Small-Ship Cruising on America’s Rivers
The Mississippi, the Columbia, the Hudson, the Great Lakes and more — no passport, no jet lag, and a ship small enough to dock on Main Street.
Get Free US River Cruise QuotesSix Great American Waterways, One Small Ship at a Time
You don’t need a passport, a long-haul flight or a foreign language to take a river cruise. The United States has some of the most interesting cruising water in the world — the Mississippi’s blues-and-bayou south, the gorges and dams of the Columbia, the mansions of the Hudson Valley, the Civil War and music country of the Tennessee and Cumberland, the inland seas of the Great Lakes and the marsh-lined Intracoastal Waterway. All of it is sailed by small ships that tie up in town, where a big ocean ship could never go.
The Mississippi
New Orleans to Memphis on the Lower river; St. Louis to St. Paul on the Upper. Paddlewheelers and modern riverboats.
Mississippi cruises →
Columbia & Snake
Lewis and Clark country, eight locks, wine valleys and the Columbia River Gorge.
Pacific Northwest rivers →
The Hudson
West Point, Hyde Park and the Catskills, with New York City at one end.
Hudson River cruises →
Ohio, Tennessee & Cumberland
Nashville to Chattanooga, Louisville to Pittsburgh: music, bourbon and battlefields.
Heartland rivers →
Great Lakes & St. Lawrence
Mackinac Island, the Soo Locks and the Thousand Islands on all five lakes.
Great Lakes cruises →
Intracoastal & Southeast
Charleston, Beaufort, Savannah and the Golden Isles by sheltered inland water.
Southeast waterways →Why Small Ships Fit America’s Rivers
A river ship has to fit through locks, under bridges and alongside a small-town landing. That keeps American riverboats and coastal ships compact — typically a few dozen to a few hundred guests — and it shapes the trip in good ways. You dock at the foot of Main Street in Natchez or Paducah, not at an industrial terminal. You see the riverbank at eye level. And the crew learns your name.
US river cruising also tends to be more inclusive than travelers expect. Many fares bundle a hotel night before the cruise, guided tours in port, and beer and wine with meals. Exactly what is included varies by line, which is where an advisor earns their keep.
Who Is Sailing America’s Waterways Now
The US small-ship market has changed a lot in a few years. American Queen Voyages and Blount Small Ship Adventures are gone; American Cruise Lines has kept building new ships; Viking brought a purpose-built riverboat to the Mississippi; and the Great Lakes have filled up with small expedition ships. Here is the short list — with more detail on the lines sailing now page.
| Line | Where it sails in the US | Ship style |
|---|---|---|
| American Cruise Lines | Mississippi and tributaries, Columbia & Snake, Hudson, Ohio, Tennessee & Cumberland, Great Lakes, Southeast and Gulf Coast | Modern riverboats, paddlewheelers and small coastal ships |
| Viking | Mississippi (Viking Mississippi); Great Lakes on expedition ships | Modern Scandinavian-style riverboat; expedition ships |
| Lindblad Expeditions | Columbia & Snake | Small expedition ships, around 60 guests |
| Pearl Seas Cruises | Great Lakes, St. Lawrence and the Maritimes | Small coastal cruise ship |
| Ponant | Great Lakes | French expedition yachts |
| Victory Cruise Lines | Great Lakes | Small coastal cruise ships |
How a US River Cruise Differs From Europe
No jet lag, no passport
For itineraries inside the US, you fly domestic, or drive, to the start.
American stories
Lewis and Clark, Mark Twain, the Civil War, the Gilded Age, the blues and bluegrass.
Fewer, bigger distances
Rivers here are long and the towns farther apart, so there is more scenic cruising.
Locks and dams
The Upper Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, Columbia and Snake are lock-and-dam rivers; passing through is part of the show.
English everywhere
Guides, menus and ports are in English, which many first-time cruisers appreciate.
Shorter seasons
Each waterway has its months; the best cabins on fall foliage sailings go early.
Who Is Behind This Site?
Small Ship River Cruising is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
Ask about any American river or waterway here and our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise answer you personally — not a call center — and book everything for you. Meet Mister Cruise →
US River Cruise Questions
Do I need a passport for a US river cruise?
Not for cruises that stay inside the United States — a valid government photo ID is the norm, but check your line’s requirements. Great Lakes and St. Lawrence itineraries that enter Canada need a passport or other approved travel document.
How small is a “small ship” in America?
Much smaller than an ocean ship. Lindblad’s Columbia River expedition ships carry around 60 guests, American Cruise Lines’ newest riverboat on the Columbia carries 180, and the Viking Mississippi carries 386. Even the largest is a fraction of an ocean ship.
Is American Queen Voyages still sailing?
No. American Queen Voyages stopped operating in 2024. Blount Small Ship Adventures closed in 2020. The lines sailing now page lists who you can book today.
When is the best time for a US river cruise?
Spring and fall are the favorites on most waterways: mild weather, and fall color on the Hudson, Upper Mississippi and Ohio. The Great Lakes season runs through the warmer months. Southeast and Gulf sailings concentrate in spring and late autumn.
Are flights and hotels included?
Many US river cruise fares include a pre-cruise hotel night, and some include transfers. Flights are usually extra. Your quote will spell it out.
Cruise America’s Rivers by Small Ship
Tell us which waterway, which month and who is traveling. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare the lines sailing it and send free quotes.
Get My Free Quote