American Cruise Lines News Coverage

Five different river cruise ships operated by American Cruise Lines sail the Mississippi River offering 12+ itineraries all year-round. There can be no better way to sail the Mighty Mississippi and its tributaries. The company’s Mississippi five ship offerings, range from 8 to 51 days. They include an array of authentic experiences in 10 states from New Orleans in Louisiana to St. Paul in Minnesota.

Punta Gorda is reaping the tourism and economic benefits of having American Cruise Lines dock here as part of its itinerary on the cruise line’s Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruises — which have been so successful that the cruise line is more than doubling the number of cruises in 2025.

The historic St. Simons Lighthouse, a maritime sentinel of the Georgia coastline since 1872, looms over St. Simons Sound, long guiding ships to shore whenever the surrounding water’s mercurial temperament shifted from tranquil to ominous. As I trekked breathlessly up 129 steps that spiral to the top, I was thankful that, unlike the lighthouse keepers that resided here until the 1950s when the light was automated, I didn’t have to make the climb every day. They had the added burden of carrying fuel to the lantern room, the area of the tower that houses a powerful third-order Fresnel lens that still casts a beam 23 miles out to sea.

Jeannine Williamson discovers spectacular foliage and spooky tales on a unique and lesser-known river cruise with American Cruise Lines.

I push open the narrow trap door and climb the steps onto the walkway surrounding the glass-enclosed lantern and catch my breath. Water laps the base of the lighthouse and closer to the shoreline the yellow, orange, red and gold autumn foliage is reflected in the mirror-like surface. It’s a beautiful sight. What makes the scenario even more remarkable is, firstly, I’m not at sea and, secondly, I’m on the Hudson River. 

Opt for American Cruise Lines’ seven-night Historic Mississippi River Cruise if you really want to immerse yourself in the Deep South. The roundtrip begins in New Orleans, where you can experience the city’s French influences and Creole cuisine before embarking on the legendary waterway towards Baton Rouge – a haven of Creole and Cajun culture – and then onto Natchez, the oldest city on the river. You’ll travel through other towns on the Mississippi and some sailings are even on its American Heritage paddlewheeler, giving you a more genuine experience on the water.

American Cruise Lines is set to operate its largest-ever Mississippi River season in 2025, deploying five riverboats across more than 12 different itineraries that span 10 states from Louisiana to Minnesota. The season begins Feb. 21 onboard American Serenade, sailing a nine-day Lower Mississippi River Cruise between New Orleans and Memphis.

New for 2025 are several routes including a 12-Day Mississippi Explorer Cruise from Memphis to New Orleans and a 16-Day Grand Ohio River Cruise from Pittsburgh to St. Louis. The company is also introducing two extended voyages: a 51-Day Great United States Cruise and a 36-Day Civil War Battlefields Cruise, which will cover either the entire Mississippi or major sections of it along with other U.S. waterways.