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America History Cruise & Sightseeing Tour

If you're on the hunt for an all-encompassing tour that will take you right into the pages of history, you can't go wrong with an American History cruise and tour with Princess Cruises.

For eight days, you'll enjoy an amazing trip into our nation's past, exploring monumental sites from the colonial era, Revolutionary War, and Civil War along with an array of historic monuments that represent the American character. Eager explorers will depart from Washington, D.C. to visit Williamsburg, Staunton, Gettysburg, and Philadelphia before embarking on a cruise in New York Harbor and making your way into New England for the cruise part of the vacation.

Here are some of the amazing historic destinations you'll encounter on a historic sightseeing cruise.

The Jefferson Memorial

Principle author of the Declaration of Independence, statesman, scholar, and our third president, there's little doubt that Thomas Jefferson was one of the most important founding fathers in U.S. history. From your port of call in Washington, D.C., you'll have the opportunity to pay homage to Jefferson's legacy at the Jefferson Memorial. Located along the National Mall, this incredible monument was completed in 1947 and features an impressive dome sheltering a solid bronze status of this important American figure.

Gettysburg National Military Park

One of the deadliest conflicts in our nation's history, the Battle of Gettysburg marked a turning point for Union forces in the Civil War. The battle led to President Abraham Lincoln's most famous speech: the Gettysburg Address. Today, you can visit the site of this major American event, marvel at the vintage cannons, Civil War re-enactors and the expansive graveyard left behind.

Independence Hall

A little farther north and east of Gettysburg lies the city of Philadelphia, one of the nation's oldest and most historically significant metropolises. In particular, the City of Brotherly Love is the home of Independence Hall, where the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. In these halls once stood the likes of Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. And across the street from Independence Hall, you can also visit the cracked Liberty Bell.

So if you're looking to immerse yourself in folds of U.S. history, look no further than a history cruise from Princess Cruises. You're bound to learn a thing or two about our great nation, all while enjoying traveling on a premium cruise. Begin your journey back to the past, and visit historic ports and cities throughout Canada and New England.

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Top 13 Cruise Destinations for History Buffs

There is a plethora of rich history and new cultures around the world just waiting for you to explore. The range is so wide that unfortunately, it can be extremely difficult to get around to them all. Thankfully, there are many  great cruise lines which sail to renowned cruise destinations for history that can help fill that gap.

Being on a cruise allows you to see many great places on the same vacation. There are also many destinations that only need a day for a visit, therefore a cruise is the perfect answer. Here we have a look at the 13 top cruise destinations that will allow you to take a step back in time.

• Lisbon, Portugal
• Hiroshima, Japan
• Dubrovnik, Croatia
• Stockholm, Sweden
• Kusadasi, Turkey
• Quebec City, Canada
• Beijing, China
• Istanbul, Turkey
• London, England
• New York, USA
• Cairo, Egypt
• Athens, Greece
• Rome, Italy

13. Lisbon, Portugal

Not content with just having one UNESCO site, Lisbon actually has two to boast about. One of them is a monastery that was built in the 16th century and the other is a turreted tower that was built in the 17th century, both are remarkable historic sites that are a wonder to behold.

The city itself is beautiful which makes it one of the best cruise destinations you can visit. The city was once ruled by Julius Caesar and is built on a hillside that overlooks a beautiful bay. It’s colorful buildings and old world charm makes it an incredible place to visit. 

There are many different cruise companies that travel to the area, with MSC Cruises having a lot of great European destinations. It will allow you take in the history of Lisbon as well as many other destinations.

12. Hiroshima, Japan

Japan is a country that is filled with a vibrant culture and history, but it also has places that show a much more somber side of the country. In 1945 the United States launched the first and, to date, only nuclear bomb in the history of conflict. 

It caused the death of nearly a quarter of a million people and there are three sites where that is honored. There is the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and also the Memorial Cathedral for World Peace. 

The city gives you a chance to reflect on the brutal history of WWII and the more positive relationship that has blossomed between the two countries. Setting sail with Holland America Line gives you a chance to reflect on and learn from the past while exploring the rest of the beautiful country.

11. Dubrovnik, Croatia

Croatia is a magnificent coastal city that has many beautiful cities, but none more so than Dubrovnik. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and there are many great activities to do in the city. It also has a fascinating history too. 

The city has a one and a half mile wall that used to protect the city from attack. It was made in the 13th century and protects the Old Town, which is a romantic step into the past. The turrets and towers of the city are a great historical treat. 

If you want to get there in style on a luxury cruise then there is no better cruise line to use than SeaDream Yacht Club . Their small ships give you the best experience possible to explore the history of this amazing historic destination. 

10. Stockholm, Sweden

One look at Stockholm on a map and you will see just how unique it is, as the city is built over many different islands. The old town section of the city was formed in the 13th century and possesses a huge amount of charm, history and romance.

There are many historical sites to see in and around Stockholm such as grand churches, great museums as well as royal palaces to visit too. It will give you a greater depth of knowledge about Scandinavian culture and history. 

Many lines have it as a port of call, but Costa Cruise Lines especially has many itineraries that are able to explore the areas that have a great amount of history. Stockholm is a wonderful destination and one that you would surely love.

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9. Kusadasi, Turkey

Kusadasi is a perfect cruise destination in itself as it has a beautiful port with picturesque scenes and great beaches. Just away from the city though is one of the most fascinating historical sites that you can see in the world. 

That’s because close by there is the ancient Roman city of Ephesus and in its time, was the second largest city in the world. Amazingly it was built right by the sea but after a few thousand years of silt build up, it’s now three miles away from the shore.

It is the home of a 25,000 seater amphitheater as well as fascinating streets of ruins for you to marvel at. It allows you to step back nearly 2,000 years in history and see how the Romans lived. Windstar Cruises is the perfect way to get you to this once ancient cruise destination. 

8. Quebec City, Canada

While there are still many walled cities around the world, there is only one in North America, and that is Quebec City in Canada. It goes back to the time that the British took the city from the French and decided to fortify their position in the country.

The district of Quebec is a UNESCO world heritage site and still remains very French in its nature, not only with its culture but also with the language too. It’s a great place to visit and is extremely unique when compared to any other city that is north of Mexico. 

With its clifftop position, it is also a very beautiful city. Having a tour of Canada and New England will give you a great insight into the culture and history of both countries. Princess Cruises can offer you that amazing experience, with many itineraries that you can choose from.

7. Beijing, China

As you can imagine there is a huge amount of history in Beijing. In order to get there you need to stop off in the port of Tianjin but it’s only a short journey to the nation’s capital. There are many great palaces that you will be able to visit.

One of the most interesting historical sites to see is the Forbidden City which was inaccessible to the public for 500 years. If you have more time on your journey, then you could also see the Great Wall of China.

Wherever you go in Beijing, you’re going to be surrounded by an epic amount of history. Celebrity Cruises has an itinerary that includes a two-night stay in Beijing, allowing you to see the Great Wall and many more amazing sights that China has to offer.

6. Istanbul, Turkey

It’s possible that Istanbul is the most important capital city in world history as, under its former name of Constantinople, it was the capital of three different empires. The Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman empires all called it home. 

It is also a city in two different continents as one side is in Europe and the other is in Asia. All of that means that there is an incredible amount of history and diversity in the city, which can easily be explored once you leave the confines of your cruise ship.

There are many museums and religious buildings to marvel at, as well as a Grand Bazaar which has over 4,000 shops. It is an amazing cruise experience and one that can be served by Holland America Line which would be able to give you a top class experience. 

5. London, England

There is too much history in London to see it all in a day or two but there are many incredible sights that you could fit into a short space of time. You could see Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament and many more in just one day.

It is perfect for a history cruise. In order to get there, you will need a transfer from the port but this can easily be done via an excursion. You could also decide to take a quick river cruise where you will be able to see many of its famous sites.

One of the great aspects of London is that it has history from a wide range of different time periods and eras. It’s a stunning place to visit and Norwegian Cruise Line has several itineraries that can take you there. 

4. New York, USA

The history of New York is deep and diverse with many fascinating places for you to visit such as Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. In a similar way to Australia, it has a fascinating tale of immigration and the development of a metropolitan area.

There are many shore excursions that you can take and you will see famous landmarks all around you. It’s somewhere that you always see featured in films and TV shows. Seeing the real thing, however, is a completely different experience.

New York is a top destination for a huge number of people and it’s something that you have to see if you are able to. Seeing it from the water offers you a unique experience and then you can step on the ground and see it close up with Crystal Cruises . 

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3. Cairo, Egypt

There are certain destinations that have such an intriguing mystique and history around them that you simply just have to visit it to truly appreciate it. Stepping back in time and seeing how the ancient Egyptians lived, could be a fascinating cruise experience, where you would be able to visit many notable sights.

The pyramids are the headline act and to see them up close is incredibly breathtaking. There are many excursions available for you to see them and you might also get the opportunity to traverse the desert via camel ride, view the infamous Sphinx and a walk through the historical Egyptian markets. 

There are no large cruise ships that head into Cairo but it’s only a short trip away from Port Said. You may as well make it into an epic world cruise and Cunard offers a 99-day trip that will stay in the port overnight and allow you to visit the ancient city and fully explore it.

2. Athens, Greece

Just like being in Cairo, the chance to go to Athens should never be turned down. Greek civilization is another that helped to shape the modern world that we live in today. Athens played witness to the birth of democracy and many famous philosophers.  

It is one of the most historic ports in the world and there are plenty of historic sites to see. None more so than heading up to the Acropolis and seeing the Parthenon where you will be able to see the former temple that was made for the gods.

Seeing such a strikingly historical city on an elegant and classy cruise ship seems like a perfect cruise vacation in the making. You can make that dream comes true with Viking Cruises who can give you an incredible experience on your journey there.

1. Rome, Italy

Rome is a UNESCO world heritage site and it’s no surprise as it is the most fascinating place on the planet. It is a haven for history buffs as you are going to be able to see many incredible sites in a short space of time, but you need to spend your time wisely to get the most out of it. 

The Colosseum is a must-see, even if you don’t get to go inside it. The Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon don’t require any queuing to see their beauty and there are other great sites to see such as the Spanish Steps, Castel Sant’Angelo and Piazza Navona.

If you have more time then you can step into another country. In Vatican City you can see St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican museum and the Sistine Chapel. If you’re lucky, you might also catch a glimpse of the Pope. A quick transfer from Civitavecchia with Seabourn will allow you to visit this amazing historically packed destination.

Cruise destinations for history buffs

Whether you are roaming around the South Pacific or heading through Europe, there is history in all corners of the globe. There are many cruise lines with different itineraries to choose from that are going to be able to take you there on a vacation that you’ll never forget.

You always want to make sure that you are prepared beforehand to ensure that you get the most out of your time at port. By the time you have gotten back to the ship, your mind would have been opened to the fascinating history of the world.

To make the search for the perfect vacation as easy as possible for you, you can directly check out the cruises going to the 5 best cruise destinations for history buffs here: 

1. Best Cruises to Southern Europe (Mediterranean)

2.  Best Cruises to Middle East

3. Best North America Cruises

4.  Best Asia Cruises

5. Best Cruises to Northern Europe (Baltics)

Check out these articles for more top destinations:

• Top 13 Cruise Destinations for Food Lovers
• Top 13 Cruise Destinations for Beaches
• Top 13 Cruise Destinations for Romance

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Best Mississippi River cruises for seniors, history buffs and Americana lovers

Mississippi River cruises have surged in popularity in recent decades. They are especially appealing to mature travelers looking to enjoy guided tours of top cities and small towns in several Southern and Midwestern states.

Add in regionally inspired cuisine enjoyed aboard a luxurious river ship, plus the camaraderie of other culturally curious travelers, and cruising the most celebrated river in the United States promises satisfaction on multiple levels.

Two major cruise lines sail the Mississippi, which stretches 2,340 miles from New Orleans to Minneapolis-St. Paul: American Cruise Lines and Viking . Each line offers several similar itineraries ranging from eight to 22 days, but the ships themselves differ. Some are retro-inspired paddlewheelers, others sleek modern riverboats. The onboard dining and entertainment, as well as the excursions in port, also vary across the lines.

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We've rounded up the best Mississippi River cruises for seniors, history buffs and Americana lovers, so you can find your perfect U.S. river cruise itinerary based on your interests and travel preferences.

