Designed For Travelers Who Want To Experience All America Has To Offer From Coast to Coast, Including History & Patriotism, With Cruises Out of Charleston SC

Jeff Walker, Travel Writer

When most people imagine about taking a cruise their first thoughts usually lean towards companies such as Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Disney, and Carnival Cruise lines, with their vast array of ocean liners carrying anywhere from three to seven thousand passengers. Although they offer a wide variety of destinations, diverse entertainment, and on board activities for guests of all ages, occasionally travelling with that amount of people it's easy to get caught up in the fanfare, surrendering that all desired personal touch.

On the flip-side of the equation, coastal cruises with American Cruise Lines offer an intimate, all-American experience on smaller ships (between 100-200 guests) visiting unique, historic ports, oftentimes inaccessible to the mega-ships. Currently with a fleet of 21 smaller ships and riverboats, American is the largest U.S.-flagged cruise line, offering domestic itineraries across 35 states, including the Mississippi River, Columbia & Snake Rivers, as well as routes along the northeast and southeast coastlines, and the Florida gulf, with sailings out of Washington state and Alaska. 

Headquartered in Guilford, Connecticut American Cruise Lines was founded in 1972 by shipbuilder Charles A. Robertson and his wife Carol, with a singular focus on providing educational, culturally immersive, and personalized travel primarily for adults. More than five decades later, much to their four and five star reviews, American have customer care and customer satisfaction down to a science.

You've heard it said 'bigger is better'. However, despite the overall size distinction in the ships, there is a whole lot more to American Cruise Lines than meets the naked eye, especially when they're stacked up against the larger vessels. Granted, American doesn't travel to Cancun or Costa Rica. However, if you've taken cruises on the larger ships with friends and family members, specifically with kids, than you'll appreciate a notable difference sailing with American Cruise Lines.

Let's break it down. After you've decided which river or coastal cruise you'd like to sail on, then all you have to do is contact one of their dedicated cruise specialists at 800-460-4518, available seven days a week. While you can book online, calling allows you to speak with a real person who can guide you through the entire process, answering questions and addressing any concerns you might have.

Here's the over encompassing beauty of booking a cruise with American Cruise Lines. Their highly curated, near-total service experience is designed to handle almost everything for guests. The all-inclusive fares include regionally sourced dining, beverages (including alcohol), daily entertainment, Starlink Wi-Fi, and gratuities. They also frequently include pre-cruise hotel stays, some but not all airfare expenses depending on locations, complimentary curated shore excursions, and any and all port fees. Basically hassle free, one price and one call does it all.

Let's be honest. Taking a cruise isn't cheap. Unless you're staying on the lowest level in an interior cabin about the size of a walk-in closet with no windows, it's going to cost you a pretty penny. The higher you climb on the bigger ships, and the better the view determines whether you use your everyday or gold card for a down payment. Sadly, that's just the accommodations.

Now add on the unlimited beverage package (much higher with alcohol), any upscale restaurants you want to dine at onboard, gratuities, Wi-Fi access, onboard shopping, over-priced photos, spa treatments, hair salons, and the $100's to $1000's you may have lost nightly at the casinos, and your final bill becomes somewhat unrecognizable.

I haven't even mentioned the $50 to $300 per person cost for each and every shore excursion. When you book on the bigger cruise ships it's hard to visualize or even control how much money you've spent until they present you the final statement. 'I paid how much for that.' Ouch!

American Cruise Lines doesn't pretend to be some inexpensive, low budget cruise line. Given all they provide and the accommodations, their prices are comparable. The cost you agreed to on day one is the same cost you will end up paying when you depart the ship. No sticker shock at the end of your vacation cruise.

Aside from a few rare upscale shore excursions, everything is covered. There's no additional cost for the extra glass of wine or cocktail you had Friday night, or even on Saturday afternoon. Absolutely no hidden agendas and no hidden fees. Now that's refreshing. And keep in mind, they include a hotel stay the night prior to your sailing.

You'll notice the main difference when you open the door to your stateroom. American's standard staterooms average 300 square fee (up to 50% larger than global competitors), while their new Signature Suites offer an impressive 1,500 square feet of refined living space. No more bumping into the bed or a miniature desk while you're getting dressed. Rather, your stateroom provides elegant decor, ample storage, and spacious seating areas with full sized furnishings. More of what you're accustom to at home. A sweet suite! Pun intended! 

Want more? That's not a rhetorical. Of course everyone wants more. How about spacious bathrooms that allow for easier mobility complete with showers with glass doors, a full array of toiletries, including hair dryers and plush towels. Ideal space for when ladies do their morning makeup. No more drying your hair in a cramped low lit area and sitting on the bed while you roll it. Not going to happen.

