american melody river cruise ship

Review of American Melody Cruise: Small Ship Cruising Done Perfectly

Standing on shore, spectators looked as though they doubted whether the beautiful American Melody could dock in such a tiny place.  Mississippi River was low. Rocks lined the water’s edge. No dock built here.

But the American Melody neatly maneuvered next to the shore, opened its unusual bow and lowered a platform for passengers to easily walk ashore.

Amazing! No wonder people often line up to watch the riverboat dock at many of its destinations along America’s waterways.

“Never seen a large boat do that,” Samuel Mitchell says, snapping photos with his cellphone as he stood onshore. “One of these days, I’m hoping to cruise on her because I know it must be great.”

The Natchez man was totally right. It is great to cruise on the American Melody. For our eight-day cruise, my grandson Logan and I traveled from Memphis to New Orleans with interesting stops and shore excursions along the way. American Cruise Lines’ motto is “Small Ship Cruising Done Perfectly.” Our cruise certainly showed that to be true.

Logan at Gladys’ Diner at Graceland where diners are invited to sit in the Cadillac to eat.

Although he is an adult, Logan was the youngest passenger onboard the American Melody. He never got bored. After all, a cruise is what each passenger wants it to be. For us, the cruise was a chance to see more of America from our country’s great waterways and to spend time together.

“Cruising with my grandmother on the Mississippi River was truly unforgettable,” Logan says. “From Graceland to the Peabody duck march and Vicksburg National Military Park, each moment held its own charm. The journey’s richness was heightened by the shared experience, making it even more memorable.”

Boarding American Melody: Rating 10/10

American Cruise Lines certainly knows how to make boarding a ship as easy as possible. When Logan and I arrived at Memphis International Airport after our flight from Indiana, all we had to do was pick up a phone at a large sign near airport baggage claim and call The Guest House at Graceland to send a complimentary shuttle for us.

American Cruise Lines has an excellent program where passengers arrive one night early for a cruise and stay at a local hotel. With the way airline flights can be delayed or cancelled, that is a smart feature to make sure that cruise line passengers have extra time to get to the cruise departure destination.

American Cruise Lines also offers a two-day pre-cruise “Elvis Experience.” That means two nights at The Guest House plus admission to Graceland. That extra night or two allows passengers a chance to see the historic city, get a good night’s sleep, eat breakfast and leisurely board the riverboat.

The morning of embarkation, Logan and I put our luggage inside our Guest House door for transfer to a cruise coach while we went to breakfast at the hotel’s Delta’s Kitchen, so named for Elvis’ Aunt Delta, his father’s sister.

Delta moved into Graceland in 1966 after the death of her husband and lived there the longest. Even after Graceland opened to the public in 1982, Delta lived in a room near the kitchen until her death in 1993. Tours stayed out of the kitchen and Delta’s room while she lived there.

The Guest House buffet was complimentary and offered a bounty of tasty food. After checking out of our room, we met with other passengers in The Guest House lobby at 9:15 a.m. to board a large cruise coach for a three-hour Memphis City Exploration.

The cruise coach tour is an excellent way to showcase a bit of Memphis while the American Melody prepared for our arrival. After all, passengers from the previous cruise had disembarked that morning so I’m sure the ship’s crew needed time to ready the ship for us.

Stops on the excursion included the historic Peabody Hotel to watch the famous duck march; Sun Studio where Elvis recorded his first record; Beale Street for a quick walk along the music mecca and the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King was assassinated and is now The National Civil Rights Museum.

When we arrived at the American Melody, our staterooms were ready with our luggage already delivered to our staterooms and lunch being served in the ship dining room. No long lines to board. No paperwork to do. No waits for our luggage to arrive. Or not to arrive.

With a guest capacity of 180, our cruise had 166 passengers and 46 crew members. The average age for passengers was 72. States with most passengers were Florida, Tennessee and California.

American Melody Ship: Rating 10/10

Launched in 2021, the five-deck American Melody has 91 staterooms, all with private balconies with full-length sliding glass doors. The ship has several spacious lounges, fitness center, large dining room, café for casual dining, sun deck, library and an impressive four-story glass atrium in the center of the ship.

Beautiful artwork aboard the American Melody

Founded in 1991, American Cruise Lines specializes in small-ship coastal and river cruises throughout the United States. Each American Cruise Lines vessel is a traditional USA-built (at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland) as well as American-flagged and crewed.

The series of six modern American riverboats all have musical names – American Melody, American Jazz, American Song, American Harmony, American Serenade and American Symphony.

Although that fascinating ship’s bow is certainly an attention getter, it also has a very important function. Not only is the ship a sleek beauty, she also has that bow that opens like some mythical creature’s jaws. Then a retractable gangway can be extended from the bow for passengers to comfortably walk on or off the ship. With its shallow draft and unique bow, the American Melody can dock in places other ships might have to pass by.

The vessel’s décor is elegant with a serene color palette, high-quality woodwork, beautiful furniture, well-planned lighting and plenty of places for a quiet time or to socialize with others. For those who like to stretch their legs, the upper deck offers a lovely walkway with ever-changing sights as the American Melody cruises the river.