Best cruise for Civil War history: Lower Mississippi (round-trip New Orleans)

The Deep South attracts history buffs with its Civil War battlefields and cemeteries and 18th- and 19th-century mansions guarded by regiments of live oaks. Both cruise lines offer a Lower Mississippi river cruise, sailing round-trip from New Orleans, but only one features multiple excursions geared to those with a keen interest in the 19th-century conflict.

On American Cruise Lines' eight-day New Orleans to New Orleans itinerary , cruisers can visit Vicksburg, Mississippi, where the National Military Park commemorates the campaign, siege and defense of Vicksburg in 1863. In Louisiana's capital, Baton Rouge, a guided excursion explores critical locations in the Civil War's Battle of Baton Rouge and Port Hudson.

Other ports bring to life the pre-war South. In Oak Alley, Louisiana, guests can tour a Greek Revival mansion on a sugar plantation built and maintained by slaves. While no Civil War fighting took place in Natchez, Mississippi, the city is home to hundreds of lavish mansions from the era and the Historic Natchez Cemetery, which dates to 1822.

This itinerary is offered on five American Cruise Lines ships, ranging from the 150-passenger classic paddlewheeler American Heritage to the 180-passenger modern riverboat American Serenade. American Cruise Lines is known for its regionally inspired cuisine, served with complimentary wine and beer at lunch and dinner, plus complimentary cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and hosted entertainment in the main lounges.

Some excursions and a pre-cruise hotel stay in the Big Easy are included in the cruise fare. You can book additional day tours for an extra cost.

Related: Best river cruise lines around the world

If you're especially passionate about Civil War history, look for American Cruise Lines' special Civil War-themed cruises on limited dates, which allow a deeper dive into the period. These include an eight-day Lower Mississippi itinerary from Memphis to New Orleans (or vice versa).

In addition to visiting monuments and museums, you'll enjoy onboard lectures and presentations and interaction with other Civil War buffs. These sailings are aboard 180-guest American Serenade and American Symphony.

Best cruise for music: Lower Mississippi (New Orleans to Memphis)

If you love the musical genres of the South, a Mississippi River cruise from New Orleans to Memphis (or vice versa) should be your choice.

From Crescent City, the birthplace of American jazz, to Memphis, known as the Home of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock 'n Roll, this itinerary celebrates the region's homegrown rhythms. Both cruise lines offer itineraries between New Orleans and Memphis, but Viking features more excursions and onboard experiences tailored to music lovers.

Viking's 12-day Heart of the Delta itinerary includes a two-night pre-cruise hotel stay in New Orleans (beginning with 2024 itineraries). This allows ample time to enjoy the city's street musicians and jazz clubs.

In Baton Rouge, you can visit the Capitol Park Museum, which showcases exhibits dedicated to Louisiana's musical heritage and Mardi Gras traditions. While in Natchez, Mississippi, classical music (played on a 1903 Steinway piano) and Southern cuisine are the stars of the excursion to Lansdowne and Joseph Stone House.

The port call in Greenville, Mississippi, is steeped in the blues with a chance to visit a museum dedicated to hometown legend B.B. King. The grand finale of the cruise is two nights in Memphis, where you can enjoy all things blues, barbecue and Elvis Presley.

Viking is a newcomer to the Mississippi River, and all sailings are aboard the 386-guest Viking Mississippi. The riverboat debuted in 2022 and features a modern Scandinavian design.

Passengers can enjoy a sun terrace with an aft infinity pool and an Explorer's Lounge with panoramic forward views of the Mississippi. The Restaurant serves both Southern regional cuisine and global favorites, and the ship welcomes local musicians onboard for evening entertainment.

Related: First impressions of a US river cruise on American Queen

Best cruise for art and architecture: Upper Mississippi

An Upper Mississippi cruise between St. Louis, Missouri, and St. Paul, Minnesota, provides access to some of the top architectural landmarks and artistic treasures of the American Heartland — from Eero Saarinen's soaring Gateway Arch to Frank Lloyd Wright's inimitable Taliesin.

Both cruise lines offer Upper Mississippi sailings from July through September. Viking and American Cruise Lines' itineraries and excursions are our picks for fans of American art and architecture.

Viking River Cruises' American Heartland itinerary sails from St. Louis to St. Paul (or vice versa) and runs eight days in 2023 and 12 days with pre- and post-cruise stays in 2024. You'll explore architectural gems aboard Viking Mississippi, itself an example of sleek, Scandinavian-inspired nautical architecture.

Highlights include St. Louis, where you'll admire Saarinen's circa-1965 Gateway Arch, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis featuring a 41-million-piece mosaic and the Renaissance Revival-style City Hall. From Dubuque, Iowa, you can head to Spring Green, Wisconsin, to visit Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright's private home, studio and school from 1911 to 1959.

After a day in Redwing, Minnesota, known for its pottery studios, you'll end your journey in the Twin Cities, home to the Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Institute of Art in Minneapolis and well-preserved Victorian buildings in St. Paul.

Related: River cruise packing list: What to pack when traveling by riverboat

American Cruise Line's eight-day Upper Mississippi river cruise covers much of the same ground, with a few differences. Sailings are available on the 150-passenger paddlewheeler American Heritage as well as on three sleek new 180-guest riverboats, American Melody, American Serenade and American Symphony.

Beyond the landmarks of St. Louis, highlights include Davenport, Iowa, where you can visit the Smithsonian-affiliated Putnam Museum, and Dubuque, Iowa, known for its colorful Victorian mansions. (An excursion to the Field of Dreams featured in the 1989 Kevin Costner movie is also available.)

Winona, Minnesota, boasts some of the state's most architecturally significant buildings, many featuring the beautiful stained glass for which the city is known. Then it's off to Red Wing, Minnesota, where you can explore the Pottery Museum before completing your journey in the Twin Cities.

Best extended cruise: Complete Mississippi

Want it all? You can visit up to 20 ports in as many as nine states on a 22-day Mississippi River journey from New Orleans to St. Paul. These itineraries are offered by both American Cruise Lines and Viking, and are perfect for seniors with plenty of time to explore.

American Cruise Lines offers the 22-day Complete Mississippi Cruise aboard three 180-passenger modern river ships: American Melody, American Serenade and American Symphony.

After a pre-cruise hotel stay in New Orleans, passengers journey through all aspects of American history. You'll visit ports known for ornate mansions (Oak Alley and St. Francisville, Louisiana, and Natchez, Mississippi), Civil War battles (Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Vicksburg, Mississippi), music (Memphis and Greenville, Tennessee) and architecture (St. Louis and Dubuque, Iowa). You'll also call on historic Missouri trading posts, such as New Madrid (a Spanish outpost) and Cape Girardeau (a French river port).

Viking River Cruises' 22-day Grand Mississippi Voyage , available in 2024 aboard the 386-passenger Viking Mississippi, also embarks in New Orleans and visits 16 ports in nine states as it cruises north to St. Paul, Minnesota.

During this sailing, you'll overnight in Memphis, so there's time to fully savor barbecue, the blues and Elvis Presley's Graceland. A port call in Paducah, Kentucky, lets you explore the National Quilt Museum and colorful street murals.

You can enjoy excursions in Missouri's most famous big city (St. Louis) and small town (Hannibal) and then visit three ports in Iowa known for their historic architecture and agriculture (including a tour of the John Deere Pavilion). Learn about the Norwegian heritage of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and get to know the eagles and pottery of Red Wing, Minnesota, before disembarking in St. Paul.

Bottom line

History buffs and Americana lovers will find plenty to enjoy on a Mississippi River cruise. Your ship will stop in major cities and lesser-known towns, offering excursions to historic sites and evenings spent enjoying locally inspired cuisine and regional music.

The two cruise lines sailing America's most legendary river offer itineraries for every interest on ships designed with mature travelers in mind. Whether you want to visit Civil War sites, see top architectural landmarks, or enjoy our country's best-loved musical genres, one or more of the lines will offer a Mississippi River itinerary that will help you do it — in comfort and style as you make new friends on board.

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The Great United States Cruise: 20 States in 60 Days

From Sea to Shining Sea

In 2023 American Cruise Lines announced the longest-ever domestic cruise itinerary. The company’s new 60-day adventure, called The Great United States, explores 20 states, and spans all four time zones in the continental U.S. As the country approaches its semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of its independence, the new cruise honors America’s living history, and enduring legacies from sea to shining sea. Guests will begin at the Pacific Coast and travel east to the Atlantic, cruising 4 major rivers and America’s most picturesque coastlines. The Great United States experience culminates in New York Harbor with a viewing of the Statue of Liberty from the ship on the last day of the cruise.

“The Great United States cruise is a fantastic showcase of our country and of the breadth of American Cruise Lines . A river cruise of this magnitude has never been done before in the U.S., and only American Cruise Lines is capable of delivering it successfully,” said Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO of American Cruise Lines.

American Cruise Lines’ The Great United States cruises will enable guests to discover the extraordinary beauty of America, from its breathtaking national parks and mountain ranges to its golden Midwest farmlands and salty New England harbors. Always sailing in sight of land and visiting only domestic U.S. ports of call, American’s guests will retrace the steps of Lewis & Clark on the Columbia & Snake Rivers, roll along the Mighty Mississippi with Mark Twain and Elvis, venture up the Hudson River during peak fall foliage season, and breathe in the fresh sea air of coastal New England.

Guests will cruise aboard the newest ships in the country—each, well-appointed with spacious staterooms and suites, private balconies, elegant restaurants and casual cafés, multiple lounges, and wide-open top decks for breathtaking views of the passing scenery. All elements of the travel experience will be fully curated, and all arrangements handled with the utmost care by American Cruise Lines’ dedicated travel team, ensuring guests have an impeccable experience throughout this monumental U.S. River cruise.

Days 1 to 8: Columbia & Snake Rivers Cruise

Begin your epic journey in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. As you fly into Portland International Airport, keep an eye out of the window as on a clear day you can see at least 4 snowcapped mountains, including Mount St. Helens. Enjoy a pre-cruise hotel stay, and then settle in aboard the  American Jazz . You’ll start heading west to the mouth of the mighty Columbia River where it meets the Pacific Ocean at Astoria. From there you’ll head back east into the Columbia River Gorge, following the path of explorers Lewis & Clark, ending in Hell’s Canyon, North America’s deepest canyon.

Days 9 to 14: National Parks Land Package :

Leaving the ship, you’ll head in-land via coach. From beautiful Coeur d’Alene, ID, you’ll cross the Rocky Mountains and into the old west. Enjoy a privately guided tour through 3 of the country’s most spectacular National Parks: Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton; concluding in spectacular Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Days 15 to 38 : Complete Mississippi River Cruise

Leaving Wyoming, you’ll fly to Louisiana where you’ll board the  American Symphony  in New Orleans and travel north to St. Paul, Minnesota. From New Orleans, sail 1,393 miles, through 10 states along the most comprehensive Mississippi River cruise available. Guests will explore the historic gems of the South, the rolling farmland of the Midwest, and the extraordinary beauty of the Upper River, from to Mark Twain’s boyhood home to the most populous Bald Eagle concentration in North America.

Day 39 to 47: Maine Coast & Harbors Cruise

Your journey continues with an included flight between St. Paul, Minnesota and arriving in Portland, Maine. You begin your New England exploration aboard the American Independence.  Settle into your stateroom as you sail from Portland, ME to Boston, MA, along one of the most stunning coastlines in the country. Along this enchanting journey, discover the rich maritime history of the region as the ship cruises past the magnificent and historic homes of sea captains and shipbuilders of years gone by, as well as the working waterfront communities of the modern day.

Days 48 to 54: Yankee Seaports

Your ship will sail the most famous and infamous seaports from Boston, MA, to New York City. Discover the country’s rich maritime history exploring historic cities and coastal villages from Plymouth, MA; to Mystic, CT; to Newport, RI; and Port Jefferson, NY.

Days 55 to 61: Hudson River Fall Foliage

From New York City, American Independence will cruise the Hudson River straight from the tip of Manhattan, passing the City’s world-famous skyline. Guests will enjoy the kaleidoscope of color offered by the Hudson River Valley’s magnificent fall foliage, visiting Sleepy Hollow, West Point, Hyde Park and more…while cruising past the beautiful Gilded Age estates of the famous and infamous industrialists, artists, presidents, and inventors who left their indelible marks on the Valley and on the soul of our country.

The Great United States cruise concludes as American Independence returns to New York Harbor, passing the Statue of Liberty, one of the most enduring symbols of the hope, spirit, and ideals embodied by the greatest nation on earth.

