Take In the Splendor: American Cruise Lines Sets Sail to America's Iconic National Parks
Take In the Splendor: American Cruise Lines Sets Sail to America's Iconic National Parks - Wonders of the West
The American West is a region steeped in natural wonders and frontier lore. Exploring this iconic landscape by ship allows you to experience its magic from a unique vantage point. Cruising along towering canyon walls and meandering down mighty rivers, you’ll be immersed in the splendor of the West's diverse landscapes and rich history.
One highlight is rafting through the Grand Canyon. As your expedition ship drifts along the Colorado River, you’ll be awestruck by the immensity of this natural wonder. Red and orange rock walls soar upwards of a mile, showcasing millions of years of geological history. Ponder the forces that carved this vast chasm as you pass iconic landmarks like Redwall Cavern and stop to hike side canyons. The solitude and scale of the Grand Canyon by river is unparalleled.
Further north, cruise the legendary Columbia and Snake Rivers through the Pacific Northwest. This journey winds through the Columbia River Gorge and its cascading waterfalls, followed by the rolling hills of Washington wine country. Step ashore at riverside pioneer towns before entering Hells Canyon, North America’s deepest river gorge. Keep watch for bighorn sheep clinging to cliffs and ospreys fishing the cold waters.
Alaska's rugged Inside Passage is another cruise highlight. As you thread through narrow fjords flanked by snowcapped peaks, get ready for close encounters with wildlife. Pods of orcas and humpback whales frequently approach ships, while sea otters and Steller sea lions lounge on floating ice. Glacier Bay's tidewater glaciers calve icebergs with thundering cracks, creating a surreal icy world.
Cruising amid the towering sequoias and rushing rivers of California is another memorable way to revel in the diversity of western landscapes. From the redwood forests of the north to the fertile valleys of Sonoma wine country, you’ll gain intimate views of this gorgeous coastline. Further south, admire the sea lion colonies and scenic coves of the rugged Big Sur coast.
Take In the Splendor: American Cruise Lines Sets Sail to America's Iconic National Parks - Magnificent Mountains and Majestic Mesas
As your ship glides along cliffs and canyons, you’ll gain an appreciation of the immense scale of Western mountains. The aptly named Grand Teton Range juts skyward in jagged glory, while the crumpled folds of the Rocky Mountains stretch endlessly towards the horizon. Gaze up in awe as you cruise past sheer rock walls towering thousands of feet above valleys carved by ancient glaciers. From high mountain lakes reflecting pristine alpine scenery to cascading waterfalls spilling down forested slopes, the diversity of landscapes is stunning.
Cruising also brings you up close to the West’s monumental flat-topped mesas. Formed by millennia of water and wind erosion, these isolated landforms rise dramatically from the valley floors. In Utah, Rainbow Bridge National Monument contains one of the world’s largest natural bridges, a gravity-defying sandstone arch stretching over 200 feet across a canyon. Further south, iconic Monument Valley emerges on the horizon with its sprawling mesas and towering buttes. As your ship drifts by, contemplate the patient forces that sculpted these formations from solid rock.
Gliding through steep gorges flanked by towering peaks and lofty mesas, you’ll gain a true sense of their imposing scale and appreciate the raw natural beauty of the Western landscape. Fellow cruisers rave about the ever-changing mountain panoramas visible from the deck of their ship. Picturesque alpine lakes ringed by conifers, roaring whitewater rivers, and icy glaciers clinging to jagged peaks create nonstop scenic splendor. Spotting bighorn sheep navigating precipitous cliffs and catching glimpses of bears lumbering through high mountain meadows adds to the magic.
Veteran cruiser Janet raved about watching the sunset reflect off the imposing mesas around Monument Valley, painting the sandstone formations in warm golden hues. She said, “Experiencing the majestic mesas and mountains from the unique vantage point of a cruise ship gave me a new appreciation of the vast scale of the Western landscape.”
Take In the Splendor: American Cruise Lines Sets Sail to America's Iconic National Parks - Alaskan Adventures Await
Alaska is a dream destination for many adventurous travelers, thanks to its wealth of stunning natural landscapes and abundant wildlife. Cruising Alaska's legendary Inside Passage allows you to fully experience the magic of America's last frontier from an intimate perspective. As your ship threads through the island-dotted waters, get ready for thrilling days exploring rugged shorelines and encounters with iconic northern animals.
