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United States Cruises

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Cruises in the United States

Whether you want to explore the dynamic cities and rocky shores of the East Coast, taste wines in the California sunshine, bask on Florida’s golden beaches, or see Alaska’s incredible wildlife, our United States cruises will deliver your dream vacation. Immerse yourself in Boston’s historic sites and exciting culinary scene. Ride the vintage cable cars in San Francisco and explore the dazzling colors of Seattle’s Pike Place Market.

Cruises to the United States take you to the heart of these iconic cities, as well as exploring some of the country’s most beautiful coastlines, from the icy peaks and forested inlets of Alaska to the lush landscapes of New England. The list of adventures in store is endless, from hiking, cycling, and kayaking to whale-watching, designer shopping, fine dining, and a rich, diverse culture. All this is yours, from the luxurious setting of one of our award-winning, contemporary ships.

USA Cruise Highlights

Cosmopolitan cities.

The USA can rightly claim to have some of the most exciting cities in the world. San Diego’s atmospheric Gaslamp Quarter is waiting to be explored, while in Boston, the Freedom Trail is a fascinating history lesson. Check out Pier 39 in San Francisco, and take a trip to Alcatraz. Discover Hemingway’s legacy in laid-back Key West, find your inner rock star in Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture, or explore the interesting mix of cultures in New Orleans.

Spectacular Nature

Wherever you sail in the USA, you’ll be captivated by the extraordinary beauty of the landscapes. Hawaii is a lush paradise of rainforest, volcanic peaks, and tumbling waterfalls, while Alaska is wild and untamed, a world of snowy mountains, glaciers, and old-growth forest. Sail the coast of New England in fall and take in the dazzling shades of scarlet and orange on the trees. Or head south to Key West for a setting of coconut palms, sandy beaches, and colorful coral reefs.

Exciting Cuisine

Whether you want to taste award-winning vintages in Napa Valley, feast on lobster rolls in New England, or sample gumbo in New Orleans, you’ll discover an incredibly varied culinary scene on your travels around the USA. Don’t miss a salmon bake or the chance to try reindeer sausages in Alaska. In San Francisco, head for Chinatown for tasty dim sum. Key West is famed for its tangy Key lime pie, while Seattle’s claim to fame is artisan-roast coffee—and those powerful Washington State wines.

United States Cruise Regions

The wild frontier of Alaska has some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in the USA, where you’ll find mile upon mile of jagged, snow-capped mountains and dense forest. On a cruise, you’ll be able to appreciate this wild beauty from both a land and sea perspective. You’ll see glaciers, rocky shorelines, historic gold rush towns, and flower-strewn mountain meadows. Along the way, you can hike, kayak, spot bears, go whale-watching, and feast on fresh salmon.

New England

New England has it all: cosmopolitan cities like Boston, arty seaside towns, windswept coasts, and verdant national parks. Follow the Freedom Trail in Boston, and explore Portland’s seafaring history under Maine’s vast skies. Hike the woodlands and glacier-scoured peaks of glorious Acadia National Park. Time your trip for the fall and admire the fiery colors of the foliage. Everywhere you go, there’s delicious seafood to taste, like lobster rolls, or claws dripping in melted butter.

Visit some of the most exciting cities on the Pacific Coast with Celebrity. See the graceful sweep of the Golden Gate Bridge in hilly San Francisco, and ride the historic cable cars. Whizz up the Space Needle in Seattle and take in the colors and buzz of Pike Place Market. In Los Angeles, browse the designer shops on Rodeo Drive and marvel at the stars’ homes. Catalina Island, meanwhile, is another world of rugged coastlines, diverse marine life, and hiking trails with sweeping views.

Indulge in a relaxing journey across the warm Pacific from Vancouver to the lush, volcanic islands of Hawaii, where waterfalls tumble from verdant peaks and the ocean is home to abundant whales and dolphins. Visit Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls from Hilo, and admire the fiery antics of Mount Kilauea. Learn about history in Honolulu, the location of the only royal palace in the USA, and Pearl Harbor. Join a firelight luau in Lahaina, and visit a working pineapple plantation.

The Sunshine State is the perfect place to start your cruise. Admire the colorful Art Deco architecture of Miami’s South Beach, and taste Cuban cuisine in Little Havana. Browse the shops along Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, and explore the canals by gondola. Take a boat ride through the watery Everglades in search of alligators. Treat your kids to a day in the theme parks around Orlando—and meet astronauts at the Kennedy Space Center. Make time to visit those glorious beaches, too.

USA Cruise Itineraries

Celebrity Cruises offers a vast range of USA cruise itineraries and departure ports. Sail from Boston, or Cape Liberty in New Jersey. In Florida, choose between Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Orlando (Port Canaveral), and Miami. West Coast ports include Los Angeles, Seattle, and Seward. Cruises range from short getaways to Key West to 13-night voyages from Vancouver, Canada to Honolulu.

Itineraries

Why cruise to the usa with celebrity cruises.

There’s no more comfortable way to explore the exciting coastlines of the USA than with Celebrity Cruises. You’ll dock in the heart of some of the country’s most iconic cities and sail along exquisite coastlines, visiting multiple destinations and only having to unpack once.

As you sail, you’ll discover all the wonderful amenities that make a vacation on board our award-winning ships such a luxurious experience. Live life at your own pace, whether you want a workout in the Fitness Center or a private cabana by the pool. Unwind in the spa, take in the views from the Magic Carpet on Edge-series ships, or relax on the fragrant grass at the Lawn Club on Solstice-series ships. Savor world-class cuisine every day. Elevate your experience in The Retreat, where you’ll enjoy beautiful suite accommodation, an exclusive lounge, and the culinary delights of Luminae at The Retreat.

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American Cruise Lines

History, review, itineraries, ships, deck plans, news.

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American Cruise Lines fleet

Acl american liberty, acl american legend, acl american eagle, acl american glory, american harmony, american song, american independence, american star, american spirit, american empress, american serenade, american symphony, american melody, american jazz, american constitution, review of american cruise lines.

ACL-American Cruise Lines Inc (AmericanCruiseLines.com) is a USA-based travel company founded in 1991 and headquartered in Guilford, Connecticut. Currently ranked USA's largest river cruise company , ACL operates traditional stern-paddlewheel riverboats and also several small-sized oceangoing ships. ACL ships cruise mainly in the USA, including Alaska, West and East Coast, the USA's biggest rivers (Mississippi, Tennessee, Potomac, Columbia, Snake, Hudson), also in Florida (St George River).

The company's current President and CEO is Charles B. Robertson who succeeded ACL's founder Charles A. Robertson (1948-2020).

ACL's management team includes:

• Dawn Lancaster (Accounts Payable Lead/Groton CT)
• Kayleigh Yates (Pastry Chef/New Roads LA)
• Brad Csuka (VP of Marketing/Stratford CT)
• Susan Shultz (Director of Sales/Guilford CT)
• Shelly Hartfield (Director of Product Development/New Albany IN)
• Meghan Sturgeon (Creative Director/Guilford CT)
• John Foley (Director of Information & Technology/Bethel CT)
• Makena Hoyt (Travel Coordinator/Salt Lake City UT)
• Matthew Kelley (First Mate, from Kingston MA)
• Marcus Lemon (Line Cook/Orlando FL)

In August 2021, ACL announced a major refurbishment project for its entire paddlewheeler fleet. The redesigned boats were renamed "American Splendor" (fka America), "American Heritage" (fka Queen of the Mississippi) and "American West" (fka Queen of the West), and only American Pride retained its name. The refurb project was via partnership with Studio DADO (Miami-based interior design firm) which was commissioned for the American Melody's interior spaces. By this project (completed by March 2022), the ACL paddlewheelrs' staterooms, bars and lounges, dining rooms and public areas were completely redesigned, featuring new color schemes, artworks, furniture, carpets, textiles, accessories.