The first The Great United States cruise sails August 14, 2024, to October 14, 2024 . The price per person ranges from $51,060 to $77,945 (depending on stateroom selection). Deposit of $5,000 per person is due upon reservation. Reservations for this unparalleled exploration of the U.S.A. are open to book now.

The journey includes: American Cruise Lines jacket and gear pack; pre-cruise hotel stay; all flights and hotels between cruise segments; daily excursions & entertainment; all meals & beverages; and Wi-Fi throughout. Tips, Gratuities & Port Charges are included in the price.

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11 Captivating History Cruise Options for Real History Buffs

Cruise the Aegean or boat down the Mississippi. There’s no time like the present to go on a cruise. If you’re in the mood for a nautical adventure with a historic twist, there are historic cruise options for every budget and interest.

You can’t go on every adventure, but if you’re looking for a history cruise that’s as exciting and history-obsessed as you are, take a look at this list.

Not all cruise ships look alike. Imagine cruising in one of these!

History Cruises in the U.S.

Let’s face it. American history can be fascinating. There’s more to experience on the rivers and in the bays and lakes of the United States than you realize. On rivers, bays, and lakes, these history cruises open your eyes to a world of American history outside of the expected.

Rhode Island Bay History Cruise

Several cruise companies operate history cruises on Rhode Island’s waterways, but the bay area tours are considered the best. From lighthouses to pilgrim days, you’ll learn fascinating information about the coastal areas of this historic state. Most of the cruises in this area are under 4 hours, so you’ve still got time to explore the area when you’re done. Don’t expect a large ship, however. Most Rhode Island Bay history cruises are on large and medium yachts.

Buffalo River History Tour

This private tour company operates two separate tours along Lake Erie and the Buffalo River. A fascinating step into the past, the Silo City tour gives you the chance to walk around the old Perot Malting Plant and grain elevators, while the Buffalo River Tour provides a fascinating glimpse into the days when canals drove Buffalo’s commerce, and a look at the city of Buffalo’s past and modern waterfront.

Chicago History Museum Cruise

Chicago Line Cruises is a Chicago-based cruise operator with multiple options for guests interested in the city’s architecture, past, or a just a nice evening on the water. The best tour for history buffs, however, is the aptly-named Chicago History Museum Cruise . It’s a 90 minute excursion that will captivate history, architecture, and design fans, and it comes with great snacks – including Starbucks Coffee.

American Cruise Lines

This small, domestic cruise line offers numerous history cruises on American waterways. From Civil War cruises on the Mississippi River to Lewis & Clark cruises on the Columbia and Snake Rivers, you can explore American history on this company’s cruises in a new and captivating way. Five of the company’s nine ships are paddleboats, adding to the charm and historic feel of their voyages.

From Venice to Malacca, cruising may just be the perfect vacation for history buffs.

International History Cruises

Looking for a window into the Old World, a chance to experience epic adventures of the Ancient Greeks, or an opportunity to see what coastal life Down Under was like for Australia’s first settlers? There’s a cruise for that…

Cruise through History on the Malacca River

Along the Malacca river of Malaysia, several small boats and cruise companies operate tours that give passengers the chance to see the historic skyline of this ancient city. This popular history cruise travels along most of Old Town Malacca’s waterfront to the Spice Garden Jetty. It’s a delightful afternoon excursion with plenty of wildlife viewing as well as history, but some visitors suggest that the night views are equally impressive.

Sydney Heritage Fleet’s Sydney Harbour Secrets Cruise

Designed to reinvigorate Sydney’s and Australia’s past, this fleet of historic ships offers several ways to learn about Australia’s history on the seas. One of the most captivating, however, is the Sydney Harbour Secrets Cruise . Run on one of two historic vessels built in 1902, the tour takes visitors past more than 7 of the harbor’s most notable landmarks. It’s a roughly 3-hour cruise, held monthly, and offers complimentary tea, coffee, and cake.

Asimina Tours 2 & 4-day Greek History Cruises

This family-owned company offers tours, accommodations help, and yes, cruises. Their 2 & 4-day Greek History cruises are delightfully small and informative. Visiting some of the region’s most popular destinations, and a few off the beaten path, they provide a great way for voyagers to get in touch with Ancient Greece.

The Aegean Sea is one of hundreds of fascinating spots history cruises visit.

History Cruises with Multiple International Stops

You can find long, informative, and luxurious trips through the maritime and seaport history of multiple ports of call on ships built specifically to explore the past, and you don’t have to sacrifice any of the fun or elegance that traditional cruise lines are known for in the process. Here are a few to check out:

Voyages to Antiquity

Dedicated to the exploration of history along the Mediterranean in Europe and North Africa, Voyages to Antiquity is a classy cruise line that’s information packed. You can take the cruise as a laidback relaxing experience or immerse yourself in the past of the cradle of humanity. The choice is up to you. All around, Voyages to Antiquity has a great reputation, although their guests tend to be a mix of intellectuals and older adults.

National Geographic Explorer

Operated by the internationally-renowned Lindblad Expeditions , several of which offer exciting windows into the past. From the ancient Norse to archeological ruins in Chile and Peru, the voyages offer guests the opportunity to live the wonder that National Geographic’s magazine is known for. Trips last from 7-29 days, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the experience.

Azamara Club Cruises

A high-end luxury cruise line, Azamara Club Cruises aim to be something different, and they are. The company offers numerous history cruise options, with countries on the agenda as varied as Turkey and Holland. By far, their Aegean Cruise is one of the best in the cruise industry. If you’re interested in the history of this fascinating sea and the people who live near it, this is the perfect cruise for you.

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Project Liberty Ship S.S. JOHN W. BROWN Pier 13, 4601 Newgate Ave Baltimore, Maryland 21224 Office 410-558-0646 email: [email protected] ********* ******************* 2024 UPCOMING EVENTS

May 4 - living history cruise on the chesapeake bay, nov 15 - 17 - steam school aboard the john w. brown.

Tickets are available for these events now! Click the “TICKETS: button to the left.

************** ” Double the impact” of your donation , by giving a charitable gift in 2024.

We are launching our Shipyard 2024 campaign to raise funds for the drydock repairs, maintenance, inspection, and seaworthy improvements of our beloved vessel. And we have some great news for you!

For every dollar you donate, our generous partner, Save America's Treasures , will match it with one more, doubling the impact of your gift . That's right, your $125 donation will turn into a $250 contribution towards our $500K goal. In addition, if your company matches donations it will Triple the Impact to $375 propelling us even further to half-million.

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************** living history cruise may 4, 2024 aboard the john w brown cruise on the chesapeake bay cancelled.

Project Liberty Ship is confident that the combined efforts of government and private enterprise will reopen the Port of Baltimore in record time. Our hearts go out to the families of the victim and we are awed by the efforts of our emergency responders in their lifesaving efforts. Unfortunately, current circumstances have forced us to make the decision to cancel our Living History Cruise scheduled for May 4th.  There is just too much uncertainty to go ahead with the cruise at this time.  We also want to make the decision early enough to allow our passengers time to cancel or change their travel plans and for us to avoid financial losses we would face if the cruise was cancelled closer to the scheduled date.  All tickets will be fully refunded.  Because of uncertainty about the scheduling of our dry docking, it is unlikely that we will be able to schedule another Living History Cruise this fall.  We hope to have a big crowd aboard next year. For More Information about our cruises - click here

***************************** 2024 Steam School November 15-17 Experience what it’s like to be an Engineer, Oiler and Fireman

Earlybird special is available until january 31, 2024, click here for addtional information to reserve your place in the steam school , click the tickets button on this page., ************************************************ tour the john w. brown, we are open for tours on most wednesdays & saturdays at pier 13, 4601 newgate ave. the tour start at 9am. use the ticket button on the left to purchase your tour and to check for available dates., no tours are available on these dates in 2024: jan 14, feb 18 & 21, mar 16, apr 17, may 4 & 8, jun 22 to 29, nov 16. large groups, please email us at [email protected], for questions , email us at [email protected] or call our reservation service and leave a message:  410-558-0164. *********************, at this time, masks are not required on board the ship, please bring one in case that changes. for the safety and health of all, we will continue to update here and on other social media. **************************************, check out the gallery also to see pictures from past cruises. .

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What is the s.s. john w. brown.

Welcome aboard S.S. JOHN W. BROWN, one of only two remaining, fully operational Liberty ships that participated in World War II. This wonderful piece of history provides an educational and historical opportunity for the public to experience 1944 all over again, without the dangers of being sunk by a submarine or a torpedo bomber!

Through the efforts of talented and dedicated volunteers, coupled with the generous financial support of members and friends, S.S. JOHN W. BROWN continues to educate by operating as a historic museum ship, furnishing visitors with a unique opportunity to experience "living history" of the World War II merchant marine.

2022 is our 80th Anniversary; pretty amazing for a ship that was built quickly and was considered 'paid for' if it made one voyage (across the ocean and back).   To read more about the history of the ship, click here or the ABOUT tab above. 

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Read this week’s blog on our popular and sold out second Steam School aboard the SS JOHN W BROWN

America's Historic East

Go back in history on this East Coast tour that starts in Washington, DC. Discover Jamestown Settlement and Colonial Williamsburg. Explore Richmond, Jefferson’s Monticello and Mount Vernon. Other visits include Shenandoah National Park, Yorktown Historical Battlefield Park, Valley Forge, and Harper’s Ferry National Historic Park. The tour ends in historic Philadelphia.

The 9 day America's Historic East tour from Globus Tours hits all the hotspots that made America the country it is today. From the civil war battlefields to cities like Philadelphia, home of many of the forefathers of the United States of America and to the historical events of those times. This exciting East Coast tour will get you revved up about history as you take in the sights and sounds of the America's Historic East Tour from Globus Tours.

9 Days • fr. $3,119

• TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
• DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
• PRICES BY DEPARTURE DATE
• TERMS & CONDITIONS

Tour Includes

• Sightseeing with a Local Guide in Washington, DC
• Visit George Washington's home in Mount Vernon
• Visit the Yorktown Historical Battlefield
• Visit Colonial Williamsburg including an exclusive performance by a professional historian
• Visit the Jamestown settlement
• Visit St. John's Church in Richmond
• Visit Thomas Jefferson’s beloved home in Monticello
• Sightseeing in Shenandoah National Park
• Visit Harpers Ferry National Historic Park
• Visit Gettysburg National Military Park with a Ulysses S. Grant historical interpreter and a visit to Dobbin House Tavern
• Visit Valley Forge National Historic Park
• Visit the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall in Philadelphia
• Headsets throughout the tour
• Free Wi-Fi available on your motorcoach and in most hotel lobbies.

Not Included

• Tips for personal services and to tour directors and drivers are not included in tour cost and left to your discretion.
• All items of a personal nature (room service, beverages, telephone charges, laundry, special food requests, etc.) and meals not specified on the tour itinerary are not included and must be paid by the client.
• All rates exclude airfare unless expressly noted.

Meal Inclusions

• Breakfast daily (except Day 1)
• 4 three-course dinners including a farewell dinner in Philadelphia

Hotel Details

• Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, DC (2 nights)
• Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel & Suites in Williamsburg (2 nights)
• Stonewall Jackson Hotel & Conference Center in Staunton (1 night)
• Skyland Resort in Shenandoah National Park (1 night)
• Gettysburg Hotel in Gettysburg (1 night)
• Sheraton Philadelphia Society Hill in Philadelphia (1 night)

ARRIVE IN WASHINGTON DC Location Information Description

Washington, United States

Welcome to Washington DC! At 6 pm, meet with your traveling companions for a welcome drink. Your Tour Director will prepare you for your upcoming adventure.

CAPITAL HILTON HOTEL

WASHINGTON DC - EXCURSION TO MOUNT VERNON Location Information Description

This morning’s sightseeing features many of Washington DC’s famous landmarks, including the Lincoln, Vietnam, and Korean Memorials and stop for photos at the White House and Capitol Hill.

Location Information Description

Mount Vernon, United States

This afternoon, we visit Mount Vernon, the restored home of George Washington. Tour the house and gardens, and visit the gravesites.

Try our optional dinner tonight at one of Washington’s favorite restaurants, followed by an illumination tour of the monuments.

WASHINGTON DC–YORKTOWN–WILLIAMSBURG Location Information Description

Yorktown, United States

Today, visit Yorktown Historical Battlefield Park, where the British surrendered to Washington’s troops in 1781, bringing an end to the American Revolution.

Williamsburg, United States

Continue to Williamsburg for a 2-night stay.

