River Cruise Destinations

Despite the name, the program extends well beyond rivers. Coastal and island itineraries include the Channel Islands off Los Angeles, the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest, the Hawaiian Islands, the Caribbean, the Galápagos, the New England and Atlantic coastline, the Southeast Intracoastal Waterway, and polar expedition voyages in the Arctic and Antarctic. Rivers are the backbone of the domestic program, but the full catalog covers a wide range of waterway types.

For most first-time small ship cruisers, the domestic program is a strong starting point. American itineraries involve no passport, no international flight, and a cultural story that rewards close attention — Civil War history, Appalachian music, Lewis and Clark country, fall foliage, and wildlife. International itineraries tend to appeal to travelers who have done the domestic routes or who have a specific destination in mind. Call 800-578-1479 and our agents can help you narrow it down based on how much time you have and what kind of experience you are looking for.

River cruises sail inland waterways with a port call most days, typically covering a fixed corridor between two cities over 7 to 22 nights. Expedition cruises are wildlife and nature focused, operating in more remote environments — the Galápagos, Baja California, the polar regions, the Channel Islands, Hawaii — with days built around guided shore outings, snorkeling, and naturalist programming rather than historic port towns. Both use small ships; the experience and pace differ significantly.

Most itineraries in the program are all-inclusive or close to it, with meals, excursions, and onboard programming included in the fare. The specifics vary by ship and itinerary. Our agents will walk you through exactly what is and isn't included on any sailing before you book.

It depends on the destination and time of year. Fall foliage sailings on the Hudson River and in New England fill earliest, often by spring of the same year. Polar expeditions and Galápagos voyages can sell out 12 to 18 months in advance due to limited ship capacity. European Christmas Markets sailings and Hawaii winter departures also book quickly. For most other itineraries, three to six months is a reasonable planning window, though earlier is always better on small ships where cabin counts are limited.