Since January 2022, all ACL deals with added domestic flights (between airports in the USA, which includes all the company's 19 ports in 16 US states) are with flat-rate priced airfares (fixed/not subject to future changes). ACL river voyages' prices are inclusive of a pre-cruise hotel overnight.

Since December 2022, all ACL deals are inclusive of port charges and fees (commissionable for travel agents).

ACL's main competitor is Viking Cruises USA .

One of the most prominent features of all ACL ships is that they are USA- flagged , which means that the company hires only American citizens as hotel staff and crews, and pays taxes in the USA (on all cruise deals).

ACL deals are not so cheap, and consist of:

• larger-than-average staterooms (with the first balcony cabins in the US coastal cruise shipping business)
• spacious public rooms (bars and lounges)
• gourmet cuisine, highly personalized service
• hassle-free experiences, complimentary drinks before dinner, intimate, relaxing and friendly atmosphere
• amazingly charming itineraries sailing the inland waterways and stopping at ports every day (these are smaller ports inaccessible to larger vessels)
• an evening enrichment program by professional onboard lecturers
• the cruise ship "Queen of the Mississippi" debuted in 2012 as the largest of all ACL ships. Her sister ship was recently launched (March 2015) under the name "American Eagle".

All ACL ships are USA-built/refurbished, by the shipbuilder Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corporation (Salisbury, Maryland).

Next infographic of the Queen of the Mississippi (now American Heritage) shows what is what and where on this unique riverboat.

In mid-February, 2020, ACL signed with Vicksburg MS a 20-year deal for preferential berthing rights and ACL investments for upgrading the riverfront docking facility. By the deal, ACL pays the city per-passenger fees and receives priority mooring along the waterfront. ACL also provides shuttle bus services for its customers for land transportation to nearby attractions and popular downtown businesses.

In January 2023 ACL announced the fleetwide introduction of high-speed (Starlink-provided) satellite internet and Wi-Fi services. Starlink's LEO satellites (positioned at low Earth orbit) provide stable and fast internet connections to moving marine vessels and ACL beta-tested the service in 2022. As a promo, in 2023, ACL offered the Starlink Wi-Fi and the shipboard Room Service complimentary.

ACL AQV assents acquisition (2024)

In a held in March 2024 auction in Texas, ACL became the highest bidder and purchased four riverboats plus other assets of AQV-American Queen Voyages/fka AQSC . These assets were auctioned following the bankruptcy of AQV's parent company Hornblower Holdings.

The acquired assets include four paddle wheelers - American Queen (US$2,15 million), American Empress and American Countess (each US$1,6M) and American Duchess (US$0,2M). In May, three boats (Countess, Duchess, Queen) were sold for scrapping .

In addition, for US$0,75M ACL purchased two trademarks ("American Queen Voyages", "AQV"), website domains, and business records.

According to documents filed with the Bankruptcy Court in Houston, ACL paid for AQV's assets a total of US$6,3 million in cash. A hearing to finalize the sale was scheduled for April 4th.

In late-October 2015, ACL announced the start of the construction of a new coastal cruiser (by Chesapeake Shipbuilding/Salisbury, Maryland USA), with scheduled delivery in 2017-Q1. The vessel ( American Constellation ) was followed by the sistership American Constitution (2018).

These boats have passenger capacity 170 and are sized slightly larger compared to ACL's old coastal cruisers. They are fully stabilized (active wing stabilizers by Rolls-Royce Marine) and have the USA river cruising industry's largest and most luxurious staterooms. All cabins are with marble-tiled bathrooms and floor-ceiling glass doors opening to step-out balconies.

Traditionally for large-sized US riverboats, American Song has a fore-located boarding ramp (bow-location on Deck 1) that allows passengers to go ashore at any place along the ship's cruise itinerary route. The ramp has an innovative design being constructed as a retractable gangway (passenger bridge). The technology is often implemented on some of the largest ferries and features an opening bow door.

In November 2016 ACL announced the start of the construction on a 3rd (larger / new-class "Modern Riverboat") vessel with capacity 195 passengers. In late-February 2017 were announced plans for a fleet of 5 newbuilds .

• The first vessel from the new "Modern Riverboat" series was launched in 2018 ( American Song ). Followed the sisterships American Harmony (2019), American Jazz (2020), American Melody (2021), American Symphony (2022), American Serenade (2023).
• In mid-June 2021 ACL signed with Chesapeake Shipbuilding the contract for constructing two more units (5th and 6th) of the "modern riverboat" series. Both vessels (yet to be named) are planned for inauguration in 2022 growing the company's fleet to 15 (5x small, 4x paddle-wheelers, 6x modern riverboats).

In January 2022 ACL announced a plan to grow its fleet to 25+ vessels by adding 12 units of a new class (Project Blue), each with max passenger capacity 109 (plus 50 crew), length 241 ft (74 m), beam/width 56 ft (17 m), 56 staterooms (~85% balconied). ACL's Coastal Cats/catamarans are currently planned for launch/inauguration two units per year - in 2023 ( Eagle , Glory ), 2024 ( Liberty , Legend ), 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028.

Next video reviews the best features of ACL's 2021-2022-built Modern Riverboats (Melody, Symphony, Serenade).

USA river cruise excursions for free

Any ACL guest booking river cruises on Mississippi or Columbia rivers gets absolutely free shore excursions. This is a year-round deal and the complimentary land tours are offered in each port of call.

The list of tours includes:

• "Battle of Vicksburg" (in Vicksburg, Mississippi)
• "Oak Valley Plantation" (in Oak Alley, Louisiana)
• "Mark Twain Boyhood Home-Museum" (in Hannibal, Missouri)
• "Mount St Helens" (in Rainier, Washington)
• "Winery" (in Richland, Washington).

The next YouTube video is the company's official release about the signature "Mississippi River Paddlewheeler" cruising experience.

IN January 2020, ACL signed a 5-year preferential berthing agreement with Port NOLA (New Orleans) for Thalia Street Wharf/riverboat dock. By this deal, ACL also received 2 (optional) 5-year renewals. Preferential homeporting is for at least 50 voyages (guaranteed departures) annually. For 2020, ACL scheduled 68 calls at Port NOLA.

In 2023 (March-December) ACL had its ever-biggest Mississippi program with five ships (Melody, Heritage, Serenade, Splendor, Symphony) and 12 itineraries running between homeports St Paul MN and New Orleans LA. The season featured a new boat (American Serenade) and the new 8-day itinerary "The Tennessee Rivers Cruise" between Chattanooga TN and Nashville TN. ACL's entire Mississippi 2023 program included voyages with a complimentary pre-voyage 1-night hotel.

(Coronavirus crisis) passenger shipping pause 2020-2021

Due to the COVID pandemic, ACL suspended its entire fleet's passenger shipping operations (all vessels) canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 14, 2020, through May 2021.