WILLIAMSBURG WOODLANDS HOTEL & SUITES

WILLIAMSBURG. EXCURSION TO JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT Location Information Description

Jamestown, United States

This morning, enjoy an exclusive performance from Sylvia Tabb-Lee, a professional historian. Visit the nearby Jamestown Settlement for a guided tour to learn about the first permanent English settlement in the New World.

Then, enter Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area, where costumed villagers add to the authenticity. Stroll down its quaint streets, browse through the historic trade shops, and see the Public Gaol. Also, be sure to stop at Raleigh Tavern, the meeting place for Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and other patriots.

This evening, enjoy a Colonial-style dinner at a famous local tavern for the chance to engage in a recreated supper experience savored by 18th-century patriots.

Breakfast, Dinner

WILLIAMSBURG–RICHMOND–MONTICELLO–STAUNTON Location Information Description

Richmond, United States

First stop is Richmond, Virginia’s capital and once the capital of the Confederacy. Visit St. John's Church, where Patrick Henry proclaimed, “Give me liberty or give me death!”

Monticello Estates, United States

Next, Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s estate with its beautiful gardens and imposing mansion designed by Jefferson himself.

Staunton, United States

Spend the evening in Staunton, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

STONEWALL JACKSON HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER

STAUNTON–SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK Location Information Description

Shenandoah, United States

Today, journey to beautiful SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK, home to spectacular vistas and a haven to wildlife. Enjoy photo stops and panoramic vistas from Skyline Drive. During your free time today, why not stroll one of the many hiking trails or just sit back and enjoy the scenery?

SKYLAND RESORT HOTEL

SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK–HARPERS FERRY–GETTYSBURG Location Information Description

Harpers Ferry, United States

Today, follow the same route as Lee’s army during its invasion of Pennsylvania. In West Virginia, visit Harpers Ferry National Historic Park, where John Brown and his “army of liberation” staged their fateful raid on a U.S. Arsenal.

Gettysburg, United States

Continue across Maryland to Gettysburg National Military Park. Spend some time exploring the newly renovated museum and cyclorama. This evening, enjoy a Colonial-style candlelight dinner at the elegant Dobbin House Tavern, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

SPECIAL FEATURE: Stay overnight at the historic Hotel Gettysburg, established in 1797. President Lincoln honed the immortal words of his Gettysburg Address just steps away from the hotel, and nearly a century later, the hotel served as President Dwight Eisenhower’s National Operations Center.

GETTYSBURG HOTEL

GETTYSBURG–VALLEY FORGE NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK–PHILADELPHIA Location Information Description

This morning, enjoy an exclusive presentation by one of America’s heroes of the 19th century—Ulysses S. Grant. Then, a tour of Gettysburg and hear your Local Guide vividly recount the Battle of 1863.

Valley Forge, United States

Next, travel through Lancaster County past Amish farmlands to Valley Forge National Historic Park for a tour to see the camp where Washington and his troops endured the harsh winter of 1777–1778. See Washington’s headquarters, the Grand Parade, and the Washington Memorial Chapel.

Philadelphia, United States

Continue to Philadelphia, where your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner on the historic Moshulu ship. Launched in 1904, she has had a long and exciting career on the seas and is now considered one of Philadelphia’s best restaurants.

SHERATON PHILADELPHIA SOCIETY HILL

PHILADELPHIA Location Information Description

Morning sightseeing focuses on the important buildings of this historic city, the “Birthplace of the Nation.” Major attractions at Independence National Historical Park include the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.

Continue to the Philadelphia Airport for guests with homebound flights (please schedule flights from the Philadelphia Airport after 1:30 pm). For passengers who would like to return to Washington DC, the motorcoach transfers to the Capital Hilton at no additional cost.

• All rates listed are per person based on double occupancy and are subject to change without notice. Your land package pricing will be confirmed and guaranteed once your deposit is received and applied to the booking, except where price increases may result from increases in government taxes or fees. Room configurations are subject to availability. Guests added to your party after the booking are priced at the prevailing rate at the time they are added.
• Gratuities for Tour Director and driver are available for pre-purchase. Prices are per person, based on double room occupancy.
• Single Room Supplement: $735 to $810 Triple Room Reduction per person: $165 to $190
• Extra Nights per person in Washington DC: Weekday (Tuesday-Wednesday): In single room $372 In twin room $207 In triple room $153
• Weekend (Thursday-Monday): In single room $261 In twin room $152 In triple room $116
• Extra Nights per person in Philadelphia: In single room $222 In twin room $130 In triple room $96

Important Information

Cancellation policy.

• 45-22 days prior to commencement of services: 20% of total price*
• 21-8 days prior to commencement of services: 30% of total price*
• 7-1 days prior to commencement of services: 50% of total price*
• On departure day and later: 100% of total price*
• *Total price does not include any Instant Purchase Air or Instant Purchase Air service fees, which are non-refundable after 24 hours from purchase. Intra-vacation air is non-refundable after final payment.
• Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, including extra night accommodations, independently supplied services, and optional excursions reserved prior to, during, and after the tour. If flight changes, including, but not limited to, flight cancellations or name changes, are requested after full land and air deposits are received, revision fees, change fees, or airline cancellation fees will apply.
• In many instances, airline revision or change fees can be up to $300, but in some instances may be up to 100% of the ticket price. Cancellation penalties will be quoted at time of cancellation.
• All cancellations must be received in writing prior to tour departure. The cancellation policy will apply according to the date that the cancellation notification is received. The MINIMUM cancellation penalty is the deposit amount.
• The purchase to trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.

Terms and Conditions

• Land only “from price” is per person based on two people sharing a room together and does not include airfare unless expressly stated.
• All prices are in US Dollars.
• A $250 non-refundable, non-transferable, per-person, per-vacation deposit is required to reserve space for you, with some limited exceptions, as noted below. Payment of the deposit indicates you have read and accepted theseall Terms & Conditions. Your booking is not confirmed until the deposit payment is processed and you receive a confirmation invoice.
• Final payment is due 45 days prior to departure, with some limited exceptions, as noted below. Within the final payment date, payment in full is required at time of booking to reserve space. Reservations (land, cruise, and air) are canceled if final payment is not received by the due date. The payment policy may vary for group reservations.
• Additional deposits or payments are required for international air added to the start and/or end of your vacation and/or for intra-vacation air, as specified in the itinerary (“air-inclusive vacations”). Air-inclusive vacation pricing is guaranteed upon receipt of full land plus air deposit or land deposit plus full airfare price, depending on type of airfare purchased (Flex-Air or Instant Purchase Air).
• For complete terms and conditions please visit the Globus Terms & Conditions for more information.

Protect Your Trip »

The 7 best mississippi river cruises for 2024.

Explore the history, culture and cuisine of the U.S. while cruising along the Mighty Mississippi.

The Best Mississippi River Cruises

Courtesy of American Cruise Lines

The more than 2,300-mile Mississippi River invites travelers to discover its multifaceted heritage, with a vast range of deeply rooted culture, music and history. A cruise is a fantastic way to discover many of the riverfront cities on a single trip, from the comfort of your modern riverboat or traditional paddle-wheeler.

The following Mississippi River cruise itineraries can help you choose from cruises of various lengths and options for the Lower and Upper Mississippi. Note that all fares are listed as double occupancy (based on two people per cabin), and that they might not reflect taxes, port fees or gratuities. The itinerary availability listed is also subject to change.

American Cruise Lines

Courtesy of American Cruise Lines | www.AmericanCruiseLines.com

American Cruise Lines operates small ships accommodating between 90 and 180 passengers that are built, flagged and crewed in the U.S. – and it's the only company in the world operating a 100% U.S.-flagged fleet of riverboats and cruise ships. ACL's itineraries traverse waterways across 35 states, with 11 itineraries dedicated to the Mississippi River. Cruisers can choose to sail on modern riverboats with a sleek interior design or while away their time aboard classic paddle-wheelers reminiscent of days gone by.

ACL offers variety as well as versatility: This line boasts both the longest and shortest sailings on this list with cruises ranging from eight to 60 days in length, including The Great United States. This inaugural 60-day voyage spans four major rivers and 20 states, making it the longest U.S. river cruise in history.

Complimentary hotel and transportation packages are available from every departure city before your cruise. You can book certain premium packages for added perks, such as two nights spent next door to Graceland in Memphis – with VIP tickets and a city tour included in the price.

Music Cities Cruise

Length: Eight days Price: Starts at $3,610 per person

Spend a week getting lost in the sounds of the Memphis blues, rock 'n' roll and country music legends on the seven-night Music Cities Cruise. A hotel stay the night before your sailing is included, but embarking in Memphis means you also have the chance to splurge on a two-night pre-cruise package near Elvis' former home Graceland .

Ports of call include Paducah, Kentucky; Dover, Tennessee; and Clarksville, Tennessee, with an overnight in Nashville and an included excursion to a show at the Grand Ole Opry. Two scenic sailing days feature picturesque views of America's Heartland along the Mississippi, Ohio and Cumberland rivers as well as Lake Barkley.

2024 dates: In 2024, there are two available itineraries in September and November.

Grand Heartland Cruise: St. Paul to New Orleans

Length: 15 days Price: Starts at $9,455 per person

This 15-day voyage allows you to explore America's rich history in towns along the Upper and Lower Mississippi River. The immersive voyage covers six states and 12 cities including St. Paul, Minnesota ; Dubuque, Iowa; St. Louis, Missouri ; Memphis, Tennessee; Natchez, Mississippi; Baton Rouge, Louisiana ; and more.

Take a step back in time while visiting Mark Twain's boyhood home in Hannibal, exploring stately historic estates in Natchez and Civil War sites in Vicksburg. At the end of a busy day ashore, you'll have plenty to chat about with fellow passengers during the evening cocktail hour.

2024 dates: American Heritage – ACL's traditional paddle-wheeler – and three modern riverboats set off on this journey from August to October in 2024.

Complete Mississippi River Cruise: New Orleans to St. Paul

Length: 22 days Price: Starts at $14,935 per person

If you want to see the entire Mississippi in one shot, check out this multiweek sailing that begins in New Orleans and ends in St. Paul, Minnesota. Along the way, you'll sail 1,393 miles, visit 10 states and experience a staggering 20 ports of call as you tour Louisiana and then head northbound to Minnesota.

In the South, walk the battlefields of the Civil War and sample delicious Southern barbecue before listening to the rhythms of jazz, the blues and rock 'n' roll. Then, explore the small and larger cities along the upper parts of the river. Remember to take time to gaze out at the picturesque scenery and the rolling farmlands of America's Midwest before disembarking in St. Paul.

2024 dates: Three of ACL's modern riverboats sail this itinerary in May, June and August in 2024.

The Great United States

Length: 60 days Price: Starts at $51,000

This two-month long journey – the longest domestic itinerary ever created – will check all the boxes for U.S. history and Civil War buffs, music and nature lovers, culinary enthusiasts, and beer and distilled spirits aficionados alike as the ship traverses America's iconic waterways through 20 states and 50 ports of call.

This epic journey showcases the natural beauty and living history of the U.S. from sea to shining sea. The sailing embarks in Portland, Oregon , on the Pacific Coast before traveling east to the Atlantic shore along four major rivers that highlight some of the country's most stunning coastlines. Upon arrival in New York Harbor, guests will have an unforgettable view of one of the most iconic landmarks in the U.S.: the Statue of Liberty .

Passengers can follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark along the Snake and Columbia rivers; cruise along Ol' Man River in search of Mark Twain and Elvis; see the vibrant colors of fall during peak season on the Hudson River; and take in the coastal breezes (and fresh seafood) along New England's rocky coastline.

This curated adventure also includes two flights: Jackson, Wyoming , to New Orleans as well as St. Paul to Portland, Maine , plus a land package through Glacier , Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. All-inclusive pricing covers the pre-cruise hotel stay, all flights and hotels between cruise segments, an ACL jacket and gear pack, daily excursions, all meals and beverages, gratuities and port charges, entertainment, and Wi-Fi.

2024 dates: The inaugural cruise sets sail on August 16, 2024.

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Viking River Cruises

Courtesy of Viking

Viking is no stranger to sailing Europe's rivers; the brand is synonymous with river cruising worldwide aboard its dozens of ships. However, Viking River Cruises is a newcomer to U.S. rivers, with its purpose-built ship: the 386-passenger Viking Mississippi. Looking to carve out its own niche in the American river cruising category, Viking claims it has the region's "first truly modern cruise ship" with its distinct Scandinavian design and expansive top sun deck with an infinity plunge pool.

