Chesapeake Bay-American Independence

Cruise the Chesapeake Bay roundtrip from Baltimore on these 6-night  departures! Visit beautiful ports of call like Annapolis, Yorktown, and Tangier Island. But what makes a Chesapeake Bay cruise especially special? Fresh Crab! The history of Chesapeake Bay is alive in these small ports and towns as old as the 1600s. The region has always been important, for trade, industry, and military. Tour the history of early America as you cruise around the Bay including Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown.

 

Including: Baltimore | Yorktown | Cambridge | St. Michaels | Annapolis | Williamsburg | Yorktown

Cruise Details

Clock7 Days & 6 Nights

Double Occupancy from $4,836 pp/do*

Single Occupancyfrom $6,235 pp

CalendarMay 4, 2024 | May 11, 2024 | May 18, 2024 | October 30, 2024

Book Now Request More Info

or call 800.578.1479

*Per person/double occupancy. Special single rates apply where listed. Excludes port fees.
Itineraries may operate in reverse.

Your Itinerary

    1Embark in Baltimore, MD
    From the cobblestone streets to the colonial architecture and Fort McHenry – the history of Baltimore is the history of America.

    2Williamsburg & Yorktown, VA
    No three towns represent early American history better than Yorktown, Colonial Williamsburg, and the Jamestown Settlement. You can take the Yorktown Trolley through 9 stops throughout historic Yorktown, including battlefields and the Watermens Museum. Transportation is available to 18th century Colonial Williamsburg, once the largest British capital in the New World. From there, you can take a shuttle to the Jamestown Settlement, the first permanent English colony established in 1607. If you’d like to spend your day a little differently, head over to the Williamsburg Winery, the largest winery in Virginia.

    3Crisfield, MD & Tangier, VA
    Crisfield is the ‘Blue Crab Capital of the World’! Enjoy a walking tour of the port, with a visit to the Tawes Historical Museum where you can learn about the crabbing history of the port – from the early colonists learning from the Native Americans, to the evolution of modern crab and oyster processing. Just a ferry away is Tangier Island, setting in 1608 by Captain John Smith and now a village built by the crabbing industry and the watermen who work the Bay.

    4Cambridge, MD & Oxford, MD
    See the Bay aboard the skipjack Nathan! Skipjacks are oyster dredging sailboats, used in the Chesapeake Bay since the 1880s. Join the crew of the Nathan as you sail the Choptank River. If you’d rather relax, head towards the 18th century LaGrange Plantation for a Sweet Tea party! Oxford was founded 1683, and quickly set up as the only port of entry for British trade on the East coast. The town flourished until the Revolutionary War, and is now a quiet town that you can explore by walking tour. Or you can choose to visit the Oxford Museum or Oxford Custom House – a replica of the first Federal Custom House.

    5St. Michaels, MD
    Start with a walking tour of colonial St. Michaels before venturing out to explore the many options in this town. St. Michaels is home to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, and 18-acre waterfront property with 10 exhibit buildings, working boatyard and the historic lighthouse. Or take a private eco tour of the Chesapeake Bay with a naturalist to point our wildlife and landmarks as you go.

    6Annapolis, MD
    A trolley tour of Annapolis is available, giving you a good overview of the history and the town. Get your ID out for a tour of the Naval Academy, founded in 1845. Or if those don’t interest you, perhaps visit the Annapolis Maritime Museum, located in an old oyster packing building, or take an audio tour of historic Annapolis.

    7Disembark in Baltimore, MD
    Disembark after breakfast.

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Cabin Categories

Cabin Single Price Double Price
Owner's Suite (Private Balcony)$8,635 pp
AAC (Private Balcony)$6,105 pp
AAL (Private Balcony)$5,885 pp
A$4,835 pp
Single (Private Balcony)$6,235

Ship Read more about the American Independence

*Prices may vary due to seasonality

Crabfest

The fresh and salt waters of the Chesapeake Bay is home to the beautiful and tasty fresh blue crab! The Chesapeake Bay culture and industry, of course, is partially built on this harvest, and people travel from all over the world each year to indulge. Every Chesapeake Bay cruise will serve crab. But the Crabfest dates will dive deep into the culinary and economic legacy of the blue crab in the region.

Onboard Experience

The American Cruise Line fleet of ships are the newest and most environmentally friendly small ships in the US. The cruise line prides itself on their hospitable staff, and that you’ll be graciously received no matter which ship you cruise on. The large staterooms with interior entrances ensure you have a relaxed, private area to watch the river from, or visit any of the many onboard lounges. Daily entertainment will be brought onboard, including musicians, historians and naturalists.

Regionally-Inspired Menus

American Cruise Lines uses fresh, local ingredients to show off the culinary glory of the region you’re cruising in. On the Mississippi River, that could mean Andouille Gumbo, a po’boy with red beans and rice, and bourbon pecan pie. In New England, you could find Littleneck clam ceviche on the menu followed by a spiced apple pudding with maple whipped cream. In the Pacific Northwest, you’ll find fresh fish on the menu, including shrimp bisque or Dungeness Crab cake, and a marionberry cheesecake that’ll make your mouth water! Your ship will provide you with a list of all the locally-sourced ingredients when you unpack.

Eagle Society

Once you’ve cruised aboard any American Cruise Line ship, you are an Eagle Society member. It’s free to be a member, but your loyalty to American Cruise Lines is greatly rewarded. You’ll receive Eagle Society luggage tags, and member-only gifts when you board each cruise. After 3 cruises, you’ll receive complimentary premium shore excursions. After 10 cruises, you’ll get a complimentary 11th cruise. There are special Eagle Society cruise dates every year. Plus all Eagle Society member benefits can be used when booking with USA River Cruises, plus you’ll still be eligible for our loyal customer benefits as well.

Book Today

Chesapeake Bay-American Independence

Book Now Request More Info

or call 800.578.1479

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