Who Sails America’s Rivers Now
The current US small-ship lineup — and the names that are no longer sailing.
Get Free US River Cruise QuotesThe American small-ship fleet looks very different than it did a few years ago. Here are the lines operating on US rivers and nearby waterways as of 2026, what they sail and how they differ. We update this as the market changes, and our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise always confirm the latest before you book.
| Line | Waterways | Ships and size | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Cruise Lines | Mississippi, Arkansas, Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland, Columbia & Snake, Hudson, Great Lakes, Southeast and Gulf Coast (plus Alaska, Puget Sound and New England coastal cruises) | Modern riverboats, paddlewheelers and small coastal ships; e.g., American Encore (180 guests), American Patriot (130 guests) | American-flagged and crewed; hotel-style comfort; many inclusions |
| Viking | Mississippi; Great Lakes | Viking Mississippi (386 guests); expedition ships such as Viking Octantis (378 guests) | Scandinavian design, adults only, culture-focused |
| Lindblad Expeditions | Columbia & Snake | National Geographic Sea Bird and Sea Lion (around 60 guests) | Expedition style with naturalists |
| Pearl Seas Cruises | Great Lakes, St. Lawrence, Maritimes | Pearl Mist | Small coastal cruise ship |
| Ponant | Great Lakes | Expedition yachts such as Le Champlain | French luxury expedition |
| Victory Cruise Lines | Great Lakes | Victory I | Relaunched in 2025; classic small-ship cruising |
| St. Lawrence Cruise Lines | St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers (Canada) | Canadian Empress | Very small, Canadian-based |
No Longer Sailing
- American Queen Voyages — ceased operations in 2024.
- Blount Small Ship Adventures — ended cruise operations in 2020.
- UnCruise Adventures on the Columbia & Snake — the line moved its ship to Alaska after the 2023 season.
If an online article recommends any of these for a US river cruise, it is out of date.
How to Choose Between Them
- Want the most choice of rivers and dates? Start with American Cruise Lines.
- Want a sleek, adults-only ship on the Mississippi? Look at the Viking Mississippi.
- Want naturalists and wildlife on the Columbia? Lindblad.
- Want the Great Lakes? Compare ACL, Viking, Pearl Seas, Ponant and Victory by ship size and itinerary.
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise compare inclusions, cabin types and dates across lines and send you the options side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to American Queen Voyages?
It ceased operations in 2024 and is no longer sailing. If you see its paddlewheelers in old articles, they are not bookable today.
What happened to Blount Small Ship Adventures?
Blount ended its cruise operations in 2020 and put its ships up for sale.
Which line has the most US river departures?
American Cruise Lines sails the widest range of American rivers and waterways, with the most dates. Viking focuses its US river cruising on one ship, the Viking Mississippi.
Do these lines take children?
Policies differ. Viking does not accept guests under 18. Others accept children but have few child-focused facilities. Ask us before booking a multigenerational trip.
Compare the Lines Sailing America’s Rivers
Tell us the waterway and month. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will compare every line sailing it and send free quotes.
Compare the Lines