Viking's mostly all-inclusive fares include a complimentary excursion in each port, destination lectures and performances, beer and wine at meals, free Wi-Fi, specialty coffees and teas, and more. The line offers five itineraries ranging in length from eight to 22 days along the Mighty Mississippi. Pre- and post-cruise extensions can be added to all voyages for an additional expense.

New Orleans & Southern Charms: Round-trip from New Orleans

Length: Eight days Price: Starts at $3,999 per person

If you don't know which Viking Mississippi itinerary to choose, start here. A round-trip voyage from New Orleans is convenient for booking flights and offers an excellent opportunity to extend your stay in NOLA. Six guided tours are included across eight days, from the historic estates of Natchez to Vicksburg National Military Park. A stop in St. Francisville gives you the chance to marvel at some of the 140-plus buildings it has on the National Register of Historic Places.

If you extend your stay in New Orleans, plan to sample the local Creole cuisine and take in some of the city's nightly jazz entertainment. In the morning, grab a beignet and a steaming cup of chicory coffee au lait at the original Café du Monde in the French Market.

2024 dates: This itinerary is available on select dates in February, November and December.

Heart of the Delta: New Orleans to Memphis

Length: Nine days Price: Starts at $4,299 per person

Similar to its round-trip New Orleans Southern Charms itinerary, the Heart of the Delta cruise begins in New Orleans and calls on the same five ports, before sailing through the Lower Mississippi and disembarking in Memphis. Enjoy scenic views of the serpentine river route – perhaps with expert commentary or a local cooking demonstration – and then take time to explore the birthplace of the Memphis blues, which is also a center of civil rights history.

2024 dates: In 2024, this cruise is available in February, March, April, May, June and November.

America's Great River: St. Paul to New Orleans

Length: 15 days Price: Starts at $12,999 per person

This Viking voyage sails from St. Paul to New Orleans on a two-week trip that calls on 13 ports with one day of scenic sailing. This itinerary combines the best of Viking's other Mississippi sailings for an all-encompassing Midwestern and Southern experience with 12 guided tours.

Included in the fare is a tour of Graceland; a stroll through small-town Burlington, Iowa, to see Snake Alley, deemed the most crooked street in the world; and a visit to the National Eagle Center of Red Wing, among others. For an additional fee, hop on an airboat ride through the Atchafalaya Swamp in Baton Rouge or tour the Anheuser-Busch Brewery of St. Louis.

2024 dates: Viking has availability for this itinerary in July, September and October.

Want to cruise the Mississippi River? See the top cruises on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

You may have seen riverboat gambling ships or are at least familiar with riverboat gambling along U.S. waterways. However, while high rolling on the river sounds like an exciting way to spend a night (or two, or more) while on your riverboat cruise, you'll have to jump ship to play the slots, roll the dice, spin the wheel or play a hand of Texas Hold 'em. Gambling on cruise ships sailing on internal waters is prohibited by U.S. law.

Gambling on boats in the U.S. is a complicated matter. While you will find some ships sailing along American waterways that are only set up for gambling, they are not carrying passengers from port to port. Most vessels that feature riverboat gambling are now moored, offering sports betting, table games, entertainment, live music and dancing while tethered to shore.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She has sailed on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, paddle-wheelers on America's waterways, and an 18-stateroom river ship on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia. Most recently, she traveled on a small luxury expedition vessel in Antarctica and crossed the notorious Drake Passage twice. She covers the travel and culinary industries, specializing in cruises, for major publications including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top River Cruise Lines
• The Top All-Inclusive Cruises
• Cruise Packing List Essentials
• The Top Cruise Insurance Plans

Vacation Ideas for Every Traveler

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Cruiser's Guide: Cultural Tourism & Historical Vacations

Explore with a getaway dedicated to history..

By Robert Schrader | Published on December 8, 2022

How (And Why) History Lovers Travel

H istory-minded cultural vacations take many forms, but architecture is an important element for nearly all of them. As you traipse through the streets of ancient Rome after docking at Civitavecchia , for example, seeing millennia-old structures like the Colosseum provides a real context for the tales you read about in guidebooks and on historical plaques. This is also true when it comes to more modern history: Looking westward from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City allows you to grapple with the gravity of popes' pronouncements over the years.

What Is Cultural Tourism? What Are The Benefits?

What is cultural tourism, and how does it differ from historical tourism? Cultural tourism is when you travel specifically to learn about a destination's culture. While culture can provide a window into the distant past, it can also be totally modern, like video game arcades in Japan and Formula 1 race car tracks in Europe . More often than not, however, history lovers prioritize the cultural traditions of yesterday that have stuck around until today — and not just for great pictures or stories to tell their friends.

As a history buff myself, I can tell you it cuts much deeper than that. Using my cultural travels as a means to understand the ancient world helps me make more sense of my own life in today's world. Travel is all about expanding your horizons, whether that's seeing mountains taller than you could ever imagine or eating foods more delicious than you ever dreamed possible. The benefits of traveling with an eye for culture and history just expands this concept into another dimension: Time.

Anatomy Of An Attraction

Deeper Look At Historical Vacation Ideas

While some travelers take historical vacations in pursuit of broader understandings, heritage tourism is also a great way to dig deep into specific cultures and civilizations. Visiting the ruins of Pompeii in southern Italy  is like a living textbook. As you walk in and out of volcano-doomed homes, you can often see archaeologists dusting off mosaic floors, or collections of dinnerware and cutlery arranged atop stoves and kilns that have been extinguished for centuries. Even visiting places like this as a tourist can make you feel like you're part of a dig team.

Seeing world wonders also offers first-person insight into pressing historical questions, even if you sometimes find additional questions instead of answers. The Great Wall of China  for instance looks easy for a modern army to breach, though when you consider the technology used to build it in the 3rd century B.C., it's easier to accept the wall (which is "great," even by today's standards) for the revolutionary construction that it is.

Other questions you ask might be broader than any particular historical event. If your ship docks in Barcelona , you might take a food tour to learn why paella recipes are so hotly debated or how eating tapas became a Spanish custom. Calling in Sri Lanka  on your cruise, you might visit a spice farm to see how cinnamon or nutmeg grows, and why both were once highly prized treasures before they became ordinary pantry staples. Take a train to Nuwara Eliya, in the heart of Sri Lanka's tea country, and you'll be surprised to learn the plant is not indigenous to the island, in spite of how central it seems to its landscape.

History Isn't Always Ancient

Nature's Wonders Are Culture, Too

It's easy to think of history only in the context of what people have built. However, natural history can often be just as fascinating. For example, if your cruise stops in Cairns , Australia , you'll have the opportunity to snorkel or scuba dive at the Great Barrier Reef, where corals tell a story that stretches back thousands or even millions of years. Modern efforts to preserve this natural wonderland from climate change and pollution help to preserve that history for our descendants, too.

In the jungles of Costa Rica , on the other hand, you can drink in the sight of active volcanoes bubbling and rainforests strung with rope bridges. As you swim in the azure waters of volcano-heated Rio Celeste, particularly if it's not a very busy day, you might wonder how indigenous peoples even discovered such a place if they didn't know to look for it.

Another destination where culture mingles with natural history is Norway. The unique architecture and folklore of small villages within the country's finger-shaped inlets are directly linked to how difficult they were to access until about a century ago. As you sail through the fjords, either onboard your cruise ship or on a smaller excursion vessel, your guide may also explain to you how tsunamis within these waterways carved them out over the eons, and how these events (which would be considered catastrophes by today's standards) are part of the reason so many 21st-century travelers flock to Scandinavia.

Sail Through Time With A World Cruise

Written By ROBERT SCHRADER

Robert Schrader is a writer, photographer and one of the web's original travel bloggers. In 2009 he launched his blog  Leave Your Daily Hell , which has taken him to nearly 100 countries, and has since spun off niche sites focused on Japan, Thailand, Taiwan and Italy. Robert seeks to inform, inspire, entertain and empower travelers through his work, which has been featured in in-flight magazines and digital media outlets around the world. He's excited about travel's post-pandemic rebirth, and in particular the cruise industry's comeback!

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Cruises in the United States

Whether you want to explore the dynamic cities and rocky shores of the East Coast, taste wines in the California sunshine, bask on Florida’s golden beaches, or see Alaska’s incredible wildlife, our United States cruises will deliver your dream vacation. Immerse yourself in Boston’s historic sites and exciting culinary scene. Ride the vintage cable cars in San Francisco and explore the dazzling colors of Seattle’s Pike Place Market.

Cruises to the United States take you to the heart of these iconic cities, as well as exploring some of the country’s most beautiful coastlines, from the icy peaks and forested inlets of Alaska to the lush landscapes of New England. The list of adventures in store is endless, from hiking, cycling, and kayaking to whale-watching, designer shopping, fine dining, and a rich, diverse culture. All this is yours, from the luxurious setting of one of our award-winning, contemporary ships.

USA Cruise Highlights

Cosmopolitan cities.

The USA can rightly claim to have some of the most exciting cities in the world. San Diego’s atmospheric Gaslamp Quarter is waiting to be explored, while in Boston, the Freedom Trail is a fascinating history lesson. Check out Pier 39 in San Francisco, and take a trip to Alcatraz. Discover Hemingway’s legacy in laid-back Key West, find your inner rock star in Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture, or explore the interesting mix of cultures in New Orleans.

Spectacular Nature

Wherever you sail in the USA, you’ll be captivated by the extraordinary beauty of the landscapes. Hawaii is a lush paradise of rainforest, volcanic peaks, and tumbling waterfalls, while Alaska is wild and untamed, a world of snowy mountains, glaciers, and old-growth forest. Sail the coast of New England in fall and take in the dazzling shades of scarlet and orange on the trees. Or head south to Key West for a setting of coconut palms, sandy beaches, and colorful coral reefs.

Exciting Cuisine

Whether you want to taste award-winning vintages in Napa Valley, feast on lobster rolls in New England, or sample gumbo in New Orleans, you’ll discover an incredibly varied culinary scene on your travels around the USA. Don’t miss a salmon bake or the chance to try reindeer sausages in Alaska. In San Francisco, head for Chinatown for tasty dim sum. Key West is famed for its tangy Key lime pie, while Seattle’s claim to fame is artisan-roast coffee—and those powerful Washington State wines.

United States Cruise Regions

The wild frontier of Alaska has some of the most awe-inspiring scenery in the USA, where you’ll find mile upon mile of jagged, snow-capped mountains and dense forest. On a cruise, you’ll be able to appreciate this wild beauty from both a land and sea perspective. You’ll see glaciers, rocky shorelines, historic gold rush towns, and flower-strewn mountain meadows. Along the way, you can hike, kayak, spot bears, go whale-watching, and feast on fresh salmon.

New England

New England has it all: cosmopolitan cities like Boston, arty seaside towns, windswept coasts, and verdant national parks. Follow the Freedom Trail in Boston, and explore Portland’s seafaring history under Maine’s vast skies. Hike the woodlands and glacier-scoured peaks of glorious Acadia National Park. Time your trip for the fall and admire the fiery colors of the foliage. Everywhere you go, there’s delicious seafood to taste, like lobster rolls, or claws dripping in melted butter.

Visit some of the most exciting cities on the Pacific Coast with Celebrity. See the graceful sweep of the Golden Gate Bridge in hilly San Francisco, and ride the historic cable cars. Whizz up the Space Needle in Seattle and take in the colors and buzz of Pike Place Market. In Los Angeles, browse the designer shops on Rodeo Drive and marvel at the stars’ homes. Catalina Island, meanwhile, is another world of rugged coastlines, diverse marine life, and hiking trails with sweeping views.

Indulge in a relaxing journey across the warm Pacific from Vancouver to the lush, volcanic islands of Hawaii, where waterfalls tumble from verdant peaks and the ocean is home to abundant whales and dolphins. Visit Rainbow Falls and Akaka Falls from Hilo, and admire the fiery antics of Mount Kilauea. Learn about history in Honolulu, the location of the only royal palace in the USA, and Pearl Harbor. Join a firelight luau in Lahaina, and visit a working pineapple plantation.

The Sunshine State is the perfect place to start your cruise. Admire the colorful Art Deco architecture of Miami’s South Beach, and taste Cuban cuisine in Little Havana. Browse the shops along Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, and explore the canals by gondola. Take a boat ride through the watery Everglades in search of alligators. Treat your kids to a day in the theme parks around Orlando—and meet astronauts at the Kennedy Space Center. Make time to visit those glorious beaches, too.

