United States Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call
208 ships from 28 cruise lines
United States cruises at a glance
Waterways Cruise lists 2,078 upcoming sailings on 208 ships from 28 cruise lines visiting United States, calling at 178 places. Cruises can start in Miami, Port Everglades, New York, Los Angeles, Cape Canaveral, San Diego and 2 more and end in Miami, Port Everglades, New York, Los Angeles, Cape Canaveral, San Diego and 2 more. Of 2,078 upcoming sailings, 1,418 start in the United States and 1,439 end there.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
Compare United States cruise lines
See every United States cruise line by ocean and river and by ultra-luxury, luxury, premium and contemporary style, with fares, cruise lengths, ships and ports.
About United States
A river cruise through the United States — whether on the mighty Mississippi or the gorge-cut Columbia — offers milestone American travelers a rare chance to experience their own country's history, music, food, and landscape from the water. Small ships of 100–200 guests dock at walkable river towns, and the pace is unhurried. This is not a crowded ocean liner; it is an intimate, deeply American journey, ideal for travelers who want authenticity without being herded.
Typical routes
- Mississippi River (Lower & Upper) — broad, powerful, and historic; port towns rich in music, food, Civil War memory, and Mark Twain lore.
- Columbia & Snake Rivers — dramatic basalt cliffs, waterfalls, native culture, and western expansion history; ships transit eight locks and dams.
Ports overview
US river cruise ports are intimate and walkable. Ships range from 100 to 200 guests, so you can step off the gangway directly into Main Street America. Ports divide into three geographic groups: the Lower Mississippi (New Orleans to Memphis), the Upper Mississippi (St. Louis to St. Paul), and the Columbia & Snake Rivers (Portland to Clarkston).
Cruise season
Cruises operate March through November, with holiday-themed sailings in December (especially New Orleans). Spring and fall offer mild weather and smaller crowds; summer on the Mississippi is hot and humid; the Columbia & Snake region is comfortable in summer.
Find your United States sailing
Upcoming sailings calling at United States, earliest departure first.
15 Days One-Way from Barcelona to Miami
Ends in United States. Also visits Spain, Portugal, Bermuda
Oceania Sonata
9 Days New Orleans, USA Round Trip
Starts and ends in United States. Also visits Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Mexico
Mariner Of The Seas
12 Days Miami, USA Round Trip
Starts and ends in United States. Also visits Bahamas, Colombia, Panama
Norwegian Gem
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4 Days Miami, USA Round Trip
Starts and ends in United States. Also visits Bahamas
Norwegian Viva
14 Days New York, USA Round Trip
Starts and ends in United States. Also visits Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia
Queen Mary 2
21 Days One-Way from New York to Southampton
Starts in United States. Also visits Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia
Queen Mary 2
9 Days Fort Lauderdale, USA Round Trip
Starts and ends in United States. Also visits Dominican Republic, Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands, Antigua and Barbuda
Celebrity Xcel
16 Days One-Way from Civitavecchia-Rome to Fort Lauderdale
Ends in United States. Also visits Italy, Spain, Gibraltar
Enchanted Princess
8 Days One-Way from Miami to San Juan
Starts in United States. Also visits U.S. Virgin Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, Guadeloupe
MSC Explora 4
9 Days Miami, USA Round Trip
Starts and ends in United States. Also visits Dominican Republic, Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands, Antigua and Barbuda
MSC Seashore
16 Days Miami, USA Round Trip
Starts and ends in United States. Also visits Belize, Honduras, Mexico
Regal Princess
8 Days Miami, USA Round Trip
Starts and ends in United States. Also visits Belize, Honduras, Mexico
Regal Princess
Where United States cruises start and end
Embarkation ports (46)
Coastal and island ports