Fleet operations resumed on the following dates (by ship) in 2021.

• American Independence (May 1 from Charleston SC)
• MS America (May 4 from New Orleans)
• Queen of the Mississippi (May 1 from Memphis TN)
• Queen of the West (May 15 from Clarkston WA)
• American Star (May 8 from Charleston SC)
• American Song (May 9 from Clarkston MI)
• American Pride (May 1 from Portland OR)
• American Constellation (May 7/Alaska from Seattle WA)
• American Constitution (May 10 from Boston)
• American Spirit (May 8/Alaska from Seattle WA)
• American Harmony (May 1 from New Orleans)
• American Jazz (May 2 from New Orleans)
• American Melody (Aug 27/ Maiden Voyage from New Orleans)

Note: Under CERTS (Coronavirus Economic Relief for Transportation Services Act), in August 2021 the company received USD 42,7 million (CAD 58,83M / AUD 58,3M / EUR 36,2M) grant from the USA's government. The CERTS provides grants to eligible (USA-based and all American-crewed) passenger transportation companies (motorcoach, school bus, shipping, pilotage) that have experienced 25% or more annual revenue losses due to the COVID crisis.

ACL boats initially operated with reduced (75% of the max) passenger capacity. All affected bookings were fully refunded (100% monetary refund). With rebooking was offered 125% FCC (Future Cruise Credit based on the fares paid for the canceled sailings) valid before December 31, 2021.

Itinerary of American Cruise Lines

ACL-American Cruise Lines itinerary program includes the USA's Eastern and Western coasts. ACL also offers Alaskan cruises during summer as well as the USA's river cruise regions Mississippi-Ohio (northbound and southbound itineraries) and Columbia-Snake (eastbound and westbound itineraries).

In 2022, ACL ships sailed 35+ USA-only itineraries visiting ports in 31 states.

New itineraries and cruisetours (2024)

ACL's schedule 2024 groups 50+ itineraries across 35 US states, 19 vessels (ships and riverboats) and a total of 125 ports in the USA. The program features two new ports - Sag Harbor (Long Island NYC) and Washington DC .

In 2024, the company also introduced "National Park Cruises", two of which are in Alaska.

• The 18-day "Grand Alaska National Parks" itinerary offers 11 days for cruising (Glacier Bay NP, Inside Passage, Frederick Sound) plus 7 days for guided tours in Denali NP and Kenai Fjords NP (from Fairbanks to Juneau).
• The 15-day "Alaska National Parks" itinerary offers 8 days of Glacier Bay cruising plus 7 days for Denali and Kenai Fjords tours (from Fairbanks to Juneau).

In 2024 ACL debuts two more NP cruisetours.

• The 11-day "Great Smoky Mountains National Park" itinerary is on two rivers (Tennessee and Cumberland) and offers 2 days for land tours (Great Smoky NP) between Knoxville TN and Nashville TN (both ways).
• The 15-day "National Parks and Legendary Rivers" itinerary offers 8 days for cruising (Columbia and Snake rivers) plus 7 days for guided touring (Glacier NP, Yellowstone NP, Grand Teton NP) between Jackson WY and Portland OR (both ways).

Also new are the three 8-day itineraries "Downeast Maine" (roundtrip from Bangor ME ), "Yankee Seaports" (between Boston MA and NYC) and "Florida Gulf Coast and Keys" (roundtrip from St Petersburg FL, which includes tours in Dry Tortugas NP and Everglades NP).

In 2024 (spring and fall) ACL introduced voyages leaving roundtrip from Washington DC, with the ship ( American Constitution ) mooring/docking at The Wharf (along the city's southeastern waterfront).

Themed as "American Revolution Cruise", they traverse the Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River, and the York River, with Washington DC serving as homeport. These are also the only cruises on the Potomac River. The 10-night/11-day "American Revolution Cruise" itinerary visits Annapolis MD, St Michaels MD, Cambridge MD, Norfolk VA (overnight), Williamsburg/Yorktown VA, Mount Vernon VA, and ends with an overnight in Washington DC.

ACL ships and riverboats' deployment

Follows the list of all ACL ships and riverboats, in brackets (Year Built)

• American Heritage riverboat/fka Queen of the Mississippi (2015)
• American West riverboat/fka Queen of the West (1995)
• American Splendor riverboat/fka America (2016)
• American Constellation (2017) - the new ship offers 2 new Canada and USA itineraries - "Grand New England" and "Grand Historic South"
• American Constitution (2018) - the new ship offers 2 new Canada and USA itineraries - "Grand New England" and "Grand Historic South"
• American Pride riverboat (2015, fka "American Eagle") - 8-day Columbia and Snake Rivers cruises (one-way itineraries) leaving either from Portland Oregon or Clarkston Washington
• (Modern Riverboat class) - American Song (2018), American Harmony (2019), American Jazz (2020), American Melody (2021), American Symphony (2022), American Serenade (2023)
• American Spirit (2004) - 7- and 11-day Alaskan itineraries from Juneau AK and Seattle WA
• American Independence (2010)

ACL's Coastal Cats (Project Blue catamarans) are a separate fleet of 12x newbuilds scheduled for launches in 2023 ( American Eagle , American Glory ), 2024 ( American Liberty , American Legend ), 2025 (TBN), 2026 (TBN), 2027 (TBN), 2028 (TBN).

In 2021, ACL introduced 3x new itineraries - "Cape Codder" (New England/ Cape Cod Canal ), "Music Cities" (American music-themed / 8-day between Nashville and Memphis) and "Alaskan Explorers" (11-day Glacier Bay cruise), also 50x new land tours and more pre-cruise hotel packages (Four Season Hotel deals in select USA river ports).

The classic 10-night "Grand Puget Sound Cruise" itinerary visits Washington's San Juan Archipelago .

In 2023, ACL introduced new for the brand ports - San Francisco and New York City (including Sag Harbor and Port Jefferson on Long Island NY ). ACL's catamaran cruises (2023-2024 schedule) added Florida's Key West , St Petersburg , Key Biscayne and Fort Myers Beach/Estero Island .

ACL itineraries scheduled for the Coastal Cats/catamarans

Next are listed all currently announced/operated itineraries (as themes, lengths, homeports and call ports) scheduled for ACL's Coastal Cats (Project Blue catamarans).

8-day / 7-night " Chesapeake Bay Cruise " is a roundtrip from Baltimore MD . Call ports include Yorktown-Williamsburg VA, Crisfield MD (Tangier VA), Cambridge MD (Oxford MD), St Michaels MD, Annapolis MD.

8-day / 7-night " Cape Codder Cruise " (visiting 8 ports and featuring navigation on the Cape Cod Canal ) is a roundtrip departing from Boston MA . Call ports include Glouchester MA, Plymouth MA, Martha's Vinyard Island MA, Falmouth MA, New Bedford MA, Provincetown MA.

8-day / 7-night "Maine Coast and Harbors Cruise" (visiting 8 ports) is a roundtrip from Portland ME . Call ports include Bar Harbor ME, Belfast ME, Camden ME, Rockland ME, Boothbay Harbor ME, Bath ME.

