riverboat cruise new england

New England Islands-American Star

All aboard for an exploration of the beautiful New England islands. Nantucket Island and Martha’s Vineyard both inhabit lovely flower-strewn meadows, white sand beaches, and trails forged by generations of American Indians. Venture to what’s been named by The Nature Conservancy as one of the ‘Last Great Places on Earth’ in the charming Block Island, which is 10 square miles of bliss. Celebrate the yachts that have commanded the world’s most exclusive sporting event for years at the renowned America’s Cup Hall of Fame in Bristol, RI. In Newport, RI, one of the prettiest ports in New England, take in even more boating history, tour the summer cottages of the Vanderbilt’s and Astor’s who ushered in the Gilded Age. Explore the nation’s oldest synagogue, first church steeple, tavern or library – all found in this whimsical City by the Sea. There is much to do during this week long itinerary, and your vacation will only be enhanced by your on board experience. Feasting on local seafood (including lobster), conversing with guest speakers, and taking in this exceptional opportunity to spend 8-Days aboard a beautiful small ship, you surely won’t forget this exploration of America’s maritime background.

Ports of call: Providence, Rhode Island | New Bedford | Nantucket | Martha’s Vineyard | Block Island | Newport | Bristol

Cruise Details

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*Per person/double occupancy. Special single rates apply where listed. Excludes port fees. Itineraries may operate in reverse.

Your Itinerary

1 Providence, RI ‘Renaissance City’ has many fine attractions if you have the time, including theater, fine art and their Philharmonic. Ask our agents about coming in a day ahead and booking a 1-night pre-cruise hotel in Providence.

2 New Bedford, MA New Bedford was the whaling capital of the world and inspiration behind Melville’s Moby Dick. Today, the ‘Whaling City’ is an authentic seaport village, home to the Whaling Museum. If you’d like a more intimate view of the harbor, take a harbor cruise with a local captain who’ll share insights into the local fishing industry, especially scallops.

3 Nantucket Island, MA From small farming community to a major player in the whaling industry to popular resort, Nantucket’s history is visible and alive. Tour the island with a local guide, sharing stories of the history, showing off the rose-covered cottage style popular on the island, local lighthouses, and cranberry bogs. After some free time in town, the onboard guest lecturer will lead a walking tour to Brant Point Lighthouse.

4 Martha's Vineyard, MA One of the most popular vacation spots in all of New England, Martha’s Vineyard is divided into 6 towns: Tisbury, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, West Tisbury, Chilmark and Aquinnah. Martha’s Vineyard is known as a summer colony, only accessible by boat and air. The ship will be docked in Vineyard Haven, part of Tisbury. On the Island Tour, you’ll have free time to explore and shop in Edgartown, see the gingerbread cottages of Oak Bluffs, and the island’s agricultural center, West Tisbury. This evening, Mark Alan Lovewell will join us onboard to teach us sea chantey sing-a-long songs.

5 Block Island, RI The Mohegan Bluffs rise 200 feet above the ocean, stretching across 3 miles of the shore. The island has fantastic nature trails with stunning views, if you’d like to stretch your legs today. Or take the island tour with local legend, ‘Howie’. Howie will show you around like a local, taking you to the best nooks and views. In Old Harbor, visit the Southeast Lighthouse and try local summer treat, Del’s Lemonade. Back onboard, we’ll enjoy a seafood-inspired feast for dinner!

6 Newport, RI Newport is a natural harbor, which made it a natural placement to put Fort Adams. Our ship will dock right at Fort Adams, giving you easy access for a guided tour with a park ranger about the fort’s history and military significance. In the 19th century, Newport became an epicenter of opulence. A guided tour of the Avenue of the Mansions will take you along Ocean View Drive and Bellevue Avenue, concluding your tour with a visit to the Breakers Mansion – a 70-room palazzo built as a summer cottage by the Vanderbilt family.

7 Bristol, RI Bristol is home to Battleship Cove, a floating museum with the world’s largest collection of 20th century US naval fighting ships. To view intricate model ships and other nautical memorabilia, continue on to Fall River’s Marine Museum. Battleship Cove is also home to the oldest functioning carousel in America, fully restored. Yes, it might be silly, but it also will be fantastic! Take a ride!

