American Cruise Lines embraces a truly all-inclusive philosophy: your fare covers entertainment, gratuities, and every meal, snack, and drink, including top-shelf spirits, available around the clock. From farm-fresh breakfasts to regionally inspired dinners, you won’t need to reach for your wallet once you’ve stepped on board.
That “no nickel-and-diming” approach sets the stage for a refined voyage where you can relax in a spacious balcony stateroom as the world glides past, a glass of local wine in hand. And speaking of staterooms, they’re some of the largest at sea. American Cruise Lines offers accommodations starting at 250 square feet, with suites reaching up to an impressive 600 square feet. When it comes to both dining and room options, American Cruise Lines delivers comfort and quality in equal measure.
Before we dive in, remember that you can always reach out to us by clicking the Request a Quote button. We’re here to help with anything related to American Cruise Lines, whether you have questions about itineraries, stateroom options, or what’s included in your fare. Getting in touch with us is completely free, and when you book your trip through one of our expert travel advisors, you never pay anything extra.
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American Cruise Lines Room Options
Although stateroom layouts vary slightly depending on the ship, American Cruise Lines typically offers just two main categories: Balcony Staterooms and Suites. A few of the older vessels feature staterooms with large picture windows instead of full balconies, but that’s more the exception than the rule. One thing you won’t find anywhere in the fleet? Interior cabins. Every room offers natural light, so no matter where you stay, you’ll always wake up to a view of the outside world.
Another standout feature is the availability of dedicated Single Balcony Staterooms, perfect for solo travelers who want comfort without paying double. These cabins are surprisingly spacious, starting at around 250 square feet and reaching up to 300 on select ships. That’s a generous amount of room for a single guest, making solo travel with American Cruise Lines both convenient and luxurious.
Balcony Cabins
- Size: from approximately 250 to 350 square feet.
Balcony staterooms are the standard across most American Cruise Lines ships, ranging from dedicated Single Balcony Cabins to spacious Deluxe Balconies. Subcategories may vary slightly in name depending on the vessel. For instance, some older ships feature a Standard Waterview Cabin with a large picture window instead of a balcony. However, the majority of ships offer Premium Balcony Staterooms, which include a private veranda and typically measure around 310 square feet.
While some ships offer multiple balcony subcategories, the onboard experience and amenities remain consistent across all of them. Every balcony cabin includes a full bathroom with a large walk-in shower, premium toiletries, a hairdryer, and plush towels. Storage is generous, with a wardrobe, full-size dresser, under-bed storage, and desk drawers. Each stateroom also comes equipped with individual climate control, a flat-screen TV, a safe, USB charging ports, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
American Cruise Lines also extends a warm welcome to solo travelers, with Single Balcony Staterooms available across the fleet. Guests who prefer to occupy a double stateroom alone can expect a single supplement of 150% to 175% of the double occupancy fare, depending on the stateroom category selected.
Suites
- Size: from approximately 350 to 620 square feet.
Suites aboard American Cruise Lines are essentially expanded Balcony Staterooms, offering more indoor space, larger private verandas, and an elevated level of comfort. Each suite features a dedicated seating area with a flat-screen TV, as well as a king-size bed or two twin beds, depending on your preference. The bathroom is also bigger, with a walk-in shower, premium toiletries, plush towels, robes, a hairdryer, and thoughtful touches throughout.
Storage is ample, with a wardrobe, full-size dresser, and desk drawers, giving you plenty of space to unpack and stretch your legs. Other amenities include individual climate control, a personal safe, USB charging ports, and complimentary Wi-Fi. Suites also come with a stocked mini-fridge filled with beverages, and guests receive nightly “suite treats” delivered right to their room. As a special touch, a bottle of champagne is usually provided on one evening of the cruise.
Butler service is not offered for suite guests, nor is there priority embarkation or disembarkation, though with ships accommodating no more than 180 guests, this is rarely necessary.
Dining Options onboard American Cruise Lines
Most American Cruise Lines ships feature a single main dining venue - simply called The Restaurant - along with a casual outdoor café for lighter fare and snacks. This may feel like a noticeable contrast if you're accustomed to large ocean liners with dozens of specialty dining options. However, it's important to remember that these are small river ships designed for just 100 to 180 guests. That means virtually no lines, no reservations required, and a more relaxed, intimate dining experience. And yes, the food is genuinely good.