USA Cruise Itineraries

Celebrity Cruises offers a vast range of USA cruise itineraries and departure ports. Sail from Boston, or Cape Liberty in New Jersey. In Florida, choose between Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Orlando (Port Canaveral), and Miami. West Coast ports include Los Angeles, Seattle, and Seward. Cruises range from short getaways to Key West to 13-night voyages from Vancouver, Canada to Honolulu.

Itineraries

Why cruise to the usa with celebrity cruises.

There’s no more comfortable way to explore the exciting coastlines of the USA than with Celebrity Cruises. You’ll dock in the heart of some of the country’s most iconic cities and sail along exquisite coastlines, visiting multiple destinations and only having to unpack once.

As you sail, you’ll discover all the wonderful amenities that make a vacation on board our award-winning ships such a luxurious experience. Live life at your own pace, whether you want a workout in the Fitness Center or a private cabana by the pool. Unwind in the spa, take in the views from the Magic Carpet on Edge-series ships, or relax on the fragrant grass at the Lawn Club on Solstice-series ships. Savor world-class cuisine every day. Elevate your experience in The Retreat, where you’ll enjoy beautiful suite accommodation, an exclusive lounge, and the culinary delights of Luminae at The Retreat.

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HISTORY CRUISE

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Narrated History Cruise

Come join us for a narrated History Cruise along the New York State Canal System which has recently been named a National Historic Landmark.  

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Joe Bolognese Music Cruise

Come enjoy live music by local performer Joe Bolognese as the sun sets over the Niagara River and Erie Canal. Reserve your spot online.

Live Blues Cruise

Come join us for some great live blues music with a 3-piece band on this Niagara River live music cruise with Barry Arbogast and other talented performers.

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Tampa’s Riverfront History Tour

Take a deep dive into Tampa’s history along the Hillsborough River with a Tampa Bay History Center docent. The 1-hour cruise will feature narration as well as viewing the sights of Downtown Tampa from the Pirate Water Taxi. The cruise will set sail from stop 7 located at the Tampa Convention Center where guests will cruise north to Armature Works. On the return trip the cruise will catch a glimpse of the Tampa Bay History Center before returning to Stop 7.

Docent : Mary Jo Shenk, a graduate of Florida State University and a 10-year docent at the Tampa Bay History Center, has lived in Tampa for more than five decades. She has rich, personal memories of early encounters with some of Tampa’s most notorious historical residents, with interesting stories to tell. Mary Jo also volunteers at St. John’s Episcopal Church as well as the Tampa Garden Club.

Date: Sunday, May 5, 2024

5/5 Cruise Time: Board/mingle with Docent: 4:45 PM, Cruise 5:00-6:00 PM

Departure Location : Tampa Convention Center ( Home Dock Stop #7 )

Cruise Length:  1 hour

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Terms: Tickets for these cruises are NON-refundable AND NON-transferable. Customer may put reservation under another person’s name if they cannot make it.

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Then and Now: Cruise Ship Travel Through the Years

The cruising industry has gone through some incredible changes over the past 100 years — and the tides continue to turn on cruising as a form of leisure travel.

Cruising has never been more accessible and, as such, continues to draw more curious travelers into the arms of the ocean. And while we may not be cruising as much right now, learning about cruising history can help get us through until the seas are open for good again.

From the ill-fated Titanic to modern cruising conundrums, here are some of the most fascinating aspects of cruise ship travel history.

The First American 'Cruise' Crossed the Atlantic in 1819

The first "cruise" vessel to cross the Atlantic from a U.S. port was the S.S. Savannah in 1819. 

The cruise liner took 29 days to reach England and is considered to be the cause of a new era of marine travel by proving that ships powered by steam could actually pick up enough speed to be convenient.

It’s Believed That Cruising Originated In Germany

Cruising can be traced back to Albert Ballin, a German shipping magnate who is believed to be the inventor of the modern-day cruise liner. 

The Augusta Victoria departed Cuxhaven, Germany, in January 1891 with a total of 241 brave passengers. The two-month-long cruise stopped at over a dozen ports that would later become hot spots all throughout the Mediterranean.

Cruise Liners Were Originally Used Strictly for Transportation

Transport ocean liners were originally used as just that — transport. 

The large vessels were exclusively used as a means to get from point A to point B without ever hopping from port to port for leisure.

Mark Twain Helped Boost the Early Cruising Industry

Mark Twain published "The Innocents Abroad" in 1869, and it couldn’t have come at a better time for the cruising industry. 

The story follows Twain’s five-month trip from Europe to Jerusalem on the Quaker City and is credited for sparking interest in cruising for pleasure rather than just to get from point A to point B.

The First Leisure Cruise Line Was Built in 1900

While cruise liners were used exclusively for transportation up until the early 1900s, it wasn’t until Albert Ballin completed the Prinzessin Victoria Luise of Germany that the tides started to turn. 

The luxury cruising vessel was completed in 1900 and was designed to transport passengers in style and comfort. The ship was in service until 1906 when it was accidentally grounded off the coast of Jamaica.

There Were Very Few Bathrooms on Early Cruise Ships

Cruise ships were much smaller in the early 1900s than they are today, and as such, there were much fewer bathrooms. 

All passengers — including first-class guests — would have to share public bathrooms on board.

There Were Very Few Routes and Ports to Choose From

Prior to the 1980s, there were very few ports and routes for passengers to take. 

The most popular route was between London, England, and New York, New York. Passengers looking to explore inward into the U.S. or Europe would opt for air travel.

The Titanic Would Be Considered a Small Vessel by Modern Standards

The Titanic may have been touted as the "Queen of the Ocean" — but the unlucky vessel would have been considered quite small by today’s standards. 

The cruise liner set sail in 1912 with 2,229 guests, while today's average Princess Cruise Line vessel can accommodate upward of 4,000 guests.

The Titanic Was One of Three Luxury Ocean Liners Built by the White Star Line

We’re all very familiar with the tragic story of the Titanic — but the White Star line actually built three luxury cruise liners for transatlantic trips. 

Alongside the Titanic, there was the Olympic and the Britannic. The Britannic was used as a British government ship, but the Olympic set the stage for luxury cruise ship amenities like on-board swimming pools.

The Addition of Safety Equipment Once Caused a Ship to Sink

The ill-fated journey of the Titanic sparked the cruise industry to reconsider what it means to have enough safety equipment on board — but unfortunately, for the SS Eastland, taking extra precautions was its downfall. 

The cruise ship set sail through the Great Lakes in 1915, but the additional weight of all the lifeboats and rafts caused the ship to capsize and resulted in the deaths of 844 passengers.

Cruises Were Reserved for VIP Passengers Until the 1960s

The cruising industry was not nearly as accessible in the early 1900s as it is today — and, as such, most guests would be royal, famous or very well off. 

The Titanic, for example, cost about $2,500 for a ticket, which would be closer to $61,000 in today’s economy.

Most Crew Members Talk in Code

While it is true that most ships have their own jargon, most crew members share a single unique code for all words, places, things and even events that happen on board the ship. 

Not only does this give crew members their own personal "space" and privacy that living on a ship usually strips them of, but it also allows crew to chat among themselves without worrying about guests overhearing.

Cruise Ships Have Been Used as Places of Refuge After Natural Disasters

It might not seem like a haven during a tropical storm, but cruise ships have served as a place of refuge following natural disasters in the United States. 

The Ecstasy and the Sensation from Carnival Cruise Ships, for example, provided shelter and meals to thousands of city workers in New Orleans, Louisiana, after Hurricane Katrina hit.

Cruise Line Vessels Also Frequently Double as Rescue Boats

You might not expect a luxury vessel packed with discerning clients to double as a rescue boat, but many cruise liners have taken it upon themselves to rescue fishermen and other marine workers in need. 

The Carnival Sensation recently rescued 24 people from a sinking boat off the coast of Florida. And it happens much more frequently than you might believe.

Ironically, sometimes it's dumb cruise ship passengers who need rescuing after pulling unconscientious stunts like jumping out of balconies.

There Are Clothing-Optional Cruise Lines

Clothes-free and clothing-optional cruises are a popular and growing vacation choice, according to the American Association for Nude Recreation . 

"We’ve talked to and worked with many of the larger cruise lines: Costa, Dolphin, Carnival, Holland America’s Windstar and Majesty," says Nancy, who runs Bare Necessities Cruises with her ex-husband Tom. "When a company like ours can deliver a full ship, that’s a bonus for any cruise line." 

Many Cruise Ships Have On-Board Morgues

According to the Broward County Medical Examiner's Office at Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades, nearly 100 people have died on cruise ships that arrived in Fort Lauderdale between 2014 and 2017. 

Bodies can be stored in shipboard morgues for up to a week, and most cruise ships have room for three to six bodies.

The Crew Members Typically Sleep on the Lowest Level

Let’s just say the crew’s accommodations are not quite as glamorous as the guests in the top deck. 

Most crew members sleep on the "B deck," which is below the waterline of the ship. They usually share dorm-style rooms and will typically have their own bathrooms.

There Are Hidden Crew-Only Bars and Pools

More crew and staff facilities are typically located on the "A deck" — including the crew store and the crew bar (where no passengers are allowed). 

Certain modern-day liners also include an employees-only swimming pool and sunbathing areas.

Most Cruise Ships Have Well-Known 'Godmothers'

Cruise liners and many other ships follow a longstanding tradition of naming a well-known "godmother" who is selected by the cruise line and acts as good luck for the ship. 

Celebrity godmothers have ranged from Helen Mirren and Reba McEntire to Oprah and Queen Elizabeth.

More Cruises Depart from Florida than Anywhere Else in the U.S.

Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale is the most popular cruise port in the United States with over 3 million passengers passing through its ports in a given year.

That’s about 145,866 passengers boarding vessels every single day.

State Rooms Are Typically Built Separate from the Rest of the Ship

Staterooms are typically built off-site by a completely different company to ensure ample space and time to complete the project. 

The finished staterooms are then transported to the shipyard and lifted onto the exterior of the ship later in the project.

Some Cruise Ships Are Designed for Permanent Residents

Hoping to make your next home a cruise ship? It’s not exactly that wild of a dream. Avid cruisers who wish to move into their state room can now do so thanks to luxury liner The World. 

The 165-guest ship takes its permanent residents all across the globe and back again — and then does it all over.

Many Cruise Liners Have an On-Board Jail

No, you’re not going to be put in cruise ship jail for overdoing it at the buffet or sneaking a glass of wine to your room from the bar. 

The on-board jail — known as the brig — is rarely used and is typically reserved for passengers who commit serious crimes, like drug trafficking.

Princess Cruises Made its Debut by Way of a Television Series

"The Love Boat" television series ran from 1977 to 1986 and, as such, made Princess Cruises and its Pacific Princess ship recognizable in all corners of the world. 

The spin-off series "Love Boat: The Next Wave" featured Sun Princess and increased its name recognition even more.

River Cruises Only Gained Popularity in the 1990s

River cruising has become a great option for anyone looking for a quick trip. But it wasn’t always the case. The Rhine-Main-Danube canal opened in 1992 and set off a new way to explore Europe from the water. 

Viking River Cruises made its debut in 1997 and has since become the largest river cruise fleet.

The Cruise Industry Is Only Growing

Although this method of travel has been topical for over a hundred years at this point, it shows no sign of slowing down. 

The cruise industry has reportedly grown year-over-year at a rate of 7 percent since 1980 (if you don’t count the pause in sailing due to the pandemic).

Many Cruise Ships Don’t Keep Bananas on Board

Many superstitious captains and cruise liners believe that bananas can bring bad luck to the ship. This superstition dates all the way back to the 1700s and is believed to have sprung from a myth that poisonous spiders would hide in banana crates and poison the crew. 

Another theory is that bananas seen floating on the top of the water were often the first signs of a nearby shipwreck.

Pirate Attacks Can and Do Happen — Even Today

Pirate attacks sound like the punchline to a Peter Pan sequel. But they can and do happen to ships and cruise liners. 

Thankfully, there are less than 200 pirate attacks annually and, according to Cruise Critic, there have only been six reported incidents of pirate attacks to cruise ships in the past decade.

The World’s Longest Cruise Was 357 Days

The longest consecutive cruise in history took place in 2016 when Mundy Cruises offered a "World of Travel" itinerary. 

