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, forgoing that all desired personal touch.

On the flip-side of the equation, river and coastal cruises with American Cruise Lines offer an intimate, all-American experience on smaller ships (between 90-180 guests) visiting unique, historic ports, oftentimes inaccessible to the mega-ships. Currently with a fleet of 28 small ships and riverboats, American is the largest U.S.-flagged cruise line, offering domestic itineraries across 35 states, including the Mississippi River, Columbia, Snake & Hudson 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 cruise travel primarily for adults. More than five decades later, much to their four and five star reviews, American has customer care and customer satisfaction down to a science.

You've heard it said 'bigger is better'. However,  despite the small size of their new 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.  American's itineraries are all curated from ship to shore, developed to bring the regions and waterways being cruised to life. It can be hard to choose just one, but after you've decided which river or coastal itinerary you'd like to take, 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 and their website is great for scanning all the many options, 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 itineraries and personalized service 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. All the company's cruises also hotel stays, some but not all airfare expenses depending on locations, complimentary curated shore excursions, and any and all port charges, fees, and taxes. It's basically hassle free, one price and one call does it all with American Cruise Lines

Let's be honest. On the big ships, 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 than the price first listed. 

Plus, 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, including all outward facing accommodations on every ship in the fleet, their prices are comparable. But the nicest part is knowing that, the price 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 cruise vacation.

Aside from a few rare upscale shore excursions, that are outside of the included excursions already offered at every port, 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. and some departures offer complimentary domestic airfare as well.

You'll notice the main difference when you open the door to your stateroom.  Even though all their ships are small, their staterooms are large, and most come with private furnished balconies. American's standard double occupancy staterooms average 350 square feet (up to 50% larger than global competitors). In addition to a range of double occupancy cabins, their ships also offer Singles and Suites, including a new 1500 Square foot Signature Suite available on their new modern riverboats.  No more bumping into the bed or a miniature desk while you're getting dressed, all cabins are super spacious. Staterooms also feature elegant decor, ample storage, and comfy seating areas with full sized furnishings, and don't forget those private furnished balconies. Accommodations are more similar to what you're used to at home. A sweet suite! Pun intended! 

Want more? That's not 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 aboard American ships..

Additionally, almost every stateroom provides private balconies, accessed easily through floor to ceiling sliding 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. Sunrises and starlit nights await!

American's ships do not have any late night dance clubs or smoke-filled casinos (house always wins anyway). Instead, onboard spaces are designed with the needs and preferences of today’s sophisticated traveler in mind. Each vessel boasts elegant interior design and a variety of lounges & social areas tailored for your comfort and enjoyment, including open-air top deck lounges with walking tracks and unobstructed water views. 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, their boats do not have any swimming pools, but most guests don't miss them. However, you can still bask in the sun or read a book lying in comfortable lounge chairs while taking in breathtaking 360-degree views on the Sun Deck. There's a small fitness center on board, as they have not forgotten the guests who like to workout first thing in the morning or later in the day. 

While the smaller lounges on board are tranquil and great for reading or getting a bit of work done, The Main lounges (sometimes called the Sky Lounge or the Chesapeake Lounge on board each ship are very large,  and were designed to accommodate all guests together for entertainment and lectures, giving  guests a central place to relax and also to forge connections with their fellow travelers. These havens serve as a retreat for rejuvenating after a day of adventure. Ideal when travelling alone or with long time friends, and a great place 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. It is a cruise line that primarily caters to mature adults, especially those 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 on the ship's is included, so there is never any need to give the attendant your credit card to ring up another frivolous charge.

While nearly all spaces on American Cruise Lines' ships are smoke free, they do provide a limited designated outdoor smoking area for guests. 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 includes pre-cruise hotel stays, curated shore excursions in every port, complimentary cocktails, and world-class locally-sourced gourmet meals. So 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. Guests may dine on regional seafood such as Alaskan king crab in the upper northwest, Maine lobster, or shrimp & grits cruising off the Georgia and Carolina borders. No matter the meal, the menus offer many 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 water views from every seat in the house. American's small ships truly offer one of the best ways to see the country any time of the day.

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 big or small cruise ship. While each kind has their own benefits, small ships are the way to go if you want personalized service and exclusive access straight in the heart of destinations.  But,  if your daughter and her husband are taking their kids on a cruise, no doubt you should still join them on a big ship too, and share those memories with your grandchildren. That time is precious.

However, when the hoopla of the larger vessels is not what you're after, sailing with American Cruise Lines carries an allure all its own. Their small ships offer hassle-free cruises that follow interesting, destination-focused itineraries. Plus for Americans, there is no need for a passport, you just need your driver's license to board, because all 50+ itineraries are 100% domestic. 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, diverse cultures, and beautiful geography, Furthermore, American's small ships dock in historic, intimate ports that larger ships cannot reach. You get all of this and much more, delivered every day, with the attentive personalized 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. If so, I strongly recommend American Cruise Lines. Maybe consider taking a coastal cruise itinerary followed by a more traditional river cruise, like along the mighty Mississippi. No matter which cruise you choose,  you will for sure be able to check some destinations and experiences off your bucket list, while also 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,  one of the most geographically diverse and beautiful countries in the world. Additionally, the cruise line will appeal to true blue patriots, and Americans who want to experience the land of the free and the home of the brave from an entirely different perspective. In keeping with their fully domestic itineraries and 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/