US Rivers (United States) Cruises: Sailings, Embarkations & Ports of Call
18 ships from 9 cruise lines
US Rivers (United States) cruises at a glance
Waterways Cruise lists 18 ships from 9 cruise lines visiting US Rivers (United States), calling at 28 places. Cruises can start in Memphis, Saint Paul, Louisville, Nashville, Chattanooga TN and Duluth and end in Chattanooga TN, Duluth, Louisville, Memphis, Nashville, Saint Paul and 1 more.
Reviewed and fact-checked by J. Richard · About this page · About us
Compare US Rivers (United States) cruise lines
American Cruise Lines has the most upcoming sailings among US Rivers (United States) cruise lines (106). Starting fares run from $99 per person. Most sailings last 6–28 nights, and the most common length is 7 nights.
Ocean cruise lines (7)
Ultra-luxury cruise lines (2)
| Cruise line | Upcoming sailings | Lowest starting fare | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silversea Cruises | 92 | $3,850 | 8–27 nights (typically 12) |
| Seabourn Cruises | 48 | $3,229 | 10–81 nights (typically 12) |
Luxury cruise lines (1)
| Cruise line | Upcoming sailings | Lowest starting fare | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ponant Cruises | 11 | $1,930 | 5–15 nights (typically 8) |
Premium cruise lines (3)
| Cruise line | Upcoming sailings | Lowest starting fare | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viking Cruises | 84 | $2,999 | 9–77 nights (typically 14) |
| Azamara Cruises | 65 | $1,669 | 10–58 nights (typically 12) |
| Windstar Cruises | 30 | $2,619 | 10–25 nights (typically 11) |
Contemporary cruise lines (1)
| Cruise line | Upcoming sailings | Lowest starting fare | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celebrity Cruises | 85 | $324 | 4–15 nights (typically 7) |
River cruise lines (2)
Premium cruise lines (2)
| Cruise line | Upcoming sailings | Lowest starting fare | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Cruise Lines | 70 | $3,630 | 7–15 nights (typically 8) |
| Viking River Cruises | 14 | $3,799 | 7–14 nights (typically 7) |
Intracoastal cruise lines (1)
Premium cruise lines (1)
| Cruise line | Upcoming sailings | Lowest starting fare | Typical length |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Cruise Lines | 106 | $4,925 | 8–15 nights (typically 8) |
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.
13 Days One-Way from Honolulu to Papeete
Starts in United States. Also visits Kiribati, French Polynesia, Society Islands French Polynesia
Ritz-Carlton Evrima
4 Days San Diego, USA Round Trip
Starts and ends in United States. Also visits Mexico
Serenade Of The Seas
14 Days One-Way from Malaga to Miami
Ends in United States. Also visits Spain, Morocco, Puerto Rico
Azamara Quest
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17 Days One-Way from Miami to San Diego
Starts and ends in United States. Also visits Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica
Norwegian Star
8 Days Los Angeles, USA Round Trip
Starts and ends in United States. Also visits Mexico
Ovation Of The Seas
16 Days One-Way from New York to Miami
Starts and ends in United States. Also visits Saint Barthélemy, Dominica, Saint Lucia
ms Europa
16 Days One-Way from Rotterdam to Fort Lauderdale
Ends in United States. Also visits Netherlands, Belgium, United Kingdom
ms Nieuw Statendam
16 Days One-Way from Miami to San Juan
Starts in United States. Also visits Mexico, Guatemala, Belize
MSC Explora 1
9 Days One-Way from Tampa to St Petersburg Fl
Starts and ends in United States
ACL American Ranger
10 Days Tampa, USA Round Trip
Starts and ends in United States. Also visits Puerto Rico, Sint Maarten, Charlotte Amalie, US Virgin Islands
Jewel Of The Seas
13 Days San Diego, USA Round Trip
Starts and ends in United States. Also visits Mexico
ms Zaandam
8 Days Miami, USA Round Trip
Starts and ends in United States. Also visits Mexico, Honduras, Belize
Oceania Vista
Where United States cruises start and end
Embarkation ports (6)
Coastal and island ports
River ports
Chattanooga TN (cruises from) · Louisville (cruises from) · Memphis (cruises from) · Nashville (cruises from) · Saint Paul (cruises from)
Disembarkation ports (7)
Coastal and island ports
Duluth · St Louis MO
River ports
Chattanooga TN · Louisville · Memphis · Nashville · Saint Paul
Ports of call in United States
Ports of call (28)
Coastal and island ports
Duluth (cruises from) · Rockland · St Louis MO
River ports
Biloxi · Burlington · Cape Girardeau · Chattanooga TN (cruises from) · Clarksville · Davenport · Decatur · Dover · Dubuque · Florence · Greenville · Gulfport · Hannibal · Henderson · Louisville (cruises from) · Maysville · Memphis (cruises from) · Muscatine · Nashville (cruises from) · Owensboro · Saint Paul (cruises from) · Tunica · Vicksburg · Wheeling · Winona
Cruise lines visiting United States (9)
Ocean cruise lines (7)
Ultra-luxury cruise lines (2)
Luxury cruise lines (1)
Premium cruise lines (3)
Contemporary cruise lines (1)
River cruise lines (2)
Premium cruise lines (2)
Intracoastal cruise lines (1)
Premium cruise lines (1)
Ships by type: 8 ocean 10 river 1 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
Plan your US Rivers (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 US Rivers (United States) cruises
Can you start or end a cruise in US Rivers (United States)?
Yes. Cruises start in Memphis, Saint Paul, Louisville, Nashville, Chattanooga TN and Duluth. Cruises end in Chattanooga TN, Duluth, Louisville, Memphis, Nashville, Saint Paul and St Louis MO.
How many places do cruises visit in US Rivers (United States)?
28 US Rivers (United States) places are visited by 18 ships from 9 cruise lines.
Which cruise lines sail to US Rivers (United States)?
9 cruise lines sail to US Rivers (United States), including American Cruise Lines, Azamara Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Ponant Cruises, Seabourn Cruises, Silversea Cruises and 3 more.
When is the best time to take a US Rivers (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.
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