Monday, April 1, 2024

USA Cruises: Best United States Cruises 2024 & 2025

best cruise in usa

Before the pandemic, about 10% of people that had never cruised said they "never" would. According to the survey, this number rose to 17% in June 2021, but fell to 14% by August. In every instance, it is followed by Seattle-based Seabourn Cruise Line, Carnival Corporation's ultra-luxury brand. Disney has been named the top cruise line in the Caribbean for the past eight years, according to U.S. To qualify for this category, at least 62% of a cruise line's online traveler reviews must be made by couples.

Cruises in the United States

"T+L readers rave about the consistency of Viking's vessels and their Scandinavian design," cruise expert Fran Golden reported when Viking once again topped T+L's World's Best Awards last year. Viking came in at No. 1 in T+L's best mid-size ship category and river cruise category. Golden said the WBA Hall of Fame honoree's 50 river "longships" are "light-filled floating boutique hotels." Oceania Cruises has just seven ships, but the debut of the brand-new Oceania Vista catapults this cruise line into the luxury division. The cruise line's relatively new Go Local shore excursions for small groups bring travelers to under-the-radar destinations, T+L contributing editor and long-time cruiser Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon reported recently. Her 2022 cruise on Riviera included 70 excursions "from canoeing Croatia’s Cetina River to cooking classes in Athens."

The relationship between ship size and luxury

When it comes to choosing a mainland cruise port as a departure point, you’re spoilt for choice with big player Carnival. Ships depart from every coast in the US, sailing from Baltimore, Galveston, Miami, Port Canaveral, Jacksonville, Mobile, New Orleans, San Diego, Tampa, New York, San Francisco, Charleston and Los Angeles. Each includes three-night short breaks that can easily be tacked on to a land-based city break. The line’s ships are known for their family focus and are kitted out with waterparks and a dazzling array of bars and restaurants. The luxury line Crystal was recently relaunched this past summer following a multimillion-dollar refurbishment across two ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. Its 16-night Miami to San Diego itinerary stops in Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama (where it’ll cross the world-famous Panama Canal); Quepos, Costa Rica; and Alcapoco and Cabo in Mexico.

Highlights Of The Cumberland And Tennessee Rivers

Take time to appreciate American artistry at the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, Kentucky. Rest up from your portside adventures during five days of scenic river cruising. American Cruise Line sails all the waterways mentioned above, while Viking offers itineraries solely on the Mississippi. Additionally, Lindblad Expeditions has introduced a food-and-wine-centric river cruise on the Columbia and Snake rivers.

Pacific Coast

During a call on Richland, Washington, you can admire the scenic beauty around the confluence of the Columbia and Snake rivers at Sacajawea State Park. Viking River Cruises is ideal for those interested in history, culture, and scenic landscapes, with onboard activities such as lectures, workshops, and demonstrations. Big sights come thick and fast on Fred Olsen’s sailing to appreciate the seasonal splendours of autumn. After sailing past the Statue of Liberty there are two days in the Big Apple to admire the skyscrapers, take in a Broadway show and shop.

Booking tips for U.S. cruises

As you can guess by its name, the 15-day Great Lakes Collection sailing—which cruises from Toronto, Canada to Duluth, Minnesota—takes adventure-seeking cruisers on an epic journey around all five majestic Great Lakes. It’s no secret that Alaska is home to some of the country’s best wildlife spotting opps, which is why I was psyched to embark on Holland America’s epic Alaskan Explorer sailing in August 2022. Both on and off the ship, I had the chance to spot many a whale—along with puffins, otters and other adorable and astonishing creatures that call the Last Frontier home. Smaller boutique cruises strive to immerse their guests in the wild Alaska they've researched and desire to experience. Trips to shore rarely involve large port cities except for embarking and disembarking – instead, they drop kayaks in the water from the ship or use a rubber skiff to reach a deserted shoreline for a hike. The communities they visit are usually smaller, like Petersburg, Wrangell or Haines.

best cruise in usa

Night Ultimate Southern CaribbeanDetails

best cruise in usa

The most popular is the Mississippi, but you can also pick Oregon’s lesser-known Columbia and Snake rivers, which follow the pioneering routes of 19th-century explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Alaskan cruises stand out from other cruises because many of the destinations or ports they visit are only reachable by boat or by a long train or car journey. These cruises typically depart from Vancouver, Seattle, or Anchorage and provide a unique experience of sailing past glaciers, anchoring in National Parks, and docking in small towns offering various activities to explore. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. When you book with one of our partners, please be sure to check their site for a full disclosure of all applicable fees as required by the U.S.

