American Cruise Lines

American Cruise Lines is the largest small ship and river cruise operator in the United States. Founded in 1991 by Charles A. Robertson, the company specializes in luxury riverboat and small-ship coastal cruising along the Mississippi River, the Pacific Northwest, and various domestic shorelines.

Unlike many global cruise lines that operate under international flags, American Cruise Lines is a strictly domestic operator. Under the requirements of the Jones Act, all of its ships are required to be built in American shipyards, staffed by American crews, and registered in the United States. This domestic focus has allowed the brand to dominate the US river cruise market by providing access to ports that larger international vessels cannot reach.

The company is a family-owned enterprise, managed by the Robertson family. All of their vessels are constructed by Chesapeake Shipbuilding, a subsidiary based in Salisbury, Maryland, ensuring that the entire lifecycle of the brand's fleet—from design and manufacturing to operation—remains within the United States.