8 Disembark in Providence, RI After breakfast, transfer to the airport or extend your stay with a hotel package.

Map & Gallery

Cabin Categories

*Prices may vary due to seasonality

Onboard Experience

The American Cruise Line fleet of ships are the newest and most environmentally friendly small ships in the US. The cruise line prides itself on their hospitable staff, and that you’ll be graciously received no matter which ship you cruise on. The large staterooms with interior entrances ensure you have a relaxed, private area to watch the river from, or visit any of the many onboard lounges. Daily entertainment will be brought onboard, including musicians, historians and naturalists.

Regionally-Inspired Menus

American Cruise Lines uses fresh, local ingredients to show off the culinary glory of the region you’re cruising in. On the Mississippi River, that could mean Andouille Gumbo, a po’boy with red beans and rice, and bourbon pecan pie. In New England, you could find Littleneck clam ceviche on the menu followed by a spiced apple pudding with maple whipped cream. In the Pacific Northwest, you’ll find fresh fish on the menu, including shrimp bisque or Dungeness Crab cake, and a marionberry cheesecake that’ll make your mouth water! Your ship will provide you with a list of all the locally-sourced ingredients when you unpack.

Eagle Society

Once you’ve cruised aboard any American Cruise Line ship, you are an Eagle Society member. It’s free to be a member, but your loyalty to American Cruise Lines is greatly rewarded. You’ll receive Eagle Society luggage tags, and member-only gifts when you board each cruise. After 3 cruises, you’ll receive complimentary premium shore excursions. After 10 cruises, you’ll get a complimentary 11th cruise. There are special Eagle Society cruise dates every year. Plus all Eagle Society member benefits can be used when booking with USA River Cruises, plus you’ll still be eligible for our loyal customer benefits as well.

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• Portland, Maine
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• Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
• Provincetown, Massachusetts
• Newport, Rhode Island
• Strait of Canso
• St. Lawrence River
• Niagara Falls and the Great Lakes

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• River Cruises

Explore America’s Most Iconic Waterways With the 5 Best U.S. River Cruises

Discover natural and cultural treasures close to home.

You don't need to fly to Europe for a river cruise, with new ships and routes creating even more options right here in the United States. Some of the most scenic itineraries traverse the Mississippi, Hudson, Columbia, and Snake rivers, showcasing natural, cultural, and historical attractions along the way. Passengers can visit wineries in Washington, taste Creole cuisine in New Orleans, or learn about the Siege of Vicksburg right where it happened.

On these voyages, you'll sail with anywhere from 100 to 400 other guests aboard either modern riverboats or classic paddle wheelers that hearken back to a different time. Like their European counterparts, river cruises in the U.S. typically package everything at a single price, including staterooms, meals, guest lectures and enrichment programs, entertainment, and most shore excursions. Some even include pre-cruise hotel stays.

Here are five river cruises that will show you the U.S. in a whole new light.

American Cruise Lines’ Music Cities Cruise from Memphis to Nashville

It's hard to choose from American Cruise Lines' 35 itineraries. For arts and culture lovers, the eight-day Music Cities Cruise along the Mississippi, Ohio, and Cumberland rivers presents an opportunity to visit several charming cities and towns in the South. The itinerary is offered on four different 180-passenger ships, including the American Serenade and the classic American Splendor paddle wheeler.

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

The voyage begins in Memphis, where passengers can visit the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, take in a show at one of the nightclubs along legendary Beale Street, or tour Elvis Presley's mansion, Graceland. After a day of cruising, the ship stops at Paducah, Kentucky, where you can admire the more than 50 murals on the floodwall along Water Street before exploring the National Quilt Museum. The next day, the ship travels through the Barkley Lock and past the stunning coves and limestone bluffs of the Cumberland River's Lake Barkley– a view best enjoyed from the balcony of your stateroom. In Dover, Tennessee, guests visit historic Fort Donelson National Park and learn about the garrison's role during the Civil War. The next day, passengers can tour the Customs House Museum & Cultural Center and Fort Defiance in Clarksville, Tennessee, and cap off the experience with a whiskey tasting at Old Glory Distilling Co. The voyage ends in Nashville, where you can stroll along historic Lower Broadway, visit museums dedicated to Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline, and take in a Grand Ole Opry show. 

