Who Sails America’s Coasts
The small-ship companies, coast by coast.
Get Free US Coastal Cruise QuotesA handful of small-ship companies run most US coastal cruises. They differ in ship style, what the fare includes and how far they wander, so it pays to know who is who before comparing itineraries.
| Line | Ships | US coasts it sails | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Cruise Lines | Small U.S.-flagged coastal ships and riverboats | New England, Chesapeake, Southeast Intracoastal and Florida, Puget Sound, Southeast Alaska (plus many rivers) | Relaxed, history-focused, mostly American guests |
| Pearl Seas Cruises | Pearl Mist, an all-balcony small ship | New England with Atlantic Canada in spring and fall; Great Lakes in summer | Inclusive fares with meals, beverages and guided tours |
| UnCruise Adventures | Small expedition ships | Southeast Alaska in summer | Active: kayaks, hikes, wildlife |
| Lindblad Expeditions | Expedition ships with National Geographic | Southeast Alaska; Columbia and Snake rivers | Naturalist-led expedition |
| Alaskan Dream Cruises | Small ships based in Alaska | Southeast Alaska | Local, village-focused |
Itineraries and ships change from year to year, so treat this as a map of who to look at, not a schedule. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will confirm what each line is sailing for your dates.
Small Ship or Big Ship?
Most coastal regions are also served by big ships: New England and Canada cruises from New York and Boston, and Alaska round trips from Seattle. The differences are real. A small ship carries perhaps one or two hundred guests, docks in towns big ships cannot enter and spends its days close to the shore. A big ship has more restaurants, entertainment and cabin choice, and usually costs less per night, but visits fewer and larger ports.
On a coastal trip where the scenery and the towns are the reason to go, many travelers find the small ship worth the higher fare. Families and anyone who wants nightlife often prefer the big ship.
What to Ask Before You Book
- Which shore tours, drinks and gratuities are in the fare?
- Does the ship have an elevator, and are any ports tender stops?
- Does the itinerary include a Canadian port (passport needed)?
- How many guests, and what is the cabin size in the category I am considering?
- What happens if weather closes a port?
How Coastal Fares Usually Work
Small-ship coastal fares are quoted per person and usually cost more per night than a big ship, because fixed costs are shared by fewer guests. They often include more, though: some lines fold in guided shore tours, wine and beer with dinner, or a pre-cruise hotel night, while others keep the fare lean and charge separately. Single travelers should ask about solo cabins, which a few small ships offer.
Two things are worth comparing beyond the price: how much of each day the ship spends in port versus underway, and how many guests share the shore tours. A ship that docks downtown for a full day can make a coastal week feel twice as long. Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will set the lines side by side on all of this.
Want the riverboat side of these companies? See US River Cruises and the Official River Cruise Directory.
Compare the Coastal Lines
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will put the small-ship lines side by side for your coast and season, inclusions and all.
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