American Cruise Lines?

[st5310]

My wife and I are considering the American Cruise Lines Spirit on their New England Islands tour in July 2007. We are experienced cruisers who have been on the big boats (Radiance, Voyager, Grand Princess, etc), but we are intrigued by this cruise line and the itineraries. Unfortunately we know of no one who has ever sailed on one of their ships. I feel a smaller ship might be a refreshing change from the big crowds and glitter we're used to. Calling their 800 number was quite pleasant--a real person answered... a delightful lady who addressed all my questions! Definitely a good start, but I could benefit from some independent perspectives. Please respond if you have sailed any of American Cruise Lines' ships and share your experience, good, bad, or indifferent. Be specific, please. Thank you! Neil

[thunderfox]

I did the Chesapeake Bay cruise this summer and it was my first cruise with American Cruise Lines, and on a small ship cruise.

 

That particular cruise was on the American Eagle, which was the larger ship (85 passengers). I have to say the experience was *amazing*. Top notch and completely worthwhile. I'm spoiled completely now. Large ships can't compare in the important ways (to me, anyway).

 

THeir customer service on the phone is incredible (and I get the feeling it's a small office, so getting to the same person each time was no problem).

THe onboard staff was great - the staff to passenger ratio is about 1-3 and you get to know everyone before the third day. The crew of stewards are masters of multi-tasking, from serving meals to cleaning rooms - they generally look after your every need. THey're all american college students that do only a few months at a time, and as a result I think they stay pretty energetic and enthusiastic. (they reminded me of camp counselors at summer camp - very cute, and very professional)

 

We sailed mostly at night, and were docked in the morning, to maximize time on shore. There's nothing to "do" on the ship, so it's more like a floating hotel. No casinos, no stage shows, no spas. And no one seemed to notice. :) Lots of reading, napping, meeting new friends, and shore excursions. At the end of the day, you're exhausted and most people were tucked into their rooms by 10pm. Morning comes early with most excursions aiming for a 9am departure, and breakfast pretty much done by 8:30am or so.

 

Most people would go on the excursions during the day - some guided, some not. Others could stay on the ship, and do whatever. There is a lounge with books, magazines, large screen TV with DVDs, etc.

There is a bar area with complimentary soft drinks, water, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and snacks. Passengers have access to this 24 hours a day.

 

Around 10am a tray of warm chocolate chip cookies would appear. Nice. There is no extra charge for anything on this cruise (with the obvious exception of shore excursions). All food, drinks (even alcoholic) are complimentary. Tipping is encouraged at the *end* of the trip in a special envelope. It's all very casual and comfortable.

 

Each itinerary is different, but they tend to have the same things in common - discovering the unexpected. Places you didn't even really know existed. Not so touristy as big ports of call. Quaint and historical, most of them.

 

The really neat thing about these small ships, is that they can maneuver into small ports and waterways. There IS a tender that is used to go into ports that are too small or shallow to accomodate the ACL ships. Still, the ships get pretty close, so the tender thing is no big deal.

 

The FOOD on our cruise (and this seems to be a common refrain from return cruisers) was *amazing*. Really really good. The menu is posted in the morning, and you get little request cards for the next meal (lunch or dinner). There is usually a choice of two entrees and two desserts. Special requests are cheerfully accomodated and several people often requested steaks for dinner. No problem. They did offer sugar-free desserts, but the selection was *very* limited (usually one flavor of ice cream or a jello thing). The chef was extremely flexible though, so if there was something special you wanted, you could ask in the morning, and most likely get it that evening, particularly if going to a decent port that day. There are three very definite seatings and no room service. That said... we felt like we were just going meal to meal...and loving every minute of it!!

 

 

Seating is not assigned, and we noticed that a lot of people sort of sat in different places over the course of the week - that's what happens when you get to know lots of people in a short period of time I guess. The captain would join a random table each night, which was fun. Meal times are precise, with the exception of breakfast, which is just a block of time. Lunch at 12, dinner at 6:30. Promptly.

 

Every evening at 5:30 (on the dot!!) most everyone gathers in the lounge for Happy Hour. The stewards are excellent bartenders and there was a never ending parade of hot and cold hors'deuvres circulating through the room. And they were YUMMY! It's a festive time. One evening I came down to join the party and most everyone was wearing silly pirate hats and eyepatches (and loving every minute of it!). And I forgot my camera! Darn!

 

It's one thing I noticed on this small cruise - people are MUCH friendlier and seem to be enjoying the whole experience, as simple as it is. Which reminds me... everyone wears name badges - you get them when you get on the ship (in your room actually) and they are simple, durable, and *everyone* wears them. Basically says who you are and where you're from. Great for striking up a conversation, we found. By the end of the week, you don't really need them, but everyone is in the habit of putting them on, so they still do. I thought it was strange at first, but got used to it quickly. (it's also how the crew knows that you belong on the ship when you come back from the excursions, which are often on your own).

 

After dinner there is usually some sort of local speaker or entertainment - our cruise of the Chesapeake had a pirate theme, and our guest speaker (who stayed on the ship with us) was an author of several fascinating books about pirates, and particularly the Pirates of the Chesapeake. Each evening he'd give a lecture about some aspect of pirates, and was a great guide during the day trips too. One night we had a local troupe of actors/singers who entertianed us with songs and stories - yo ho ho, and a bottle of rum!

 

 

The average age of the passengers on our cruise was probably 60-70-ish. Some older, some younger. One small, but particularly crazy group of 40-somethings kept things lively. :) THere were three young teenagers (13-14?) on board, and I'm sure they were bored silly. At least they had each other.

 

My parents have been on 3 of the ACL itineraries (New England Islands, Antebellum South, and Chesapeake) and are looking forward to doing either the Fall Foliage (Hudson River) or the Maine Lobster cruise next. (I'm SO there!!!) They can't say enough GREAT things about all of the cruises, but they did come back from the Chesapeake cruise with this one notable thought:

 

They enjoyed the *smaller* ships a little more, simply because they were more intimate. You definitely got to know pretty much everyone on the ship. That said, they couldn't complain a bit about the larger ship either - we just didn't really connect with as many individuals over the week. Not a bad thing - just a thing. The only other difference between the smaller ships and the larger ship is simply of size - more cabins, bigger common areas.

 

The cabins are the same size (HUGE by cruise standards) and all have either large picture windows (most open) or balconies. We had balconies and I would pony up the extra bucks again to have one. But that's just me. A lot of people didn't use theirs, as the top deck is very social and comfortable for watching the world go by.

 

All in all this is a great cruise. Would do it again in a heartbeat. It's pricey, but I have to say - completely worth it.

I'm sure I left out some details - feel free to drop me a note with any other questions.

 

 

Have fun!

[CarolGS]

Thanks for that great review!

[micelivines]

Do they allow alcoholic beverages to be taken on? Is ice available???

[SwissMyst]

Do river cruise ships ever get the sea-sicky rough waters that ocean ships can face?

 

Just experienced the worst combo for a few weeks: endless rolling, pitch and yaw all together. It has put me off cruising now just when I was falling in love with it.