The best time to cruise in the USA will vary greatly depending on the region. Cruises sailing from or stopping in Florida or Southern California are available year-round, but regions like Alaska, New England and the Pacific Northwest are primarily summer and early-fall destinations. When this luxury cruise line says it's all-inclusive, it's not overstating.

Best for bachelorettes: Margaritaville at Sea’s Bahamas

THE 25 BEST 7 Day Cruises (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic

THE 25 BEST 7 Day Cruises (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.

Posted: Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:08:02 GMT [source]

While you can’t go wrong with any of the itineraries, I’m especially partial to the four-night Fire & Sunset Soiree sailing, which sails roundtrip from Miami and calls on Key West and Bimini, where the line has its own buzzy beach club. Wherever you sail in the USA, you’ll be captivated by the extraordinary beauty of the landscapes. Hawaii is a lush paradise of rainforest, volcanic peaks, and tumbling waterfalls, while Alaska is wild and untamed, a world of snowy mountains, glaciers, and old-growth forest. Sail the coast of New England in fall and take in the dazzling shades of scarlet and orange on the trees. Or head south to Key West for a setting of coconut palms, sandy beaches, and colorful coral reefs. The USA can rightly claim to have some of the most exciting cities in the world.

However, the cruises also have adult-oriented activities to ensure caretakers can unwind in their exclusive poolside bars and adult only dining facilities. Silversea Cruises is renowned for its luxury cruise experiences with all-inclusive packages. It prides on providing an individualistic yet immersive experience to cruisers, which is why its fleet comprises of smaller sized cruises in comparison to others. Its pristine dining facilities allow passengers to feast on delicious cuisines, complementary caviar, and the finest alcoholic beverages. On its most elegant cruises, Silversea offers its S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) program, which allows cruisers to dive deep into the flavors of the regions they voyage to. Outside of dining, Silversea offers the chance to journey around the seven seas.

These rivers don’t get any bigger than the mighty Mississippi, but there are plenty of other options that may turn your head. However, do keep in mind that world cruises involve several extended periods at sea, which can last for several days. These longer cruises provide a fantastic opportunity to explore some of the world’s most fascinating destinations. Bermuda cruises typically travel from the East Coast of the United States to Bermuda, offering a wide variety of activities to enjoy both on and off land. From building your first pink sand castle to exploring the colorful underwater life, Bermuda has something for everyone.

The Discovery Princess, one of its most appealing tours, is relished amongst wildlife enthusiasts. It offers the chance to sail up into the most spectacular sights in Alaska and interact with native huskies, goats, and even bears. The Discovery Princess has advantage over other cruise ships as the vessel is designed to sail deeper into the crevices surrounding Alaska than normal cruise ships. Go far beyond the typical Alaskan ports in this adrenaline-charged expedition onboard 274-passenger Silver Wind. The ice-class ultra-luxury all-suite vessel spends 18 days exploring authentic Alaska with an impassioned expedition team including biologists and geologists.

Popular world cruise destinations from the United States include Fiji, the Bahamas, Panama, Mexico, France, Spain, Greece, Aruba, Jamaica, Chile, Belize, Brazil, and Portugal. Usually departing from Long Beach, California, Mexican cruises are excellent cruises for first-timers or a weekend trip, with either three or four-night options if you are pressed for time. A Pacific Coastal cruise is an incredible experience that is sure to leave you amazed.

With a legacy stretching back nearly 150 years, Holland America has a deservedly good reputation when it comes to traditional cruise experiences and tasteful ships. Its American itineraries include an Atlantic Coast sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, visiting the history-filled maritime ports of Boston and quaint Bar Harbor. Notable shore excursions include dining on clam chowder and other New England seafood specialities at Union Oyster House, which dates back to 1826 and is Boston’s oldest restaurant. Children are welcome, but you won’t see many outside the holiday season; the line typically attracts a mature crowd.

With the best of both worlds – the natural beauty of the Pacific coast and the luxury of a cruise – this trip is undoubtedly an unforgettable one. The Hawaiian islands are a great cruising destination with many things to do and see. With black-sand beaches, volcanoes, a unique culture and crystal clear waters. Royal Princess' sailing along the California coast is one of the best U.S. cruises.

Understandably, US-based ports are a key feature in all cruise itineraries. Florida, California, and New York are home to some of the busiest cruise ports in the world. Launched in 2022, it's currently the largest river ship in the U.S. and features three restaurants and an aft infinity pool.

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