USA River Cruises has been specializing in small-ship sales for over 20 years, allowing us to become very familiar with all of the vendors we represent. We take great pride in only offering the best of the best when it comes to small-ship cruising.
Our cruise agents have the opportunities to go on these ships so that they can match their clients with a perfect vacation. Our partnership with these companies has helped make the small-ship industry very successful.
We are one of the only cruise agencies in the United States to specialize solely in small-ship cruises. As a result, we are very careful which vendors we choose to offer because we want our clients to have the best experience possible. This page showcases companies and colleagues that also strive for excellence.
American Cruise Lines
American Cruise Lines, the largest cruise line in the U.S., leads the way with the newest fleet of riverboats and small cruise ships in the country. With more than 35 itineraries and the continuous introduction of innovative new ships, the company has elevated the standard of cruising on America’s legendary rivers and waterways.
American Cruise Lines brings premium comfort and personalized service together to offer the most curated experiences on both coasts as well as along the Mississippi.
The line offers the largest staterooms in the industry with all the features of a fine hotel, including full-size bathrooms, and private balconies. Subtle differences, such as interior entrances to each room make such a difference onboard, providing guests with private views through floor-to-ceiling glass doors.
American Cruise Lines introduced a new class of modern riverboats that not only set the standard for U.S. river cruising, but redefined it. The new riverboats integrate contemporary design without sacrificing the intimate atmosphere and comfortable accommodations for which American Cruise Lines is known. Thoughtfully designed to bring the outside world in, the modern riverboats boast sweeping views throughout the ships, with inspiring, four-story glass atriums, spectacular spacious lounges, and furnished, private balconies in each stateroom.
As our industry leader, American Cruise Lines is able to offer guests a customized experience on each of our 35 plus itineraries which visit the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, New England, the Southeast, and the Mississippi River.
Onboard and ashore, we work with our guests to accommodate specific interests, tastes, and needs. Each excursion is meticulously planned and supported by personal guides who are well-versed in the history of the region. Our carefully selected onboard naturalists, historians, and musicians present award-winning enrichment programs that bring each destination to life.
We encourage you to inquire about the premium experiences provided only by American Cruise Lines.
UnCruise Adventures
Finding Our Un-ness
It took grit, hard work, and a bit of luck, but the stars aligned when UnCruise Adventures came to be. Celebrating 25 years of small ship cruise adventures in 2021, UnCruise Adventures operates from offices at historic Fishermen’s Terminal in Seattle, Washington, and Juneau, Alaska.
Connection and innovation have been at the heart of their operations ever since. Driven by a fearless team and a commitment to leaving the beaten path and really exploring — experiencing, even — what the world has to offer.
Our mission: To provide our guests an enriching adventure travel experience and inspire an appreciation of local cultures and the natural world.
We understand that ecosystems are fragile and important to the health of us all. And we know firsthand the impact our adventures have on sustaining local communities. One of the key components of our company’s mission statement is to actively promote environmental protection through education and initiatives that promote responsible travel.
In 1996, American Safari Cruises pioneered yacht cruising in Alaska and, over time, added new destinations, adventures, and vessels. Ultimately, we changed our name to UnCruise Adventures. Today we sail into the next decade of adventure, and we can’t wait to share this unbelievable world with you.
— Captain Dan Blanchard, CEO
A quick note about Capt. Blanchard: We’ve all heard a tall tale or two, but when it comes to Captain Dan Blanchard … well, he’s the real thing.
Growing up in Washington state, he has always been around boats. Even as a kid, Dan worked alongside other family members restoring the family’s wooden tug. And the reward of all that hard work paid off in a big way: exploring winding waterways, beachcombing on remote shores, oyster picking and clam digging, learning to skin dive, getting up close with incredible wildlife and cultural encounters, and enjoying a lifetime on the water.
At this point, it’s just part of his genetic makeup.
Viking Cruises
Viking Cruises is a family-run international cruise line with river cruises on three continents and ocean cruises worldwide. Viking was founded in 1997 with the purchase of four ships in Russia. Currently, their fleet is more than 60 vessels — state-of-the-art ships that continue to receive industry accolades every year.
Viking is the world’s leading river cruise line and continues to build positive industry exposure to cruising clientele.
Pearl Seas Cruises
Pearl Seas Cruises defines Luxury Adventure™ every day with enticing destinations that bring regional culture and natural beauty to life.
As the premier small cruise ship on the Canadian Maritimes, St. Lawrence Seaway, and the Great Lakes, we offer the excitement and romance of the sea in an intimate and personalized setting.
