American Cruise Lines has introduced 11 new U.S. itineraries and three new small ships for 2026. Sailing year-round, the company will honor the country’s 250th birthday on its portfolio of domestic itineraries exploring coast-to-coast—including new cruises on the Great Lakes, the Arkansas River, and the Gulf Coast. Next year, the world’s only 100 percent U.S.-flagged fleet of riverboats and small cruise ships will visit nearly 200 ports while sailing America’s iconic rivers and protected coastlines from the Alaska Inside Passage to the Florida Keys.
New U.S. Itineraries for 2026
American Cruise Lines’ array of 2026 itineraries highlights river cruises that explore domestic destinations and waterways. All itineraries have an included hotel stay and offer at least one complimentary excursion at every port. Fares include private transportation on shore and everything onboard the ship from fine cuisine and daily cocktails to enrichment and entertainment. All cruises and fares also include Starlink Wi-Fi, tips & gratuities, and port charges & fees. The full portfolio of American’s U.S. National Parks cruises includes:
- New: The 11-day “Great Smoky Mountains Cruise” featuring an adventure along the Tennessee River through the Appalachian Mountains, plus guided discovery in Great Smoky Mountains National Park while cruising; also includes visits to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg. Available from Knoxville, TN or Huntsville, AL.
- New: The 15-day “Northwest National Parks” operating roundtrip from Tacoma, WA and begins with seven days of guided exploration in Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks; followed by eight days of cruising throughout Puget Sound, Friday Harbor, and the San Juan Islands.
- The 16-day “National Parks & Legendary Rivers” featuring a nine-day cruise on the Columbia and Snake Rivers and seven days of guided exploration in three national parks—Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton. Available from Jackson, WY or Portland, OR.
- The 19-day “Grand Alaska National Parks” featuring a 12-day Alaska cruise and seven days of guided exploration in Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks; and cruising in Glacier Bay National Park, the Inside Passage, and Frederick Sound. Available from Fairbanks, AK to Juneau, AK.
- The 16-day “Alaska National Parks” featuring a nine-day Alaska cruise and seven days of guided exploration in Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks; and cruising in Glacier Bay National Park. Available from Fairbanks, AK to Juneau, AK.
American’s 2026 itineraries include new itineraries on the Mississippi River & tributaries, and the Southeast U.S., as well as a new Gulf Coast Cruise:
- The nine-day “Gulf Coast Cruise” between New Orleans, LA and Pensacola, FL, also visiting: Mobile, AL; Biloxi, MS; Ocean Springs, MS; and Gulfport/Ship Island, MS. Cruises are offered in March, November, and December 2026 (and again in 2027). They will operate aboard American Symphony, one of American’s modern Mississippi riverboats.
- The nine-day “Arkansas River Cruise” between Memphis, TN and Tulsa, OK, also visiting Catoosa, OK; Muskogee, OK; Fort Smith/Van Buren, AR; Little Rock, AR. Cruises are offered in November 2026 (and again in May and November 2027) and will be sailed aboard the award-winning riverboat American Serenade.
American has unveiled three new Great Lakes itineraries for 2026. Sailing from May through August, these include:
- The nine-day “Great Lakes & Thousand Islands” itineraries operating between Syracuse and Buffalo, NY; and exploring the Thousand Islands, Lake Ontario, and Lake Erie.
- The nine-day “Lake Michigan & Upper Peninsula” itineraries sailing roundtrip from Milwaukee, WI; and exploring Lake Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.
- The 14-day “American Great Lakes” cruises operating between Buffalo, NY and Milwaukee, WI; exploring Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan.
Three New Ships Launching in 2026
- New riverboat: American Encore – The company’s newest modern American Riverboat will begin sailing the Columbia and Snake Rivers in May 2026. American Encore accommodates 180 guests and features 100 percent private balcony staterooms including Suites and Singles (available without Supplement). Additional onboard amenities include many spacious lounges, plus a top deck lounge and walking track, a main restaurant with views from every seat, a casual café, chart room, fitness center, laundry room, and elevators to all decks.
- New small coastal ships: American Maverick and American Ranger – The company’s third and fourth Patriot Class ships will operate an array of American’s East Coast itineraries. Launching in June and September 2026 respectively, American Maverick and American Ranger will accommodate just 130 guests each and feature 100 percent private balcony staterooms including Suites and Singles (available without Supplement). Onboard amenities include several spacious lounges, plus a top deck lounge and walking track, a main restaurant with views from every seat, a casual café, chart room, fitness center, laundry room, and elevators to all decks.
New Extended Cruises for 2026
- The 52-day “Great United States Cruise” sailing from Portland, OR to Boston, MA (May 29–July 19, 2026) – Guests will explore 18 states aboard three small ships. Highlights include guided land exploration in the Yellowstone, Glacier and Grand Teton National Parks. Guests will also spend the 4th of July in Boston, MA at the Four Seasons Hotel and will enjoy the city’s 250th celebrations and fireworks display over Boston Harbor.
- The 36-day “Civil War Battlefields Cruise” sailing from New Orleans, LA to Gettysburg, PA (May 5–June 9, 2026) – Guests will explore 12 states aboard three small ships, visiting and exploring the battles and theaters of the Civil War—from the Capture of New Orleans to the Siege of Vicksburg to the Battle of Gettysburg.
- The 55-day “Great American Fall Foliage Cruise” sailing from Juneau, AK to Washington, D.C. (September 5–October 29, 2026) – Guests will explore 18 states aboard four small ships. Highlights include sailing the Alaska Inside Passage and Glacier Bay National Park; and cruising up the Potomac River to the nation’s capital city of Washington, D.C.
- The 32-day “Revolutionary War Cruise” sailing from Albany, NY to Washington, D.C. (October 8–November 8, 2026) – Highlights include sailing the Hudson River and sections of the East Coast during the region’s peak fall foliage season; and docking in Washington, D.C. This itinerary is available aboard all three of the line’s newest cruise ships: American Legend; American Patriot; and American Pioneer, which launched in October 2025.
All American’s 50+ U.S. itineraries and 28 small ships are open to book now through 2028.
For more information, visit www.AmericanCruiseLines.com.
Related Stories
American Cruise Lines Offers Sailings for U.S.’s 250th Birthday
Ships From 30 Countries to Sail Into NY Harbor for USA’s 250th
Trafalgar Announces 2027 Sailings with Expanded Land Extensions
Source link
