"Close to Home" river and small ship cruising in North America,
includes Alaska, the Caribbean and Central America.
U.S. river and small ship cruises are quickly emerging as one of the most in-demand cruise vacations in the world. If you're a bit tired of the big ocean cruises, and eager to enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere without the need for long overseas air flights, then "Close to Home" cruising may be the perfect vacation for you to explore.

Not only will you be with like-minded, similar-aged travelers, you'll also be in a very relaxed and casual atmosphere visiting interesting and historical places from Alaska's breathtaking Inside Passage to the crystaline aqua blue waters of Belize in the Caribbean

River and small ship cruising on the U.S. East Coast.
Small ship cruising enables you to explore the quaint islands and villages of New England including 7-night cruises that travel only the coast of Maine. Enjoy a Grand New England cruise that traverses the coast from beautiful Providence, Rhode Island all the way to the home of LL Bean in Portland Maine. Along the way you'll stop in Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, Boothbay Harbor and picturesque Camden, Maine as well. (BTW — Can you spell Lobster dinner for less than $15?!)

Also along the eastcoast is one of the lesser known trips, but one of our personal favorites, a Hudson River cruise which sails roundtrip from New York. Start your trip off with a few days in the Big Apple, then cruise through the beautiful Hudson Valley into the Catskills, Troy, Poughkeepsie, and one of the most interesting and inspiring places you'll ever visit, West Point and its world renowned military academy.

A U.S. river or small ship cruise can also take you along the Inland Waterway from Rhode Island all the way down the coast to Jacksonville, Florida. Or take one of the more unusual trips you'll ever see: Chicago through the Great Lakes to the Erie Canal and finally into Warren, Rhode Island. Yes! On a ship, not a bus... wow!

More "Close to Home" river and small ship destinations.
We've given you a brief overview of some of the itineraries you can enjoy cruising on the East Coast of the United States (and into Canada). Other destinations include river cruises on the well-known Mississippi, Tennesse and Ohio rivers exploring the heartland of America. Then there are the incredible cruises to be taken on the gorgeous Columbia and Snake rivers through Oregon and Washington.

Of course, no "Close to Home" cruise list would be complete without itineraries offering small ship cruises to Alaska's Inside Passage and Southeast Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest's Puget Sound and San Juan Islands. Lesser known, but tremendously enjoyable, are the small ship cruises in the Caribbean which include the island of Belize off the Yucatan Peninsula, the islands off the shores of Honduras and Guatemala in Central America, and even the U.S. Virgin Islands.

I guess what we are trying to say in a few words is that the realm of close-to-home cruising is more than just the mighty Mississippi and Columbia Rivers. It is a plethora of interesting, historic and scenic destinations waiting for you to experience them up close and personal aboard one of the many enjoyable river ships or small boats operated by several premium, American-owned and operated cruise lines.

To learn more about American Cruise Lines, American Queen Steamboat Company, or Blount Small Ship Adventures, click the cruise line name, or click on the video button in the left column to view exciting, short videos on these three renowned cruise lines.

Assuming you are like so many — not overly familiar with these destinations — we have a suggestion for you. Just scroll down to our CruisGENIE™ Cruise Locator below, and use it to "cruise" through the many river and small ship offerings. Then, when you see something that appeals to you, click on the itinerary name and you'll be able to view the entire cruise day-by-day itinerary, view route maps, see ship photo galleries and deck plans. It's easy and fun, so give it a try.

Once you've found one or two that truly appeal to your inner senses, give one of our River Cruise Experts a call to learn more.

Book early for BEST PRICES. Price displayed is brochure price for a window cabin based on double occupancy. For best available price or balcony prices, call or use the "Get Quote" button.