8-day / 7-night " New England Islands Cruise " (visiting 8 ports) is a roundtrip departing from Providence RI . Call ports include Baltimore MD, St Michaels MD, Norfolk VA, Kitty Hawk NC, Beaufort NC (Morehead City NC), Wilmington NC, Charleston SC, Beaufort SC, Hilton Head SC, Savannah GA, St Simons Island GA, Jekyll Island GA, Amelia Island FL (Fernandina Beach).

8-day / 7-night " Hudson River Fall Foliage Cruise " (visiting 8 ports) is a roundtrip departing from NYC/New York City NY . All call ports are in the New York state and include Catskill, Albany, Kingston/Hyde Park, West Point, Sleepy Hollow, and NYC (overnight stay before debarkation).

8-day / 7-night " Historic South and Golden Isles Cruise " (visiting 8 ports) is a one-way itinerary operated between homeports Charleston SC and Jacksonville FL ( Amelia Island ). Call ports include Charleston SC, Beaufort SC, Hilton Head Island SC, Savannah GA, Jekyll Island and St Simons Island (GA), Amelia Island FL (overnight).

8-day / 7-night " Yankee Seaports Cruise " (visiting 8 ports) is a one-way itinerary operated between homeports NYC and Boston. Call ports include Long Island (Sag Harbor/day 2, Port Jefferson/day 3), New London Connecticut (Mystic Seaport/days 4-5 overnight), Newport Rhode Island (day 6), Plymouth Massachusetts (day 7).

15-day / 14-night " East Coast Inland Passage Cruise " (visiting 15 ports) is a one-way itinerary operated between homeports Baltimore and Jacksonville FL/Amelia Island. Call ports include Baltimore MD, St Michaels MD, Norfolk VA, Kitty Hawk NC, Beaufort NC (Morehead City NC), Wilmington NC, Charleston SC, Beaufort SC, Hilton Head SC, Savannah GA, St Simons Island GA, Jekyll Island GA, Amelia Island FL (Fernandina Beach).

Florida Gulf Coast and Keys

In 2023, ACL-American Cruise Lines introduced the 7-night/8-day "Florida Gulf Coast & Keys" itinerary.

The roundtrip from Tampa was specifically designed for ACL's catamarans/Coastal Cats and was introduced with the ship American Glory.

On this ACL ex-Florida voyage, on days 3 and 4 the ship stays in Key West overnight. This allows tourists to explore Key West City on Day 3 (with a complimentary guided tour to the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum) and the Dry Tortugas National Park on Day 4 (visiting Fort Jefferson/Civil War prison)

"The Civil War Battlefields Cruise" (2024)

In May 2023 ACL announced the introduction of the 34-night/35-day "Civil War Battlefields Cruise" visiting all major battlefields from the American Civil War (1861-65) in 13 states.

Starting on May 4, 2024, from New Orleans, the unique itinerary ends in Gettysburg (on June 6th). This is a B2B/back-to-back cruise involving 3x ships (American Melody, American Symphony, American Eagle), cruising on 3x rivers (Mississippi, Tennessee, Potomac), as well as coastal navigation (along ICW-Intracoastal Waterway/East Coast USA, and the Chesapeake Bay).

Prices started at US$24700 per person or US$726 per night. Fares were inclusive of a pre-cruise hotel stay in New Orleans, daily excursions, onboard entertainment/meals/beverages/WiFi/tips/gratuities, all land transportation and hotels between the segments, all port charges.

Next are listed the itinerary's call ports and ships.

American Melody (Days 1 to 8) "The Anaconda Plan and the Vicksburg Campaign" segment from New Orleans to Memphis.

American Symphony (Days 9 to 14) "Major Land Campaigns of the Civil War’s Western Theater" segment from Nashville to Chattanooga.

American Symphony (Days 15 to 17) "Scorched Earth"

American Eagle (Days 18 to 26) "The Union Advantage: a focus on naval power" segment from Jacksonville to Norfolk

American Eagle (Days 27 - 33) "Eastern Theater of the Civil War" segment from Norfolk to Washington (disembarkation) and bus travel from Baltimore to Sharpsburg MD (for Antietam).

(Days 34 to 35) "Battle of Gettysburg: The Turning Point for the North" segment is a Land Package to Gettysburg PA.

• DAYS 1-2 Pre-Cruise Hotel in New Orleans
• DAY 3 Houmas House, LA
• DAY 4 Baton Rouge, LA
• DAY 5 Siege of Port Hudson | St. Francisville, LA
• DAY 6 Battle of Port Gibson | Natchez, MS
• DAY 7 Siege of Vicksburg | Vicksburg, MS
• DAY 8 The Anaconda Plan | Day of River Cruising
• DAY 9 Memphis Naval Battle | Memphis, TN
• DAY 10 Battle of Stones River | Nashville, TN
• DAY 11 Battle of Fort Donelson | Clarksville, TN
• DAY 12 Paducah, KY
• DAY 13 Battle of Shiloh | Savannah, TN
• DAY 14 Florence, AL
• DAY 15 The Battles for Chattanooga | Chattanooga, TN
• DAY 16 Battle of Chickamauga | Atlanta, GA
• DAY 17 Sherman's March to the Sea | Atlanta to Jacksonville
• DAY 18 Battle of Olustee | Jacksonville, FL
• DAY 19 Brunswick, GA
• DAY 20 Savannah, GA
• DAY 21 Hilton Head, SC
• DAY 22 Beaufort, SC
• DAY 23 Day of Cruising
• DAY 24 Fort Sumter | Charleston, SC
• DAY 25 Beaufort, NC
• DAY 26 Kitty Hawk, NC
• DAY 27 Battle of the "Monitor" and the "Merrimac" | Norfolk, VA
• DAY 28 The Peninsula Campaign | Yorktown, VA
• DAY 29 Battle of Fredericksburg | Washington, D.C.
• DAY 30 Alexandria, VA
• DAY 31 St. Michaels, MD
• DAY 32 First Blood of the Civil War | Baltimore, MD
• DAY 33 Antietam | Sharpsburg, MD
• DAY 34 Battle of Gettysburg | Gettysburg, PA
• DAY 35 Transfer to Airport from Gettysburg

"The Great United States Cruise" (2024)

In late March 2023, ACL announced the 60-day B2B/back-to-back "The Great United States Cruise". The unique itinerary combines 4 rivers and coast-to-coast travel on 3 ships, ranking it ACL's longest-ever domestic itinerary.

"The Great United States Cruise" departs from  Portland OR on August 14, 2024, and visits 20 American states and 4 time zones within the continental USA. It also includes a national parks package visiting Grand Teton NP, Glacier NP, and Yellowstone NP.

The first leg of the itinerary is from the Pacific Coast (Portland OR) for cruising on Columbia/Snake rivers (ship American Jazz ). The second leg is on the Mississippi River (ship American Symphony /from New Orleans to Saint Paul). The third leg is from Maine to New York/up the Hudson River (ship American Independence ).

The 60-day voyage ends in NYC/New York Harbour on October 14th (2024).

Flights from Jackson Wyoming to  New Orleans  and  Saint Paul  to  Portland ME  are included.

The price per person ranges between US$51060-77945. The pricing includes all flights, a pre-cruise hotel stay, hotels between the cruise segments, all meals and beverages, daily land tours, Internet, port charges, and gratuities.

San Francisco Bay Cruise itinerary (2023-introduced)

ACL's 2023 schedule (ship American Jazz) included the company's first-ever California voyage.

