River Cruise Lines USA Deals
Who sails America’s rivers, and how to get good value on them.
Compare USA River CruisesRiver Cruise Lines in the USA, and How Their Deals Work
River cruising at home has its own rules. There is no transatlantic flight to price, many guests can drive to the ship, and the lines are American companies with their own approach to fares and inclusions. Here is who sails, and where the value is when you shop for river cruise lines’ USA deals.
Who Sails America’s Rivers
| Line | Rivers | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| American Cruise Lines | Mississippi and tributaries, Columbia and Snake, plus other U.S. waterways | The largest U.S. river fleet, mixing modern riverboats and paddlewheelers. Its Columbia and Snake trip is sold as a 9-day cruise including a hotel night. |
| Viking | Mississippi (New Orleans to St. Paul) | The Viking Mississippi brings the Viking model, with its published inclusions, to the U.S. |
| Lindblad Expeditions | Columbia and Snake | Expedition-style 6- and 8-day trips on small ships with kayaks and Zodiacs. |
Rivers, routes and ports in more depth: US River Cruising, Mississippi Riverboat Cruises and Columbia River Cruises.
Where the Value Is at Home
- Drive or fly short. If you can drive to New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis or Portland, you remove a large cost.
- Use the included hotel night. Where a line includes a pre-cruise hotel, factor it in; elsewhere, compare hotels on Rooms Cheap.
- Choose the season. Spring and fall are popular on the Mississippi and the Columbia; ask about the edges of each season.
- Compare inclusions. Drinks, excursions and tips are handled differently by each line.
- Go with a group. Families and clubs booking several cabins should ask about group terms.
New Ships and New Routes
The U.S. river market keeps growing, with American Cruise Lines adding new small ships and new itineraries. New ships and new routes sometimes launch with introductory offers, while the most popular established routes rarely need them. Ask our cruise advisors which newer sailings fit your dates.
Before You Book
Remember too that the U.S. lines market their fares as inclusive in different ways; compare what each includes on your chosen route rather than assuming. U.S. river cruises tend to sell out on the most popular routes and dates, especially full-length Mississippi voyages and fall sailings. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise check availability across all three lines at once. For trips around your cruise, Best of the USA is our guide to the best of the USA, and the Official Travel Directory lists travel services nationwide.
USA River Cruise Questions
Do I need a passport for a U.S. river cruise?
U.S. citizens sailing on U.S. rivers do not need a passport, though you will need government photo ID to fly and board.
Which U.S. river cruise lines are still operating?
American Cruise Lines and Viking are the main lines on the Mississippi; on the Columbia and Snake, American Cruise Lines and Lindblad Expeditions sail. American Queen Voyages ceased operating in 2024.
Compare USA River Cruise Deals
Tell us which river and month interest you. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare American Cruise Lines, Viking and Lindblad for your dates and send free quotes.
Compare USA River Cruises