DaveinCharlotte

We've sailed on the Independence a couple of times and found the rooms to be fine. But that was several years ago. Folks should bear in mind that although ACL has a couple dozen ships that are modern -- some brand-spanking new -- they are still running a few (Star, Independence, Pride) that are very long in the tooth. If I really wanted a cruise that was available only on these old ship, I'd still book it, but in general my advice is to try to stick with the newer ships.

Well, laundering clothes upon return is pretty standard. But here's what you can do: When you pack your luggage at home, throw in a plastic trash bag. Weighs virtually nothing, doesn't take up any room. If rain is in the offing at cruise end, pack all your clothes in that bag before setting your bags outside on disembarkation eve. Baggage will still get wet, but clothes will stay dry.

I assume your cabin was on the first (main) deck. Hallway traffic can get pretty hectic down there at times, I've found. What did the Hotel Manager or other staff say when you complained about your cabin conditions?

Paddlewheel boats, which have no outdoor cafe, compensate for this by offering a buffet in the Sky Lounge. There's a trio of hotplates which the kitchen keeps supplied with, say, oatmeal, soups, chili, grilled cheese sandwiches, etc. You don't know what will be on the menu on any given day until you go up and look. Hours are about the same as what outdoor cafe hours are on the other ships.

And some people say they like the opposite direction because it follows the way the Lewis and Clark expedition returned.

This would be the Hyatt, I assume. Did they quote you a price for the package?

There's a drop-off area nearby, but it's not right at the ship...a few hundred yards back.

Not really. That may have once been the case, but now there's nothing to pass out. You should already have all that via your online account.

For some cruises, yes...Mississippi Cruises, for example. But for East Coast cruises, no, you either buy their premium hotel package, or stay in a hotel of your choosing you pay for. If the latter, you have to get yourself to the ship after the hotel. This is what we usually do.

Normally all inland passage; no open ocean. But on one of our cruises, the captain did take the ship outside for one segment (Morehead City to Charleston).

So here's a possibility. At Union Station you could get the Metro's Red Line/Green Line connection to Waterfront Station. From there it's only a 500-yard walk to the nearest of the Wharf-area hotels, the Pendry. It's the farthest from the ship, but even so that's only a 500-yard walk as well.

Take a cruise on one of the Coastal Cats. They have several tables set up for two. On our 23 cruises we have rarely seen tables for two on the other ships. Mostly it's a mixture of 4 and 6. I am not a conversationalist, and find it awkward sitting with one other couple. But, I have no trouble sitting at a table for 6 (or 8), because then it's easy to either avoid conversation or join in, as the situation warrants. I have to admit that most of time when I'm "forced" to eat at a table for 4, I come away thinking "now that was another nice couple to talk to." Thanks for those quotes from rude folks; now I know where you're coming from. Fortunately we've never encountered that! mj_holiday: Off-topic, but no, unfortunately the outside cafe usually closes at 5:00 pm and is not open for dinner.

This is a change since I booked this cruise a few weeks ago -- thanks for pointing this out. The ship was to dock at Paducah, then continue on the Tennessee. There are many Paducah excursions, but only 2 at Grand River. On my last cruise on AQV, the ship had no trouble navigating these few miles, but maybe ACL has recently encountered low-water problems here? Looking at the aerial photos, hard to see where the ship could dock in Grand River. Bob, I'm sorry you'll miss out on the one-mile stretch between Paducah and the mouth of the Tennessee.

No, because ACL provides a shuttle from the cruise end to the departing airport.

Some of the ACL ships do have a pretty shallow draft. E,g, "American Glory joined the American Cruise Lines fleet in 2023 as part of its Coastal Cats Class. As a catamaran with a 7-foot draft, she can navigate shallower waters with ease."

Yes, the embarkation pier would surely be The Wharf. Have been studying Google Maps to find hotels nearby. There are several within walking distance. (To me, they all seemed pricey, and I've been looking at some just across the river by the airport -- these are considerably cheaper.) I recently saw this question asked on ACL Facebook with responses from folks who did stay at nearby hotels -- maybe you could track this down.

This is for our cruise in April 2025, the Chesapeake Bay. We leave from the docks in Washington, DC, and arrive back dockside in Baltimore. The website shows that the Chesapeake Bay Cruise, 8 days, is round trip from Baltimore to Baltimore. And the only map and itinerary they provide conforms to this. Yet when I look at the individual cruise schedule, it shows that almost half of them are one way, Washington to Baltimore! And these alternate randomly throughout 2025, 2026, etc. Obviously the two itineraries cannot be the same, and is there no indication there is a Baltimore to Washington option. Why would anyone now book a cruise where the itinerary was not provided?

If you find the Hyatt Regency package too expensive and can walk your rollerbag 0.9 miles (or get a taxi), try the Hampton Inn on the south side of the river. Room and week-long parking very reasonable, by comparison.

They usually have a mixture of craft beers, "boring" beers, and a nonalcoholic beer. Not a big selection, mind you, But on 20 cruises I have never been disappointed re the availability of good craft beers.

Open seating: come in anytime during the period, sit anywhere there's room. Beer and wine available lunch and dinner; hard drinks can be ordered, but be prepared to wait. Beer and wine available in lounge all afternoon, but bar not open. Beer, wine, and hard drinks available during cocktail hour and then later in the evening. All meals via order-off-menu; special requests honored, no buffets. Room service is available. (This info applies to all ACL ships, not just the Jazz.)

Except for the fact we greatly enjoyed both, I'd say no comparison at all. On our half-dozen Windjammer cruises (all on the Mandalay) 25 years ago, we were in our 50s like most of the passengers. On our two-dozen ACL cruises, most passengers were in their 70s or even 80s (as we are now). So the excursions are much less active, and the food, cabins, and lounges much better (and, of course, more expensive). We've done the Colombia/Snake cruise twice (though on a different cruise line -- "Uncruise") and found the locale to be super. In fact, in 2 weeks we leave for our 3rd one, which will be different because of the national parks land program tacked on the end. The Colombia/Snake is very popular...in fact, ACL has no fewer than FIVE ships doing the itinerary. I think you would enjoy it.

It appears that all five ACL ships on the Colombia River are now docking at Washougal, WA, and not at Hayden Island. There is a Best Western hotel at Washougal, but I'm not sure that's the hotel ACL is now using. For folks starting cruises in Portland this month, can you tell me what hotel ACL assigned you to? Some of the posts on FB indicate Embassy Suites PDX. We have a cruise Aug 1. Called ACL, but rep just said "we don't know yet."

We sailed on this ship several years ago when it was America Queen of the Mississippi II, and more recently as the American Heritage. It had been substantially upgraded and looked just as the virtual tour shows. These refurbished Mississippi paddle-wheelers are all just about the same.

Step-in showers.

Can't. I'm deaf. Was hoping someone who had done one of these cruises recently would see this post. BTW, am pretty sure (from posts on ACL FB) that ACL cruises are using Pier 81 these days.