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These cruises offer something for everyone with endless possibilities of destinations. The options are limitless with multiple countries to choose from for week-long, ten-day, five-night, four-night, or six-night cruises. Each cruise company offers distinct options, so there is something for everyone, regardless of the time frame. A Pacific Coastal cruise is an ideal option for those who are looking for a relaxing and adventurous vacation. It is a popular choice among first-time cruisers or those who are looking for a quick weekend getaway. The Pacific Coastal cruise offers a breathtaking view of the cities, natural landscapes and architectural marvels that span the coastline.
Viking Ocean Cruises

I found the 8-mile Confederation Bridge on Prince Edward Island truly fascinating. With so many options, finding a cruise that fits your itinerary and budget is easy. In this post, I will share the 11 best cruises in and around the U.S. for seeing the wonders of our country and having an unforgettable vacation.
Viking Cruises’ New Orleans & Southern Charms Lower Mississippi Cruise
You’ll start heading west to the mouth of the mighty Columbia River where it meets the Pacific Ocean at Astoria. From there you’ll head back east into the Columbia River Gorge, following the path of explorers Lewis & Clark, ending in Hell’s Canyon, North America’s deepest canyon. These cruises also typically include stops at destinations such as Tenerife, Portugal, Spain, the UK, the Caribbean and the Netherlands. They usually begin at a port in the United States or Europe and end at the opposite end, stopping at various islands along the way. Embarking on a Panama Canal cruise from Miami is an extraordinary way to discover the diverse cultures of Latin America.
Atlantic Ocean Passage
That’s how diverse, wide-ranging, and spectacular our itineraries are. Here are a few of our more popular offerings — but again we wish to stress how much we’d like you to look over all our offerings in order to tailor a trip that works best for you and your family. For any cruises listed, Cruise Critic does not guarantee any specific rates or prices. Sadly, as far as I can tell, the old-time (or fake old-time) riverboat liners Delta Queen, American Queen, and Mississippi Queen do not operate this year.
What is the best time to cruise to the USA?
In fact, Majestic America Line—parent of Delta Queen and American West Steamboat companies—is dormant and trying to find a buyer. Given today’s financial climate, I wouldn’t expect anything for 2010, either. As far as I can tell, only one big-ship company, Norwegian Cruise Line, operates cruises entirely within the U.S. One ship—the Pride of America—cruises entirely within the Hawaiian Islands, with a crew that complies with U.S. citizenship requirements.
Best for wildlife spotting: Holland America’s Alaskan Explorer
Despite American Queen's shutdown, U.S. river cruising keeps rolling - Travel Weekly
Despite American Queen's shutdown, U.S. river cruising keeps rolling.
Posted: Mon, 04 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Day four brings travelers to the oldest city on the river, Natchez, Mississippi, home to a rich African American heritage. The next day, guests can learn about one of the most consequential battles of the Civil War at Vicksburg National Military Park before setting sail for the vibrant capital city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The ship then returns to New Orleans, where guests can stay longer or catch a flight home.
Panama Canal Cruises
Learn about the Native American history of the area, take in breathtaking views of the Columbia River Gorge, and indulge in delicious regional cuisine. The California Coastal departs Los Angeles and stops in San Francisco; Astoria, Oregon; and Seattle, and ends in Vancouver. Princess Cruises offers a variety of onboard amenities, such as culinary experiences, the best afternoon tea at sea, and Broadway-style entertainment. If you prefer a more extended cruise with more days at sea, Holland America has a 10-day itinerary from Quebec City to Fort Lauderdale with stops in Port Canaveral, Florida, and Portland instead of Bar Harbor, Maine. The 48-hour window applies on most voyages, but on repositioning sailings or crossings, fresh fish may be served over a longer window.