The 7-night/8-day "San Francisco Bay Cruise" itinerary (roundtrip from San Francisco ) visits four other Californian ports ( Stockton , Sacramento , Napa , Vallejo ) and ends with an overnight in San Francisco. Overnight port stays are offered in either Sacramento or Napa. A pre-cruise hotel package (inclusive of San Francisco Four Season Hotel overnight stay) is optional.

ACL's San Francisco Bay Cruise itinerary features scenic cruising in San Francisco Bay and San Pablo Bay (an evening stop in Vallejo), as well as cruising on the Napa River and San Joaquin River.

The voyage includes passing the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and Treasure Island. A guided San Francisco city tour visits Ghirardelli Square and Fisherman's Wharf. The cruisetour's signature experiences also include NASCAR-style driving (at Stockton 99 Speedway) and visiting a Napa Valley Winery (wine-tasting excursion). A guided Old Sacramento tour visits the underground city, the port, and the California State Railroad Museum.

"Grand New England" itinerary

The new 10-night / 11-day cruise itinerary of the company (named "Grand New England") covers New England destinations, among which are charming islands and coastal towns located within the Northeast.

The itinerary visits the following ports of call:

• Day 1 (Boston MA)
• Day 2 (Provincetown MA)
• Day 3 (Newport RI)
• Day 4 (Martha's Vineyard MA)
• Day 5 (Kennebunkport ME)
• Day 6 (Camden ME)
• Day 7 (Bar Harbor ME)
• Day 8 (Rockland ME)
• Before the Rockland arrival, the cruise ship passes through the 10-km / 6-ml Merchants Row passage.
• The itinerary is operated by the new ACL ships American Constellation and American Constitution .

"Grand Historic South" itinerary

The 10-night / 11-day "Grand Historic South" itinerary is roundtrip from Charleston SC to destinations along southeast USA's Intracoastal Waterway.

The new itinerary visits the following ports of call:

• Day 1 (Charleston SC / South Carolina)
• Day 2 (Wilmington NC / North Carolina)
• Day 3 (Beaufort NC / North Carolina) - horse-drawn carriage ride tour
• Days 4 and 5 (Savannah GA / Georgia)
• Day 6 (Sapelo Island GA / Georgia) - Oyster Roast
• Day 7 (Jekyll Island GA / Georgia) - "Millionaires Village"
• Day 8 (Fernandina Beach FL / Florida) - Amelia Island
• Day 9 (cruising)
• Day 10 (Beaufort SC / South Carolina)
• Day 11 (Charleston SC / South Carolina)

The itinerary route features architecturally significant traditional homes, grand plantations, wildlife, amazing coastal landscapes. Also included are locally inspired cuisine specialties prepared by the ship's master chef.

"American Revolution" itinerary

The 12-day "American Revolution Cruise" itinerary visits some of the most historically significant port cities along the Chesapeake Bay.

• The itinerary also includes new ports - Washington DC, Chestertown MD, Mount Vernon VA. In Washington DC, passengers can enjoy private tours of any of Smithsonian Museums or a guided tour of the National Mall. In Chestertown MD, they can visit Schooner Sultana (replica of Royal Navy Frigate Sultana / in the British Navy between 1768-1772). At Mount Vernon VA, the cruise company's expert guides offer an exclusive tour through George Washington's Estate.
• Passengers also travel to the last battlefield of the Revolutionary War in Yorktown and Jamestown's first English settlement.
• In addition to the ashore enrichment program, the shipboard expert is Dr. Harold Cones (biology professor, emeritus / retired from professional life at Christopher Newport University).
• The "American Revolution Cruise" itinerary is leaving roundtrip from Baltimore MD . Voyages started in spring 2018 on the new ship American Constitution . Available departure dates in 2018 include Oct 29, and Nov 8.

American Cruise Lines ship tracker

Our American Cruise Lines ship tracker is a function integrated into all review pages. At page-bottom in each page, you'll find a map with the ship's current location (AIS position). All the real-time tracking data is provided by VesselFinder. It's all about convenience - you will find where is your riverboat (ship) cruising today and now along its current itinerary!

Note: You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All river passenger shipping line companies and their fleets are listed there.

American Cruise Lines related cruise news

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American Cruise Line’s coastal cruises include Alaska’s Inside Passage, New England cruises, the Intracoastal Waterway, Southeast and Chesapeake Bay Cruises, Puget Sound and San Juan Islands cruises. See current itineraries below.

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American Cruise Line’ offers two type of river cruises: nostalgic modern paddlewheelers or more contemporary-styled river boats. Itineraries include cruises on the Mississippi River, Columbia and Snake Rivers and Hudson River. See current itineraries below.

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9 Best Cruise Lines for Solo Travelers [2024]

Updated : May 29, 2024

AAA Travel Editor, SMS

Table of contents.

• Holland America Cruise Line
• Silversea Cruise Line
• Royal Caribbean
• Azamara Cruise Line
• Cunard Cruise Line
• Viking River Cruises
• Seabourn Cruise Line
• Oceania Cruise Line 
• Celebrity Cruises

How To Avoid Single Supplements 

Book your solo cruise with aaa.

With plenty of ways to mingle with other passengers (or enjoy some quality alone time), going on a cruise alone is the perfect getaway for solo and single travelers .

However, you’ll need to do your research before booking since cruising solo can get expensive. Some cruise lines charge single supplements, which means you'll pay extra when traveling alone and staying in a room that's usually meant for two people.

Luckily, as solo cruising has become more popular, certain cruise lines have started to cater to the needs of guests traveling alone and even offer cabins specifically designed for solo cruisers. 

Read on to discover the best cruise lines for solo travelers. 

1. Holland America Cruise Line

Single cabins: Yes

Solo travel perks: Single Partners Program

AAA Member Benefit: 

• $50 onboard spending credit per person

AAA Vacations ® Benefit:

• 50 Denali Dollars per person on Alaska cruises for Verandah staterooms and above

Known for having some of the best customer service in the industry, it should come as no surprise that Holland America Line is dedicated to providing an exceptional experience to solo travelers onboard their fleet of ships. 

The line’s newest ships—Rotterdam, Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam—have 12 single staterooms perfect for solo travelers. Each of these rooms is approximately 127-172 square feet and equipped with full-size and modern amenities. Plus, every single cabin boasts an ocean view, so you can enjoy the scenery during your voyage. 

Holland America Line also does a great job at creating an atmosphere of camaraderie on their ships. The Single Partners Program, offered on most voyages, puts on activities, cocktail parties and mixers for singles and solo travelers to mingle during the cruise. Whether you enjoy exercise classes, wine tastings or trivia, you’re sure to meet other travelers with similar interests through this program. 

2. Silversea Cruise Line

Single cabins: No

Solo travel perks : Low single supplements 

AAA Member Benefit:

• Up to $300 per person in onboard credit on select voyages

Smaller cruise lines are great for solo travelers since you’ll see familiar faces throughout your journey, which can make it easier to strike up conversations and form connections with fellow travelers. 

One of the best small cruise lines for solo travelers is Silversea Cruise Line. While they don’t offer single cabins, they have extremely low single supplements of just 25 percent on certain voyages. For reference, most cruise lines have single supplements that are 50 percent to 100 percent of the fare, so Silversea’s rate is very affordable in comparison. 

At the beginning of your voyage, there will be a champagne Welcome Reception which serves as the perfect opportunity to mingle with other solo travelers. During certain journeys, Gentlemen Hosts will be available aboard to welcome solo guests.

