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American Cruise Lines

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5.6

Overall Score

Author: Kalicia Bateman

LAST UPDATED: April 4th, 2022

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The Good

  • Safety
  • Great amenities
  • Dining options

Safety

American Cruise Lines, Inc.'s ships are equipped with safety, navigation and communications systems, including defibrillators and oxygen. Many systems on the ships have back-up redundancy for safety and convenience. All American Cruise Lines, Inc.'s ships are U.S.-flagged, certified and regularly inspected by the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Public Health Service and the Federal Communications Commission.

Great Amenities

American Cruise Lines features spacious staterooms at more than 220 square feet each. These staterooms provide private balconies and large picture windows with a spectacular view of the sea and landscape. Each room includes the following amenities:
  • Twin or King-sized bed
  • Twice-daily stateroom service
  • Remote-controlled satellite TV w/DVD player
  • Internet access
  • Individual climate control system
  • Writing desk & stationery
  • Hair dryer
  • Spacious closet and four-drawer dresser and dual night tables

In addition to the spacious staterooms, there are amenities relatively standard on all American cruise line ships. While there may be one or two exceptions, for the most part American cruise lines feature the following amenities to their guests:
  • Twice-daily stateroom service
  • Twin or King-sized be
  • Remote-controlled satellite TV w/DVD player
  • Internet access
  • Individual climate control system
  • Writing desk & stationery
  • Hair dryer
  • Spacious closet and four-drawer dresser and dual night tables

Dining Options

Dinner options include local fare from the port destinations during the length of the cruise and the restaurants cater to any special dietary needs of its guests. Enjoy freshly baked breads and muffins to start your day and steamed lobsters, beef, and lamb during the evening hours. Lunch options feature sandwiches, soups, and salads and delicious pies for dessert. Chilled red and white wines are served each day during lunch and dinner. Dress codes are resort casual and seating is unassigned.

Lounge Areas

The American Cruise Line ships also contain oversized lounges for guests to relax, socialize, and play games. These lounges have a well-stocked library and internet stations. Wifi use is free for guests to enjoy. Guests are also welcome to bring visitors onboard.
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The Bad

  • No activities for children
  • Offshore excursions
  • Seasickness

No Activities for Children

American Cruise Lines is designed for older adults without children. There are no activities or programs for children. Entertainment options for adults are limited to nightly lectures from local experts, offshore excursions, and chatting with other fellow passengers during the evening cocktail hour. While the line does serve alcohol during lunch and dinner, it does not sell alcoholic beverages to guests or visitors.

Offshore Excursions

The cruise line ships only set sail twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. The rest of the time, the ships are tied up at docks for offshore excursions. While the offshore excursions are relatively inexpensive, they are limited in options and consist mainly of tours walks with local historians and bus tours to museums. These excursions range in price from $20-$75.

Seasickness

American Cruise Line ships are built to rarely move during sea travel and minimizing seasickness. However, the small sizes of the ships and lack of stabilizers do create uncomfortable motions during some exposed passages. For guests not accustomed to cruising, these sea motions can be quite unpleasant.

The decor on the American Cruise Line ships resembles that of a generic hotel chain's front lobby. Color palettes throughout the ships are muted and plain.The biggest upside is the main lounge with tall windows that provides the perfect vantage point for passing scenery outside the ship. Luxury amenities are limited when compared to their cruise lines in the industry.

Deposit

There is a $500 deposit required per person in order to confirm any reservation for a cruise lasting less than nine days. A $900 per person deposit is required for all trips lasting ten or more days. Complete payment for any booked cruise is to be made 90 days prior to the boarding date. Single travelers are welcome. Shore excursions typically cost $20 to $70 and can be paid onboard near the end of your cruise.
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The Bottom Line

American Cruise Lines is an optimal choice for older adults without children. While these guests are not excluded from booking a reservation, this cruise line is not designed for families with young children or teenagers as there are no entertainment options or activities created for them. The cruises and offshore excursions are reasonably priced. However, entertainment options are limited. The historical tours and evening lectures are perfect for history and culture enthusiasts.The dress code is resort casual and the ships offer open seating in restaurants, which is a big plus for guests who love to meet new people and socialize. Fares include passage, dining, snacks, and complimentary cocktails. The ships are small and intimate, allowing guests to move around easily in a relaxed atmosphere. There are little complaints filed against American Cruise Lines when compared to other excursion companies in their industry.
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Star Rating