One of the highlights of dining onboard is the regionally inspired menu, thoughtfully curated to reflect the destinations you’re exploring. For example, sailings along the Columbia and Snake Rivers might feature a seared filet of beef paired with creamy potato purée, while Alaska itineraries may offer Alaskan salmon marsala with a balsamic wild rice pilaf. Fresh ingredients are sourced locally and brought aboard daily, often from the very farms and vineyards visited during your excursions.
Dietary Needs
Special menus are available for guests with dietary restrictions, and most special dietary needs can be accommodated with ease, though advance notice is always appreciated. If you’re booking through us at Famvia, we’re happy to assist by contacting American Cruise Lines on your behalf prior to embarkation to ensure everything is arranged to your preferences.
Dress Code
Casual resort attire is recommended both onboard and ashore.
For dinner, men typically wear a collared shirt with slacks, and may choose to add a sport coat or sweater for a more refined look. Women often opt for a dress, or a stylish blouse paired with slacks or a skirt. In the evening, particularly in the main dining room, American Cruise Lines encourages guests to dress as they would for an elegant dinner out.
Room Service
American Cruise Lines offers room service, primarily during breakfast hours, allowing you to enjoy a quiet morning meal in the comfort of your stateroom. Specific offerings may vary slightly from ship to ship. As always, our team at Famvia is happy to confirm the details for your specific sailing and ensure everything is tailored to your preferences.
Main Dining Room
Each American Cruise Lines ship has one main dining room that is called The Restaurant. American Cruise Lines offers open seating at every meal in the spacious dining room, which accommodates all guests at one seating making dining a great time to share your experiences with companions and build new friendships. Dining is often available from 5:15pm all the way to 9:00pm.
Here is an example of the delicious cuisine you might enjoy on a Mississippi River cruise.
Other Dining Options
There are usually two other spots for food onboard an American Cruise Lines ship.
The Sky Lounge, located at the aft of the ship, is open 24/7 and an elegant setting for guests to socialize, or simply take in the passing scenery. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy light snacks and cocktails at any hour.
For those in search of a lighter bite, the Back Porch Café offers a casual, al fresco dining experience. From freshly prepared sandwiches and burgers to crisp salads and regional specialties, there’s something to satisfy every palate.
Is there a Buffet onboard American Cruise Lines?
The answer is… generally no. Most American Cruise Lines ships do not offer a traditional buffet. Instead, meals are thoughtfully prepared to order and served in the main dining venues.
However, on some of the older ships without an outdoor café, you may occasionally find a small buffet setup in the Sky Lounge, typically during breakfast hours. Still, the focus across the fleet remains on made-to-order dining.
Are there specialty restaurants onboard American Cruise Lines?
No, there aren't any specialty restaurants that cost extra on American Cruise Lines. Every meal, snack, and beverage onboard is included in your cruise fare. You can indulge in a wide selection of wines, beers, cocktails, and an array of delicious dishes without any additional cost. Plus, there’s no need to make reservations for the onboard restaurant, allowing you to dine at your convenience and at your leisure.
Is there any Drink Package Available onboard American Cruise Lines?
No. Since every drink is already included in your cruise fare - from specialty coffee to cocktails and wine - there is no need for a drink package onboard American Cruise Lines.
Why book American Cruise Lines with us?
We are not just cruise specialists, we are river cruise specialists. River cruising is growing fast and shows no signs of slowing down. That is why we have spent years researching and booking river cruises for our clients, including trips with American Cruise Lines.
We have also worked with well-known names like Viking and A-Rosa, and we are one of the few websites that already feature a guide for Celebrity Cruises and their upcoming river cruise offerings. When it comes to planning, finding the best value, and supporting you before, during, and after your journey, we are here to help. We can assist with choosing the right itinerary, explain the all-inclusive packages, and even share our own insights about places like the Mississippi River and Alaska.
In short, we are here to guide you every step of the way. Just click the Request a Quote button to get in touch. There is no fee to contact us, and booking your cruise through us never costs anything extra. You get expert service and personal attention without paying a cent more! All that is left for you to do is relax and enjoy your river cruise experience.