The Sky Lounge

On Deck 3 forward, the River Lounge serves as entertainment center for musical performances, games, talks by guest speaker Jim Schweickart and rundowns of the next day’s events by cruise director Colin and excursions director Meg. Titled “Chart Your Course,” the preview of tomorrow’s activities was quite useful and not to be missed.

With no theater on the ship, the crew was kept busy arranging and rearranging chairs for different River Lounge uses.

River Lounge with seats arranged for game time

Our Stateroom: Rating 10/10

Opening the door to our stateroom for the first time is always exciting. Outside our cabin door was a neat gadget that replaces those awkward “Do Not Disturb” signs that seem to fall off door handles or get lost. All we have to do is turn the message in the gadget to “Welcome,” meaning the cabin attendant can enter to clean or turn it to “Do Not Disturb” meaning exactly that.

Located on Deck 4, the cabin that Logan and I shared had big comfy beds with quality bed linens and duvets, two pillows and a cushion on each bed, nightstands and lamps beside either bed, two cushy chairs pushed together to make a small sofa at the bottom of our beds, a mini fridge, large flat screen TV, long dresser with plenty of drawers, two chairs and a desk with a Keurig coffeemaker.

Our stateroom 426

Even for two people, the stateroom had enough electric outlets for our cellphones, camera and computers. The big bathroom had plenty of hot water and great water pressure. That isn’t always the case on cruise ships so I was quite happy.

‘Ship to Shore’ Newsletter: Rating 10/10

Our cabin was cleaned every day with a turndown each night including a chocolate candy and a copy of the daily “Ship to Shore” newsletter. The double-sided newsletter contained a wealth of information – when the dining room and Ellipse Cafe served meals, hours when ship services were open, when the boat would dock in each river town and what time the boat would depart.

The front page of the newsletter featured weather for the day, free WiFi network and password, important phone numbers for crew officials, information about the day’s shore stops, the evening entertainment and more.

Details about the various cities along our cruise route was fascinating. For example, did you know that Graceland, home of Elvis Presley, is the second most visited private home in America, next to the White House in Washington, DC?

The reverse side of the Ship to Shore newsletter, titled “River Rundown,” had a valuable listing of the day’s activities aboard the ship, including games, entertainment and guest speaker programs.

Dining: Rating 10/10

Alcoholic drinks and soft drinks are complimentary on the American Melody. A great idea since it can get very tiresome signing expensive drink bills on cruise ships. I paid almost $5 for a can of Coke one time (price included port tax and gratuity). Never again.

The ship had a nice choice of beer, wine and custom-made cocktails. My lunch favorite was Abita lager beer since it is not easily available at home.

Dining room table where we dined with three other couples.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner were served in the dining room. Breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., lunch from noon to 1:30 p.m. and dinner from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Plus snacks and other food were available around the clock on the ship.

A more casual breakfast and lunch was served in the open-air terrace Ellipse Café on Deck 4 aft. Just order what you want and have it delivered to wherever you are sitting – inside or outside.

Ellipse Café breakfast from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. featured scrambled eggs, breakfast pastries, yogurt, fruit and berry salad, smoked fish platter, bacon or sausage, oatmeal or grits and the daily creation breakfast sandwich.

For lunch, the Ellipse Café served from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for fresh baked pepperoni or four cheese pizza, hamburger or veggie burger, grilled hot dogs, chicken salad wrap, albacore tuna salad wrap, tortilla chips and salsa and nachos with cheese sauce or chili. Throughout the day, the Café Bar served complimentary drinks, light snacks and water.

At 5:30 p.m., it was time for cocktail hour in the River Lounge. There were so many hors d-oeuvres and cocktails offered that it would have been easy to substitute cocktail hour for dinner in the dining room.

Then there was always something to eat available 24 hours a day in the Sky Lounge. The setup was very handy and unusual on a ship. A choice of boxes of cereal, packages of assorted nuts, candy and snack bars were always in the Sky Lounge as well as microwaveable noodle soup. Fruit and pastries were often set out on the bar counter. In the self-serve fridge, passengers could always get cartons of milk, soft drinks, fruit drinks and water.

Every dining room menu had good options and the food was delicious. Sometimes I ordered half serving of an entrée and it definitely was enough. Servers were friendly and did their best to serve food quickly. Everything I ordered was tasty and cooked the way I liked it. Chef and crew did a great job.

Snack area in the Sky Lounge is always open.

Entertainment: Rating 8/10

A talented pianist, Steve Merritt was the onboard entertainer in the ship’s River Lounge which served as the onboard theatre. Other musicians were brought aboard at different stops – the Sole Shakers blues group, Mel & Leah’s “Music from the Movies,” Waylon & Dwight’s “Country Cajun Show,” and Judy Whitney-Davis’ combo of humor and vocals.

Waylon and Dwight’s Country Cajun Show

One evening, guest speaker Jim Schweickart took passengers on a whirlwind tour through the history of the guitar. He shared songs from Chet Atkins, Les Paul, James Taylor, George Harrison and other guitar heroes.

Guest speaker Jim Schweickart heads off for a shore excursion.

During the day, passengers also could play cards, bingo, trivia games and an unusual game called “Two Truths and One Lie” in which passengers shared three things about themselves. However, one of these “facts” was a lie and the challenge was to figure out which was true and which was false. Sounds simple but it wasn’t. Some very interesting folks on our cruise.

