• American Cruise Lines

American Cruise Lines

Overview

American Cruise Lines has a rating of 4.3 stars from 51 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally satisfied with their purchases. American Cruise Lines ranks 3rd among Cruises sites.

  • Service
    30
  • Value
    32
  • Shipping
    3
  • Returns
    3
  • Quality
    24

This company does not typically respond to reviews

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 70.6%
Positive
12
Neutral
1
Negative
4
31
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How would you rate American Cruise Lines?
Top Positive Review

“Small Ship Cruising at Its Best”

Pamela B.
5/24/23

This was our first cruise with American Cruise Lines, and it exceeded our expectations in every way. While the food, our stateroom and the tours were all above average, what really sets this line apart is the staff and how they treat their guests. They really make you feel like family. The 10-night, Grand Puget Sound cruise created a lot of special moments and memories. Do yourself a favor and discover what you can experience on a small ship.

Top Critical Review

“Deceptive Practices”

Patricia W.
3/15/22

Left deposit of $1000. 00 for future cruise in Late July into August 2022. Had to cancel due to unexpected surgery scheduled for next Tuesday, with expected recovery of eight months. Cancelled with in their time guidelines and expected full refund, which was denied. Instead offered only $500.00 refund or credit for upcoming cruise, will never do business with them again. We purchased Deluxe Protection Plan for $980.00. The representatives and statements on protection plan papers were deceptive and misleading. Fellow sailors. BEWARE.

Reviews (51)

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Other

Thumbnail of user pamelab2291
1 review
1 helpful vote
May 24th, 2023

This was our first cruise with American Cruise Lines, and it exceeded our expectations in every way. While the food, our stateroom and the tours were all above average, what really sets this line apart is the staff and how they treat their guests. They really make you feel like family. The 10-night, Grand Puget Sound cruise created a lot of special moments and memories. Do yourself a favor and discover what you can experience on a small ship.

Service
Value
Thumbnail of user maryleef4
1 review
4 helpful votes
April 15th, 2023

Itinerary not as advertised. This was a mystery cruise for passengers and crew as ACL seemed to be making it up as they went along. I've sailed with ACL before and on the same ship. The San Francisco Bay cruise was a complete 180 degree from my previous ACL cruise. Their Customer Service was poor and also did not seem to know what was going on. Not the way to run a business

Products used:
Cruise

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Thumbnail of user chrism4357
1 review
0 helpful votes
December 14th, 2023

Tried my first cruise with ACL this year, the Lower Mississippi cruise itinerary. The ship was clean. The other guests were friendly and interesting. The crew was truly outstanding. I would highly recommend this company.

Products used:
Lower Miss

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Thumbnail of user bevg57
1 review
1 helpful vote
May 25th, 2023

My husband felt sick. The Red button works! Crew and staff quickly arrived at our room around 12:45 a.m. Assessed patient, summoned ambulance and off to hospital we went…ending in surgery 12 hrs later for major surgery. Staff was very caring and helpful as they sent cab or me to retrieve our belongings from the ship. Staff went beyond all expectations. Giving thanks we cruised USA rivers!

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Thumbnail of user elaineb799
1 review
1 helpful vote
May 4th, 2023

An all-inclusive riverboat cruise: nothing else to pay for while on board. From checking in the night before leaving the dock to everyday fun filled excursions, this is one of best. Our time from Portland OR up the Columbia River to Snake River ended in Clarkston WA and the beautiful scenery and topics of geography and history of the area was most satisfying. Wonderfully prepared meals with many choices on menu by Restaurant Manager served with imagination and flair as if the food was decoration for your plate. Excellent care for passengers from daily room cleaning to attentive mixologist for happy hour, on up to Ships Captain. This one is for you.

Tip for consumers:
N/A

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N/A

Thumbnail of user sylviab434
1 review
1 helpful vote
April 11th, 2023

There wasn't a single aspect of my cruise on the lower Mississippi River that I would change. The employees were all very kind and helpful, they went out of their way to make everything enjoyable. The food, chefs and wait staff were all excellent. My room was clean and comfortable. The excursions were interesting and well planned, the onboard and guest entertainment was wonderful. I signed up for another cruise this year and cannot wait to see what they have in store. It was very helpful having laundry facilities on board also. I cannot recommend this company enough, and I also appreciate that it is all American!