Additionally, every stateroom provides private balconies, accessed easily through floor to ceiling glass doors. Savor a cup of coffee in the morning or sip on a glass of wine as the sun sets in your own personal retreat. Maybe have breakfast on the balcony. Whether you're sitting on the couch or lying in bed, enjoy unobstructed views as the day unfolds or comes to a close. Sun rises and starlit nights await!

Aside from late night dance clubs and often smoke-filled casinos (house always wins), American's ships are designed with the needs and preferences of today’s sophisticated traveler in mind. Each vessel boasts modern interior design and a variety of lounges & social areas tailored for your comfort and enjoyment. From cozy lounges to expansive observation decks, every space is thoughtfully crafted to provide the perfect setting for relaxation and socialization.

Perhaps a caveat for some, but given their fleet of boats are smaller there is no pool onboard. However, you can bask in the sun or read a book lying in comfortable lounge chairs while taking in breathtaking 360-degree views on the Sun Deck. Of course there's a fitness center on board. They wouldn't forget the guests who like to workout first thing in the morning or later in the day. 

Each lounge aboard their fleet is meticulously designed to cultivate a tranquil atmosphere, inviting guests to relax and forge connections with their fellow travelers. These havens serve as a retreat for rejuvenating after a day of adventure, enveloped in beauty and comfort. Ideal when travelling with long time friends, or an incredible way to make new ones.

The Bow Terrace, is where you can savor the serenity of the waterways and prepare for the day ahead. In the evenings, the Aft Lounges provide the perfect ambiance for socializing and admiring the scenery while enjoying a refreshing cocktail. Furthermore, Forward Lounges are bustling hubs of activity during the day, ideal for casual conversations. As night falls, they transform into lively entertainment venues, promising memorable evenings filled with laughter and camaraderie.

While American Cruise Lines does not exclude children, there is very little to offer younger passengers, thus their sailings primarily cater to adults, especially the 55 and older or the fully retired with disposable income. Again, unless you choose to take separate excursions, dine off the ship, and purchase souvenirs in ports of call, everything is covered from the time you initially booked your cruise. No giving the attendant your ship's card to ring up another frivolous charge. 

While American Cruise Lines are not totally smoke free, they do provide limited use in designated outdoor smoking areas. Smoking including e-cigarettes is strictly prohibited inside all staterooms, and all indoor areas, including lounges and dining rooms. For non-smokers, it's nice to enjoy a meal or show without breathing in second hand smoke. A win win all around.

Your all inclusive experience often includes pre-cruise hotel stays, curated shore excursions in every port, complimentary cocktails, and world-class locally-sourced gourmet meals. Let's talk about the food. For many frequent cruise ship travelers, the food is one of the main reasons they continue to sail, and not just because it seems endless. 

Whether you're cruising the mighty Mississippi or the New England coast, menus are crafted with the region in mind. Dine on regional seafood such as Alaskan king crab in the upper northwest, Maine lobster, or shrimp & grits off the Georgia and Carolina borders. No matter the meal, they are award winning dishes prepared by some of the best chefs in the country. And no matter when you're enjoying your meal, the layout of the dining room allows for epic views of the coastline or the waterway. 

Cruise ships overall are some of the best ways to see the world and the country. Much like apples and oranges, there are obvious differences in sailing on a Carnival Cruise as opposed to American Cruise Lines. Each have their own benefits. If your daughter and her husband are taking their kids on a cruise, no doubt you should join them and share those memories with your grandchildren. That time is precious.

However, when the attraction of the larger vessels has worn off, sailing with American Cruise Lines carries its own allure. Relatively hassle-free registration, with no need for a passport other than your driver's license to board. Your all inclusive experience often includes pre-cruise hotel stays, curated shore excursions in every port, complimentary cocktails, and world-class locally-sourced gourmet meals.

How about this for a kicker. All American Cruise Lines ships are U.S.-built, flagged, and crewed by Americans, offering a familiar, welcoming atmosphere with a, focus on our country's heritage with in-depth and regional, insights. Furthermore, the smaller boats dock in historic, intimate ports that larger ships cannot reach. You get all of this with the same attentive service they been providing for decades.

Tying the ship up to the pier, or in this case bringing this article to a close. Perhaps you have disposable income, or worked hard your whole life and set aside funds to enjoy your retirement years. I strongly recommend American Cruise Lines. Maybe consider taking a coastal cruise followed by a river outing. Check some travel destinations off your bucket list, while experiencing America from a whole new vantage point.

American Cruise Lines was designed for people who want to see and explore the United States of America. Additionally the cruise line was created for true blue patriots, and red-blooded Americans who want to experience the land of the free from an entirely different perspective. Keeping with their patriotic theme, maybe pack some 'red, white, & blue' items in your suitcase. Couldn't hurt. For more on all their cruises visit https://www.americancruiselines.com/