Request A Free Cruise GuideSpecial OffersAbout UsAmerican Cruise Lines offers river cruising and small ship coastal cruising in the U.S.A. Year after year, American continues to launch the newest U.S. built ships and uniquely curated itineraries for exploring and Cruising Close To Home®. On all cruises, guests discover the history, and spirit of the United States aboard the most sophisticated small ship fleet in the industry. Onboard, guests enjoy a complete all-inclusive experience including daily entertainment, spacious amenities, exquisite cuisine and cocktails, and gracious hospitality. Most staterooms come with private balconies offering panoramic river views from every angle. Onshore, American Cruise Lines partners with local communities for captivating excursions which reflect the unique, fascinating cultures of the every port we visit. Choose from cruises that explore the Mississippi River, Columbia & Snake Rivers, Alaska, New England, the Puget Sound, and the Southeast region of the country. Each destination has a story to tell, with adventure waiting at every stop. American operates 15 ships, all accommodating just 100-190 passengers, which cruise more than 35 domestic itineraries in 34 states. American now offers domestic Flat Rate airfare for all its U.S. cruises.Request A Free Cruise Guide
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Is American Cruise Lines legit?
American Cruise Lines (americancruiselines.com) has a 4.8 out of 5 rating on OK.one, based on 201 user reviews collected here. It is listed under Travel & Vacation and its reputation is excellent. Praise is nearly unanimous, with 97% rating it 4 stars or higher; The business has replied to 100% of negative reviews; Reviews mostly discuss Quality, Product. Last updated 2026-08-12.
What reviewers say
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Reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Travelers frequently praise the incredibly friendly staff who provide attentive, welcoming service and make everyone feel truly valued throughout the trip. Guests also mention the delicious, high-quality meals and the comfortable, impeccably clean rooms that make every journey exceptionally special. Additionally, people thoroughly enjoy the engaging daily excursions and the wonderful live entertainment offered on board.
Some reviewers were not happy with the comfort of their sleeping arrangements. Individuals pointed out that the mattresses felt rather lumpy and were quite uncomfortable, suggesting they are in real need of replacement.
Auto-generated from all reviews of this business. For reference only.
Despite this guy Jim Zim all over uTube who cruises for FREE (compensated) and then tells you how great this line is, let me share. Over last 3 years been on 3 cruises on 3 different boats in 3 different areas. Common issues stopping us from going again. Untrained and young seasonal staff, dirty rooms, poor quality food, always running out of items like mustard, mayo, other condiments and beverages including coffee at the busted machines. For the price paid this should never happen!
Reply from American Cruise Lines2026-07-30
We are sorry to hear about the issues you experienced on your cruise and have shared your comments with our Hotel Operations department for review. Should you wish to discuss your experience further, please contact [email protected] . We hope to welcome you back aboard in the future.
Recent trip on Ohio river stopped at Cincinnati…. Trip to the zoo was way to short and led to more confusion and hassle ( for 60+year old passengers) than fun to see the zoo animals. You really need to think about this trip and ways to get those on it smarter before they leave the buses. Maybe a special briefing for the zoo attendees the day before the tour is warranted. I’d be available to talk to you about this suggestion if interested. Bob Brickner
Reply from American Cruise Lines2026-07-30
Thank you for your excursion suggestion! We have shared your comments with our Guest Programs department for review and consideration. We hope to welcome you back aboard in the future!
Pleasantly surprised. I was not expecting this experience with this Cruise line. I can honestly say that I cannot criticize anything. From the staff to the excursions to the locations we visited. I want to take another one.
Reply from American Cruise Lines2026-07-28
We're delighted to hear your cruise exceeded your expectations and that you enjoyed every aspect of your journey, from the attentive service and memorable excursions to the beautiful destinations along the way. It’s especially rewarding to know your experience inspired you to sail with us again. We truly appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you aboard for your next adventure!
Sincerely,
American Cruise Lines
My wife and I just returned from our 3rd trip with American Cruise Lines. We cruised their Columbia & Snake Rivers itinerary eastbound (Portland, OR to Clarkston, WA) from July 7-15 (includes travel days).
Our ship, American Song, is the original ACL "American Riverboat" build, in 2018. It is kept in impeccable shape with constant cleaning and polishing. A couple things could use some updating, especially the fixed showerheads. (They are on flexible hoses on more recent builds.) AC power receptacles in our cabin were a little sparce but acceptable.