What to Know About Mississippi River Cruises

American queen voyages' upper mississippi cruise from st. louis to minneapolis.

History buffs will love this nine-day cruise along the Upper Mississippi and Illinois rivers aboard American Queen Voyages' 245-passenger American Countess paddle wheeler. The itinerary offers guests a chance to explore the idyllic river towns that inspired the Father of American Literature.

After departing St. Louis, the cruise arrives in Alton, Illinois, where guests can play golf on championship courses, explore the National Great Rivers Museum , or just stroll around the town's historic districts. Day three brings passengers further upriver to Mark Twain's hometown of Hannibal, Missouri, from which the author drew inspiration for several of his novels. On day four, the ship stops at Bettendorf, Iowa, for a hop-on hop-off tour of museums, artist studios, the German American Heritage Center , and the Quad City Botanical Center . In Dubuque, Iowa, guests can take a ride on the Fenelon Place Elevator, billed as "the world's steepest, shortest scenic railway". Day nine, finds the the ship at La Crosse, Wisconsin, famous for its rugged terrain and breathtaking vistas. The final port is Red Wing, Minnesota, home to beautifully preserved artisan workshops, factories, and pioneer-era architecture. After disembarking, passengers can explore nearby Minneapolis before going home.

American Cruise Lines’ Hudson River Fall Foliage Cruise

This eight-day fall foliage-themed cruise takes leaf peeping to a new level. The round-trip voyage out of New York City takes nature lovers through the heart of the Hudson Valley  –  swathed every fall in a blanket of bright orange, red, and yellow. Whether you sail on the classic 48-stateroom American Star or the 100-passenger American Eagle , you'll enjoy a stunning display of colors from the comfort of your balcony. On shore, you’ll have the opportunity to hike to the highest waterfall in the Empire State , walk across the longest pedestrian bridge in the world , and visit the homes of Franklin D. Roosevelt in Hyde Park and author Washington Irving in Sleepy Hollow.

Viking Cruises’ New Orleans & Southern Charms Lower Mississippi Cruise

This eight-day round-trip cruise takes in historic estates, military sites, and comunities bursting with Cajun and Creole culture. After departing New Orleans, the Viking Mississippi stops in the Louisiana towns of Darrow and St. Francisville, which boast Greek Revival mansions, Spanish moss-draped avenues, and even a haunted house . Day four brings travelers to the oldest city on the river, Natchez, Mississippi, home to a rich African American heritage . The next day, guests can learn about one of the most consequential battles of the Civil War at Vicksburg National Military Park before setting sail for the vibrant capital city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The ship then returns to New Orleans, where guests can stay longer or catch a flight home.

Courtesy of Viking

UnCruise Adventures’ Rivers of Adventure & Wine Columbia and Snake River Cruise

Spotting wildlife and sipping wine go hand-in-hand on this UnCruise Adventures expedition around the Pacific Northwest. The seven-night round-trip journey from Portland isn't your typical leisure cruise. Instead, passengers get to go on rainforest hikes, rafting adventures, winery visits, and scenic kayaking excursions through dramatic canyons.

After the champagne departure from Portland and a stop at Astoria, Oregon, the ship passes through the Columbia River Gorge. Passengers can disembark for a guided hike, then return for a wine tasting with the ship's sommelier. The gourmand adventures continue with an excursion to Walla Walla, Washington, which includes visits to olive oil makers, chocolatiers, and family-owned wine cellars. Day five begins at the mouth of the Palouse River, where guests can kayak or paddleboard. The next day, passengers can visit Columbia Hills State Park and Rowena Plateau on foot or by skiff boat while enjoying river dips, farm-to-fork delights, and a wine tour and tasting. Guests then disembark at The Dalles, Oregon, for whitewater rafting or a relaxing winery tour. The adventure ends with a farewell dinner back at Portland.

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