American Cruise Lines - has anyone used them?

[villagetinker]

I am looking for any information, good/bad, etc., on this company, they specialize in cruises around the USA. I have never been on a cruise, and thought one of these smaller ones might be a good first choice. Also, any comments regarding time of year for specific cruises would be good, like Alaska in winter may not be a good choice but summer is great, you get the idea.
Thank you in advance, VT

[TJ SoBos]

Take a look at CruiseCritic.com Lots of info on cruising.

[villagetinker]

Thank you

[Kelevision]

I would choose a different cruise line for your first cruise, imo only, as a former first time cruiser who thought smaller would be better. I did one river cruise in Europe for Christmas Markets, which were amazing but the cruise itself was “meh”. It was a really nice cruise line too (AmaWaterways). The food was good, everything was nice and upscale but they’re all about being docked. Less about actually cruising. American cruise lines doesn’t get great reviews. I’ve never heard of them and I thought I knew all the cruise lines. Don’t rule out an ocean cruise for your first. Go with a trusted cruise line and base it on itinerary also knowing there’s so much to do and see on the actual ship and that part is fun too. At sea days are GREAT!! I used to be scared of them. Lol I’ve sailed, Cunard, Crystal, Norwegian, Celebrity, Azamara and Holland America. I have nothing but great things to say about all of them. Have never been on a giant mega ship though. I usually stick to 2500 max. And right now they aren’t sailing at full capacity so that’s good too.

[Bonnevie]

I an the opposite of above. I much prefer river cruises. I like the smaller group of people. I like that dinner is usually 2 hours and you actually get to talk and get to know your fellow cruisers. there is none of the activities of the big cruises but I prefer the low key after dinner entertainment. on my Normandy cruise we had a talk by a war bride of WW II. we had a visit with a French family to learn about life in France. very interesting. another time the crew put on a show. by the time you are done, you pretty much know all your fellow passengers at least by sight and many very well.

[Kelevision]

I an the opposite of above. I much prefer river cruises. I like the smaller group of people. I like that dinner is usually 2 hours and you actually get to talk and get to know your fellow cruisers. there is none of the activities of the big cruises but I prefer the low key after dinner entertainment. on my Normandy cruise we had a talk by a war bride of WW II. we had a visit with a French family to learn about life in France. very interesting. another time the crew put on a show. by the time you are done, you pretty much know all your fellow passengers at least by sight and many very well.

That’s exactly correct! It’s also what I didn’t like about the River Cruise. Lots of people prefer River Cruises. So funny, I ended up skipping dinner toward the end, due to the same people over and over. I like more options for dinner. Being able to decide if I want to eat AT dinner time or earlier/later or with someone or not, where do I want to eat, etc. For example, on my Crystal Cruise, I ate almost every night at the Sushi Bar, which is a Nobu restaurant. On Norwegian, they have a 24 hour Irish restaurant, which is where I ate almost every night. I rarely eat in the main dining room on cruises. I would do a River cruise again, if it was on the Rhine during Christmas Markets. Lol :ho:

[Two Bills]

I an the opposite of above. I much prefer river cruises. I like the smaller group of people. I like that dinner is usually 2 hours and you actually get to talk and get to know your fellow cruisers. there is none of the activities of the big cruises but I prefer the low key after dinner entertainment. on my Normandy cruise we had a talk by a war bride of WW II. we had a visit with a French family to learn about life in France. very interesting. another time the crew put on a show. by the time you are done, you pretty much know all your fellow passengers at least by sight and many very well.

My wife has always wanted to do a Rhine cruise.
Me not so much.
May I ask what the dress code is for dinner etc.on these smaller craft?
I truly dislike formal, but if casual smart, I may surprise her this year!

[Kelevision]

My wife has always wanted to do a Rhine cruise.
Me not so much.
May I ask what the dress code is for dinner etc.on these smaller craft?
I truly dislike formal, but if casual smart, I may surprise her this year!

Hey, guess what? You can surprise her this year!!! They don’t have a formal night to my knowledge. Most cruise ships have done away with those or they’re not required if they do have one. Definitely do the Christmas Markets on the Rhine. Your wife will be over the moon.

[billethkid]

River cruises and "regular" cruising are two totally different modes/venues/experiences.

Try both.

Regarding the "regular" cruise lines avoid the mega ships. Seek out the smaller ships, around 2000-3000 passengers max.

[Two Bills]

Hey, guess what? You can surprise her this year!!! They don’t have a formal night to my knowledge. Most cruise ships have done away with those or they’re not required if they do have one. Definitely do the Christmas Markets on the Rhine. Your wife will be over the moon.