3. Royal Caribbean

Solo travel perks : Solo traveler meet-ups 

• Free 8x10 photo per stateroom on 7+ night balcony or suite bookings

AAA Vacations® Benefit :

• Complimentary sparkling wine and chocolate-covered strawberries 
• $25 onboard spending credit per stateroom for six nights or less voyages
• $50 onboard spending credit per stateroom for 7-10 night voyages
• $100 onboard spending credit per stateroom for 11+ night voyages 

Royal Caribbean offers studio staterooms on certain ships that are perfect for solo travelers and adult cruisers . When you book one of these rooms, you can avoid paying the typical single supplement fee. These rooms range from 101 square feet to 199 square feet, and you can choose from an inside stateroom, a virtual balcony stateroom or an ocean-view stateroom with a balcony. 

Studio staterooms are available on the following ships in their fleet: 

• Anthem of the Seas
• Brilliance of the Seas
• Quantum of the Seas 
• Harmony of the Seas 
• Spectrum of the Seas
• Ovation of the Seas

Once onboard, Royal Caribbean offers a ton of on-board activities, shows and dining experiences that make it ideal for solo travelers. Plus, they often have meet-ups for solo travelers looking to make friends while onboard. 

4. Azamara Cruise Line

Single cabins : No

Solo travel perks : Special rates as low as 25-50% off stateroom fares and gatherings for solo travelers 

AAA Member Benefit :

• $150 per stateroom onboard credit on select Club Ocean View or above sailings.
• Onboard spending credit of $200 per stateroom 

Azamara Cruise Line operates a fleet of mid-sized ships that journey to destinations all over the world. The cruise line is known for its Destination Immersion® experiences that feature intimate ships, access to smaller ports that other cruise ships can’t visit and longer stays at ports. 

Azamara provides special rates for solo travelers as low as 25-50 percent off stateroom fares. Additionally, they offer thoughtfully created activities and gatherings for solo travelers to socialize with each other onboard. 

5. Cunard Cruise Line

Solo travel perks : Group dining, coffee chats and cocktail parties for solo travelers

• Onboard credit for all voyages that are 7 nights and longer 

Cunard is among the best luxury cruise lines , and it’s a great option for solo travelers looking for upscale service, socialization opportunities and elegant staterooms. The cruise line offers single staterooms aboard their Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth ships. During your time aboard, you’ll enjoy 24-hour room service, luxury toiletries and a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine. 

The cruise line is also known for its delicious culinary options and for going out of the way to ensure solo travelers have an enjoyable dining experience. While you can always choose to dine solo, they also provide the option to dine with fellow travelers at a shared table. Solo travelers can also attend coffee chats and cocktail parties to socialize with other guests. 

6. Viking River Cruises

Solo travel perks : Special solo traveler fares 

• $100 per person shipboard credit for cruises 8-11 days
• $200 per person shipboard credit for cruises 12+ days 

If you’re looking to embark on a solo river cruise in Europe , look no further than Viking River Cruises. The cruise line is known for its immersive journeys sailing through the world’s greatest rivers while offering world-class accommodation, incredible customer service and unique cultural events along the way. 

While Viking doesn’t have single cabins, they will occasionally offer special solo traveler fares. Plus, you can check for other discounts available for the cruises you’re interested in to save money on your travels.  

7. Seabourn Cruise Line

Solo travel perks : Special offers for solo travelers on select voyages 

• Singles receive $150 per suite onboarding spending credit on select sailings 

AAA Vacations® Benefit:

• $200 per suite onboard spending credit on select sailings 

Prefer to feel like you're on a private yacht instead of a cruise ship? The small-ship cruise line, Seabourn provides an intimate experience complete with personalized service, optional shore excursions and entertainment options. 

The cruise line offers a discounted single supplement, beginning at just 10% more than current fares for certain voyages and suite categories. The discount is available for cruises to Alaska , Greece, Iceland, Greenland and more. 

8. Oceania Cruise Line 

Single cabins : Yes

Solo travel perks : Social events and group dining tables

• $100 per person onboard spending credit on select sailings 
• Complimentary pre-paid gratuities
• Free group wine tasting with a sommelier

From friendly crew members to social events, The Oceania Cruise Line goes above and beyond to make solo travelers feel at home on their ships. Solo cruises can attend cocktail parties or opt into group dining to meet other guests onboard. The small ships are also easy to navigate and provide a relaxing atmosphere. 

With solo staterooms available aboard the Vista, Regatta, Insignia, Nautica and Sirena ships, you don’t have to worry about solo supplements driving the price up. The accommodations feature private verandas or ocean-view windows as well as many amenities to keep you comfortable during your voyage. 

9. Celebrity Cruises

Solo travel perks : Hosted social events

• Onboard credit based on the stateroom category booked

Celebrity Cruises is another popular cruise line for solo travelers, offering social events to help solo cruisers make new friends. Known for its inclusivity, Celebrity Cruises is also one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cruise lines in the industry. Their itineraries, such as their Bali, Malaysia and Thailand itineraries, are some of the best cruises for solo travelers looking for excitement and adventure. 

Celebrity’s solo cruise cabins are available on the Celebrity Edge®, Celebrity Apex®, Celebrity Beyond℠ and Celebrity Ascent℠ ships. Solo travelers can choose between an ocean-view room with a veranda and an inside stateroom. All of the solo rooms come with the same products and services as the regular staterooms. 

The easiest way to avoid single supplements is to opt for a cruise line that offers solo cabins. However, if your heart is set on a cruise line or ship that doesn’t have this perk, consider looking out for specials that waive or discount single supplements. You can also try using a roommate matching program that some cruise lines offer, which pairs you in a room with another solo traveler. 

Whether you're looking to book a quick getaway or an around-the-world cruise , embarking on a solo cruise is a rewarding experience offering adventure, relaxation and the freedom to cater your journey around your preferences. Not to mention, you can partake in the many things to do on a cruise and make life-long friends along the way.  

Book your solo cruises with AAA Travel and ensure you’ll have peace of mind during your once-in-a-lifetime trip. With your AAA Membership , you'll receive exclusive deals, onboard spending credits and other perks.

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Baltimore, maryland, cape liberty, nj or new york, new york.

Baltimore is a major city in Maryland with a long history as an important seaport. Fort McHenry, birthplace of the U.S. national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” sits at the mouth of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Today, this harbor area offers shops, upscale crab shacks and attractions like the Civil War–era warship the USS Constellation and the National Aquarium, showcasing thousands of marine creatures. 

Baltimore is a major city in Maryland with a long history as an important seaport. Fort McHenry, birthplace of the U.S. national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” sits at the mouth of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Today, this harbor area offers shops, upscale crab shacks and attractions like the Civil War–era warship the USS Constellation and the National Aquarium, showcasing thousands of marine creatures. Baltimore is a major city in Maryland with a long history as an important seaport. Fort McHenry, birthplace of the U.S. national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” sits at the mouth of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Today, this harbor area offers shops, upscale crab shacks and attractions like the Civil War–era warship the USS Constellation and the National Aquarium, showcasing thousands of marine creatures. 

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The Cape Liberty Cruise Port is one of three trans-Atlantic passenger terminals in the Port of New York and New Jersey. It is located in Bayonne, New Jersey.