The 357-day cruise sailed to all seven continents and took place aboard seven different vessels.

The Largest Cruise Liner on Record Is Twice the Length of the Washington Monument

The largest cruise liner — Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas — was reportedly more than twice the length of the Washington Monument when it first hit the seas in 2018.

The massive ship features 2,759 staterooms, more than 20 restaurants and even an on-board zipline.

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The Beautiful History Of Cruises Over Time

Posted: January 7, 2024 | Last updated: January 7, 2024

Sailing through time

1830s: the very beginnings

1840s: the first pleasure cruises

1840s: a landmark in cruise-line history

1850–60s: early developments

Passenger cruising continued to develop through the mid-19th century, with luxuries like on-board lounges and simple entertainment emerging. Shown here, in 1856, is Cunard's RMS Persia, one of the largest ships of her time and an early Blue Riband winner (an award given for high-speed Atlantic crossings).

1870s: the New World

1880s: lighting up the ocean

1890s: “floating palaces”

1900s: entering cruising’s golden age

At the turn of the century, there was still a frisson around cruising and large, buzzy crowds would often gather to see off the ships. This nostalgic photograph was snapped between 1900 and 1915, and shows large steam boats leaving from the White Star Line dock in Detroit, Michigan. Well-dressed passengers fill the ships' upper and lower decks too.

1900s: the first purpose-built cruise ship

1910s: onboard entertainment

1910s: the Titanic disaster

One of the most famous and devastating events in cruise history occurred in this decade. Dubbed "unsinkable" by the White Star Line's vice-president, the Titanic set out from Southampton on her maiden voyage on 10 April 1912 to much applause. But just four days later, she collided with an iceberg in the North Atlantic: the compartments in her hull filled with water and she tragically sank. The disaster claimed the lives of more than 1,500 people.

1910s: First World War

1920s: cruising’s golden age continued

1920s: setting the bar high

1920s: a festive feast

1920s: the first round-the-world cruise

Another major milestone came in the 1920s: the very first round-the-world cruise. The Cunard Line's RMS Laconia (pictured here leaving Liverpool circa 1920) sailed around the globe in 1922, calling at 22 ports along the way, and taking 450 lucky passengers with her.

1930s: all games on deck

1930s: making a splash

1940s: post-war cruising

1950s: the post-war decades

Come the 1950s, cruise ships had another phenomenon to compete with: jet planes. Commercial air travel boomed in this decade, with comfier aircraft and improved routes enticing travelers into the skies. Many cruise liners underwent swish post-war refits in an attempt to stay afloat: this 1950s photo shows the opulent dining room of French liner SS Île de France after a dramatic post-war makeover.

1950s: going Down Under

1950s: the Blue Riband record breaker

Though formalized in the 1930s, the Blue Riband – the award for the passenger cruise liner with the fastest Atlantic-crossing time – has its roots right back in the 19th century. The record is still held by SS United States of United States Lines, which first sped across the Atlantic in 1952. She's pictured here on 9 July 1952, docking in Southampton.

1960s: the Jet Age

1970s: The Love Boat

As flying became more commonplace, the popularity of cruising looked set to dwindle. However, one particular TV series is often credited with keeping travelers' passion for cruising alive. The Love Boat – aired from the 1970s – was a comedy series that followed the crew and passengers of luxury liner SS Pacific Princess. Such was its popularity, some say it brought cruising back into the mainstream once more. This shot shows Cunard Line's Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1975. 

1970s: cruising opens up to the masses

1980s: the cruise to nowhere

The 1980s is thought to be the decade that pioneered the "cruise to nowhere," where the ship really was the destination. The SS Norway (pictured) – a lavish mega ship with room for thousands of passengers and amenities like a casino – embarked on a no-docking cruise in this decade.

1990s: Disney takes to the water

2000s: making waves in the modern world

The 2000s saw larger-than-life, no-expense-spared, mega cruise ships sail onto the scene. This sunset snap shows Cunard Line's Queen Mary II as she completes her first trans-Atlantic voyage in January 2004. At this time, she was the largest and most expensive cruise ship ever constructed with room for 2,200-plus passengers, a theater and even a planetarium, setting the bar for the ships of posterity. 

2010s: bigger, better and healthier

2020s: off to a rocky start

The 2020s got off to an eventful start. The COVID-19 pandemic halted almost all cruises, with some passengers and crew marooned onboard while testing and entry protocols were debated. In 2021 rife cancellations, last-minute border changes and variant outbreaks persisted. However, the years since have indicated a return to pre-pandemic popularity, with 300 cruise ships departing in April 2022 – pretty impressive compared to just 22 departing in April 2021. Cruise lines have incorporated more health and safety protocols, such as advising passengers to control their TV, light and temperature via an app instead of touchpoints. 

If this has floated your boat, here's where to see the world's most famous ships

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Social media erupts in fierce debate over whether cruise ship was right to abandon late passengers: ‘they know the rules’.

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A fiery debate has sparked after a cruise denied eight passengers to board the ship after they failed to make the 3 pm cut-off time.

The Norwegian Dawn ship left the tourists on an African island , some without their possessions after the private tour they were on ran late.

The group have now made their way by plane, ferry and car to Senegal, over 2,000 miles from São Tomé and Príncipe, where the Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) ship departed without them last Wednesday.

US couple Jill and Jay Campbell, who were among the abandoned eight cruisers have spent more than $7,000 in travel costs to get to the port in Senegal.

“We truly believe that although there’s a set of rules or policies that the ship follows, they follow those rules too rigidly,” Ms. Campbell told NBC’s the Today Show on Tuesday.

“They really forgot that they are people working in the hospitality industry and that the safety is and the wellbeing of their customers should be the first priority and that should be placed first.

“It was a basic duty of care that they have forgotten about. It does concern us.”

Adam Glezer from  Consumer Champion  told news.com.au it was “ridiculous” the passengers, including a pregnant woman and someone who has a heart condition, weren’t allowed back on — even though the Norwegian Dawn was still at anchor and a São Tomé coastguard took the group on tenders to the vessel.

“Each situation has to be treated on an individual basis — especially the passenger without their medication,” he said.

He said despite the rules, “you need flexibility in situations like this.”

Keep up with The Post's coverage of the Norwegian Cruise debacle

• Eight Norwegian Cruise passengers, including a pregnant woman and an elderly man with a heart condition, were stranded on an African island without money and vital medications after the vessel left port without them.
• A spokesperson for the cruise line claimed the passengers were left on the island “on their own or with a private tour” and missed the “all-aboard time” by over an hour, according to the company.
• Americans Jill Campbell and her husband, Jay Campbell, said they are unsure whether they even want to resume the 20-day voyage after Norwegian Cruise Lines forgot about its “basic duty of care.”
• The eight passengers raced through seven different countries over a span of 48 hours to make it to Senegal, where the ship docked Tuesday morning,
• Doug and Violeta Sanders, a stranded Australian couple, have spoken out about their ordeal , saying it was “the worst experience of our lives.”
• Julie Lenkoff, 80,  suffered a stroke during an excursion on the cruise — and was left “alone” and “helpless” to find her way back to the US, according to her family.
• COLUMN: Cruise ship was right to ditch the late passengers in Africa

Check out The Post’s tips on what to do if you’re left stranded like the Norwegian Cruise passengers

Jim Walker, a Miami-based maritime lawyer, also called out the cruise liner, accusing it of “making a point by abandoning the guests” because they booked a tour that wasn’t through the cruise.

“The reality is that cruise lines aggressively promote cruise-sponsored shore excursions as a fundamental part of their business model, earning tens of millions of dollars a year in income,” he told news.com.au.

“To promote cruise-sponsored excursions where they receive as much as 50 to 60 percent of the profits, cruise lines state that if their guests paid for a cruise-sponsored excursion, as opposed to an independent excursion, the company will guarantee that if the extrusion is late in returning to the cruise ship, it will wait so that the guests are not abandoned ashore.

“In this particular case, it appears that NCL made a point of abandoning these guests simply because they were on an independent excursion.”

Mr. Walker said NCL’s conduct is not only “harsh and uncaring”, but he believes their act was “mean-spirited and vindictive in nature”.

The debacle has caused a huge divide online with some taking the side of the passengers, while others have defended the cruise’s move in leaving the passengers behind in São Tomé.

“Weird that the captain wouldn’t let them board if it was still in port?” one person wrote on Facebook.

“Don’t feel sorry for them they know the rules. It costs the ships a fortune if they don’t leave on time. We have watched people left behind before in Asia. Last trip to NZ there was a very close call also,” wrote another.

Other cruisers said being on time is a “simple” rule passengers need to follow, adding it’s why they only book tours through the ship.

“This is why you take a risk if you don’t go on a excursion you get through the ship Ruled need too be followed,” a third person wrote, while another added: “That’s why I would never take a cruise or organized tour ever, ever again, no freedom to do what you want, when you want.”

A  TikToker and cruiser Candi Thomas  unleashed on the passengers saying it was the responsibility of the passengers to make it back to the ship on time.

“For those of you who don’t cruise, let me tell you. Before you get off the ship there’s numerous announcements, You have it in your daily planning letter, there are signs … you have to be on board 60 to 90 minutes before that ship is departing,” she said.

According to  The Points Guy , if you do not arrive at the port before the boarding window ends, a cruise ship “will most certainly leave without you.”

“Even if you are standing at the pier, waving frantically. That’s because a cruise ship’s departure time is carefully planned and more than just your vacation is at stake.

“Just like airplanes, cruise ships are on tight schedules — much tighter than you may realise.”

Norwegian Cruise Line responds

In a statement provided to news.com.au, the US based Norwegian Cruise Lines said while the ship was in São Tomé and Príncipe, an African island nation, eight guests who were on the island on a private tour “not organised through us” missed the last tender back to the vessel, “therefore not meeting the all aboard time of 3pm local time.”

“While this is a very unfortunate situation, guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time, which is communicated broadly over the ship’s intercom, in the daily print communication and posted just before exiting the vessel.”

The spokesperson said when the guests did not return to the vessel at the all aboard time, their passports were delivered to the local port agents to retrieve when they returned to the port, as per the regular protocol.

The tourists had made arrangements to rejoin the ship in Banjul , Gambia on April 1, but the ship was unable to safely dock in the destination “due to adverse weather conditions.”

The spokesperson told news.com.au it contacted the passengers regarding the itinerary adjustment and provided them with authorisation to rejoin the ship at Dakar, Senegal on April 2.

“Despite the series of unfortunate events outside of our control, we will be reimbursing these eight guests for their travel costs from Banjur, Gambia to Dakar, Senegal. We remain in communication with the guests and are providing additional information as it becomes available.”

The Campbells, from South Carolina, were the only people to have their bank cards and more than a few dollars on them. They said they have spent $7500 on accommodation and food for their fellow castaways.

They explained they were late to the cruise because there was an issue on their private tour.

“They [tour] were like: ‘No problem, we can get you back within an hour,’” Mr. Campbell, who is a schoolteacher.

The guide contacted the captain to say the group were going to be late . When they got back to port the ship was still anchored just off shore. But staff would not allow the passengers to board.

“The harbour master tried to call the ship, the captain refused the call,” Mr. Campbell told  ABC 4 News South Carolina .

“We sent emails to NCL, the NCL customer service emergency number, they said ‘Well, the only way for us to get in touch with the ship is to send them emails, they’re not responding to our emails.’”

Mr. Campbell said the nation’s coastguard service then put all the passengers on a boat and sailed them out to the cruise ship, but still they were refused permission to board.

He told US broadcaster NBC’s the Today Show on Tuesday that the people of São Tomé and Príncipe had been “very gracious, very hospitable,” and had steered them towards hotels and travel agents.

Nonetheless, he said, it had been a challenging experience, describing it as a “very, very difficult process.”

News.com.au understands the eight guests have now rejoined the cruise in Dakar, Senegal.

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• International

March 27, 2024 - Baltimore Key Bridge collapse

By Kathleen Magramo , Antoinette Radford, Alisha Ebrahimji , Maureen Chowdhury , Elise Hammond , Tori B. Powell and Aditi Sangal , CNN

Our live coverage of the Baltimore bridge collapse has moved here .

Here's what you should know about the Key Bridge collapse

From CNN staff

Officials recovered the bodies of two construction workers who were on Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge when it collapsed early Tuesday morning after a 984-foot-long cargo ship collided into a pillar.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore called the collapse Wednesday " a global crisis ."