Shore Excursions: Rating 10/10

The American Melody offered an excellent choice of shore excursions whenever the ship docked. Logan and I had scheduled our tours before we left home. American Cruise Lines offers detailed online information about the tours along with a “Physical Activity Level” to let passengers know if an excursion required low, moderate or high physical activity and how long the tour would last.

Logan listening to the docent at Oak Alley Plantation.

Each stop offered free shore excursions along with one or two excursions that cost extra. Logan and I took the complimentary tours and were never disappointed. Among our favorites was Houmas House and Gardens. American Melody was docked right across the road from Houmas House and it was easy to stroll over to see the famous 16-room plantation. We didn’t even have to worry about crossing the road. An overpass created a pleasant place to walk from the riverbank to Houmas House.

Houmas House

But passengers who had mobility problems or didn’t want to walk could take the cruise coach or ride on one of the ship’s onboard golf carts driven by a crew member.

Houmas House is where the old 1964 Bette Davis/Joan Crawford movie, “Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte,” was filmed. Make that the Bette Davis movie. Joan and Bette got into a fight so Joan packed her bags and went back to Hollywood. They got Olivia de Havilland to replace Joan and had to reshoot all Joan’s scenes.

A Houmas House bedroom is where Bette Davis stayed. Her hat and purse are placed on the bed as though she has just stepped out for a cocktail and plans to return.

Bette Davis’ bedroom at Houmas House

For other stops, Logan and I liked to take the ship’s hop-on, hop-off cruise coach loop ride to showcase what the town has to offer. A local guide aboard the bus pointed out sights and shared history of the town. Then Logan and I would start the ride over again and get off for the places we wanted to visit. The cruise coach usually would come around again every half hour to pick up passengers for other stops or to return to the ship.

The American Cruise Lines cruise coaches are easy to spot with red, white and blue American Cruise Lines logos. The cruise coaches follow along on the cruise to make sure that transportation is always there when and where it is needed. The coaches are very large and comfortable with air conditioning, heat and complimentary bottles of water.

A cruise coach follows the American Melody for transportation when the ship docks.

For shore excursions, the cruise coaches have several front seats set aside for passengers who have difficulty walking or climbing. The motorcoach drivers stow wheelchairs and walkers in the vehicles’ under- bus luggage compartments and have the devices waiting when passengers disembark from the cruise coach.

An unusual and enjoyable shore excursion was the “Cochon De Lait Experience” at The Oyster Bar near St. Francisville. For the free lunch, we climbed aboard the cruise coach for a ride to Bayou Sara for a true Louisiana treat. Cochon de lait is the art of cooking a pig before an open hardwood fire, a custom that began at least a century ago.

A complimentary shore excursion offered lunch and entertainment at The Oyster Bar.

Lunch was ready when we arrived including the pork, Louisiana boudin, potato salad, green beans, vegetable salad, bread, crackers and sauces, plus beer, wine and soft drinks. Pronounced “Boo-Dan,” boudin is a cooked sausage made from pork meat and rice, plus various vegetables and seasonings, all stuffed in a natural pork casing.

Lunch also included Cajun music from two musicians as well as dancing which some of our passengers joined in. Then we boarded the cruise coach to ride back to the ship with enough time to take another St. Francisville excursion that afternoon.

A lunch plate at The Oyster Bar at Bayou Sara, Louisiana

Our Itinerary:

Day 1 – Memphis

Day 2 – River Cruising

Day 3 – Vicksburg, MS

Day 4 – Natchez, MS

Day 5 – St. Francisville, LA

Day 6 – Baton Rouge, LA

Day 7 – Houmas House, LA

Day 8 – New Orleans

Disembarkation: 10/10

Disembarking from American Melody was as easy as embarking. Only, Logan and I didn’t want to leave. American Melody and its crew has a way of making people feel so welcomed that it was difficult to pack up and walk off. In fact, quite a few passengers said they had already booked their next American Cruise Lines cruise. I can certainly understand that.

Included in Cruise Costs: Rating 10/10

American Cruise Lines doesn’t nickel and dime passengers as some other ships do.

On American Melody, these are the costs included in the fare:

– All onboard alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

– All meals (no specialty restaurants or added costs)

– All ship gratuities for ship staff.

– Pre-cruise hotel stay

– Most shore excursions.

American Melody can dock along the river where many other ships can’t.

Photos by Jackie Sheckler Finch

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3 thoughts on “Review of American Melody Cruise: Small Ship Cruising Done Perfectly”

Excellent information! We are departing April 19th from Memphis to New Orleans on ACL.

my sister and I took this Cruise over New Years Eve and we thought it was wonderful. so much history things I did not know about. the people on the ship were wonderful the food was great and we enjoyed every minute of it even though the temperature was in the 30s we just bad with the cold and did everything that we were supposed to do. Vicksburg was amazing and got to know a lot of things I never knew about the Civil War and of course New Orleans was the best. so glad we did this and would recommend it to everybody.

very interesting and informative review. thank you. we have a round trip New Orleans cruise scheduled on the American Melody….. very much looking forward to it.

