North America River Cruise Tours & Trip Packages

North America River Cruise Tours & Trips

2,867 North America trips. Tours from 388 tour companies. 3,210 reviews. 4.6/5 avg rating.

20 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
River Cruise
Great Rivers of Florida Cruise
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5/5 Excellent
37 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Take a tour of beautiful Palatka.
  • Enjoy the beauty of Blue Springs State Park
  • Putnam Historic Museum
  • Enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride through Green Cove Springs
  • Experience the sights and sounds of Green Cove Springs during a guided tour
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"AMERICAN CRUISE LINES STOLE FROM ME I am a dedicated hard working single father of two young daughters and worked for American cruise lines from February-August of 2023 first starting out as an engineer and eventually was asked and promoted to IT dept in May. Was offered a $3000 sign on bonus which i would use to move my daughters and myself from Tampa, Fl to Portland, OR. The company and supervisors knew IT would be a new role and there would be a learning curve for me but given some time i would easily grasp the position but regrettably i caught covid in July and was terminated two weeks later on July 28th after being incredibly ill with covid, but was told i was let go for (loss confidence). I returned to Tampa, FL and when i received my final two-week paycheck and without notice received.35 cents. I was told my sign on bonus was deducted which was 100% wrong the only stipulation for my sign-on bonus was i had to work for at least 30 days which i did. I was using those funds to move my daughters and myself the 3000+ miles from Tampa to Portland. This has been an incredibly costly and frustrating as one could imagine for a single father. American Cruise Lines is a very large and profitable corporation for them to do this to an employee i think is despicable. Date of experience: July 28, 2023"

Trip dates & details
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Lower Mississippi River Cruise
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5/5 Excellent
37 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Memphis, New Orleans

Highlights

  • Enjoying the shade of the leafy canopy greet us on arrival and are our guides for the day
  • Visits to its gardens, historic homes, and museums.
  • Explore his eclectic collection of period-specific artwork and one-of-a-kind antiques.
  • Enjoy the warmth of the Mississippi River sun as we cruise from Vicksburg to Memphis.
  • Explore fascinating exhibits such as Elvis’ museum, estate grounds, the jungle and trophy rooms, his gravesite, and much more.

Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"AMERICAN CRUISE LINES STOLE FROM ME I am a dedicated hard working single father of two young daughters and worked for American cruise lines from February-August of 2023 first starting out as an engineer and eventually was asked and promoted to IT dept in May. Was offered a $3000 sign on bonus which i would use to move my daughters and myself from Tampa, Fl to Portland, OR. The company and supervisors knew IT would be a new role and there would be a learning curve for me but given some time i would easily grasp the position but regrettably i caught covid in July and was terminated two weeks later on July 28th after being incredibly ill with covid, but was told i was let go for (loss confidence). I returned to Tampa, FL and when i received my final two-week paycheck and without notice received.35 cents. I was told my sign on bonus was deducted which was 100% wrong the only stipulation for my sign-on bonus was i had to work for at least 30 days which i did. I was using those funds to move my daughters and myself the 3000+ miles from Tampa to Portland. This has been an incredibly costly and frustrating as one could imagine for a single father. American Cruise Lines is a very large and profitable corporation for them to do this to an employee i think is despicable. Date of experience: July 28, 2023"

Trip dates & details
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New Orleans-New Orleans
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5/5 Excellent
37 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Visit their popular gift shop which is known for their world-famous pralines.
  • Enjoying the shade of the leafy canopy greet us on arrival and are our guides for the day.
  • Visits to its gardens, historic homes, and museums
  • See why this show is called "Becoming Jelly Roll."
  • Enjoy the local flavors, like chicory coffee, sweet beignets, and famous New Orleans jazz music.

