Sarah Bretz, ContributorAmerican Cruise Lines is detailing what’s ahead for 2025, including new ships, eight new itineraries, and the longest river cruise in the country.
Next year American will also feature a variety of exclusive U.S. itineraries that aren’t available with any other cruise line, including adventures exploring U.S. National Parks from Alaska to Wyoming to the Smoky Mountains. The line will offer over 50 different itineraries in 2025, including brand-new sailings on the Mississippi River, the Columbia and Snake Rivers, the Potomac River, and the Hudson River. The line also has a growing number of U.S. coastal cruises.
2025 sailings will visit 125 U.S. ports of call in 35 states, including new ports such as Port Canaveral and West Palm Beach, Florida; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Cleveland, Mississippi; Port Royal, South Carolina; Alexandria, Virginia; Lewiston, Idaho; Madison, Indiana; and Sag Harbor and Albany, New York.
New 2025 Itineraries
Northeast/New England
American is offering a new 9-Day Maine Coast & Harbors cruise, between Portland and Bangor, Maine. This new itinerary includes a special June 16th Antiques-themed sailing that will include a special Antiques Roadshow event. More details will be announced in January 2025. The company is also introducing its first summer season of new 8-Day Hudson River Summer Classic cruises, sailing between New York City and Albany, New York. The Line will also continue offering their popular Fall Foliage Hudson River cruises in September and October.
Southeast/Chesapeake Bay
American is introducing a 3rd itinerary in the region, an 8-Day Potomac River & Chesapeake Bay cruise between Baltimore, MD and Washington, D.C. On this new cruise and others, American offers the only cruise ships to dock in the Nation’s Capital in 80 years. 2025 cruises exploring the Chesapeake Bay will also include the Line’s popular 11-Day American Revolution cruises, roundtrip from Washington, D.C.; and 8-Day Chesapeake Bay cruises, roundtrip from Baltimore, Maryland.
Southeast/Florida and South Carolina
American is offering a new longer Florida cruise, a 15- Day Grand Florida Coast & Keys cruise, between Amelia Island and St. Petersburg, Florida, that explores the entire coast of Florida, and includes an overnight visit to Key West and explorations of Dry Tortugas and Everglades National Parks. The line will continue to offer their new shorter 8-Day Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruises and 8-Day Great Rivers of Florida cruises. Also new in the Southeast for 2025 is American’s 9-Day Southeast Sea Islands cruise (formerly Historic South & Golden Isles). This newly named longer itinerary includes new adventures on shore and an included hotel stay in Charleston, South Carolina or Amelia Island, Florida.
Mississippi River and Tributaries
Mississippi River: American is introducing a brand new 12-Day Mississippi Explorer cruise, between New Orleans, Louisiana and Memphis, Tennessee. The itinerary allows for more time to explore along the Lower River, including new stops in Tunica and Cleveland, Mississippi.
Ohio/Tennessee/Cumberland Rivers: The company is offering two cruises on the Ohio in 2025, a 9-Day Ohio River cruise between Louisville, Kentucky and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and a new 16-Day Grand Ohio River cruise, between Pittsburgh, PA and St. Louis, Missouri.
In 2025, American will feature 5 riverboats and 12 itineraries on the Mississippi River and tributaries, from 8 to 22 days in length, including cruises on the (Ohio) Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, highlighting exclusive itineraries like American’s 12-Day Great Smoky Mountains National Parks cruises to Music Cities cruises, to Holiday and Theme cruises celebrating Mark Twain to Christmas.
Columbia and Snake Rivers
American has 5 riverboats cruising the Columbia and Snake Rivers next year, including a new 7-Day Columbia River Gorge cruise, roundtrip from Portland, Oregon. The line is offering many more dates for popular 16-Day National Parks and Legendary Rivers cruises, plus several other itineraries, from 6-Day Highlights cruises to 9-Day Lewis & Clark cruises.