The crew was uniformly upbeat, friendly and helpful although some, especially restaurant servers, were new to their jobs and it showed. Service could be unusually slow at times and getting beverages sometimes required multiple requests. On the upside, ACL staff is justifiably praised for its attention to passengers with special needs.
Food quality was good to excellent. My wife liked the ability to order half portions. There are only 3 or 4 entree selections per meal but we never had trouble finding something we liked. For breakfast and lunch, we often took advantage of the "Back Porch Cafe" which enabled us to eat outside and less formally.
Excursions were well-planned, efficiently run and had knowledgeable guides. Many were included in the cruise price. Most excursions that were not included had very reasonable pricing, e.g., $25 to $50 per person.
Enrichment and entertainment was good to outstanding. Our onboard historian was extremely knowledgeable about the Lewis & Clark Expedition, was a terrific speaker and appropriately funny.
We received complimentary airfare for this cruise. ACL's flight itinerary was well thought out, with very reasonable layover times and total travel times. Embarkation and debarkation were both handled smoothly. An ACL representative even met passengers at the Portland airport. The overnight stay and included breakfast at the Embassy Suites Portland Airport went well. For debarkation, most passengers were driven to Spokane, WA because their airport has MUCH better flight connections than the Lewiston, ID airport.
As for the itinerary itself, the scenary was incredible and most port stops were educational and enjoyable. Transiting 8 locks was especially interesting.
We thoroughly enjoyed this cruise, so much so that we did something we have NEVER done in 11 previous cruises (ACL and other lines): We booked our next cruise while onboard to enjoy the 15% savings. ACL cruises are not inexpensive but they are almost all-inclusive with practically zero "nickle & diming" of passengers. Recommended.
Reply from American Cruise Lines2026-07-28
We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the breathtaking scenery along the Columbia & Snake Rivers, the well-planned excursions, engaging onboard enrichment, delicious dining, and the warm hospitality provided by our team. It’s especially wonderful to know you appreciated our all-inclusive experience, smooth travel arrangements, and attention to detail throughout your journey.
We also appreciate your constructive feedback regarding cabin features and dining service. Comments like yours are invaluable as we continue working to enhance the experience for our travelers.
Thank you again for your recommendation and for booking another cruise while onboard. We look forward to welcoming you back for another memorable adventure!
Sincerely,
American Cruise Lines
We have had a really bad start but they bounced back
We had a really bad start with American cruise lines but read on it gets better. My parents are 86 years old and have some health problems so we have transitioned from ocean cruising to American cruising. We booked the cruise a week from departure because they were feeling good and the weather forecast looked OK. We booked the grand New England cruise round-trip out of Boston. The description has the cruise starts on July 25. But when you get into the details, you find out the night of July 25 put you up in a hotel. Now the hotel room is where the breakdown is happening. In the week that this cruise has been booked. I’ve checked with the cruise line every day at least once, and they cannot confirm the hotel room.
They’re not confirming yes they’re not confirming no they’re just simply not answering and not responding. It’s bizarre.
So currently I have two 86 year old people boarding a plane tomorrow to Boston and they have no place to stay or at least no place arranged by American cruise lines. What a bad way to begin a customer experience.
Update 1.0 after 5 days of calling they assigned a hotel room today. I had a very good customer service experience with a manager named Geoff. Lesson to the reader so far should be last minute cruise makes ACL logistics hard and the experience is stressful.
Update 2.0 my parents have been loving the cruise and rave about every aspect of the experience. They have already booked another cruise for next year. Takeaway for the reader is booking last minute with ACL can cause significant gaps on the system and you need to get to a manager like Geoffrey Lara
Customer Service Team Lead. Geoff is the reason my parents got the luggage tags and the welcome letter and he thought through every aspect of their accessibility issues and made sure it went well. When you really need expert help ask for supervisor Geoff Lara he brings the magic.
Reply from American Cruise Lines2026-07-28
Thank you for sharing your experience and for providing an update. We’re glad to hear your hotel arrangements were resolved and that our team was able to assist. We understand how important smooth travel planning is, especially when traveling with family members, and we appreciate your patience as the details were finalized.
We’re grateful for your continued trust and hope the rest of your Grand New England Cruise provides a wonderful experience for you and your parents.
Sincerely,
American Cruise Lines
The food, wine and staff was all amazing. Our server, Gabby was outstanding!