Aboard our exquisitely appointed ship, Pearl Mist, guests can immerse themselves in the unique character and customs of each captivating port. The enrichment program begins on the ship and continues each day through exciting shore excursions led by our knowledgeable expert guides.
At more than 300 square feet, our staterooms are luxurious and spacious. Guests will find everything they would expect from a world-class hotel, including full-size bathrooms, flat-screen satellite TVs, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
The views from our staterooms are always magnificent and can be enjoyed comfortably through floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors or by stepping out onto a fully furnished, private balcony.
Other onboard amenities include a well-stocked library, dining salon with panoramic views, three spacious observation decks, several lounges, and an elevator serving all stateroom decks.
At Pearl Seas, fine cuisine is an important part of the cruise experience. Our chefs create a delectable array of local flavors and traditional fare for each and every meal.
Each menu offers something for everyone and changes to complement the season and the region guests are traveling. All dietary needs and special requests are handled with precision and care. Meals are prepared to order and served in the gracious dining room, where all guests can be accommodated at once and every seat offers a panoramic view of the passing scenery.
To experience the best in small ship cruising, Explore Well™ with Pearl Seas Cruises.
AMA Waterways
Ama Waterways was founded in 2002 by three families, but our river cruise story began well before that.
President Rudi Schreiner was born in Vienna, at the heart of the Danube. His love of design drew him to architecture, but his even greater love of travel drew him to places far and wide.
In 1975, he traveled to South America for a journalism assignment on the Amazon. It was here that he designed his first ship, using what he could find to build a raft that would take him up and down the river during the next seven months.
Soon thereafter, he started working in travel, creating unique tour experiences in Europe.
Scenic Cruise Lines
With Scenic, the difference is in the details. We are proud to draw upon over 35 years of innovating and placing our guests at the heart of everything we do. Your Journey Designers have handcrafted intriguing itineraries and exceptional enriching experiences in unique locations in Europe. Your suite sanctuary is pure luxury. Your chefs are creative geniuses. Your butler will anticipate your every need. You are the reason for why we are strive to create wonder and the perfect journey. It’s more than personalized travel, it’s everything you desire taken to the nth degree. With Scenic, it’s more than a five-star river cruise, it is truly all-inclusive luxury in a class of its own. We look forward to welcoming you on board.
Lindblad / National Geographic
For 134 years, National Geographic has sent explorers across continents and into remote cultures, down to the oceans and up the highest mountains in an effort to better understand the world and our relationship to it. National Geographic Expeditions grew from this legacy as a way to invite others to explore and be transformed by the experience. You gain access to fascinating people and places all over the globe. You’re enriched by the knowledge of our experts and guides, and by the local experts you meet along the way. This is the National Geographic difference.
Linblad ships have partnered with National Geographic to create unique expedition cruises in the United States and around the world.
Paul Gaugin Cruises
Discover the world’s most coveted destinations with Paul Gauguin Cruises
Author James A. Michener called Bora Bora “the most beautiful island in the world,” and his Bali Hai, immortalized in song in the musical South Pacific, is believed to have been modeled on Moorea.
Painter Paul Gauguin came to Tahiti for inspiration, and W. Somerset Maugham’s novel “The Moon and Sixpence” was inspired by that artistic journey.
French Polynesia continues to create wonder in those who visit — and you can experience it in just one week on our best-selling itinerary.
Specialists
As the specialists to this idyllic region, Paul Gauguin Cruises reveals the ancient traditions, breathtaking scenic beauty, easygoing spirit, and warm hospitality of French Polynesia as no one else can.
Designed specifically to sail these turquoise waters, The Gauguin also brings on board the Polynesian culture and joie de vivre that only the experts in the region can share.
You’ll also enjoy extraordinary value, with luxurious ocean view accommodations, all meals plus select wines and spirits in restaurants onboard, room service, watersports, private beach retreats, and entertainment included throughout your voyage.
Guests of The Gauguin also enjoy educational programming for adults and families, provided aboard ship by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). Throughout the year, a series of lectures will enlighten guests of the ship about marine science and wildlife conservation in the South Pacific and beyond.
Paul Gauguin Cruises is proud to collaborate with WCS in support of a healthy and sustainable planet.
All along the way, you’ll enjoy warm Polynesian hospitality, luxurious amenities, gourmet dining, and our extraordinary all-inclusive value — all at savings of 50% off standard cruise fares. Plus, roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles is included!
View a video preview of what you can experience aboard The Gauguin.