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American Melody

American Melody features panoramic views throughout, including an impressive four-story glass atrium in the center of the ship. Ranging from 250 to 650 square feet, all of the spacious staterooms feature full-size bathrooms, roomy closets, and private balconies where you can enjoy daily breakfast room service. As with her sister ships, American Melody will also offer the Back Porch Café for casual dining, an option that has been very popular with our guests. The new ship also features many spacious lounges, where you can share the day’s adventures with fellow guests, as well as an onboard fitness center and yoga studio. At the end of each incredible day, unwind in your luxurious Grand Suite or Veranda Suite and enjoy “suite treats” which have been delivered to your stateroom, such as mini cheesecakes or chocolate-covered strawberries.

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Music Cities Cruise-American Melody

Your journey begins and ends in the musical meccas of the US.  Along the way, discover the cities, small towns, and legendary rivers that define the south.

Explore Memphis, birthplace of the blues and home to the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis!! Enjoy a day of cruising along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.  Stroll along the riverfront of Paducah adorned with a life size mural depicting the city’s cultural past.

Experience a relaxing day of cruising the idyllic Lake Barkley and Cumberland River as you admire the rolling river landscapes from the sun deck or on your own private balcony.  Let our expert historians bring Civil War history to life at the Fort Donleson National Park in Dover, and Fort Defiance in Clarksville.  End your amazing journey in Nashville the home of the Country Music Hall of Fame.  Discover the treasures of this vibrant city on a guided exploration or take in a show at the Grand Ole Opry!!

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*Per person/double occupancy. Special single rates apply where listed. Excludes port fees. Itineraries may operate in reverse.

Your Itinerary

1 Memphis, TN Welcome to Memphis!! Home to BBQ, Blues, Beale St, and the home of Elvis Presley!

2 Cruising the Mississippi River The comfort of your ship awaits at the nearby Beale Street Landing, docked along an impressive, recently renovated city park. Be entertained on board by local musicians as you enjoy the afternoon rolling on the mighty Mississippi.

3 Cruising the Ohio River Design a day just the way you want it. Sleep in. Or greet the morning from your stateroom’s private veranda to read, enjoy the scenery, or watch the ship transit through the Ohio River’s newest lock and dam, completed in 2018 after 23 years of construction.

4 Paducah, KY Just upriver of your ship’s dock, the beautiful Tennessee River empties into the Ohio River. Also nearby are confluences with the Cumberland River and the Mississippi. The convergence of these four major rivers crossroads makes Paducah an important port centralized at the axis.

5 Cruising Lake Barkley & The Cumberland River Cruising the Cumberland River’s Lake Barkley is a special day that you will cherish. The 1966 completion of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ 57-foot Barkley Lock and Dam pooled the Cumberland River back for 134 miles and created a curving, stunning collection of coves totaling more than 1,000 miles of shoreline.

6 Dover, TN At Dover, your ship nestles in at the town’s lovely waterfront park. Locals often welcome the vessel and set up booths of crafts and tasty treats. The adjacent bluff is the site of the historic Fort Donelson National Park, a site that played a pivotal role in the Civil War. It was there that Union forces led by Ulysses S. Grant won their first surrender during this pivotal early victory in the struggle to gain control of the rivers. Learn about the importance of river transportation during the war and the story of this February 1862 battle which led quickly to the Union’s capture of their first Confederate state capital at Nashville.

7 Clarksville, TN On this narrow and gorgeous stretch of the Cumberland River, your ship docks at the beautiful riverfront park at Clarksville. The town is named for General George Rogers Clark, a frontier fighter, Revolutionary War hero, and brother of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

8 Nashville, TN End your Music Cities journey in the Capital of Country Music. Stay an extra day to see what this dynamic city has to offer!!

9 Nashville, TN Nashville is well worth a pre- or post-cruise stay to further explore attractions such as the incredible Country Music Hall of Fame, the Patsy Cline Museum, and the Johnny Cash Museum. Walk in the footsteps of country music history with a VIP guided backstage tour of the legendary 1880 Ryman Auditorium. Visit President Andrew Jackson’s fascinating Hermitage home, the Tennessee State Capitol, a full-size replica of the Parthenon, or the opulent Gaylord Opryland Hotel’s nine acres of indoor gardens, rivers, and waterfalls. Throughout your stay, savor the town’s warm welcome, the extensive options for delicious southern cuisine, and a plethora of musical entertainment venues.

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American Melody cabins and suites

American melody staterooms review, floor plans, photos.

American Melody cabins and suites review at CruiseMapper provides detailed information on cruise accommodations , including floor plans, photos, room types and categories, cabin sizes, furniture details and included by American Cruise Lines en-suite amenities and services.

The American Melody cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and review of all onboard venues.

Balcony Suites

Layout (floor plan).

Veranda Suites feature wall-to-wall (floor-ceiling) windows, with sliding doors that open to a step-out balcony (with wicked furniture).

Grand Suite's veranda is additionally fitted with a separate dining area. Each Grand Suite has a separate bedroom/living room, 2x HDTVs, marble bathroom (with a double-sink vanity). The terrace is accessed from both the bedroom and the living room.