River cruises and "regular" cruising are two totally different modes/venues/experiences.

Try both.

Regarding the "regular" cruise lines avoid the mega ships. Seek out the smaller ships, around 2000-3000 passengers max.

Thanks for info.
Will look into the Market Cruises.
Sorry. Would never get on a large ship again.
One 'cruise' from UK to Far East on a troop ship, cured me of any further thoughts of rolling seas, and open waters! barf

[billethkid]

Thanks for info.
Will look into the Market Cruises.
Sorry. Would never get on a large ship again.
One 'cruise' from UK to Far East on a troop ship, cured me of any further thoughts of rolling seas, and open waters! barf

It took me 20 years after my troop ship experiences over and back across the Atlantic, to get back on a ship again.

And have been hooked ever since....now we try to do at least 2 cruises per year.

For us, the only true escape from life's day to day drum beat.

[bhoward]

I am looking for any information, good/bad, etc., on this company, they specialize in cruises around the USA. I have never been on a cruise, and thought one of these smaller ones might be a good first choice. Also, any comments regarding time of year for specific cruises would be good, like Alaska in winter may not be a good choice but summer is great, you get the idea.
Thank you in advance, VT

My wife and I would highly recommend ACL. We did 2 so far--Mississippi and Columbia.
We would never go on a large ocean going ship again. We did two and got sick (before Covid) and felt like cattle with 2,000+ passengers. ACL is expensive but worth the money with 100-150 passengers. :coolsmiley:

[Stu from NYC]

Go on CC tons of info.

River cruise will be totally different than an ocean type cruise, depends upon what you would like.

We enjoy the different types of entertainment offered on a larger ship and think we might be bored on a river type cruise. We have been on ships with 4000 or so passengers and have no problem with it.

Find a good TA and be prepared to ask lots and lots of questions.

BTW river cruises are typically much more expensive.

[Bonnevie]

My wife has always wanted to do a Rhine cruise.
Me not so much.
May I ask what the dress code is for dinner etc.on these smaller craft?
I truly dislike formal, but if casual smart, I may surprise her this year!

that's really all you need. there's no formal nights or anything.

[Bonnevie]

Go on CC tons of info.

River cruise will be totally different than an ocean type cruise, depends upon what you would like.

We enjoy the different types of entertainment offered on a larger ship and think we might be bored on a river type cruise. We have been on ships with 4000 or so passengers and have no problem with it.

Find a good TA and be prepared to ask lots and lots of questions.

BTW river cruises are typically much more expensive.


absolutely, different strokes for different folks. my son prefers the big cruises. for me the destinations on the river cruises are more interesting and I find the fellow travelers on river cruises generally feel the same way. and we had 5 course dinners every night with choice of entre. always a regional dish offered.

[dtennent]

I would avoid the Mississippi River cruises. Went on one several years ago and the cabin was like a closet. I don't know what their other ships are like but I was definitely disappointed. We have cruised on several different cruise lines both ocean and river. It was mentioned before but what is your price point? What do you hope to see? River cruises are usually more intimate and have tours included in the price which are pretty nice. National geographic cruises are expensive and the rooms are smaller but you have professional guides/photographers who help you throughout the trip.

Bottom line - with so many other options, I would try other cruise lines. Pick your price, ship size, and itinerary.

[Mistymom]

My sister qnd her husband just returned from one that started in Nashville last week and loved it so much that they booked another one for Christmas leaving from New Orleans.
They have been at least 40 ocean cruises (even around the world) and several European river cruises, so they are not easily impressed, lol.

[MollyJo]

I am looking for any information, good/bad, etc., on this company, they specialize in cruises around the USA. I have never been on a cruise, and thought one of these smaller ones might be a good first choice. Also, any comments regarding time of year for specific cruises would be good, like Alaska in winter may not be a good choice but summer is great, you get the idea.
Thank you in advance, VT

Pay extra for VIP boarding/departing, less hassle

[Luggage]

All very interesting, one thing I've never tried but would love to is when you rent about yourself go to the English canals on the riverboat

[txfan]

We’ve only done music cruises. Non-stop bands and the stops as well: Sixthman - Music Festivals on Sand & Sea - Live Loud (https://www.sixthman.net/)

[papillon]

I am looking for any information, good/bad, etc., on this company, they specialize in cruises around the USA. I have never been on a cruise, and thought one of these smaller ones might be a good first choice. Also, any comments regarding time of year for specific cruises would be good, like Alaska in winter may not be a good choice but summer is great, you get the idea.
Thank you in advance, VT
ACL cruises exclusively within the United States, which means it is subject to US employment laws, OSHA, etc. ACL is expensive compared to other International cruise lines because it is subject to US laws and pays its employees better wages, etc.
It is a way to see parts of the US that you wouldn't normally see if traveling by car.
Regarding time of year for specific cruises, use the same judgement you would use if traveling to that region by car.
Ocean cruising, River cruising, domestic cruising--all are different experiences. All are wonderful.