One highlight is watching massive glaciers calve icebergs up-close from your ship. As you drift past Glacier Bay's Margerie and Grand Pacific Glaciers, listen for cracks like gunshots as house-sized chunks break off and crash into the sea. The immensity of Alaska's tidewater glaciers, some spilling from mountain valleys and others extending from vast ice fields, is humbling yet exhilarating. Fellow travelers say witnessing the raw power of calving glaciers topped their list of Alaskan highlights.
Kayaking amid icebergs and lounging with sea lions during shore excursions ramp up the adventure. Paddling your kayak through icy waters while dodging the brash ice chunks offers an adrenaline rush. Adventurous cruisers can also opt to hike across the sandy beaches and through temperate rainforests in search of bear, moose, and other wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for fat harbor seals and Steller sea lions hauled out on floating ice near tidewater glaciers. Listening to the throaty roars of feuding sea lions is an unforgettable experience.
But it's the up-close encounters with whales that leave the biggest impression on Alaskan cruisers. Humpback and orca whales frequently approach ships, providing once-in-a-lifetime viewing opportunities. Watching a massive humpback heave its tail fins above the water before diving, called breaching, is a highlight. Seeing a pod of sleek black-and-white orcas suddenly surface around your ship inspires a mix of fascination and astonishment.
Cruiser Jennifer still gets goosebumps remembering a special moment: "An orca swam right under our ship as we stood on the deck. It was amazing to be so close to this massive, beautiful animal in the wild. Moments like that capture the magic of Alaska."
Beyond glaciers and whales, cruising allows you to experience Alaska's rugged beauty in secluded areas only accessible by water. You'll have opportunities to hike through primeval forests draped in velvety moss, watch bears forage on rocky shores, and stroll through native villages unchanged for centuries. The calls of eagles and howls of wolves enhance the sense of raw wilderness.
Take In the Splendor: American Cruise Lines Sets Sail to America's Iconic National Parks - Cruising the Coastlines of Legends
America's coastlines have inspired adventurers and artists for centuries. From the rugged shores of Maine to the sun-drenched beaches of Florida, diverse seascapes beckon discovery. By ship you can retrace the wakes of legends who braved stormy Atlantic waves and pioneered new frontiers. Feel the call of the sea as you explore storied coastlines that shaped our nation.
Cruising the eastern seaboard allows you to experience maritime history firsthand. In New England, wander the cobbled streets and harbors of colonial towns where revolutionaries like Paul Revere once walked. Climb to the top of Portland Head Light, Maine’s oldest lighthouse, for sweeping Atlantic vistas. Imagine what early European settlers thought as they sailed into Boston’s bustling port. Further south, discover the legacy of swashbucklers like Blackbeard who terrorized North Carolina's Outer Banks 300 years ago. With its shifting sandbars and treacherous shoals, this rugged coast remains synonymous with shipwrecks and piracy.
On the West Coast, cruising the Pacific Coast Highway reveals the allure that inspired writers like Jack Kerouac. As your ship hugs California’s windswept pointes and secluded coves, it’s easy to see what drew explorers like Sir Francis Drake centuries ago. Gaze up at the iconic span of the Golden Gate Bridge before venturing north to the timeworn docks of early lumber towns. Cruising under towering redwoods illuminates the challenges early explorers faced on this final frontier.
Beyond history, coastal cruising lets you experience maritime legends firsthand. Off Cape Cod, you may glimpse the colossal silhouette of a humpback whale and understand why Melville wrote so passionately about these titans. Fellow cruisers describe being transfixed as whales breach alongside their ship, sensing the creatures’ raw power and grace. Along Florida’s coast, catching sight of some of the oldest and largest loggerhead turtles, weighing up to 500 pounds, inspires renewed appreciation for the wonders of our oceans.
By ship you can not only retrace the wakes of legends but also forge your own adventures. Kayaking along Maine’s rocky coast among scattered lighthouses and fishing villages stirs the spirit of exploration. Zodiac excursions through the emerald fjords of Alaska make you feel like a pioneer charting new waters. Even lounging on deck with dolphins playfully riding the bow wake forges a personal connection with the sea.