Bike about Toronto, hike Canada’s La Mauricie National Park, kayak or bird-watch in Charleston. And who knew there were more than 300 resident Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in the inlets, creeks and marsh flats around Charleston? This eight-day round-trip cruise takes in historic estates, military sites, and comunities bursting with Cajun and Creole culture. After departing New Orleans, the Viking Mississippi stops in the Louisiana towns of Darrow and St. Francisville, which boast Greek Revival mansions, Spanish moss-draped avenues, and even a haunted house.
Alaska and British Columbia—Inside Passage, Bears and Aleutian Islands (Southbound) (MS Fridtjof Nansen)
Nearby waters deliver breathtaking natural beauty, adventurous shore excursions, and ship vibes that range from nonstop high-energy to pampering luxury. Here, several upcoming voyages sailing from American ports that rival any cruise in far-flung locales. Your journey continues with an included flight between St. Paul, Minnesota and arriving in Portland, Maine. You begin your New England exploration aboard the American Independence. Settle into your stateroom as you sail from Portland, ME to Boston, MA, along one of the most stunning coastlines in the country. Go far beyond the typical Alaskan ports in this adrenaline-charged expedition onboard 274-passenger Silver Wind.
Passengers can visit wineries in Washington, taste Creole cuisine in New Orleans, or learn about the Siege of Vicksburg right where it happened. Viking is known for its adults-only, all-inclusive river, ocean and expedition cruises. As you can guess by its name, the 15-day Great Lakes Collection sailing—which cruises from Toronto, Canada to Duluth, Minnesota—takes adventure-seeking cruisers on an epic journey around all five majestic Great Lakes. Bermuda is best known for its beautiful pink-hued stretches of sand, which pop perfectly against the clear blue waters. Passengers will sail aboard the massive MSC MeraViglia, which conveniently cruises to and from Brooklyn. The dazzling ship is complete with a two-deck promenade, oceanview lounge areas, an amusement area and an outdoor water park.

Feel the warm camaraderie of the crew and fellow guests as you relax in personalized comfort. No, U.S. citizens do not need passports to cruise within the United States or for cruises that begin and end in the same U.S. port. Perkins was founding editor of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, one of the country's most influential travel publications, from which he retired in 1998.
These cruises usually last longer than regular ones, ranging from 5 to 20 nights, and often depart from United States cities like Ft. A Pacific Coastal cruise is an incredible experience that is sure to leave you amazed. With the best of both worlds – the natural beauty of the Pacific coast and the luxury of a cruise – this trip is undoubtedly an unforgettable one.
Like their European counterparts, river cruises in the U.S. typically package everything at a single price, including staterooms, meals, guest lectures and enrichment programs, entertainment, and most shore excursions. Princess Cruises offers a number of itineraries that call on the ports of the scenic Pacific coast. Some international cruise lines like MSC Cruises and Cunard also have ships that homeport in the U.S. Spring and autumn are primetime for 16-day U.S. cruises between Fort Lauderdale and Toronto, Canada on 378-passenger expedition ship Viking Octantis. As on other Viking ocean liners, 24-hour room service, king beds, spacious baths with heated bathroom floors, complimentary wine and beer with meals, and specialty restaurant dining also rank high among included amenities. Ashore, you’ll find a mix of fascinating cities (like Quebec City and New York City) and spectacular scenery.
Immerse yourself in the charm of small-town America and the Great Smoky Mountains on a cruise down the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers with American Queen Voyages. With all guided tours, Wi-Fi, beverages (including alcohol), and a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay included, this trip offers the ultimate vacation. Holland America offers several New England and Canada cruise options, including a 10-day getaway from Quebec City to Fort Lauderdale or a 6-to-8-day journey from Boston to the culturally rich Montreal or Quebec City. The latter option includes stops in Bar Harbor, Maine; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Sydney, Nova Scotia; and back. It’s no secret that Alaska is home to some of the country’s best wildlife spotting opps, which is why I was psyched to embark on Holland America’s epic Alaskan Explorer sailing in August 2022.
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