[Two Bills]

All very interesting, one thing I've never tried but would love to is when you rent about yourself go to the English canals on the riverboat

They are very popular holidays.
But.
If your ideas about navigating roundabouts are how you intend to drive on our roads, please bring plenty of medical insurance!:icon_wink:

[Xander7]

We loved our cruise on ACL. It was from Providence to Albany . There were 47 passengers on the ship. Wonderful food and good stops along the way. We docked overnight in NYC and they were able to get us tickets to a Broadway Play. Expensive, but we’ll worth it.

[AviatorEd]

I have done 4 cruises with American Cruise Lines. I have four more booked for next year. They are first class. American built ships, American crew, American ports. No need to fly International. A great way to see our country. I have over 500 days on cruise ships, of all sizes. Loved every one of them. For first-time cruisers, it is hard to go wrong by going to Alaska, regardless if you go on a big or small ship. While you are in Alaska, do a land tour as well.

[Rhohner]

We did ACL about three years ago. We sailed the San Juan Islands out of Seattle! One of the BEST cruises EVER! ACL is on a par with Viking, in my opinion. The food was always amazing, it is all inclusive with wine and beer served with dinner and cocktail hour everyday before dinner and a tour in every port also included. We’ve cruised with RCL, Norwegian, Celebrity, Holland America and Viking. ACL beats most except maybe Viking. Although on the expensive side, it is well worth it and a very good value for the price.

[Samcat13]

villagetinker" You did good. You got 5 answer about the company. We love river cruises. Been on a lot.

[cjmaddeninc]

We just got back from a cruise on the Mississippi— the ship was very nice — the staff was friendly and always available to answer questions or help — the food was plentiful and very good — if you enjoy cocktails, they were available at no charge during, lunch, dinner, cocktail hour and the show at night — the nightly entertainment was also very good — open seating for all meals so you can sit with different people at every meal — besides breakfast, lunch and dinner they also have snacks and drinks available 24/7 in 2 of the lounges — we enjoyed it so much we booked another trip for next June

[Shellshack]

We lived on the Mississippi and have seen the ACL "cruise" boats but have never taken the cruise. Very nice boats. Seem expensive.

We cruise quite a bit and enjoy it very much. To us there are roughly two kinds of cruises. Destination cruises and "get the hell out of here trips".
The destination trips are places you want to visit, such as the Baltic, Israel, Antarctica, Hawaii, etc. The other kind are the ones are the Caribbean cruises where the ports are similar, beaches, water activities etc, but they are close and relatively inexpensive.

The notion of large and small ships is hard to explain. The Royal Caribbean Majesty of the Seas was the largest cruise ship in the world when built about 30 years ago and is now the smallest ship they have. The mega ships, 6,000 people, have diving shows, Broadway shows, ice skating shows, shopping malls, casinos, and loads of other entertainment which we enjoy on the Caribbean trips. The "smaller ships", around 2,000 people, are good for destinations. some people even like smaller ships around 1,000. Some ships have interesting lectures on the ports you are visiting. The 3 day weekend cruises are not a good way to get a taste of cruising as they are usually younger people enjoying a party weekend, with not very good ports. Good for them just not us.

Remember, when cruising you are seeing port cities for one, occasionally two days from 8am to 5pm.

We have never river cruised, we believe it will be too confining with little entertainment choices, but intend to try it in Europe. Looks relaxing and expensive.

Alaska is a great first cruise. Shop, shop shop, for the best deals and have a good time.

[Jean G]

I’m a Travel Agent. They do have a good reputation. They are great for people who do not want to travel to Europe. I specialize in River travel if you would like to call me. There is no charge to you for my services. Jean Gafford 678-908/7557

[Calisport]

We went as a group on American Cruise Lines paddleboard ship on the Mississippi river. The crowd tends to be elderly. and I don't think the food was very good. It's definitely an eat, drink and sleep cruise. I think we all would have rather spent a few more nights hanging out in New Orleans than being on the ship.

[rjn5656]

Dress for dinner is very casual. A lot of people come back from their tours, have a cocktail, and go to dinner.

[rjn5656]

We did the cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest with Viking. Great cruise. Then we flew to Prague for a few days. Great trip.