American Cruise Lines charts 'never been done before' 60-day US adventure

The 2024 trip takes travelers from the Pacific Northwest to three national parks, four major rivers including the full navigable length of the Mississippi, to New England and New York.

Seamless package

'The Great United States' journey explores 20 states and spans all four time zones of the continental US. It takes place aboard three boats with land programs, hotels and flights all packaged seamlessly.

'"The Great United States cruise is a fantastic showcase of our country and of the breadth of American Cruise Lines,' said Charles B. Robertson, president & CEO. 'A river cruise of this magnitude has never been done before in the US, and only American Cruise Lines is capable of delivering it successfully.'

Robertson expects the line's loyalists to jump on but he also hopes the program will draw domestic land travelers to river cruising.

'There is a lot of demand for longer cruises and a blossoming resurgence of interest in exploring the US,' Robertson added. Last year the line added multiple departures of its 21-day Mississippi cruise, while a new 22-day trip from Baltimore to St. Petersburg, Florida is also selling well, as are a number of 14-day cruises.

'The Great United States'

Always sailing in sight of land and visiting only US ports, travelers on the 60-day odyssey will retrace the steps of Lewis and Clark on the Columbia and Snake rivers, roll along the mighty Mississippi with Mark Twain and Elvis, venture up the Hudson River during peak fall foliage season and breathe in the fresh sea air of coastal New England.

The journey begins aboard American Jazz in Portland, Oregon, and sails on the Columbia and Snake rivers from the mouth of the Pacific Ocean at Astoria, Oregon, to Clarkson, Washington, gateway to Hell's Canyon.

Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton

Travelers then spend six days on land exploring three of the country's most spectacular national parks: Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton, concluding in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

They fly from there to New Orleans and embark American Symphony, traveling 1,393 miles north, through 10 states to St. Paul, Minnesota. This segment gives access to Southern gems, rolling Midwest farmland, the boyhood home of Mark Twain and the greatest bald eagle concentration in North America.

From Minneapolis-St. Paul, travelers fly to Portland, Maine and embark American Independence for a Maine coast and harbors cruise to Boston. American Independence then continues on the line's 'Yankee Seaports' itinerary to New York City, exploring historic maritime towns along the way.

For the last leg of the trip, American Independence cruises the Hudson from the tip of Manhattan through the river valley during fall foliage time, visiting places like Sleepy Hollow, West Point and Hyde Park while sailing past Gilded Age estates.

The adventure concludes as American Independence returns to New York Harbor, passing the Statue of Liberty.

Starting price $51,060

'The Great United States' sails Aug. 14 to Oct. 14, 2024. Per-person pricing ranges from $51,060 to $77,945, including pre-cruise hotel stay, all flights and hotels between cruise segments, daily excursions, gratuities and port charges.

The day to day itinerary is here.