Anchorage (11) (cruises from) · Baltimore (22) (cruises from) · Boston (124) (cruises from) · Cape Canaveral (113) (cruises from) · Cape Liberty Bayonne (cruises from) · Clarkston (21) (cruises from) · Duluth (4) (cruises from) · Galveston (26) (cruises from) · Glacier Bay (95) (cruises from) · Guam Island Marianas (8) (cruises from) · Honolulu (130) (cruises from) · Jacksonville (21) (cruises from) · Juneau (191) (cruises from) · Ketchikan (237) (cruises from) · Los Angeles (198) (cruises from) · Miami (584) (cruises from) · Milwaukee (26) (cruises from) · New Orleans (51) (cruises from) · New York (244) (cruises from) · Nome (4) (cruises from) · Philadelphia (19) (cruises from) · Port Everglades (330) (cruises from) · Portland (92) (cruises from) · San Diego (137) (cruises from) · San Francisco (79) (cruises from) · Seattle (80) (cruises from) · Seward (87) (cruises from) · Sitka (136) (cruises from) · Tampa (55) (cruises from) · West Palm Beach (14) (cruises from) · Whittier (69) (cruises from)
River ports
Albany (8) (cruises from) · Alton (7) (cruises from) · Bangor (5) (cruises from) · Chattanooga TN (4) (cruises from) · Fernandina Beach (22) (cruises from) · Louisville (12) (cruises from) · Memphis (34) (cruises from) · Nashville (11) (cruises from) · Pensacola (2) (cruises from) · Pittsburgh (7) (cruises from) · Providence (4) (cruises from) · Saint Paul (14) (cruises from) · Tacoma (16) (cruises from) · Venice (16) (cruises from) · Washington DC (22) (cruises from)
Disembarkation ports (47)
Coastal and island ports
Anchorage (11) · Baltimore (22) · Boston (124) · Cape Canaveral (113) · Cape Liberty Bayonne · Clarkston (21) · Duluth (4) · Galveston (26) · Glacier Bay (95) · Guam Island Marianas (8) · Honolulu (130) · Jacksonville (21) · Juneau (191) · Ketchikan (237) · Los Angeles (198) · Miami (584) · Milwaukee (26) · New Orleans (51) · New York (244) · Philadelphia (19) · Port Everglades (330) · Portland (92) · San Diego (137) · San Francisco (79) · Seattle (80) · Seward (87) · Sitka (136) · St Louis MO · Tampa (55) · West Palm Beach (14) · Whittier (69)
River ports
Albany (8) · Alton (7) · Bangor (5) · Chattanooga TN (4) · Fernandina Beach (22) · Louisville (12) · Memphis (34) · Nashville (11) · Pensacola (2) · Pittsburgh (7) · Providence (4) · Saint Paul (14) · St. Petersburg (8) · Tacoma (16) · Venice (16) · Washington DC (22)
Ships by type: 173 ocean 26 river 14 expedition · a ship that visits several places here is counted once; an expedition ship that also sails as an ocean ship appears under both types.
United States is also in: Alaska, Hawaii, Canada & New England, California, Florida, US Rivers
Plan your United States cruise
United States cruise port guide
Cruise ports, what to see, history and practical advice.
United States cruise port guide →Frequently asked questions about United States cruises
How many places do cruises visit in United States?
178 United States places are visited by 208 ships from 28 cruise lines.
When is the best time to take a United States cruise?
Cruises operate March through November, with holiday-themed sailings in December (especially New Orleans). Spring and fall offer mild weather and smaller crowds; summer on the Mississippi is hot and humid; the Columbia & Snake region is comfortable in summer.
Sources and further reading
Background on United States draws on these references. Sailing, fare and port data come from cruise line itineraries and are refreshed regularly.
- CIA World Factbook: United States
- Encyclopaedia Britannica: United States
- American Cruise Lines: River Cruises in the USA
- Viking: Mississippi River Cruises
- National Park Service: Vicksburg National Military Park
- National Park Service: Lewis and Clark National Historical Park
Created by the Waterways Cruise content team and reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard, Sr. Cruise Travel Agent and Founder of Waterways Cruise.
Published September 9, 2026 · Last updated October 31, 2026
Fares, availability and itineraries change often. Confirm current details with your cruise line or a Waterways Cruise agent before you book.
Cruise Disclosure
Good to know: Prices are quoted per person based on double occupancy and include all applicable taxes and fees. Availability and prices can change quickly, so please continue through the booking process to confirm the latest availability and pricing before you pay.
We work hard to make sure everything on this website is accurate and up to date. However, some information may be incomplete or inaccurate, including details supplied by third parties or otherwise outside our control, and we cannot be held responsible for such errors. We work with 0 cruise line operators, that are providing cruises on 0 ships visiting 0 ports across 0 unique cruises, creating 0 itineraries. This is a great deal of data to continually update daily from our suppliers. If a pricing error, misrepresentation, or omission occurs, we reserve the right to adjust the pricing, correct the information, or cancel or decline any booking made in error, with notice to you. Thank you for your understanding!