Would you spend $7K to visit a national park? You've never seen them like this.
If you’re torn between hopping on a cruise or visiting a national park on your next vacation, why not do both?
American Cruise Lines will offer new sailings in 2024 that will take visitors to national parks across the U.S. as part of the itinerary. The cruises will range from 11 to 18 days.
“Our new National Parks cruises highlight the breadth of itineraries only available with American Cruise Lines,” the line’s president, Charles B. Robertson, said in an emailed statement. “Each new adventure is designed to further enhance an already-great cruise with a guided exploration in the country’s beautiful national parks.”
When are American Cruise Lines’ new 2024 national parks cruises?
The first of the sailings, the 11-day Great Smoky Mountains National Park cruise, will depart on May 25, 2024. The cruise line will offer a range of departures through 2024 and 2025 for all four itineraries.
Where will the cruises visit?
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park cruise will cruise from either Nashville or Knoxville Tennessee along the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. Guests will sail on the line’s American Melody, American Splendor or American Symphony ships, stopping in Decatur, Alabama, Chattanooga, Tennessee and more. The sailing includes two days for guests to America’s most-visited national park.
The 15-day Alaska National Parks itinerary features eight days of cruising in Alaska, visiting Juneau, Skagway and Glacier Bay National Park, among others. During the trip’s week-long land portion, guests will visit Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks. The cruise will depart from Fairbanks and take place on the line’s American Constellation vessel.
The Grand Alaska National Parks cruise gives guests even more time to explore, taking place over 18 days (passengers will visit the same national parks). The sailing will also take place on American Constellation and depart from Fairbanks.
The line’s National Parks & Legendary Rivers cruise is back, but will sail from either Jackson, Wyoming or Portland, Oregon for the first time. The cruise will take guests to the Columbia River Gorge and ports like Astoria and Richland Washington, while its land portion features Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. The itinerary takes place over 15 days and guests will sail on the line’s American Harmony, American Jazz or American Song ships.
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How much do the cruises cost?
Prices vary by itinerary, but the first available Great Smoky Mountains National Park cruise on June 8, 2024, currently starts at $7,575 per person based on double occupancy, according to the line’s website. The first available dates for the Alaska National Parks, Great Alaska National Parks, and National Parks and Legendary Rivers cruises currently start at $14,155, $16,560 and $12,755.
The fares include all meals, transportation to the parks, park entrance fees, hotel accommodations and more.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: These new cruises will take you to US national parks in style