US River Cruises, Line by Line
Only a handful of companies run overnight river cruises in America. Here is exactly who they are and how they differ.
Compare the Lines for My DatesA Short List of Operators
US river cruises look like a crowded market from the outside, with dozens of agencies, tour companies and alumni groups selling sailings. Look closer and almost every overnight trip on an American river is run by one of three operators. Knowing who actually owns the boat, writes the itinerary and sets the inclusions is the quickest way to compare offers that seem very different on paper.
This site is about those operators: what each one sails, where, on what kind of boat, and the type of traveler it suits. If you are still deciding between rivers rather than lines, our sister site US River Cruising walks through the Mississippi, the Columbia and Snake, the Ohio and the Hudson one at a time.
| Operator | US rivers | Fleet on those rivers | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Cruise Lines | Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland and Tennessee, Columbia and Snake, Hudson (fall) | A growing fleet of modern riverboats plus paddlewheel-style boats; new boats launching every year | American-flagged, American crews, relaxed and social |
| Viking | Mississippi, with Ohio River voyages added for 2027 | One ship, Viking Mississippi (386 guests) | Scandinavian design, adults only (18+), the Viking formula from Europe |
| Lindblad Expeditions–National Geographic | Columbia and Snake | Small expedition ships (National Geographic Sea Bird and Sea Lion) | Naturalists, kayaks and hikes; casual and outdoorsy |
Several other names turn up in older articles. American Queen Voyages, once a major Mississippi operator, ceased trading in early 2024, and UnCruise Adventures no longer lists a Columbia program. Our cruise advisors check who is really operating before they quote.
Where to Start
American river cruise lines
Each operator in detail: fleet, rivers, cabins and what the fare covers.
Meet the lines →
Best line for you
Matched by traveler: first-timers, families, adults-only, outdoors lovers and long-trip fans.
Find your match →
US river cruises 2027
New riverboats, new rivers and the itineraries that open next year.
See what’s new →Why the Line Matters More Than the Agency
Two quotes for “an eight-day Mississippi cruise” can describe very different trips. One might be a 175-guest riverboat with an American crew and a cocktail hour; the other a 386-guest Scandinavian-style ship with no children aboard. The river is the same; the experience is not.
- Boat size. From under a hundred guests on an expedition ship to several hundred on Viking Mississippi.
- Atmosphere. Family-friendly and chatty, adults-only and polished, or outdoorsy and informal.
- Inclusions. Excursions, drinks, Wi-Fi and pre-cruise hotels vary line by line.
- Routes. Only one operator sails the Hudson; only one sends small expedition ships up the Snake.
How We Compare Them for You
Tell us the river, the month and the kind of trip you have in mind. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise lay the operators side by side, with the same dates and cabin grade, and show what each fare includes. For the riverboats of the upscale end, see Deluxe River Cruising; for the paddlewheel tradition, Mississippi Paddlewheel Cruises and Steamboating Cruises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies run US river cruises today?
Three names cover almost every overnight river sailing in the country: American Cruise Lines, with the biggest fleet and the most rivers; Viking, with one ship on the Mississippi; and Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic, with small expedition ships on the Columbia and Snake. American Queen Voyages closed in 2024.
What is the longest US river cruise?
Sailing the whole Mississippi, from Louisiana to Minnesota, takes about three weeks. Viking calls its version the 22-day Mississippi River Odyssey; American Cruise Lines also sells complete-river trips.
Can I book a US river cruise for 2027 now?
Yes. Both main lines have opened 2027 dates, including new Viking voyages onto the Ohio River and a 16-day Columbia and Snake itinerary on a new American Cruise Lines riverboat.
Do US river cruises include excursions?
On the main lines, yes: each includes at least one shore excursion in port, with optional upgrades. Exactly what else is included differs by line, which is why comparing them side by side matters.
US River Cruises is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Mister Cruise. He has sold travel since 1972 and worked full-time in the industry since 1977. He has sold or originated more than $500 million in cruises and has trained more than 500 travel agents.
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise compare every operator on America’s rivers for your dates and book flights and hotels around the cruise. Meet Mister Cruise →
Hear about new itineraries first in the Mister Cruise newsletter, and watch Wave Season each winter for the season’s promotions. River lines worldwide are listed in the Official River Cruise Directory, ocean cruises in the Official Cruise Directory and every other kind of trip in the Official Travel Directory. Before or after the cruise, Best of the USA covers the best of each state; and if you would rather sell cruises than just take them, start at Be a Travel Agent.
Sister Sites for River Cruising in America
More From Our Cruise Network
Compare US River Cruise Lines
Name the river and the month. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will price every line that sails it, free and without obligation.
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