A couple of suggestions - you need to improve the quality of the beds. There was a big lump in the middle and it made things very uncomfortable. Also, a small college sized refrigerator in the room would have been nice to have some cold water & pop.
Reply from American Cruise Lines2026-07-24
We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the delicious dining, excellent service, and warm hospitality from our team. We also appreciate you taking the time to share your suggestions regarding the mattress comfort and in-room refrigerator. Feedback like yours is valuable as we continue looking for ways to enhance the onboard experience.
We hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
Sincerely,
American Cruise Lines
The overall servic, kindness and efficiency of the staff. The excellent chef choices for healthy delicious meals.
Excursions well orchestrated.
Reply from American Cruise Lines2026-07-24
We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the exceptional service, kindness, and efficiency of our team. It’s wonderful to know that the thoughtfully prepared meals and well-organized excursions helped make your journey memorable.
We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
Sincerely,
American Cruise Lines
Relaxing summer vacation with great food, entertainment, relaxation, and crew.
Reply from American Cruise Lines2026-07-24
We're delighted to hear you enjoyed a relaxing summer vacation filled with delicious dining, entertainment, and attentive service from our team. It’s wonderful to know your time aboard was a memorable and enjoyable experience.
We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
Sincerely,
American Cruise Lines
We booked a suite and had the best service for cleaning, turndown service and all around friendly people.
The entire crew went out of their way to ensure we had everything we needed or wanted for eight days, they never wavered.
The food was awesome and ample, if you went away hungry it was of your own volition.
The Captain gave a great explanation of the pilot house which was very interesting and informative.
If you’ve never been we highly recommend taking a cruise with American Cruise Lines in your future.
You won’t regret it‼️👍💯
Reply from American Cruise Lines2026-07-24
We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the comfort of your suite, attentive service, delicious dining, and the warm hospitality provided by our team throughout your journey. It’s wonderful to know the onboard experiences, including the pilot house presentation, helped make your cruise memorable.
We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
Sincerely,
American Cruise Lines
The cruise ship was in excellent condition, the staff were great, and service was very good. I wish we could have had a daily schedule published on the tv in our rooms each day covering outings, speakers, menus, entertainment and special announcements. The schedule posted near the dining room entrance never showed the times and was only for AM. The outings at each stop were very good, with personable, knowledgable guides. I generally liked the all-inclusive nature of the cruise, but the tours that were available for purchase were so expensive1
Reply from American Cruise Lines2026-07-24
We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the excellent condition of the ship, the service provided by our team, and the memorable excursions with knowledgeable guides. We also appreciate your suggestions regarding onboard schedules and will share your feedback with our team as we continue looking for ways to enhance the experience. Thank you as well for your comments regarding optional tours and pricing. Your feedback is valuable as we continue working to provide exceptional journeys for our travelers.
We hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
Sincerely,
American Cruise Lines
The boat is beautiful, guest rooms and the public areas and rooms are well appointed. It was lovely cruising along the river and through the lakes. Also an unique and enjoyabe experience was going through the locks. The majority of the staff is friendly, good humored and helpful. Most of the itinerary was interesting, fairly well chosen and memorable.
Reply from American Cruise Lines2026-07-24
We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the beautiful ship, comfortable accommodations, scenic cruising, and the unique experience of passing through the locks. It’s wonderful to know our team helped make your journey memorable and that you enjoyed the thoughtfully planned itinerary. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
Sincerely,
American Cruise Lines
The crew and hospitality team were very pleasant and helpful, the ship is in excellent condition. The scheduled events were very informative.
Reply from American Cruise Lines2026-07-24
We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the warm hospitality from our team, the excellent condition of the ship, and the informative onboard events. It’s wonderful to know these elements helped create a memorable journey.
We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
Sincerely,
American Cruise Lines
Staff was fantastic. We enjoyed Elliot &Isiah during the dinner hour. Alexus for lunch and drinks. Keep the fishing experience at Hells Canyon (Tyson and Gunner) were amazing. I would like to suggest an appropriate dress code for the warmer weather. Maybe navy knee length shorts for the staff. Also, a suggestion for dinner serving. Station wait staff at certain tables, it seemed a little chaotic with the staff waiting and cleaning all the tables in the dining room. Hope this helps. Thank you for the week of fun.
Reply from American Cruise Lines2026-07-24
We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the exceptional service from our team and had a memorable time on the Hells Canyon fishing excursion. We also appreciate you taking the time to share your suggestions regarding staff attire and dining room service. Feedback like yours is invaluable as we continue looking for ways to enhance the onboard experience.