"The national economy and the world's economy depends on the Port of Baltimore. The port handles more cars and more farm equipment than any other port in the country," Moore said.

Here's what you should know:

• The victims: The six people who are presumed dead were from Mexico Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, according to Col. Roland L. Butler Jr, the superintendent of Maryland State Police. Two bodies were recovered and have been identified as Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes from Mexico and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera from Guatemala. The two workers were filling potholes on the bridge and were later found trapped in a red pickup truck in about 25 feet of water, Butler said. The FBI is handling notifying the victims' families, Butler said.
• Recovery efforts: Authorities are pausing search efforts for the four other workers who are presumed dead, because additional vehicles are encased in concrete and other debris, making it unsafe for divers, Butler said. Once salvage operations clear the debris, divers will search for more remains, he said.
• The investigation: The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the fatal incident, according to the agency's chair Jennifer Homendy. During a Wednesday news conference, Homendy said there were 21 crew members and two pilots on board the Dali cargo ship when it crashed into the bridge. She also said a senior NTSB hazmat investigator identified 56 containers of hazardous material, and that some containers are in the water. The agency received six hours of voyage data from the ship and the investigation could take 12 to 24 months to complete, Homendy said. She emphasized that NTSB will not analyze information collected or provide conclusions while on scene of the collapse.
• Looking forward: Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said rebuilding the bridge will not be "quick or easy" but that it will get done. He said there are four main focus points ahead: reopening the port, dealing with supply chain issues until its reopening, rebuilding the bridge and dealing with traffic issues until the bridge is rebuilt. Biden  pledged the full support  of the federal government in the response and recovery efforts. His administration has already conveyed a sense of urgency to open up federal funding to remove debris and ultimately rebuild the bridge. Maryland has submitted a request to the Biden administration for emergency relief funds "to assist in our work going forward," Moore said Wednesday.

It's almost impossible to place people on the bow of ship due to the unstable structure, fire official says

 From CNN's Sarah Engel

Baltimore City Fire Chief James Wallace said Wednesday that the cargo ship's bridge structure and containers at the bow remain unstable.

"It's going to be very difficult, if not impossible, and very dangerous, to place people on the bow of that boat right now," Wallace told CNN's Kaitlan Collins.

"Naturally, we're still very cognizant of the fact that there are hazardous materials on board the vessel itself," Wallace said, alluding to the National Transportation Safety Board saying earlier that 56 containers were carrying hazardous materials.

Wallace said his team is relying heavily on aerial recognizance, including drones. "That's the only way we're able to see in," he said.  

He added that the aerial surveillance has "been able to really assure us right now we have no [chemical] reactions on board." 

"It's just utter devastation," NTSB chief says of the bridge collapse site

From CNN's Aditi Sangal

Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, called the site of the Key Bridge collapse "devastating."

"It's pretty devastating, certainly, seeing not just what's going on with the cargo containers, but just looking at what was a bridge span — three bridge spans that is pretty much gone. It's just utter devastation," she said at Wednesday evening's news briefing.

She added that she is thinking of families who lost loved ones and those who are waiting to reunite with their lived ones.

NTSB interviewed the Dali's captain and some other crew members today, agency chief says

The National Transportation Safety Board has interviewed the ship's captain, his mate, the chief engineer and one other engineer today, according to Chair Jennifer Homendy.

The two pilots on board the Dali at the time of collision will be interviewed tomorrow, she added.

Cargo ship's voyage data recorder is basic when compared to an airplane's, NTSB chair says

From CNN's Tori B. Powell

The voyage data recorder on the cargo ship Dali was a "newer model" but is considered basic when compared to that on an airplane, according to National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy.

"But it is very basic compared to say, a flight data recorder, where we would have 1,000 parameters," she said at a news conference on Wednesday.

The NTSB chief investigator Marcel Muise added:

"It's not a ship-wide system recorder, so most of the sensors that are being recorded are from the bridge. So things like GPS, the audio, rudder feedback, rudder commands are recorded on there. But not engineering, the temperature of each cylinder, power distribution sensors."

There were no tug boats with Dali at the time of the collision. That's normal, NTSB chief says

There were no tugs with Dali when the cargo vessel collided with Baltimore's Key Bridge, which is normal protocol, according to National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy.

Remember: At 01:26:39 on Tuesday, Dali's pilot made a general very high frequency (VHF) radio call for tugs in the vicinity to assist, the NTSB investigator Marcel Muise had said.

"The tugs help the vessel leave the dock, leave the port and get into the main ship channel. And then they leave. Once it's on its way, it's a straight shot through the channel. So there are no tugs with the vessel at the time. So they were calling for tugs," she said.

NTSB chair says she saw some containers that were carrying hazardous materials in the water

National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy said she did see some of the 56 containers that were carrying hazardous materials in the water.

When asked how many

When asked how many containers of hazardous materials were in the water, Homendy said:

"I did see some containers in the water, and some breached significantly on the vessel itself," she said. "I don't have an exact number, but it's something that we can provide in an update."

Homendy said that a preliminary report should be out in two to four weeks.

This post has been updated with more quotes from Homendy.

Bridge did not have any redundancy, unlike the preferred method for building bridges today, NTSB chair says

Baltimore's Key Bridge did not have any redundancy, which is included in the preferred method of building bridges in the present day, according to National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy.

"The bridge is a fracture critical," she explained. "What that means is if a member fails that would likely cause a portion of, or the entire bridge, to collapse, there's no redundancy. The preferred method for building bridges today is that there is redundancy built in, whether that's transmitting loads to another member or some sort of structural redundancy. This bridge did not have redundancy," Homendy said.

There are 17,468 fracture critical bridges in the United States out of 615,000 bridges total, she said, citing the Federal Highway Administration.

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Celebrity cruise ship rescues 7 people from small vessel 'adrift' between Cuba and Mexico

A Celebrity Cruises ship rescued a group of people from another vessel between Cuba and Mexico this week.

Celebrity Apex “encountered a small vessel adrift and in need of assistance” on Monday, according to a spokesperson for the cruise line.

“The ship’s crew immediately launched a rescue operation, safely bringing (seven) people onboard,” the spokesperson told USA TODAY an emailed statement. “The crew provided them with medical attention, and is working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard.”

The ship departed from Fort Lauderdale for a week-long cruise with stops in Key West, Belize, Cozumel, Mexico and Grand Cayman on Saturday, according to CruiseMapper . The Celebrity spokesperson did not specify who the people in the vessel were.

The ship notified the Coast Guard of the rescue “but there was no U.S. Coast Guard involvement in the case” because of its location, Petty Officer Eric Rodriguez said.

“In accordance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and maritime tradition, it is common and somewhat expected that mariners will render assistance to other seafarers in distress if they have the capability to do so,” he said in an email.

Hotels at sea: Land-based hospitality brands bring guests with them to cruises

The news comes after another cruise ship, Carnival Jubilee, rescued two men stranded in a kayak off the coast of Mexico’s Isla Mujeres in January.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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‘A Lot of Chaos’: Bridge Collapse Creates Upheaval at Largest U.S. Port for Car Trade

A bridge collapse closed Baltimore’s port, an important trade hub that ranks first in the nation by the volume of automobiles and light trucks it handles.

• Share full article

Shipping in the Port of Baltimore

Monthly cargo handled by the Port of Baltimore

By Peter Eavis and Jenny Gross

• March 26, 2024

The Baltimore bridge disaster on Tuesday upended operations at one of the nation’s busiest ports, with disruptions likely to be felt for weeks by companies shipping goods in and out of the country — and possibly by consumers as well.

The upheaval will be especially notable for auto makers and coal producers for whom Baltimore has become one of the most vital shipping destinations in the United States.

As officials began to investigate why a nearly 1,000-foot cargo ship ran into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the middle of the night, companies that transport goods to suppliers and stores scrambled to get trucks to the other East Coast ports receiving goods diverted from Baltimore. Ships sat idle elsewhere, unsure where and when to dock.

“It’s going to cause a lot of chaos,” said Paul Brashier, vice president for drayage and intermodal at ITS Logistics.

The closure of the Port of Baltimore is the latest hit to global supply chains, which have been strained by monthslong crises at the Panama Canal, which has had to slash traffic because of low water levels; and the Suez Canal, which shipping companies are avoiding because of attacks by the Houthis on vessels in the Red Sea.

The auto industry now faces new supply headaches.

Last year, 570,000 vehicles were imported through Baltimore, according to Sina Golara, an assistant professor of supply chain management at Georgia State University. “That’s a huge amount,” he said, equivalent to nearly a quarter of the current inventory of new cars in the United States.

The Baltimore port handled a record amount of foreign cargo last year, and it was the 17th biggest port in the nation overall in 2021, ranked by total tons, according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

Baltimore Ranks in the Top 20 U.S. Ports

Total trade in 2021 in millions of tons

Baltimore ranks first in the United States for the volume of automobiles and light trucks it handles, and for vessels that carry wheeled cargo, including farm and construction machinery, according to a statement by Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland last month.

The incident is another stark reminder of the vulnerability of the supply chains that transport consumer products and commodities around the world.

The extent of the disruption depends on how long it takes to reopen shipping channels into the port of Baltimore. Experts estimate it could take several weeks.

Baltimore is not a leading port for container ships, and other ports can likely absorb traffic that was headed to Baltimore, industry officials said.

Stephen Edwards, the chief executive of the Port of Virginia, said it was expecting a vessel on Tuesday that was previously bound for Baltimore, and that others would soon follow. “Between New York and Virginia, we have sufficient capacity to handle all this cargo,” Mr. Edwards said, referring to container ships.

“Shipping companies are very agile,” said Jean-Paul Rodrigue, a professor in the department of maritime business administration at Texas A&M University-Galveston. “In two to three days, it will be rerouted.”

But other types of cargo could remain snarled.

Alexis Ellender, a global analyst at Kpler, a commodities analytics firm, said he expected the port closure to cause significant disruption of U.S. exports of coal. Last year, about 23 million metric tons of coal exports were shipped from the port of Baltimore, about a quarter of all seaborne U.S. coal shipments. About 12 vessel had been expected to leave the port of Baltimore in the next week or so carrying coal, according to Kpler.

He noted that it would not make a huge dent on the global market, but he added that “the impact is significant for the U.S. in terms of loss of export capacity.”

“You may see coal cargoes coming from the mines being rerouted to other ports instead,” he said, with a port in Norfolk, Va., the most likely.

If auto imports are reduced by Baltimore’s closure, inventories could run low, particularly for models that are in high demand.

“We are initiating discussions with our various transportation providers on contingency plans to ensure an uninterrupted flow of vehicles to our customers and will continue to carefully monitor this situation,” Stellantis, which owns Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram, said in a statement.

Other ports have the capacity to import cars, but there may not be enough car transporters at those ports to handle the new traffic.

“You have to make sure the capacity exists all the way in the supply chain — all the way to the dealership,” said Mr. Golara, the Georgia State professor.

A looming battle is insurance payouts, once legal liability is determined. The size of the payout from the insurer is likely to be significant and will depend on factors including the value of the bridge, the scale of loss of life compensation owed to families of people who died, the damage to the vessel and disruption to the port.

The ship’s insurer, Britannia P&I Club, part of a global group of insurers, said in a statement that it was “working closely with the ship manager and relevant authorities to establish the facts and to help ensure that this situation is dealt with quickly and professionally.”

The port has also increasingly catered to large container ships like the Dali, the 948-foot-long cargo vessel carrying goods for the shipping giant Maersk that hit a pillar of the bridge around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday. The Dali had spent two days in Baltimore’s port before setting off toward the 1.6-mile Francis Scott Key Bridge.

State-owned terminals, managed by the Maryland Port Administration, and privately owned terminals in Baltimore transported a record 52.3 million tons of foreign cargo in 2023, worth $80 billion.

Materials transported in large volumes through the city’s port include coal, coffee and sugar. It was the ninth-busiest port in the nation last year for receiving foreign cargo, in terms of volume and value.

The bridge’s collapse will also disrupt cruises traveling in and out of Baltimore. Norwegian Cruise Line last year began a new fall and winter schedule calling at the Port of Baltimore.

An earlier version of this article misstated the Port of Baltimore’s rank among U.S. ports. It was the nation’s 17th biggest port by total tons in 2021, not the 20th largest.

How we handle corrections

Peter Eavis reports on business, financial markets, the economy and companies across different sectors. More about Peter Eavis

Jenny Gross is a reporter for The Times in London covering breaking news and other topics. More about Jenny Gross