American Cruise Center
Alaska, Hawaii, New England, America’s rivers and every US homeport — your guide to cruising close to home.
Get Your Best Cruise Price FreeAmerica’s Cruise Guide
You do not have to fly overseas to take a remarkable cruise. From Alaska’s glaciers to Hawaii’s volcanoes, New England’s fall color to the Mississippi’s paddlewheel country, some of the world’s best cruising starts in America — often a short drive from home.
American Cruise Center explains how cruising in and from the United States works: which ports sail where, the rules that shape US itineraries, and the American river and coastal lines that sail under the US flag.
Alaska
The Inside Passage from Seattle or Vancouver, or one-way Gulf of Alaska voyages.
Alaska & Hawaii →
New England & Canada
Fall-foliage sailings from Boston and New York, plus the Great Lakes.
See the routes →
US Rivers & Coast
Mississippi, Columbia and Snake, Hudson and the Atlantic coast on small US-flag ships.
Explore →
Drive-To Ports
More than a dozen US homeports put the Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico within reach.
Find your port →
Why Itineraries Look the Way They Do
The Passenger Vessel Services Act explains Victoria, Ensenada and more.
The rule explained →Quick Answers
Can I take a cruise without a passport from the USA?
US citizens on a closed-loop cruise — one that starts and ends at the same US port — can generally sail to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, Bermuda and Canada with a government-issued photo ID and an original or certified birth certificate. A passport is still strongly recommended: if you miss the ship or must fly home from a foreign port, you will need one. Always check the cruise line’s current rules.
What is the only big-ship cruise that sails purely within Hawaii?
NCL’s US-flagged Pride of America, which sails a seven-night round trip from Honolulu. Foreign-flagged ships must include a foreign port, so their Hawaii cruises are longer voyages that usually start on the West Coast or in Vancouver.
Are there cruises that stay entirely inside the USA?
Yes. US-flagged ships — the riverboats and small coastal ships of lines such as American Cruise Lines, and NCL’s Pride of America in Hawaii — can sail between US ports without a foreign stop.
Plan an American Cruise
Tell us your home airport or nearest port and when you want to sail. A true cruise specialist will get you the best cruise price, free.
Get Free Cruise QuotesThis site is part of the Smart Traveler network, led by Peter Coloyan — “Mr. Cruise.” Peter 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.
When you ask for a quote, your request goes to cruise specialists who know the type of cruise you want — not a call center. Meet Mister Cruise →