New York City comprises 5 boroughs sitting where the Hudson River meets the Atlantic Ocean. At its core is Manhattan, a densely populated borough that’s among the world’s major commercial, financial and cultural centers. Its iconic sites include skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building and sprawling Central Park. Broadway theater is staged in neon-lit Times Square.

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Fort Lauderdale is a city on Florida's southeastern coast, known for its beaches and boating canals. The Strip is a promenade running along oceanside highway A1A. It's lined with upscale outdoor restaurants, bars, boutiques and luxury hotels. Other attractions include the International Swimming Hall of Fame, with pools and a museum of memorabilia, and Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, featuring trails and a lagoon. 

Galveston, Texas

Galveston is an island city on the Gulf Coast of Texas. It’s known for Moody Gardens, where giant glass pyramids house sharks, monkeys and other animals. Amusement rides and restaurants line Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier on the south shore. West is bird-rich Galveston Island State Park, with its trails, kayak launches and fishing spots. Stewart Beach and East Beach are on the island’s eastern end. 

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I Used to Work on a Cruise Ship, and These Are the 13 Things You Should Never Leave Port Without

A former crew member reveals the most important packing essentials.

Kelsey’s writing has appeared in outlets like Condé Nast Traveler, TripSavvy, Edible Magazine, and TimeOut. Some of the most standout experiences in her travels include living in Tokyo, abseiling in Vanuatu, surfing in Costa Rica, and cycling through the Pyrenees mountains.

Travel + Leisure

My first career as a cruise ship entertainer had me sailing all over the world, living and working aboard these large floating resorts for six to eight months at a time. After years of roaming the world’s ports and experiencing every ship and shoreside scenario that you could imagine, I became adept at packing a single suitcase to ensure a comfortable life at sea. 

Although living on a ship long-term is different from taking a 10-day cruise, crew and guest cruise packing lists are similar — emphasizing items that make sailing more comfortable and easy. Whether you’re embarking on a world cruise or just escaping to the Caribbean for a quick trip, these essential travel accessories are what my fellow seafarers and I would suggest bringing to make life on the water all the more comfortable. From versatile travel bags to helpful gadgets and genius seasick remedies , here’s what to pack for a cruise like a pro. 

Travel Voltage Converter

Most ship staterooms are outfitted with a three-prong 110-volt (North America-grounded) and a 220-volt (Europe) outlet. It’s always a good idea to carry an international adaptor and surge protector to safeguard your devices from electric irregularities. What's more, smaller interior cabins may have only two outlets, which could pose a problem if you and your guest have multiple devices to charge at the same time. Useful for more than just onboard, an internal adaptor is also handy for cruise itineraries that drop you off in multiple countries. Keep this adaptor in your day bag so you can plug it in ashore if your tech needs a charge.

Liquid I.V. Packets 

Cruises are vacations, a time to enjoy yourself and indulge. But it’s all too easy to go a tad overboard (ship pun intended) on alcoholic beverages, savory foods, and sunbathing. If you think a hangover is bad, just wait until you have one on a rocky ship at sea. To avoid losing a precious day of your cruise, bring along Liquid I.V. powder, an electrolyte mix that delivers hydration to the bloodstream faster than just water alone. Each bag comes with 16, travel-friendly powder packets and you have your choice between 17 flavors. 

Portable First Aid Kit 

Visits to the ship’s medical center can be pricey. Avoid this unexpected expense if you can by bringing  your own first aid kit. Start by packing your essential prescription medications. Then,  add bandages and antibiotic ointment for attending to small surface wounds. Bring pain relief medication and cold medicine, just in case. Don’t forget antacids and over-the-counter medicines to ease digestion. Sunscreen and aloe vera gel are must-haves  so you don’t spend your whole cruise hiding from the sun. Bug repellent and after-bite lotion will also ease your sleep if you’ve run into sand fleas at the beach. If you have any allergies, make sure that you have an EpiPen or your chosen allergy medication. 

Portable Charger

When I lived on a ship, I would be one of the first ashore and the last back onboard. Exploring new locales is one of the best parts of cruising. If you like to head ashore for the whole day, you’ll want to keep your phone charged so you can navigate your way back to the ship, call for help in case of an emergency, and snap pictures and videos of your destination. Carry a powerful battery bank with you like the Anker Portable Charger so your phone doesn’t die and you’re prepared for long adventures, or fun overnights, in ports of call.

Waterproof Phone Pouch

You’re never far from water on a cruise ship, which means that you’ll want to protect your tech with waterproof gear. Great for island cruise itineraries, this phone bag is watertight and retains touchscreen operations through its polyvinyl shell. It comes with a detachable lanyard should you want to take it into the waves and capture underwater adventures. Even if you’re not going in the water, this pouch will protect your phone from snow and rain, too. Beach-bound cruisers will also find it useful for keeping their phone sand- and salt-free too. 

Collapsible Umbrella

Weather on a cruise can be tough to predict, particularly for various ports of call. Even if the forecast is fair, weather can change in an instant, particularly if you’re cruising near shoulder seasons. You’ll be grateful to come prepared with an umbrella so you aren’t forced to buy the marked-up ones in port or onboard. Even if there’s no sign of rain, a good umbrella doubles as a sun protectant for harsh midday sun.

Formal Evening Attire 

Almost every cruise has a formal night where guests are encouraged to dress in elegant wear. This event usually occurs on a sea day at the beginning of your itinerary. Formal nights are fun and evoke the old-world, slow-travel glamor of cruising. Even the officers dress up and don their formal ship whites. When everyone onboard participates in the formal night dress code,  it makes the event all the more special and luxurious, so remember to bring a few upscale resort looks onboard. This stunning Tadashi Shoji Off-Shoulder A-Line Crepe and Taffeta Gown will do the trick, but if you’re shopping on a budget, there are plenty of swanky cocktail dress options at Amazon; start your search with the Anrabess Pleated Maxi Dress or PrettyGarden One-Shoulder Slit Maxi Dress — starting at $50. 

Sand-Free Beach Towel

Most cruise guests bring the ship’s pool towels shoreside for lounging. But, the terry cloth towels cling to the sand, bringing it back in your bag to be dumped on your stateroom floor. If you want a tidier beach trip, bring along a sand-free beach blanket like this Turkish beach towel. It's made with cotton and folds up slim so it won’t take up too much space in your suitcase. What's more, it dries quickly to prevent your bag and its contents from getting soggy. 

Packing Cubes

When I reached out to a crew member friend to discuss packing tips, his first thought was emphatically packing cubes. Organization is key to enjoying your cruise, particularly on the day that you embark as it’s the most hectic day for all staff onboard. By the time that you’re able to check into your room, it’s almost time to sail away, and you’ll probably want to be on deck with a daiquiri and sweet treat in hand, not organizing your wardrobe — which is why I recommend traveling with packing cubes. They're not only great for condensing your suitcase contents but also keeping them organized and easy-to-spot, so you can spend less time searching for the things you need and make unpacking and getting ready a breeze. 

Collapsible Duffel Bag

One of the perks of cruise ship travel is that, unlike airlines,  most cruise lines don’t have strict luggage policies. For travelers who like to shop or collect souvenirs, this is a huge perk. On itineraries with excellent shopping, cruising can be a great way to source neat gifts. Onboard shopping is also a fun way to pick up items to remember your trip. If you’re worried that you won’t have room in your case for your purchases, bring a collapsible duffel bag like this handy 40-liter version from REI for your treasures. Amazon reviewers also love the Gonex Foldable Travel Duffle Bag and the Vomgomfom Travel Duffle Bag for the same reason. 

