Spotlight on America’s Great Lakes and Rivers

The Hudson River With American Cruise Lines

American Cruise Lines’ Hudson River Fall Foliage cruise promises travelers eight days of gorgeous scenery, epic historical pitstops and incredible views of the Big Apple’s iconic skyline. The seasonal itinerary is the perfect amalgam of big-city sightseeing paired with countryside charm — something that increases tenfold as the leaves begin to change.

“Each fall, the Hudson River Valley is adorned by the natural splendor of the Northeast’s most stunning seasonal foliage,” said Alexa Paolella, public relations manager for American Cruise Lines, Inc. “The trees are awash in a kaleidoscope of colorful hues — burnt orange, red, yellow and green leaves adorn the landscape as far as the eye can see. Sailing the Hudson River during the fall season is the most spectacular way to explore it.”

Things To See and Do

Spanning 315 spectacular miles, the Hudson River is famed for its ties to prevalent figures throughout American history including several former U.S. presidents, industry titans, revolutionary artists and Gilded Age characters. And as they explore the grounds of the grand Vanderbilt Mansion and witness the former home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, travelers will find that history is still alive and well for those who seek to experience it.

“Cruise guests explore many of the region’s renowned points of interest including guided tours of FDR’s Presidential Library & Museum in Hyde Park, West Point Military Academy and both the Vanderbilt and Lyndhurst Mansions,” said Paolella. “Guests also enjoy visiting Hudson River towns like the infamous Sleepy Hollow and a day of excursions in NYC including a visit to the World Trade Center Memorial and grounds.”

Pair this incredible sightseeing with the information provided by onboard historians and experts, nightly entertainment, all-inclusive fine dining and complimentary cocktails and it's easy to see why American Cruise Lines’ Hudson River Fall Foliage cruise is one of the best ways to experience this stunning natural area along the east coast.

The Great Lakes With Viking

Acting as the backdrop for iconic coastal cities, picturesque jagged cliffsides and no shortage of lonely lighthouses, the Great Lakes — Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario — and their connecting waterways account for the largest freshwater system in the world. The system is so massive, in fact, that it covers more than 94,000 square miles and holds an estimated six quadrillion gallons of water — that’s nearly one-fifth of Earth’s fresh surface water supply.

Collectively dubbed North America’s “Third Coast,” the Great Lakes’ vast waterways present cruise-goers another way to travel the world by ship, without ever heading to the seas. “Now more than ever, travelers are looking to explore unique and beautiful destinations around the world including those further afield and closer to home,” said a Viking spokesperson. “Destinations like the Great Lakes are an undiscovered treasure rich with opportunity for curious explorers. With our new purpose-built ships, the Viking Octantis and the Viking Polaris, we offer ideally sized vessels for seamless exploration of all five Great Lakes, as well as providing the comfort and onboard amenities when visiting these remote destinations.”

Things To See and Do

Viking’s eight-day Great Lakes Explorer itinerary offers travelers the adventure of a lifetime with eight different ports of call alongside three magnificent Great Lakes — Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Superior. And exploration is the name of the game as Viking presents cruise-goers with several ways to experience the region’s sparkling fresh waters.

“Guests have the opportunity to explore Lake Huron and the Georgian Bay, as well as Lake Superior by water on one of Viking’s Special Operation Boats, Zodiacs or kayaks,” said a Viking spokesperson. “Or if guests prefer, they can simply take in the view from their Nordic Balcony onboard the ship.”

Criss-crossing between midwestern states like Wisconsin and Michigan to international destinations based in Canada, this exciting itinerary keeps travelers on their toes as they encounter natural wonders and charming cities, including Michigan’s Mackinac Island. “(During) the ship’s call on Mackinac Island, guests can also explore the car-free island by carriage, bicycle or on foot. During the Viking Privileged Access shore excursion, An Artful Afternoon Tea, guests can enjoy an exclusive tea service at the historic Grand Hotel with views of the island,” said a Viking spokesperson.

The Mississippi River With American Queen Voyages

Neatly dividing the continental U.S., the mighty Mississippi is the second-longest river in North America at 2,340 miles. Easily one of the nation’s most, if not the most, iconic river systems, the Mississippi begins at Lake Itasca, Minnesota and flows through nine additional states — Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana — before emptying into the Gulf of Mexico.

Due to its impressive length, the Mississippi played an important role in U.S. history as the Ojibwa tribe and early U.S. settlers used the “Great River” to transport goods between bustling port towns. Eventually, those small port towns grew to become modern metropolitan cities like Minneapolis, Memphis and New Orleans, all of which hold a special sort of allure thanks to their proximity to the river’s powerful waters.

When it comes to experiencing those waters, it’s hard to beat American Queen Voyages’ all-inclusive paddlewheel riverboats — stylish rigs painted in bright shades of white, gold and red. “Touring the Mississippi by cruise offers travelers the opportunity to travel back in time to the Golden Age of Travel,” said Cindy D’Aoust, president of American Queen Voyages. “Only needing to unpack once, guests can explore numerous destinations with convenience and all-inclusive luxury.”

Things To See and Do

Again, the Mississippi is massive. To account for this, American Queen Voyages’ Mississippi River offerings are divided into two categories: upper and lower river cruise itineraries.

On the upper Mississippi, cruise goers marvel at the raw beauty of the region’s rugged bluffs and colorful treetops, the winding shoreline guiding them as they stop at picturesque places and sample tasty eats along the way. “On an Upper Mississippi River voyage, guests visit charming river towns such as Dubuque, home of the iconic ‘Field of Dreams’ baseball field, La Crosse and Hannibal,” said D’Aoust. And while everyone knows the South is famous for its southern hospitality, travelers will be tickled by “Midwest Nice,” a term used to describe the unmatched politeness associated with midwestern folk.

On the lower Mississippi, travelers are immersed in the unmistakable aura of southern living. Time slows down as long days are spent beneath the sun, music playing in the distance and the taste of regional cuisine on cruise-goers’ tongues. “On the Lower Mississippi River, travelers will sail between the vibrant cities of New Orleans and Memphis,” said D’Aoust. “As guests cruise this region, they discover rich history, Creole cultural influences, smooth jazz music and Southern hospitality.” D’Aoust points to Graceland and Nottoway Resort as two of the most popular stops along the route.