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Thumbnail of user maryd3433
1 review
2 helpful votes
May 25th, 2023

We saw the mighty river while sailing north and south upon it. We felt a part of it. I was born and raised on the Mississippi River, in Quincy, Illinois, and thought I knew all about it. Well, I learned that I had just scratched the surface. On our cruise, we really saw the South, past and present. We learned about the history of the South through some museum tours. We also visited some modern plantations where today's cotton, sugar cane and crawfish are raised. Absolutely fascinating!

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Thumbnail of user gracel522
1 review
1 helpful vote
May 25th, 2023

First cruise and had a great time with my sibling's October 2022. Well planned excursions and Bob the bus driver made the experience the best. He retired the end of October and will definitely be missed. Have told many people about this cruise and look forward to going on another American Cruise Lines adventure.

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Thumbnail of user patriciar2707
1 review
1 helpful vote
May 25th, 2023

Great for a single woman fun safe way to travel and be with interesting folks. Love history so the speaker are always a hit for me.

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Thumbnail of user thomasp2192
1 review
0 helpful votes
May 25th, 2023

Traveled safely down the Ohio River in comfort. Explored major cities on their buses, which were well organized. Meals were excellent. Happy hour, followed by entertainers, was awesome!

Thumbnail of user benettr
1 review
2 helpful votes
March 2nd, 2023

We really enjoy being onboard these cruises. The small ships make every cruise interesting as you can go to towns that nobody else can visit. They have itineraries all over the country and different types of ships. Weve been on the paddleboats and the new ones that have a modern design. Both are nice, but the modern ones are the way to go in our opinion.

Tip for consumers:
book in advance and consider the newer boats. They are the way to go.

Products used:
cruises

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Thumbnail of user johnb10820
1 review
0 helpful votes
May 25th, 2023

We had been told by friends that American Cruise Lines was best. ABSOLUTELY! Now: Maine's "Coastal Cats!"

Products used:
American Melody

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Value
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Thumbnail of user donnac2817
2 reviews
1 helpful vote
September 13th, 2023

We had the pleasure of sailing on American Cruise Line's brand new ship - the American Eagle!

I love the fact that it maxes at 100 guests and it is a casually refined craft that makes you feel like you are your own yacht with invited friends.

This new ship is a "proprietary hybrid catamaran design" that was created for smooth sailing in "rivers, lakes, bays and protected coastlines all across America."

Looking at the 2024/2025 cruise book, it is in no way REPLACING the itineraries that they are known for (the Mississippi River/Columbia & Snake River) rather, enhancing the type of destinations that they can take us to with this new design.

We were thrilled with our voyage, met new friends, relaxed, ATE TOO MUCH!, and had enjoyable entertainment each evening.

A special shoutout to cruise director Anyssa who never ceases to smile and Andy, the general manager who made sure everything ran seamlessly.

We signed up to go on the Art Immersion Cruise, May 27 on the American Independence that leaves out of New York and ends in Boston. YANKEE SEAPORTS here we come!

Products used:
coastal cruise

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Thumbnail of user patwatts74
1 review
3 helpful votes
April 11th, 2023

The first thing that we like about American Cruise Line is that there are many people our age on board. We don't need the princes lunches, gambling, mammoth slide into the pool or the mac and cheese. We are older and enjoy lectures about where we are, guided tours at our pace and cookie time in the morning and afternoon. We also enjoy it being all inclusive drinks, Wi-Fi, many tours included and gourmet meals every night. Yes, we feel very pampered with the ships only having between 90-130 on board. This also means we are not walking forever to get to our rooms or to the entertainment areas. These are fun river cruises well worth the money and very relaxing.

Thumbnail of user jamesk3297
1 review
2 helpful votes
May 1st, 2023

I took a one week cruise on the Colombia and Snake river on their sternwheeler. The crew was fantastic and the food was good; but I would not recommend a sternwheeler trip. The noise of the boat and running of the generator on shore made my balcony unusable, along with too much noise in the cabin. I did not that find out that the bus trip to the Spokane Airport at the end had a $120 charge until I started the trip.

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Thumbnail of user ruthp945
1 review
1 helpful vote
April 12th, 2023
Verified purchase

My husband & I experienced the Highlights of the Columbia River cruise. We were so impressed with the personal service, beginning with the phone call from our driver who picked us up from the airport to all on-board & ashore services. All crew & staff were friendly, approachable & attentive. The spectacular scenery was enhanced by our views from the ship. Our room was very clean and comfortable. The views from our private balcony were fantastic! The daily excursions & entertainment were fun & informative. Our meals were delicious. We have nothing but positivity. Our entire experience was so memorable! Thank you, American Cruise Lines!

