Cruising in North America is commonly associated with Alaska and the eastern seaboard ports of New York, Boston and Halifax in Atlantic Canada. Look at a map, however, and you’ll see that the choice of the scenery, waterways and type of ship to take you there is much more diverse.
There are the volcanic islands of Hawaii, lapped by the teal waters of the Pacific, rivers whose scenic calling points showcase culture, music, wine and settler heritage, cities that combine culture with scenic sailing and five gargantuan lakes.
The five Great Lakes collectively form the planet’s largest body of fresh water. Rich in birdlife, the lakes skirt seven US states and the province of Ontario in Canada. Here, too, is the lock-straddled St Lawrence Seaway and the St Lawrence River, which connects the regions of Upper and Lower Canada.
On the west coast, you’ll find the cities of Seattle and Vancouver, both gateways to Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, and San Francisco, where you can get on the Redwood Trail and go dolphin watching. Whichever of these wildly different itineraries you choose, don’t leave it too long to book – some cruises are already sold out for 2025.
Alaska
APT’s new Rockies and Alaska land and cruise holiday takes guests from Victoria in British Columbia to Fairbanks (Alaska) over 25 days and includes a seven-night Inside Passage cruise with Holland America Line and a journey on the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Jasper. The rail route takes in some of the Rockies’ tallest peaks and travels alongside the Coast Mountains, Fraser Canyon, Albreda Glacier and Pyramid Falls.
How to do it
From £13,095pp with departures from May to August 2025, including GoldLeaf service on the Rocky Mountaineer, accommodation at McKinley Chalet Resort and Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, a week’s cruise, transfers and tips with APT (0800 012 6683).
Disney Cruise Line Sails to Alaska
Inspire the kids with glaciers, look out for porpoises and try gold panning and maybe zip lining on a Disney Wonder Alaskan cruise. Itineraries range from five to nine nights and some visit Icy Strait Point, for whale watching, or a ride on the world’s largest zip line. Expect character breakfasts, children’s clubs, fireworks and first-run movies on board.
How to do it
A seven-night Alaska from Vancouver cruise on board Disney Wonder costs from £5,128 for a family of four sharing a cabin. Departs roundtrip from Vancouver departing August 25, 2025 with Iglu Cruise (020 3514 3637). Excludes flights.
Hawaii
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America is the only ship to sail year-round from Honolulu, with stops at four different islands and overnights in port at the islands of Kauai and Maui. The ship has adult and children’s swimming pools, a jogging track and volleyball courts and the spacious Mandara Spa. Lei making and cultural workshops on board are led by a Hawaiian ambassador.
How to do it
A 10-night cruise-and-stay holiday to Hawaii, including a four-night hotel stay in Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, a tour of Pearl Harbour and seven nights on NCL’s Pride of America, visiting Oahu, Maui, Island of Hawaii and Kauai, costs from £4,795pp, departing September through November and including flights from London, Manchester or Glasgow with Bon Voyage (023 80 24 8248).
Transatlantic
Cross the Atlantic in style on a Cunard liner, watch abridged plays performed by actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company, pamper yourself at the Mareel Spa, perhaps try a new activity (fencing or yoga?) and then explore port towns and cities in New England. The 21-day trip includes overnights in New York and Boston and full days in Newport and Halifax.
How to do it
A Transatlantic Crossing, New England And Canada cruise costs from £3,639pp roundtrip from Southampton and departing on June 24, 2025 with Cunard (0344 338 8641).
Great Lakes
Explore the Great Lakes and more, during an extended cruise from Chicago to Halifax on the 230-passenger expedition ship, Hanseatic Inspiration. Highlights include Parry Sound, located within the Georgian Bay Unesco Biosphere Reserve, Forillon National Park (home to moose and bears), the French Canadian city of Montreal and car-free Mackinac Island, on the straits between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.
How to do it
A 17-night Great Lakes And St Lawrence River - Unlocking The American Dream cruise costs from £10,960pp departing on October 8, 2025 with Mundy Adventures (020 7399 7630). Excludes flights.
US West Coast
Sip and taste your way around vineyards in Sonoma County while soaking up the spring sunshine on a week-long cruise from San Diego to Victoria, in British Columbia. There’s an excellent line-up of excursions from the ship, including dolphin watching of the Catalina coast, a visit to the redwood trail at Muir Woods near San Francisco and a scenic cycle along the historic waterfront in Astoria, in the state of Oregon.
How to do it
A seven-day Wine Country and Pacific Northwest Cruise costs from £734pp departing on April 4, 2026 with Holland America (0344 338 8607). Excludes flights.
Canadian Maritimes
This interesting itinerary on the National Geographic Explorer lingers in Canada’s Maritime Provinces, with ample opportunity to spot cetaceans and wildlife. A cruise along the St Lawrence seaway to the fortified French Canadian jewel, Quebec City, is one of many highlights. There are visits to the ruggedly beautiful Côte-Nord region, the dunes, beaches and sandstone cliffs of the Îles de la Madeleine and the Saguenay River, where seals and porpoises and minke, blue and fin whales can be seen at different times of the year.
How to do it
An 11-day Sailing the St Lawrence Seaway and Canadian Maritimes cruise, roundtrip from St John’s in Newfoundland, costs from £10,232pp departing on September 2, 2026 with National Geographic Expeditions (0800 098 1496). Excludes flights to Canada
Mississippi river
This year marks the 190th anniversary of the birth of Mark Twain, the writer and steamboat pilot who brought the 2,340-mile long Ol’ Muddy to life in his Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn novels. Viking’s itinerary dips into America’s French, Acadian and Cajun heritage and there are visits to music-infused Memphis and New Orleans at the beginning and end of the cruise. On board, guests enjoy views of the Lower Mississippi’s lush wetlands, fertile farmlands and birdlife, from a luxurious balcony suite.
How to do it
A seven-night Mississippi Delta Explorer cruise from New Orleans to Memphis costs from £3,995pp including flights, beer, wine and soft drinks with on-board meals. Departs February 7, 2026 with Viking (0800 319 66 60).
Great United States
If you’ve got no time constraints and want to properly explore, this cruise and land holiday with American Cruise Lines visiting 15 states is hard to beat. It kicks off in Portland with a cruise on the Columbia and Snake rivers and then heads south to the Mississippi, before switching to a small ocean ship for a cruise around the harbours of New England. In between there are visits to towns, cities and national parks including Yellowstone and Grand Teton and the cruise culminates in Boston.
How to do it
A 52-day Great United States Cruise costs from £39,500pp, including daily excursions, tips, Wi-Fi, domestic flights and hotels in between cruise segments, departing on May 29, 2025 (and May 29, 2026) with American Cruise Lines (001800 460 4518). Excludes international flights.
The Gulf Coast
Most cruise lines sail from Florida’s cruise hubs to the Caribbean or the Bahamas, rather than exploring the state. This itinerary on the 130-passenger American Maverick features a visit to the mangrove forests at Marco Island, a tour of Hemingway’s former home in Key West, and a day at the waterfront town of Punta Gorda. Founded in 1884, the town is located at the junction of the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor and is known for its well-preserved Victorian homes. As you cruise around the turquoise waters of the Sunshine State keep an eye out for manatees, dolphins and sea turtles.
How to do it
A nine-night Florida Gulf Coast and Keys Cruise costs from £7,199pp, including flights, transfers and a pre-cruise hotel night, departing on January 9, 2026 with Fred Holidays (0800 988 3369)