Reusable Collapsible Bag

If you’re cruising around islands, you can make this collapsible tote bag your designated beach bag. Its nylon fabric makes it easy to brush off sand and it dries quickly should you need to wash it (or accidentally get it wet while you're at the beach). If you’re cruising around Europe, you’ll quickly learn that single-use plastic bags are often banned. Many markets, shops, and stores expect everyone to come with their own bag to take away their products. This reusable bag folds to a pocket-size when you’re not using it, so you can keep it in your purse or backpack until you need it. 

If you’re a light sleeper, the noises of a ship may come as a shock. Whether it’s the sounds of the anchor dropping at 5 a.m. or your raucous neighbors enjoying late-night revelry, earplugs will help you get restful sleep at sea — no matter the time of day. Make sure you pick up this on-sale pack of 60 at Amazon; they're made with soft foam for a comfortable and adjustable fit and deliver impressive noise-canceling capabilities. 

Non-Drowsy Seasick Patches 

If your itinerary is taking you through rough waters, like the Drake Passage or the Tasmanian Sea, be prepared with remedies to fight motion sickness. More than 11,500 reviewers swear by these seasick patches that use a holistic herbal blend to fight nausea. The onboard medical center offers Dramamine to seasick guests, which will make you sleepy and groggy. If you want to stay alert while fighting the nausea, these non-drowsy patches are the way to go. A few crew tips for fighting sea stomach: stay on the upper levels of the ship, munch on green apples, and keep your eyes on the horizon. 

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Carnival cruise ship rescues 25 people stranded off the coast of Mexico

A Carnival Cruise Line ship responded to a call from the U.S. Coast Guard and rescued 25 people stranded in a small boat off the coast of Mexico, the company announced Saturday.

The 2,984-passenger Carnival Radiance had left Long Beach, California, on Friday and was heading toward Ensenada Mexico for a three-day sailing when the cruise ship's officers were informed by the Coast Guard "about a distress call involving a small vessel," a news release said.

The ship immediately routed toward the location of the vessel, provided by the USCG, and "quickly" rescued all 25 people on board, including three children, the company said.

The U.S. Coast Guard did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.

The rescued group was welcomed onto the cruise ship and given food, water, and medical assistance. Carnival coordinated with the Coast Guard to hand off the group.

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The incident did not disrupt the Carnival Radiance's schedule, the company announced.

A roller coaster in the ocean: What Carnival Cruise Line's BOLT ride is like

Another Carnival ship rescued a group of 28 Cuban nationals stuck at sea as it was sailing the Caribbean and saw people signaling for help in late April. The cruise ship was headed from Tampa, Florida, to Roatan in Honduras at the time. Also last month, a Celebrity Cruises ship sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to multiple destinations in the Caribbean rescued a small vessel adrift between Mexico and Cuba.

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected]

American-Italian couple sell everything to spend retirement on ‘endless’ world cruise

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A retired couple have sold everything to sail around the world. Photo / 123rf

They might be living off a capsule wardrobe, but that’s just one con in a sea of pros.

Retired American-Italian couple, Grace and Jerry Grady, jumped on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend the next three and a half years travelling the world aboard one of the world’s two luxurious residential cruise ships in operation, the Villa Vie Odyssey .

The voyage sailed last week, May 30, in Belfast , and is set to visit 425 ports in 147 countries across all seven continents.

While the initial cost may seem daunting, a closer look at the numbers reveals a more affordable and appealing option for those seeking an alternative lifestyle .

Read more: How to retire on a cruise ship - the ups and downs of life at sea

The couple previously lived in the United States , where the average cost of living per year is around US$60,000 ($98,000), depending on the state you live in.

Meanwhile, aboard the Villa Vie Odyssey, they paid an annual fee of US$43,435, which includes unlimited food and soft drinks, alcoholic beverages at dinner, free Wi-Fi and medical checks (excluding medicines and procedures).

Additionally, 24/7 room service, weekly housekeeping and bi-weekly laundry service ensure a convenient and enjoyable stay for all guests.

The couple say the outlay is absolutely worth it - they are spending as much as they would living in a house, but they are getting to tour the world .

“You don’t have bills, expenses, insurance etc,” says Grace. “It is also a much easier way to travel than trying to book separate trips and flights ourselves.”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Grace Distefano Grady (@gracedgrady)

The Gradys are seasoned cruisers and avid wanderlusts . This is not the first time they have planned to live exclusively aboard a ship, since they are one of the hundreds of passengers seeking a refund from the cancelled three-year Life at Sea Cruises trip last November .

In preparation for the three-and-a-half year journey, they have been living on a rental property in Grace’s homeland, Sicily , two years ago, and have been living off a limited range of clothes since they sent several suitcases ahead to the cruise ship .

The couple reportedly sold almost everything, from their house in the States to their most valued belongings, to fund their lifelong dreams of cruising around the world .

Grace shared with Euronews , “In the end, we sold most of our belongings to friends. I’ve been wearing the same clothes every day and washing them by hand each night.”

“It has always been a dream of mine to see the world. I want to get this thing going,” Jerry said.

Now the long wait is over: the couple finally set sail on May 30 and are currently in Cobh, Ireland .

If you think this is the lifestyle you want, passengers on the Villa Vie Odyssey can indulge in a luxurious journey starting at US$89 per person per day for indoor cabins, US$119 for outdoor cabins and US$199 for balcony cabins.

This is significantly cheaper than the other residential ship currently in operation, The World , whose annual costs start at a staggering US$2 million.

For those considering a long-term commitment, the Villa Vie Odyssey also offers the option to purchase a cabin outright. Prices start at US$99,999 for an inside cabin, with monthly fees of US$1750 to cover board, while the stunning balcony cabin comes with a higher price of US$299,999 with a monthly fee of US$3999.

Even with these ongoing costs, the financial burden can be more manageable compared to the average house deposit in the United States , which ranges from US$20,000 ( Michigan ) to US$80,000 ( California ). This doesn’t include mortgage repayments, bills, or daily expenses like food and transport.

The couple have expressed their goal of finishing the full three-and-a-half year stay on the cruise but if they suddenly decided to leave the seas and settle on land again, they can give six months’ notice to the cruise firm, because the itinerary is split into 16 segments of between 35 and 120 days and works on a pay-as-you go basis.

However, the Villa Vie Residences is set to be an “endless” cruise , as the journey will start over again once the trip finishes in November 2027.

Passengers who want to invest in a cabin and become full-time cruisers for the rest of their lives are welcome and encouraged, as the ship will be replaced every 15 years.

With a carefully timed itinerary to guarantee sunny skies, the Villa Vie Odyssey offers a delightful cruise experience. The ship, constructed in 1993 and recently overhauled, features eight decks, three restaurants, five bars and lounges, and a wraparound promenade.

Onboard amenities include a pool with two jacuzzis, a spa and fitness centre, an extensive entertainment line-up, a pickleball court, an interactive culinary centre and a library. The voyage is made even more exciting by the opportunity to visit 13 out of the 14 Wonders of the World .

Would you commit to a life at sea?

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