Alaska and Puget Sound
American is doubling its capacity in Alaska in 2025. 170-passenger American Constitution has been repositioned to the West Coast, and will join sister ship, American Constellation, sailing the Line’s 5 different Alaksa itineraries from May to September 2025. The private-balcony small ship will also increase the line’s capacity in Puget Sound by sailing Spring and Fall dates of the company’s 8-Day Puget Sound & San Juan Islands cruises, which are offered April through October, roundtrip from Seattle. American’s 3rd ship on the West Coast in 2025, 90-passenger American Spirit, will continue sailing the American’s Puget Sound cruises throughout summer 2025, when both American Constellation and American Constitution are in Alaska.
National Park Cruises
American Cruise Lines has updated and lengthened its national parks voyages for 2025, 2026, and 2027.
16-Day National Parks & Legendary Rivers: includes 9-Day cruise on the Columbia and Snake Rivers and 7-Days of guided exploration in 3 National Parks—Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton. Available from Jackson, WY or Portland, OR.
12-Day Great Smoky Mountains National Park: includes a cruise on the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers and 2 Days of guided explorations in Great Smoky National Park. Available from Knoxville, TN or Nashville, TN.
19-Day Grand Alaska National Parks: includes 12-Day Alaska cruise and 7-Days of guided exploration in Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks; and cruising in Glacier Bay National Park, the Inside Passage, and Frederick Sound. Available from Fairbanks, AK to Juneau, AK.
16-Day Alaska National Parks: includes 9-Day Alaska cruise and 7-Days of guided exploration in Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks; and cruising in Glacier Bay National Park. Available from Fairbanks, AK to Juneau, AK.
In addition to these longer itineraries, American Cruise Lines also offers many other cruises that visit U.S. National Parks including eight-day Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruises with excursions in Dry Tortugas National Park and Everglades National Park; 8-Day Puget Sound & San Juan Islands cruises with excursions in Olympic National Park & Hurricane Ridge; and 3 different New England cruises with excursions in Acadia National Park.
New Extended 2025 Cruises
Next year, American Cruise Lines will be offering two of the longest river cruises in the United States. The line’s Extended Cruises have been updated for 2025 and feature a 51-day Great United States cruise from Portland, Oregon to Boston, Massachusetts. There’s also the 36-day Civil War Battlefields cruise from New Orleans, Louisiana to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Both 2025 Extended Cruises include sailing on three different ships and riverboats and feature onboard experts and local guides throughout the journey.
The 51-Day Great United States adventure explores 15 U.S. states, coast to coast, including cruising the entire Mississippi River (sailing May 30th to July 19th, 2025). The 36-Day Civil War Battlefield itinerary explores 12 states and 20 Civil War Battlefields (sailing May 6th to June 10th, 2025).
Both cruise fares include all hotels, flights, and transfers between cruise segments, excursions & entertainment, Wifi, all meals and beverages (including cocktails), tips & gratuities, port charges & fees, and special gifts for guests.
New Ships Debuting in 2025 and 2026
American will operate 21 small ships and riverboats in 2025, including two new 125-passenger Patriot Class ships, American Patriot and American Pioneer. They each feature five decks with 56 balcony staterooms and suites, as well as indoor and outdoor lounges, cafés, fitnes centers, main dining rooms, and more.
In 2026, American Maverick and American Ranger will debut, as well as new riverboat American Encore. They’re available for booking now.
2025 Cruise Inclusions
All American’s river and coastal itineraries offer an all-inclusive onboard experience and feature over 400 shore excursions across the country.
Cruises include complimentary onboard enrichment and entertainment, fine dining, wine & beer with both lunch and dinner, and a cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres each evening. All ships include Starlink Wifi and most also offer complimentary alternative casual dining venues.
Cruise pricing also includes Port Charges & Fees as well as Tips & Gratuities. Many of American’s cruises also offer included hotel stays, as well as extended pre-cruise packages for purchase.
Comments
Have you / would you take a river or coastal cruise in the U.S.? Which of these 2025 itineraries with American Cruise Lines most appeals to you? Drop us an anchor below and let us know!
