Explore 20 States in 60 Days on the Longest U.S. River Cruise

If you have two months to spare and want to experience nearly two dozen U.S. states from the unique perspective of the country’s historic waterways, American Cruise Lines’ latest river cruise itinerary could be just what you need.

The Connecticut-based cruise line recently introduced a 60-day river cruise that will cover 20 states and traverse four major rivers (the Columbia, Snake, Mississippi, and Hudson rivers), along with several notable New England coastal cities, as part of its new “The Great United States” itinerary.

Cruise Itinerary

The journey will commence on August 14, 2024, in Portland, Oregon. For the initial eight days, guests will navigate the Columbia and Snake rivers, stopping in cities such as Kalama, Washington (where they can view Mount St. Helens) and Stevenson, Washington (to admire Multnomah Falls up close).

The next five days will consist of a fully land-based tour. Guests will explore Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks before flying from Jackson, Wyoming, to New Orleans, Louisiana, for the Mississippi River segment. The vessel will then cruise the entire length of the Mississippi River (just under 1,400 miles) over 23 days, stopping in 19 cities along the way, including Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Greenville, Mississippi; Memphis, Tennessee; St. Louis, Missouri; and Dubuque, Iowa, before concluding in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The final leg of the journey will take guests from the Twin Cities to Portland, Maine, where they will enjoy two weeks cruising down the New England coast to Boston, Massachusetts, and then onward to New York City. The last six days will be spent sailing on the Hudson River to Albany and back. The remarkable itinerary will finish in New York Harbor, just past the Statue of Liberty.

Throughout the journey, travelers will stay aboard three of American Cruise Lines’ vessels: the 180-passenger American Jazz (for the Columbia and Snake rivers segment), the 180-passenger American Symphony (for the Mississippi leg), and the 90-passenger American Independence (for the East Coast portion). Each ship offers a variety of cabins ranging from 250-square-foot single-person rooms to 650-square-foot suites with private balconies. Common areas include a main dining room, several lounge spaces, a library, a gym, and at least one sun deck for enjoying the river views.

Not every guest will be on board for the entirety of the journey—essentially, it’s a series of regularly scheduled sailings that American Cruise Lines has combined into one grand itinerary. Maintaining the same guest list for the full 60-day cruise wouldn’t be feasible, given that the American Jazz accommodates 180 guests, while the American Independence can host only 90 passengers.

Cruise Pricing and Rates

For those opting for the complete experience, prices begin at $51,060 per person, with rates reaching up to $77,945 based on the chosen stateroom. This price covers all meals, beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), excursions, Wi-Fi, connecting flights, accommodations between cruise segments, crew gratuities, and port fees.