You Can Now Take a Cruise on a New American River

Those who love – or would like to try – river cruising close to home can rejoice: there’s a new river to sail on.In the summer of 2023, American Cruise Lines launched a new river route that explores the charming towns of America’s Tennessee Valley.

The cruise line, which operates a 17-vessel fleet of river and small ships, has dedicated three of its river ships to its new, 8-day, Tennessee River Cruise itinerary, including the brand-new American Serenade.

The river cruise sails between Chattanooga and rising hotspot Nashville. It follows the river’s winding path into the Appalachian Mountains, calling in Decatur, AL; Florence, AL; Savannah, TN and Paducah, KY. It also sails the Cumberland River, exploring Lake Barkley and the Land Between the Lakes.

Current culture and rich history combine on this authentically American river cruise experience. The itinerary includes a range ofexcursions such as visits to Shiloh National Military Park in Savannah, TN; the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL; and the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY.

Guests can also enjoy active outdoor excursions like an ATV Backcountry Excursion in Chattanooga, or a visit to “The Shoals,” where they can golf 18 holes at the beautiful Robert Trent Jones golf course.

The Tennessee Valley is also home to musical greats from Johnny Cash to Patsy Cline, and American Cruise Line’s new Tennessee Riveritinerary pays homage to the harmonious influences of the region, offering guests the opportunity to visit both singers’ museums as well as other music-focused experiences.

This river cruise line includes breakfast each morning, and luggage concierge and transportation to the ship the morning of embarkation.

Your cruise trip doesn’t start on the ship. The itinerary is inclusive of a pre-cruise hotel stay in both departure cities of Nashville and Chattanooga.

You can also opt in to a Grand Ole Opry, 2-night, pre-cruise extension in Nashville that includes tickets to a show at the famed country music venue.

In 2023, the new Tennessee River Cruise runs from June until August, and May to November in 2024.