this.
5 years ago
B Hake Marietta, GA
We had the unfortunate experience of being on the Columbia River cruise when the Bonneville Dam lock broke and we had to spend the majority of the time docked at the Red Lion in Portland.
5 years ago