Balcony Cabin

Studio Single Cabin

American Melody cabins review

American Cruise Lines' American Melody ship has a total of 91 staterooms (for 175 passengers) in 3x types and all 6 cabin categories - Suites (GS, VS), Verandas (AAM, AAC, AAR), Studios (SB).

Follows the review of American Melody staterooms as amenities, furniture and included (complimentary) services:

All staterooms feature a private, step-out balcony accessible from the living area via a sliding, floor-ceiling glass door. All cabin balconies are furnished with a small table and two deckchairs.

Hotel beds are King-size (convertible to two twins upon request, size 200x160 cm/ 79x63 inches) with ample under-bed storage space (for suitcases), 6x pillows, leather headboard, bedside 3-drawer tables (with contemporary reading lamps), wardrobe, 1 or 2 dressers (with drawers), a large ceiling light, individual climate control, medical emergency button.

Each accommodation has a private, hotel-style, full-size bathroom with shower, hairdryer, Judith Jackson premium bath amenities (shampoo, body wash, conditioner, moisturizer, mouthwash, facial bar, bath soaps, vanity kit), wall-mounted smart HDTV (local / satellite reception, infotainment system with internet and on-demand movies), direct-dial phone (onboard communication only), electronic safe box (in the closet), coffee-maker, digital clock / alarm, seating area (small table with 1 or 2 swivel chairs), mirrored vanity desk with chair.

Suites are in 2 categories (GS-Grand, VS-Veranda) and all located on Deck 4. These are the largest accommodations and offer extra amenities, such as fresh flowers, terry robes, refrigerated mini-bar, in-room dining service (continental breakfast served on the balcony). All suites are with floor-ceiling / wall-to-wall windows, sliding doors (opening to a step-out balcony), marble bathrooms (double-sink vanity).

Free of charge Wi-Fi Internet access (shipwide coverage) and several Internet computers are located around the cruise ship. Complimentary are alcohol (beer and wine at lunch/dinner), unlimited drinks (soda, water, juices, coffee, tea), snacks, room service. American Cruise Lines deals are non-inclusive of gratuities, shore excursions/tours, port fees.

MS American Melody has a total of 7x Studios/single cabins for solo travelers (each with a French bed/one and a half twin bed) that can be booked with single-occupancy rates (no single supplement required). The ship has only one wheelchair-accessible cabin (AAR-category room #124) located forward-starboard on Deck 1 (Lobby Deck). The stateroom is designed specifically for disabled passengers and has wider doors and an ADA-compliant bathroom.

American Melody cabin and suite plans are property of American Cruise Lines . All floor plans are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy.

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This river cruise from Chicago to St. Louis is on American Queen Steamboat Company's newest ship, the American Duchess , a paddle wheeler as majestic as her older sisters, with the same iconic red paddlewheel. You'll see the towering skyscrapers of Chicago and get the perfect photo op of St. Louis's famed arch. The focus of this cruise is American history, and you can see towns that were settled as trading posts by French explorers, visit the site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate in Ottowa, Illinois, and check out places from Mark Twain's writings in his hometown of Hannibal, Missouri. Want to learn even more of America's backstory? Start with these 16 best cities for American history buffs .

Ohio River Cruise

These 11-day cruise tours on American Cruise Line's Queen of the Mississippi travel from St. Louis to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania visiting Louisville, Kentucky and Cincinnati (among other towns) along the way. You'll get a behind-the-scenes tour of Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, and tour the Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati. In Cape Girardeau, you'll see everything from Trail of Tears sites to Civil War battlefields. Best of all, expect plenty of bluegrass music and mint juleps along the way.

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On this eight-day cruise roundtrip out of Chicago on Blount Small Ship Adventures's Grande Mariner , you'll visit Mackinac Island, Michigan, home to historic homes and plenty of rocking chairs as well as Sturgeon Bay in Wisconsin's Door County, where you'll see lighthouses and plenty of yachts.

Lower Mississippi from New Orleans to New Orleans

See—and eat—the highlights of New Orleans—from beignets to po' boys—before setting sail on American Cruise Line's America Song . You'll head to Natchez and Vicksburg in Missouri for Civil War sites and St. Francisville and Houmas House, Louisiana for historic plantations with a stop in the middle in Baton Rouge to see the Louisiana State Museum and the capital buildings. Occasionally, the line also offers a food-themed cruise out of New Orleans, too.

Maine Coastal Cruises

Maine Windjammer Association's Lewis R. French is a dramatic 21-passenger schooner that offers two- to six-night cruises in the summer and through the month of September out of the town of Camden, Maine. The schooner, which dates back to 1871 and is a National Historic Landmark, has no engine, and powers through Penobscot Bay just with the wind in its sails. You can help out with the sails, and watch for porpoises and eagles.

Newport, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard Cruise

This sailing yacht, the Arabella , may winter in the Caribbean, but it summers in the northeast, home of lobster rolls, lighthouses, and clambakes. The five-night sailings in July, August, and September let you travel to the area's loveliest beaches under billowing white sails.

Chesapeake Bay Cruise

This seven-night cruise on American Cruise Line's Independence sails round-trip out of Baltimore to Oxford, St. Michael's, and Annapolis, Maryland as well as Yorktown and Williamsburg, Virginia. You'll visit coastal fishing villages and eat plenty of hard-shell blue crabs, and get to visit Baltimore's famed aquarium.