The Paul Gauguin can accommodate just 332 guests and offers an informal ambiance that reflects the relaxed nature of the region. Tahitians who serve as staff, entertainers, and storytellers called Les Gauguines add a uniquely Polynesian touch to life on board.
This is an all-inclusive experience, with airfare from LAX, gratuities, 24-hour room service, beverages, including select wines and spirits, and private island retreats. Voyages range from seven to 14 nights.
Barge Ladies Cruises
As leaders with longevity in the barging industry since 1985, our greatest pleasure is using our unparalleled expertise, educated insights, and exclusive connections to confidently match our guests with their “perfect” barge cruise. Our top team of Barge Ladies collectively boast over seven decades of experience in the worlds of barge cruising, luxury hospitality, and culinary tourism. We look forward to helping you Go Beyond the Boat with us visiting France, Ireland, Scotland, England, Holland, Italy, and Germany.
With Barge Lady Cruises, you get the experience of floating down European rivers and canals with the people you love on a curated luxury tour created around your unique interests for a unique journey. With the Barge Ladies, your trip becomes more than just your vacation: it becomes your dream.
See inside a few of our unique and characterful barges: L’Art de Vivre, L’Impressioniste, Luciole, the Prosperite, and the Rendez-Vous who all sail the peaceful inner waterways of France,or the Shannon Princess who can take you to see the magic of Ireland.
The Northern Dream
Our Alaska Yacht Charter cruises take you on a journey to experience some of nature’s most awe-inspiring sites. We are dedicated to giving you the best Alaska cruise experience at the most reasonable price, affording you a trip to some of the world’s most exciting destinations. You’ll be exploring remote waterways in your own kayak one day, then experiencing up close glaciers and icebergs the next.
We believe that when you do what you love, success is sure to follow. At Northern Dream Alaska Yacht Charters, we truly love sharing the beauty of Alaska with our customers from the comfort of the gorgeous 6-person Northern Dream. All of our Captains are U.S. Coast Guard Licensed with countless years of maritime experience between them. Their goal is to provide quality service beyond what is expected and ensure that you enjoy the best vacation of your life.
Windstar Cruises
All cruise ships let you see the world. Only Windstar’s private yacht style cruises brings you close enough so you can truly experience it. Each of our Windstar Cruises yachts serves between 148 and 342 guests. This intimacy provides you with the luxuries of time, space and freedom to immerse yourself in both the journey and the destination — in ways you may never have imagined possible. Perfectly sized: Our fleet of ships are large enough to pamper you, yet small enough to explore the coves and charming villages beyond the ordinary.
We go out of our way to find the out-of-the-way places you’ll want to experience.
Emerald Cruises
Discover the world with Emerald!
Rocky Mountaineer
Offering truly moving train journeys, the Rocky Mountaineer takes you where the majesty of the Rockies meets the comfort of luxury train travel.
Rocky Mountaineer offers luxury train journeys through Western Canada and the American Southwest. Our world-renowned train travels by daylight and is the best way to experience some of the most spectacular scenery North America has to offer.
Rocky Mountaineer’s commitment to sustainability focuses on protecting the areas we travel through, using resources wisely as we operate our business, and supporting our local communities. We partner with and support organizations that protect nature and wildlife, honor local culture, and inspire action to deliver meaningful impact in our communities.
Rocky Mountaineer offers two levels of service: SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf. Both come with friendly Hosts, gourmet breakfasts and lunches, and endlessly amazing views. Enjoy the train by day and the comfort of top hotels by night. The best of both worlds!
Best of the Northwest
Best of the Northwest was a website created out of love for locally-owned businesses right here in the Pacific Northwest. Two local travel business owners wanted one website where they could really show off the excellent things to do, places to stay, tours to take, and more.
If you’re coming to the Northwest for a Puget Sound or Columbia River cruise, check out the Best of the Northwest website to get ideas for mini-vacations and tours before, during, or after your cruise.
America’s Hub World Tours
America’s Hub World Travel & Tours is a professional services company possessing extensive local knowledge, expertise, and resources, specializing in the design and implementation of events, activities, tours, transportation, and program logistics.
We specialize in unique travel experiences in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Choose from a selection of fully independent travelers (FIT) tours, group package excursions with scheduled and customized departures, transportation and tour activities for groups, business travel, leisure, conference, conventions, and more.
River Travel Magazine
River Travel Magazine focuses on communities and attractions on both sides of the Mississippi River and was formed to showcase the nationally designated and internationally known Great River Road, 3,000 miles bordering the Mississippi River from Lake Itasca to New Orleans.
Learn more about the top destinations along the Mississippi River here.
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