While river cruises up and down the Danube, Rhine, and Rhône have long been favorites in Europe, you don't need to take a transatlantic flight in order to enjoy river cruising. Whether it's sailing aboard a plush paddle-wheeler on the mighty Mississippi, riding a replica coastal steamer through the lush landscapes of the Pacific Northwest, or following the trail of explorer Henry Hudson on a fall foliage-themed sailing in New York state, a slate of U.S. river cruises invite travelers to discover the heart of America in a rather unconventional way: from its myriad waterways. Indeed, demand for river cruise vacations is rising at record levels, and American travelers are increasingly seeking out close-to-home options for these floating escapes. The following—ever-more-sophisticated—riverboats sail at a relaxed pace, touting personalized service and all-inclusive price tag that typically bundles in extras like shore excursions and beer and wine with meals.
American Heartland Music Cruise between Memphis and Nashville
Five-year-old American Queen Steamboat Company is readying to roll out its third paddle-wheeler vessel, the 166-guest American Duchess, next June. Look out for upgraded onboard offerings like an all-suite configuration (it's the first all-suite riverboat to operate in the U.S.), including a quartet of 550-square-feet, bi-level Loft Suites; plus, guests get a deluxe overnight hotel stay ahead of their voyage out of Nashville or Memphis on AQSC's brand-new 8-night "American Music Cruise". The sailing, which runs between the two music-famed cities, includes several stops in Tennessee, Missouri, and Kentucky—including a first-for-the-line overnight stay in port in Nashville—on a route along the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and Cumberland rivers. Stop off at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry or Memphis's Graceland while ashore, and enjoy onboard entertainment and lectures that highlight regional musical influences like New Orleans jazz, Delta blues, Nashville country, and Memphis rock/soul; sailings are scheduled in September, November, and December of 2017.
Pacific Northwest Wine Sailing on a Replica Coastal Steamer
Discover the majesty and thriving viticultural scene of the Pacific Northwest aboard small-ship, soft-adventure line UnCruise Adventures. Their 88-passenger S.S. Legacy , an imitation turn-of-the-century coastal steamer, offers weeklong river cruises running round-trip from Portland, Oregon, along the Columbia, Snake, Willamette, and Palouse rivers. The newly enhanced "Rivers of Wine" itinerary, with eight departures scheduled in 2017 (between April and October), visits several wineries at five leading Washington and Oregon wine regions, including Walla Walla and the Willamette Valley. On board, a sommelier and wine expert join the crew for hosted wine tastings, pairings, and presentations. Plus, take in some of the region's storied natural splendor along the way, with scheduled visits to the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Red Mountain, and Palouse Falls State Park.
Erie Canal and Great Lakes Cruise from Chicago to Rhode Island
Blount Small Ship Adventures, with a half-century of North American river cruising experience under its belt, is best known for its custom-built ships that allow the line access to off-the-beaten-path American waterways (like the Erie Canal) that no other riverboat company can get to. Sample one such unique offering via their signature 15-night "Great American Waterways" itinerary aboard either the 83-passenger Grande Mariner or 84-passenger Grande Caribe. Guests kick things off in Chicago, before passing through some 15 waterways, including 4 Great Lakes, with their many lakefront towns and islands (like Mackinac Island); historic Erie Canal and the Hudson River; and the sounds and bays of classic New England towns, where the ship disembarks in Warren, Rhode Island (note: the reverse itinerary is also available). Excursions include highlights like Niagara Falls (via Buffalo), Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Cooperstown's National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. On board, a staff historian provides contextual insights into the waterways and locales via lectures, while local musicians are brought aboard for live musical entertainment; sailings run from May through September in 2017.
Deep South Sailings on the Red River from New Orleans
New, high-end French America Line launches its 150-passenger Louisiane, featuring itineraries through the Deep South and American heartland, this October. Choose from a selection of classic Mississippi River sailings running round-trip from New Orleans, or between New Orleans and Memphis; or, for something entirely different, try the line's 8-night “Red River Holiday” (running round-trip from New Orleans). Marking the first cruise ship sailing on the Red River in more than 20 years, the Louisiana-focused itinerary includes port calls in Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Natchitoches, and Shreveport. Guests can tap into Southern hospitality and culture while visiting historic plantation houses, tucking into gumbo, or visiting the famed jazz clubs of the Big Easy (bonus: the journey, scheduled for departures in December, March, May, and next November, incorporates an overnight hotel stay prior to embarkation). On board, expect plenty of fine touches like a Southern-inspired menu designed by Chef Regina Charboneau, the use of in-room iPads, and live jazz and blues performances nightly.
Hudson River Fall Foliage Cruises from NYC
These weeklong Hudson River sailings aboard riverboat/small ship operator American Cruise Lines are timed to coincide with the brilliant fall foliage season of the Northeast. Conveniently running round-trip from NYC, guests on "Hudson River Cruises" can experience the kaleidoscopic natural beauty of the Hudson River Valley and Catskill Mountains while traveling up Henry Hudson's namesake river, going as far north as the New York State capital at Albany. Stops are scheduled at historic sites like the Vanderbilt Mansion, the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt, artist Frederic Church's Olana estate, the West Point Military Academy, and the riverside town of Sleepy Hollow (immortalized by author Washington Irving). Sail aboard the modern 99-passenger Independence, 100-passenger American Star, or the brand-new 163-passenger American Constellation (which debuts in 2017), each have spacious staterooms (many with balconies), destination-specialized lectures, and live jazz bands for evening entertainment; voyages are planned annually in September and October.
"Harvests, History & Landscapes" Expedition Through The Pacific Northwest
Look to leading expedition line Lindblad Expeditions' 62-guest National Geographic Sea Bird or National Geographic Sea Lion for their annual 6-night fall departures (in September and October) focused on the geology, history, and culinary bounty of the Pacific Northwest, from Oregon to Washington. En route, guests along for the "Columbia & Snake Rivers Journey: Harvests, History, and Landscapes" travel inland from Portland, Oregon, to Clarkston, Washington (the reverse itinerary is also available), taking in the sights of Lewis and Clark's legendary journey; tucking into harvest-fresh local fare, wines, and craft beers; encountering charming regional towns; and discovering the bighorn sheep, thundering waterfalls, and forest trails of the Pacific Northwest, via guided kayaking, biking, and hiking excursions. The line's expedition staff includes an historian, geologist/naturalist, and Lindblad–National Geographic certified photo instructor who complement the journey with history-themed talks, geology lectures, and photo instruction.