Thank you for choosing American Cruise Lines, and we hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
Sincerely,
American Cruise Lines
The staff were friendly, warm, caring and helpful.
The service in the dining room was spotty. Anytime a mistake was made the waiter or waitress apologized and seemed genuinely sorry. But mistakes happened almost daily. Since they were using tablets for orders we were quite surprised there were so many errors. Errors included wrong drinks, meals delivered to the wrong table and meals delivered to us we didn’t order. In every other cruise we have done there have been no mistakes we can recollect. Everyone was sorry and all mistakes got corrected but almost daily they happened
All my prior reviews have been 5 stars.
We also noticed on this cruise, there were signs saying table closed on several tables . They were not actually closed the exact same people sat at them at dinner and lunch. We had been told there were no “reservations “ and yet on this trip, there were.
Reply from American Cruise Lines2026-07-22
Thank you for sharing your thoughtful feedback and for your continued support of American Cruise Lines. We’re delighted to hear you appreciated the warm, caring, and helpful service from our team.
We also appreciate your detailed comments regarding the dining room experience. We understand that consistency and accuracy are important, and we’re sorry to hear that the service did not meet the standard you have experienced on your previous cruises. We will share your feedback with our team as we continue working to improve the onboard dining experience.
Thank you again for your loyalty and for sharing your honest feedback. We hope to welcome you aboard again and provide the exceptional experience you have come to expect from American Cruise Lines.
Sincerely,
American Cruise Lines
The people on the ships. They make me feel like family. ALL cruise employees appears to enjoy what they do.
Like your theory of promoting from within!!!
Reply from American Cruise Lines2026-07-24
We're delighted to hear that our team made you feel like family and that their warmth and enthusiasm helped make your journey so memorable. It’s especially meaningful to know you appreciate our commitment to developing and promoting our team from within.
We truly appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you aboard again soon!
Sincerely,
American Cruise Lines
Dedicated staff, great food, enjoyable excursions, clean ship and comfortable rooms
Reply from American Cruise Lines2026-07-24
We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the dedicated service from our team, delicious dining, memorable excursions, and the comfort of our clean and welcoming ships. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
Sincerely,
American Cruise Lines
Libby, in the restaurant, was a very considerate and gracious host. As well as Mark
Reply from American Cruise Lines2026-07-24
We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the thoughtful and gracious service provided by our team. It’s wonderful to know that the care and hospitality you experienced helped make your journey memorable.
We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
Sincerely,
American Cruise Lines
The whole staff went out of their way to make the experience wonderful. Always friendly and helpful. Great excursions.
Reply from American Cruise Lines2026-07-24
We're delighted to hear that our team helped make your journey special with their friendly and attentive service. It’s wonderful to know you enjoyed the memorable excursions and the care provided throughout your cruise.
We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
Sincerely,
American Cruise Lines
The boat is pretty noisy. Anchor, shore boat, entertainment (loud in stateroom).
All the public areas kept way too cool, so much so that it’s not comfortable. Had to wear a sweater over clothes inside, then remove to leave the ship. This was a complaint by many not just myself.
Food suffered also as when put on the table was not hot and actually barely warm.
Reply from American Cruise Lines2026-07-28
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We appreciate you taking the time to provide details about your experience and are sorry to hear that certain aspects of your journey did not meet your expectations.
We understand how important comfort is throughout a cruise and appreciate your comments regarding onboard noise, public area temperatures, and dining service. Your feedback will be shared with our team as we continue working to improve the experience for all travelers.
We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you aboard again in the future and provide a more enjoyable journey.
Sincerely,
American Cruise Lines
great service people, Vince, Tanya, and Mo.
Education sessions very informative.
Dining experience with open seating very good, might consider a desert cart to ensure a better customer selection. Also a bigger font for the first name on the lanyards. Golf carts to bus a real plus. Like Mark's musical presentations.
Reply from American Cruise Lines2026-07-24
We're delighted to hear you enjoyed the exceptional service from our team, informative education sessions, open seating dining experience, and onboard entertainment. We also appreciate your suggestions regarding dessert selections, lanyard visibility, and transportation options. Feedback like yours is valuable as we continue looking for ways to enhance the onboard experience.
Thank you for choosing American Cruise Lines, and we hope to welcome you aboard again soon!
Sincerely,
American Cruise Lines
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