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Thumbnail of user johnb8063
3 reviews
1 helpful vote
April 13th, 2023

Our cruise -- the first with American Cruise Lines -- was last September between Memphis and New Orleans. We were very impressed by the ship, the cruise, the staff, the tours, the varied and top-notch evening entertainment, the great fellow who did a daily history/nature report, the food. Their way of boarding us was first-rate, too -- as was the way we departed (everything very efficient, transportation arranged to our hotel in New Orleans.) Liked that we didn't have any extra charges for the tours (which were ultra-friendly and efficient like everything else on this cruise.) We plan to be back aboard with American Cruise Lines.

Tip for consumers:
No

Products used:
N/A

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Thumbnail of user waynea381
1 review
3 helpful votes
April 11th, 2023
Verified purchase

My wife & I booked this Mississippi Cruise as part of our trip to the USA from Australia, it turned out to be the highlight of our entire five & a half week trip, everything from the staff, the food, on board entertainment to the onshore excursions were first class. We boarded in New Orleans the afternoon prior to our day of departure, this included an excursion the next morning to the New Orleans WW2 Museum (Fantastic) Our room on board the ship was absolutely first class. We finished our cruise in Memphis, with a Graceland tour (the best) We will definitely be sailing with American Cruise Lines again, we cannot recommend them highly enough.

Thumbnail of user maryw1948
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
May 25th, 2023

My husband and I recently returned from the tulip cruise on the spirit ship of American Cruise Lines. We arrived the night before and took the tour of Seattle on Friday morning. Our tour guide, Spencer was the best tour guide we have ever experienced. His humor and descriptions of different areas of Seattle had all the visitors in a constant laughter. He then concluded the tour with the song. We were hoping he would come with us on the ship, and be one of the entertainers.
A popular event on the cruise ship was watercolor painting with artist MaryWolke. She has an undergraduate degree in art education and a masters degree in art. She guided students through each step needed to produce a successful, watercolor painting. Many of the students had never painted before, enjoyed the process and will continue painting once they return home at the end of the cruise, Students gathered their paintings and took them home to frame as a souvenir of their tulip cruise

Thumbnail of user kazuen1
1 review
0 helpful votes
May 25th, 2023

Nice relaxing cruise down the scenic Columbia River
Only 200 on board
Friendly staff
Interesting speaker about Lewis and Clark and Sacagawea
Wonderful piano player and singer

Products used:
Cruise

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user davids1680
2 reviews
7 helpful votes
August 8th, 2018

I do not like it either. I cant say that this was the worst cruise but it was my first and I was expecting something more. Even personal looked like they do not like to be there.

Thumbnail of user dhope72
1 review
1 helpful vote
May 25th, 2023

This was my second cruise with American Cruise Lines. My sister and I had a wonderful trip full of fun and fellowship. I would recommend it to anyone, especially people that do not want to go out of the country, but like to cruise. It is so refreshing to have a company that is American and the ships are built in America.

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Thumbnail of user ggillespie51503
1 review
1 helpful vote
April 11th, 2023

Great cruises on Columbia and Mississippi rivers. Great new boats and caring crew. Great gourmet food. Love the eclipse Cafe for casual eats. We booked our third cruise for this November.

Thumbnail of user kathyl1149
1 review
0 helpful votes
May 25th, 2023

This was the most wonderful cruise I have ever been on, mainly because of your excellent staff! They were always there for everyone, willing to do anything to make this trip a pleasant experience! Christian does a wonderful job leading his staff! I can't thank each of them enough!

Products used:
River Boat Cruise

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Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user davidf4107
1 review
1 helpful vote
May 25th, 2023

We enjoyed a wonderful cruise with American Cruise Lines on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. The ship and its crew were magnificent! The crew exceeded our expectations in every way. The cruise was all that we expected, and more. Each port had plenty of shore activities, either planned excursions or just on our own. We really appreciated that almost all the ports had extensive riverfront walking trails. Going through the many locks incorporated with dams was very interesting. The meals and snacks and beverages were outstanding. The cruise had a Lewis & Clark theme, and we enjoyed many on-board talks about Lewis & Clark, the Oregon Trail, and native American tribes. Also, the evening entertainment was very enjoyable.
We have traveled to all seven continents, and while this cruise may not rank at the top of our travel list, it is certainly among our favorite North American experiences. We aren't "cruise people", but we certainly recommend this cruise

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Therese F.
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