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4.5

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135 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

66%

4 grade

21%

3 grade

9%

2 grade

1%

1 grade

4%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

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Quality

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Service

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Trustworthiness

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JO New Milford, CT

We had never been on a cruise and my husband hates crowds, so small boat cruising was a compromise. We booked an Alaska adventure and there was no compromise. It was wonderful. The service, the side excursions, the food were all wonderful. My husband is 6'2" and had no complaints about the balcony, the cabin or even the bathroom. The captain made sure we had time to experience the wonders of Alaska, even stopping to let us watch a mother bear and two cubs playing on the shore and changing course to follow a pod of whales, to give us more time to watch them. All things your big ships don't do. We have since bee on a river cruise and will be going to Puget sound this year with American.

6 years ago

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Cecile E. Johnson Angleton, TX

Except for room 318 our original room that flooded during the night bathroom and bedroom , being moved to 414 and two nights later that room flooded twice in one day. We did not put anything down the toilet that should not have been in there. We have taken over 25 river cruises so we know how the system works and believe me this has never happened to us before. I feel American Cruise Lines owes us some kind of compensation for the inconvenience that we had to endure. My husband asked Amelia for an American Cruise Line hat, she said she would get him one but he never did receive it. Todd was a fantastic riverlorian, he really knew his history. Could have listened to him for hours. The food was excellent. The entertainment was a lot better than the Mark Twain tour. I suggest you have happy hour not the same time as dinner. It was too early and then eat your meal

7 years ago

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Sue A Johnson San Diego, CA

I enjoyed the slow pace and sitting on the top of the ship and watch the pretty scenery in the San Juan Islands. Friendly staff and fellow passengers were a plus. The only downside was dining. Since we were mostly seniors with hearing impairment the large tables of eight made it hard to hear the conversation. Very noisy due to passengers loud voices, again part of aging. I have no solution but it made meals stressful and I do have hearing aids. Great company and attention to details are a plus. Sue A Johnson

6 years ago

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Bill Bengtson Vail, AZ

Food and drinks were great. The land tours left something to be desired. The West Point tour was fine, but the FDR tour bus was guideless, depending on the bus driver to organize us. The NYC was ok, but the walking tour of the 9/11 site was lucky not to lose anyone. And people need to use the toilet on the bus, rather than make everyone wait for at the Occulus.

7 years ago

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Cathy Fernley, NV

Previous cruises (Southeast Alaska, Columbia and Snake, Maine Coast and Harbors) have all been very interesting and onboard experience was top-notch. The Cumberland cruise was quite sub-par and I wish I hadn’t spent the money on it. I hope this isn’t a sign of a new format. I had thought ACL was a gem, but my recent experience brings my review down. Food service was very slow and historian lectures were scheduled for daytime when we were out on excursions. Staff was forgetful of customer requests. On the upside, Fort Donelson was very interesting and the Quilt Museum was stunning

7 years ago

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Hare Tanan Northfield, OH

I gave a four star for one reason... entertainment. I like the band, Judy D and the Victory Belles. I would have expected entertainment relating more to the older clientel with music that we could dance to. The restaurant servers were great, the all day alcohol was good at least I could have a drink when I wanted. The side trips that were offered were fine. I was a little disappointed in the slim showing of the captain. I generally have cruises where the captain shows up for the crew introduction and the captain's night. We had no idea who the captain was until we asked.

7 years ago

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wilkyoung@comcast.net San Jose, CA

WE had wonderful service all these people were great help with food Rocio, Arionna, Jessica S, Robyn S Lexie H and DaQbian L and Caitlan P , Berimger . cabin service Kelvana and Kian M. Arts Diane S was very good I learned from her. Cruise Director Tessa, and Hotel Manger Keaton J always help at all time. The Crew on the ship was always help ful and the coast graud was great.

7 years ago

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Richard R Schumacher

Stateroom cleanliness needs improvement- items from prior guests left in drawers, the balcony was too dirty to walk in bare feet. The bathroom smelled of sewage for the entire cruise. The food was sometimes wonderful but sometimes not so much. The crew were very nice and the service, with one exception, was good. Changes in stops made many passengers irate (but not us).

