American Cruise Lines, Sailings for Active Travelers and More

American Cruise Lines offers more than 50 itineraries in the U.S., with river voyages along the Mississippi, Columbia, Hudson and others, as well as coastal sailings in destinations like Alaska and New England. There are no more than 180 passengers aboard any sailing, and guests receive personalized service in a relaxed, casual setting.

Right now, Vacations To Go customers can enjoy special savings on American Cruise Lines sailings. To see all current river offers, click here.

American Cruise Lines will debut a number of new ships in the coming years. American Patriot and American Pioneer carry 125 passengers each and will start sailing itineraries along the East Coast this year. In 2026, the line will launch American Maverick and American Ranger, two 130-passenger vessels that will also visit East Coast ports (the American Ranger will sail the Hudson River, too). At 180 passengers, American Encore will explore the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest in 2026 and will be joined by sister ship American Anthem in 2027.

Cruise fares include regionally inspired cuisine, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, a cocktail hour every evening, gratuities and Wi-Fi access. Musicians, historians and naturalists are on every cruise, and onboard entertainment ranges from informal lectures to live musical performances.

River cruise operators recognize that many guests want options for staying fit while traveling. These lines offer wellness programs and fitness amenities on board -- like gyms, spas and pools -- and provide unique and active ways to explore ashore.

Sailings with Avalon Waterways include guided active excursions, like a hike to Bratislava Castle in Slovakia or a morning run in the French town of Caudebec-en-Caux with the Avalon Adventure Host. Active & Discovery itineraries provide an even larger selection of active options in every port of call with hiking, biking, canoeing and jogging excursions.

The "Let's Go" shore excursions of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises include walking, hiking, cycling, kayaking and golfing tours. Bicycle to Claude Monet's home at Giverny or hike up to a 12th-century castle on the Rhine, for example. The line's Wellness on the Water amenities include yoga sessions, TRX suspension training classes with certified instructors, fitness centers and heated pools.

Emerald Cruises has the EmeraldACTIVE program, which might feature a guided bike tour along the Danube or a hike in Germany's Black Forest. Its sister company, Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, has similar options, like cycling through the Dutch town of Veere or to a Bordeaux wine estate for a tasting.

As part of its program, AmaWaterways has wellness hosts fleetwide in Europe (except for ships in Portugal). They lead fitness classes like stretching, core strengthening and resistance-band training and also conduct hiking, biking and jogging excursions.

Several lines also carry bicycles on their ships, so passengers can pedal along riverside paths or through cities and towns on their own.