Hudson River Valley Fall Foliage Theme Cruise

This eight-day American river cruise on American Cruise Line's American Constitution sails round-trip out of New York City before taking you to Hyde Park, the Catskills, and West Point as well as Sleepy Hollow, all in upstate New York. But in addition to the history in the region, the highlight of the cruise is easily the changing colors of the autumnal leaves.

Savannah to Baltimore

Cruise one of our favorite 12-day American river cruises in the Southeast on Blount Small Ship Adventures's Grand Mariner and you'll spend your days exploring Beaufort by horse-drawn carriage and wander the cobblestone streets of Charleston, South Carolina as the port town of Annapolis. Read on to discover the best cruise to take every month of the year .

The post America’s Most Scenic Small-Ship and River Cruises appeared first on Reader's Digest .

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Thinking about trying a river cruise start in the u.s..

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American Cruise Lines operates small ship sailing on various waterways around the U.S.

It’s been argued that the U.S. is so diverse and offers so many varying vistas that you could spend a lifetime traveling from coast to coast and still not see it all. From the Rockies to the Smokies, from the desert to the tropics, from skiing to scuba diving, America really does deliver.

And that’s exactly what American Cruise Lines celebrates as it explores the history, heritage, and places behind all that makes America beautiful. The line offers over 50 itineraries ranging from six to 60 days and visits 35 states from Alaska to Florida. It is the only cruise line in the world with a 100 percent American-made fleet—that fleet consists of small ships that hold between 90 and 180 guests, classic paddlewheelers, and a brand new line of coastal catamarans.

American Cruise Lines’ 19 riverboats and small cruise ships make up the largest domestic cruise line in the country, and travelers are flocking to its upscale, all-inclusive experiences.

River Boat Itineraries Keep It Interesting

The popular jet boat ride into Hell's Canyon is one of many excursions available on the Columbia & ... [+] Snake River cruise.

Itineraries within the continental U.S. highlight the Mississippi River, including the Ohio, Cumberland, and Tennessee Rivers; the Columbia and Snake Rivers; the Hudson River; and Florida Rivers (St. John’s and Tolomato). For Americans, ports of call are usually just a short flight away. For those traveling farther, it’s a fully-planned and coordinated way to visit some of the most beautiful parts of the country. And everything is taken care of for you from start to finish.

You might find yourself on a quaint city walking tour, kayaking with a guide who points out the wildlife, touring a fort, flightseeing over majestic landscapes, or exploring a museum.

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Sam altman apologizes to scarlett johansson over openai chatbot voice she called ‘eerily similar’ to hers, donald trump jr attends father s hush money trial as melania and ivanka avoid it here are the other trump allies in court, american cruise lines’ small ships are all-inclusive.

The all-inclusive experience here is a huge selling point. One of the reasons American Cruise Lines is booked out well in advance is because it makes traveling so easy. Everything, including food, beverages (yes, even the alcoholic kind), entertainment and educational presentations, most excursions, Wi-Fi, port taxes, and even gratuities is included. In fact, domestic flights, pre- and post-cruise hotel stays, and ground transportation are part of your package as well. In other words, you won’t be nickel-and-dimed with this line. Make a phone call to book, answer another call to arrange your flight, and that’s the extent of your effort.

The staterooms on American Cruise Lines' small ships are the largest in the industry, and all new ... [+] ships sport private balconies.

Once you arrive, you’ll be thrilled to see your stateroom. While cruise ships are known for making the most of tiny spaces, American Cruise Lines boasts the largest cabins in the industry and more space per passenger for moving around, securing a lounge chair, or selecting your seat at dinner. One hundred percent of cabins face outward, and all new ships have floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to private balconies. Views are unobstructed in rooms as well as dining areas, so these ships are especially appealing to those who have avoided cruises out of fear of claustrophobia. With so much space and light, those fears will be laid to rest.

Perhaps one of the most impressive selling points is that American Cruise Lines’ ships meet the highest emissions standards and have tiny carbon footprints. The line incorporates the latest technology, including a bow that opens like a drawbridge from which a powered passenger gangway emerges. This allows for bow landings and ensures the ship can navigate into areas most ships could never traverse.

Small Ship Dining Is Relaxed, Not Hurried Or Crowded

The dinner experience on a small ship in the American Cruise Line is intimate and tailored to your ... [+] dietary restrictions.

While small ships don’t offer casinos and grand productions, what they do have are talented musicians, a cocktail hour with a beautiful array of hors d'oeuvres, and educational speakers. Some of American Cruise Lines’ offerings include Mark Twain and literary experts on the Mississippi River cruise, biologists and ecologists on Florida cruises, and Lewis and Clark experts on the Columbia and Snake River cruises – sometimes the experts even accompany cruisers on excursions to further enhance those experiences. And you can expect dining to be more intimate, more gourmet-leaning, and adaptable for vegans, vegetarians, and so on. This attention to individual needs is one of the many benefits of the small ship experience.