7 years ago

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Ray & Yvonne Vogel Fremont, OH

We both enjoyed the experiences of being on a smaller ship with the a smaller number of passengers for eating, connecting with other passengers and accommodations. The meals were varied, delicious and very ample. The excursions were very enjoyable and well timed for also seeing things on our own. The ship entertainment and educational activities about the area were always stimulating and fun.

7 years ago

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Rita E Northfield, OH

Staff very efficient and helpful. Serving staff very accommodating. Some entertainment was not enjoyable. Victory Belles, Partly Cloudy Trio and Judy D all superior entertainers. Three days of Connie G was an overkill. Dale B gave us great historical information

7 years ago

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Judith Dumin Radford, VA

The cruise was very chaotic due to the leaving of the cruise director. Sarah stepped in and did a wonderful job of picking up the pieces. Gabbi G is an excellent server and always knew my wine choice. Dominic H did a great job cleaning our stateroom.

7 years ago

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James and Martha Mewhirter Vancouver, WA

We felt the galley was under staffed as our service was slow. We would be near last about every meal. Also in the morning going to the tables as you entered the dinning room for fruit, rolls, cereal and yogurt. The dishes were not clean and I informed at least four different staff members.

7 years ago

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Marilyn and Arnold Lincoln, CA

Maiden voyage so the multiple “glitches” were probably to be expected. Staff tried hard, but seemed over worked at times. Food quality did not live up to expectations. Price of cruise did not match value received for that price

7 years ago

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Philip G. Pfefferle

We did the American Revolution Cruise. The cruise was great but with 2 issues. The ships wifi is really bad. So bad in fact to be now usable. The other is that my wife has special diet needs and she met with the chief and they still couldn't get it right.

7 years ago

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Bob Stromberg Simpsonville, SC

The ships crew was absolutely outstanding. My wife had problems and the crew went above and beyond what would be expected to help her. Could not have asked for more from them.

6 years ago

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Kevin Pringle Los Gatos, CA

The Harmony was a new ship when we sailed on the Mississippi. Crew was very friendly and helpful. Good meals, fun evening live entertainment, very interesting shore excursions and plenty of historical information.

6 years ago

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Joe and Mary Lexington, VA

We've done five cruises, enjoyed them all and have signed up for two more. The ship comforts, destinations and excursions are great. The food cooking and service were not up to the standards we expected.

7 years ago

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Maryann Wright Fernandina Beach, FL

Food and service on all three of my cruises (Columbia River, Hudson River, and New England) have been excellent as have been the choices of excursions.

6 years ago

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Lois Tyler Ballston Spa, NY

Cracked dam disrupted the flow of the trip.unpacking repacking , unpacking was not anticipated. Not America cruise fault, but did not make the cruise go smoothly.

7 years ago

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Rhoda Thornton Florence, AZ

Excellent Ship - Excellent Staff - Loved the trip The food could improve would be my only reason I am not giving it a 5 star.

7 years ago

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Bruce Torrance, CA

Friendly crew, excellent food, modern vessels, large staterooms and provides a chance to see America without the need for buses and hotel rooms.

7 years ago

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Carol Istvanick Fresno, CA

friendly staff, great food, interesting activities when landed, rooms ingest condition and kept clean and neat

6 years ago

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Chas Chase Bethlehem, PA

Crew was great , very clean ship, culinary crew was very accommodating for foods not enjoyed due to cancer.

7 years ago

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Louise Knight Tucson, AZ

Staff was very friendly. Food was great. Historian was really good. Entertainment was excellent!

6 years ago

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Al Ernst Lakeland, FL

Staff was great! Everyone helpful and courteous. Food was excellent.

6 years ago

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TA Evans Hendersonville, TN

Relaxing trip on the Columbia Rivers with local entertainment and expert guide.

6 years ago

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Richard Doucet Luling, LA

Beautiful new ship, Harmony. Very interesting trip down the entire MS River.

7 years ago

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Joan Dragolic Chatham, NJ

This was a very enjoyable experience. The crew were great.

6 years ago