Fellow cruiser Kitty says, “I loved retracing the voyages of early explorers and experiencing the powerful allure of the sea they must have felt. Breaching whales, moments of solitude on a windswept beach - coastal cruising connects you with adventures spanning centuries.”
Take In the Splendor: American Cruise Lines Sets Sail to America's Iconic National Parks - Journey Through History on the Mississippi
Drifting along the mighty Mississippi River is like entering a time machine to America's frontier past. As paddles churn and riverbanks slide by, you retrace the wake of early explorers and pioneers who relied on this iconic waterway. Around each river bend unfolds stories of our nation's complex history.
Cruising the Mississippi summons the spirit of adventurers like Lewis and Clark, who paddled upstream in dugout canoes at the start of the 19th century. Passing St. Louis, see the soaring silver arch commemorating their embarkation on the journey of discovery that opened the West. Ashore, step into a replica keelboat and imagine the challenges of rowing against the current for months into the unknown.
Further south in Memphis, wander Beale Street’s neon-lit blues clubs and imagine the bustling old cotton ports. Other ports like Vicksburg and Natchez harbor beautifully preserved antebellum mansions, remnants of a prosperous but unequal era. Stories of Civil War battles won and lost come alive amid these living history sites.
Beyond tracing history, cruising offers glimpses of river culture unchanged for generations. 100 miles upriver from New Orleans, visit the Germanic town of St. James Parish, established in 1722. Here the brick colonial architecture and swaying moss recall life centuries ago. Cajun towns like Houma give glimpses of Louisiana's French roots through spicy cuisine and folkways still thriving today.
Fellow cruisers say drifting along the Lower Mississippi is like entering another world. Don describes passing weathered wooden shacks set along the remote banks only accessible by river: “It was humbling realizing generations have lived self-sufficiently along the Mississippi, largely untouched by modern times. Everywhere were echoes of the past.”
Many say their most memorable experience was visiting River Road plantation homes. Touring Oak Alley’s imposing Greek Revival mansion surrounded by mossy oaks left them speechless. Sitting on the column-lined porches transported them back to the 1800s. But cruisers also tell of somber moments hearing stories of enslaved people, reminding them of the complex truths of history.
Take In the Splendor: American Cruise Lines Sets Sail to America's Iconic National Parks - Encounters with Local Wildlife
Cruising allows you to experience close encounters with North America’s iconic wildlife in their natural habitats. Seeing these creatures up-close, rather than through bus windows, creates once-in-a-lifetime memories. Cruisers rave about coming face-to-face with grizzly bears lumbering along Alaska’s shores and manatees gliding silently through Florida’s springs.
In Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park, keep watch for mountain goats navigating steep cliffs and puffins nesting amid rocky crags. One cruiser described a magical moment when a curious sea otter swam right up to their kayak and peered at them upside down, its furry belly and whiskers breaking the water's surface. They were struck by how close they could get to wildlife only accessible by sea.
Fellow travelers say Alaska cruise shore excursions open a portal into raw wilderness. While hiking on uninhabited islands, they’ve stumbled upon bears foraging just yards away on the beach. Though initially terrified, they say making noise causes the bears to retreat calmly into the forest. Guides ensure you keep a safe distance but allow you to observe their primal beauty up-close.
In the Pacific Northwest, cruising the Columbia River Gorge provides opportunities to see magnificent sturgeons, some over 10 feet long, from the deck. These gentle giants, unchanged for millions of years, frequent shallow eddies near Redwall Dam where your ship anchors. Their massive shape and prehistoric features are highlights for cruisers.
On the Atlantic Coast, Maine cruises feature exhilarating whale watching. Seeing 40-ton humpback whales breach alongside your ship inspires a sense of awe. You may be close enough to spot patterns on their tail fins as they dive. Some cruisers even glimpse elusive right whales, critically endangered with only 400 left worldwide. They say observing them feed gracefully, mouths open to skim plankton, is unforgettable.
In the southeast, airboat rides during Everglades port stops get you up-close with alligators, colorful roseate spoonbills, and perhaps snoozing manatees. Gliding silently across shallow flats only accessible by boat allows amazing wildlife viewing opportunities. One cruiser described making eye contact with a curious alligator, watching as it swam under their airboat. They were struck by its prehistoric appearance unchanged for millennia.