American Cruise Lines is the only line in the U.S. that offers both river and coastal cruises, and the new addition of coastal cats provides adventure opportunities for cruisers who love the idea of getting some wave action. If you’ve only done ocean cruising, it may be a great way to dip your toes into river cruising. But if you’re brave enough to jump all the way in, river cruising can provide a totally different – and totally blissful – experience.

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Journey along the Upper Mississippi while you hear stories of intrepid pioneers and the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Walk in the footsteps of famed writer Mark Twain and learn about the Norwegian migration to the Midwest. Enjoy the view as your ship navigates through the river’s intricate lock system and experience the region’s many cultural treasures—from ragtime, polka and Norwegian folk music to Wisconsin cheese, craft beer and hearty stews.

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Native American tribes give unanimous approval to proposal securing Colorado River water

Colorado River Arizona Tribes FILE - A windmill draws water for livestock in Leupp, Ariz., on the Navajo Nation, Saturday, March 9, 2024. In a vote on Thursday, May 23, 2024, the Navajo Nation Council has unanimously approved a proposed water rights settlement that carries a price tag larger than any such agreement enacted by Congress. (AP Photo/Felicia Fonseca, File) (Felicia Fonseca/AP)

The Navajo Nation Council has signed off on a proposed settlement that would ensure water rights for its tribe and two others in the drought-stricken Southwest — a deal that could become the most expensive enacted by Congress.

The Navajo Nation has one of the largest single outstanding claims in the Colorado River basin. Delegates acknowledged the gravity of their vote Thursday and stood to applause after casting a unanimous vote. Many noted that the effort to secure water deliveries for tribal communities has spanned generations.

Council Speaker Crystalyne Curley and other officials stood outside the chamber in Window Rock, Arizona, under a clear blue sky as the wind whipped. She recalled learning about the fight over water rights in school when she was a girl.

Momentous is how she described the day, before she put her pen to the legislation and nearby vehicles honked their horns in celebration.

“This is an opportunity to think 100 years ahead for our children,” said Curley, a mother and soon-to-be grandmother.

“The time is now and we have to make our footing for the future," she continued.

The San Juan Southern Paiute Tribal Council also voted to approve the settlement Thursday, while the Hopi tribe approved it earlier this week. Congress will have the final say.

For Hopi, the settlement is a path to ensuring a reliable water supply and infrastructure for the health, well-being and economic prosperity of the tribe for generations to come, Hopi said in a statement late Thursday.

“Most importantly, this settlement provides a way for Hopi to fulfill its covenant with Maasaw (guardian) to live as stewards of Hopitutskwa (Hopi land),” the statement read.

Congress has enacted nearly three dozen tribal water rights settlements across the U.S. over the last four decades and federal negotiation teams are working on another 22 agreements involving dozens of tribes. In this case, the Navajo, Hopi and San Juan Southern Paiute tribes are seeking more than $5 billion as part of their settlement.

About $1.75 billion of that would fund a pipeline from Lake Powell, one of the two largest reservoirs in the Colorado River system, on the Arizona-Utah border. The settlement would require the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to complete the project by the end of 2040.

From there, water would be delivered to dozens of tribal communities in remote areas.

Nearly a third of homes in the Navajo Nation — spanning 27,000 square miles (70,000 square kilometers) of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah — don’t have running water. Many homes on Hopi lands are similarly situated.

Navajo President Buu Nygren plans to sign the settlement legislation as soon as it hits his desk, likely Friday. He told The Associated Press it had been a long road to get everyone to the table and the next step will be knocking on the doors of Congress.

A century ago, tribes were left out of a landmark 1922 agreement that divided the Colorado River basin water among seven Western states. Now, the tribes are seeking water from a mix of sources: the Colorado River, the Little Colorado River, aquifers and washes on tribal lands in northeastern Arizona.

The latest settlement talks were driven in part by worsening impacts from climate change and demands on the river like those that have allowed Phoenix, Las Vegas and other desert cities to thrive. The Navajo, Hopi and San Juan Southern Paiute tribes are hoping to close the deal quickly under a Democratic administration in Arizona and with Joe Biden as president.

Without a settlement, the tribes would be at the mercy of courts. Already, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the federal government is not bound by treaties with the Navajo Nation to secure water for the tribe. Navajo has the largest land base of any of the 574 federally recognized tribes and is second in population with more than 400,000 citizens.

A separate case that has played out over decades in Arizona over the Little Colorado River basin likely will result in far less water than the Navajo Nation says it needs because the tribe has to prove it has historically used the water. That’s hard to do when the tribe hasn’t had access to much of it, Navajo Attorney General Ethel Branch has said.

Arizona — situated in the Colorado River’s Lower Basin with California, Nevada and Mexico — is unique in that it also has an allocation in the Upper Basin. The state would get certainty in the amount of water available as it’s forced to cut back as the overall supply diminishes.

Navajo and Hopi, like other Arizona tribes, could be part of that solution if they secure the right to lease water within the state that could be delivered through a canal system that already serves metropolitan Tucson and Phoenix.

Arizona water officials have said the leasing authority is a key component of the settlement.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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American Melody

American Melody features panoramic views throughout, including an impressive four-story glass atrium in the center of the ship. Ranging from 250 to 650 square feet, all of the spacious staterooms feature full-size bathrooms, roomy closets, and private balconies where you can enjoy daily breakfast room service. As with her sister ships, American Melody will also offer the Back Porch Café for casual dining, an option that has been very popular with our guests. The new ship also features many spacious lounges, where you can share the day’s adventures with fellow guests, as well as an onboard fitness center and yoga studio. At the end of each incredible day, unwind in your luxurious Grand Suite or Veranda Suite and enjoy “suite treats” which have been delivered to your stateroom, such as mini cheesecakes or chocolate-covered strawberries.

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The village of Ruidoso draws visitors in droves for its skiing and hiking, but this town is also a can't-miss spot for pie. During a trip to The Village Buttery, guests can order a slice of sticky caramel pecan or crème brûlée cheesecake or stick to the buttermilk pie for a tried-and-true classic.

Photo courtesy of Svetlana Monyakova / iStock / Getty Images Plus

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Allison levine.

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Allison Levine is the owner of Please The Palate, a boutique agency specializing in marketing and event planning for the wine and spirits industry. With over 15 years of experience in communications, marketing, and event planning, Allison is passionate about the world around her and the diverse people in it. Allison holds a master’s degree in international communications with a focus on cross-cultural training from the American University School of International Service and holds a WSET Level 3 Certificate from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET). As an industry expert, she has worked with wine regions around the world.  She has traveled extensively and has lived abroad in Italy, Spain, and Mexico where she developed her passion for food and wine. Her work allows her to live life to the fullest and, as a freelance writer, Allison communicates her experiences in articles, as well as in her blog. Allison is the US Host for the international podcast Wine Soundtrack where she interviews winemakers and gets to know them in 30 questions, and she is co-host of the YouTube wine series Crush On This. Her website is  www.pleasethepalate.com   and you can follow her on Instagram @plsthepalate .

Allison Tibaldi

Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based...   Read More

Allison Tibaldi is a travel and food writer based in New York City. She has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne Australia, Toronto and Los Angeles.  She studied early childhood development in graduate school and firmly believes that travel is the best education.  She writes for numerous publications including CNN, Travel Channel, HGTV, am New York, Emirates Open Skies, Family Traveller and Travel Weekly. 

Carly Caramanna

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Carly Caramanna has a passion for covering the latest in unique food, travel, and theme park trends. Growing up in the carb-filled land of bagels and pizza by the slice (aka New Jersey), her parents instilled a love of all things adventure and food. Featured on CNN Business, BBC, NPR, MSN, Huffington Post, and host of the Attractions Magazine podcast, she uses her expertise as a contributor to Travel + Leisure, Business Insider, Delish, and many more. www.adventuresbycarly.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/adventuresbycarly/ X: https://twitter.com/CarlyCaramanna

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Marilyn Johnson is an award-winning Philadelphia area-based food and travel writer focusing on the greater Mid-Atlantic region. Marilyn founded Philly Grub in 2008 and South Jersey Food Scene in 2019. Her work has appeared on MSN, NewsBreak, Philadelphia Today, Cherry Hill Neighbors, New Jersey Monthly, and other online publications. She is a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier Philadelphia, a society of professional women leaders in the fields of food, beverage, and hospitality.

Marla Cimini

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Marla is an award-winning writer with a passion for travel, music, surfing and culinary adventures! An avid globetrotter and guidebook writer, she has covered topics such as the Hawaiian islands (including food trends and luxury beachfront resorts), as well as European getaways and global destinations. Her articles have appeared in many publications worldwide, including USA Today. Marla lives in New Jersey (Philadelphia area) and is a frequent visitor to Hawaii and Southern California, and often covers those destinations. Her travel website is:  www.marlacimini.com  

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Melisa Curtin is a travel and food writer who has documented her globetrotting adventures for over a decade. A Connecticut girl madly in love with California, her work has appeared in Lonely Planet, LA Weekly, Canadian Traveler, AAA, Roadtrippers, JohnnyJet, Travel Awaits, and many southern California print publications. Melissa is always on the hunt for the best local bites and destinations with few tourists, splitting her non-travel time between Malibu and Palm Springs with her husband and ever-growing collection of plants.    Traveling around the world at age 20 on Semester at Sea sparked Melissa's desire for learning about other cultures. As a 20+ year educator and new travel advisor with Fora, she inspires others to reach their goals and pursue their travel dreams. Some of her recent favorite jaunts include a Viking river cruise from Paris to Normandy with her mom, truffle hunting in Tuscany, and eating her way through Florence. Get to know the Best of L.A. and California by checking out her website  LaLaScoop.com  or following the @lalascoop on Instagram .

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USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.

Leaderboard

• 1. Stockholm Pie and General Store - Stockholm, Wisconsin
• 2. Pie Junkie - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• 3. Aunt Netters Cafe - Lecompton, Kansas
• 4. My Sugar Pie - Zionsville, Indiana
• 5. JudyPie - Grapevine, Texas
• 6. The Village Buttery - Ruidoso, New Mexico
• 7. Winston Pies - Los Angeles, California
• 8. Hoosier Mama Pie Company - Chicago, Illinois
• 9. The Apple Pan - Los Angeles, California
• 10. Bingham's Restaurant - Kingsley, Pennsylvania
• -- Check the Full Leaderboard --