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"AMERICAN CRUISE LINES STOLE FROM ME I am a dedicated hard working single father of two young daughters and worked for American cruise lines from February-August of 2023 first starting out as an engineer and eventually was asked and promoted to IT dept in May. Was offered a $3000 sign on bonus which i would use to move my daughters and myself from Tampa, Fl to Portland, OR. The company and supervisors knew IT would be a new role and there would be a learning curve for me but given some time i would easily grasp the position but regrettably i caught covid in July and was terminated two weeks later on July 28th after being incredibly ill with covid, but was told i was let go for (loss confidence). I returned to Tampa, FL and when i received my final two-week paycheck and without notice received.35 cents. I was told my sign on bonus was deducted which was 100% wrong the only stipulation for my sign-on bonus was i had to work for at least 30 days which i did. I was using those funds to move my daughters and myself the 3000+ miles from Tampa to Portland. This has been an incredibly costly and frustrating as one could imagine for a single father. American Cruise Lines is a very large and profitable corporation for them to do this to an employee i think is despicable. Date of experience: July 28, 2023"

Trip dates & details
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Columbia and Snake Rivers Journey
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2/5 Disappointing
30 reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Portland

Highlights

  • Follow the path of Lewis and Clark’s expedition through what are today the states of Washington and Oregon.
  • Cruise through the towering canyons of the Columbia River Gorge, and explore the coastline by kayak or motorized landing craft.
  • Hike or bike along breathtaking vistas, and take an exhilarating jet boat ride up the Snake River to Hell’s Canyon.
  • Enjoy locally sourced, sustainable cuisine and nightly beer and wine tastings on board. Also visit a winery for a tasting and tour.
  • Learn about the history of the Nez Perce and other Native American tribes of the area.
Show more

Themes

50 plus, Culinary & Wine, Education / Learning, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"We booked a National Geographic expedition Holland and Belgium by River. The promotional literature promised a 14-day deposit refund window. The “invoice” was marked “non-refundable” deposit. We completed the National Geographic Traveler Information. About 8 days later we received the “Travel Agreement” to be signed. We both approved and signed the National Geographic documents. A Cruise Line Travel agreement was enclosed but had no signature line. This document contained language which was unacceptable. We submitted the signed NatGeo documents. The following day we canceled the trip due to the unacceptable Cruise Line language. Cancellation was made 12 days after booking and no deposit was returned. We were told on the phone that the refund deadline was triggered by the 14 day window OR signatures on the Travel Agreement which ever came first. This was NEW information. To date, we have received NO refund of our $1000. We cancelled our trip within the advertised 14 day window."

Trip dates & details
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Life on the Mississippi - Southbound 2022
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4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

  • Channel your inner Huckleberry Finn as you cruise down the Mississippi River aboard a modern-day paddle wheeler that caters to your comfort with some of the largest accommodations on the river. Visit places immortalized in American history and song from the Blue City of Memphis to the Big Easy in New Orleans as you explore the sights with local experts and savor multi-cultural culinary traditions along the way. Cast off for a storied adventure as iconic as America itself as you explore daily life along the great Mississippi River! This 11-day adventure includes 7 nights aboardAmerican Duchess; overnight stays at premier hotels in Memphis and New Orleans bookend a 7-night river cruise aboard the boutique-styled paddle wheelerAmerican Duchess
  • evoking the graceful traditions of the era of steamboat travel with a modern-day flair.Discover the inspiration behind the Blues in Memphis
  • the Delta blues in Helena
  • Civil War struggles at Vicksburg National Battlefield and history in Natchez. Immerse in the multi-layered cultural traditions of the Louisiana bayou
  • the politics of Huey Long in Baton Rouge
Show more

Themes

Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 

5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. 

Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."

Trip dates & details
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Life on the Mississippi - Southbound 2021
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

  • Channel your inner Huckleberry Finn as you cruise down the Mississippi River aboard a modern-day paddle wheeler that caters to your comfort with some of the largest accommodations on the river. Visit places immortalized in American history and song from the Blue City of Memphis to the Big Easy in New Orleans as you explore the sights with local experts and savor multi-cultural culinary traditions along the way. Cast off for a storied adventure as iconic as America itself as you explore daily life along the great Mississippi River on this new-for-2021 Tauck journey. This 11-day adventure includes 7 nights aboardAmerican Duchess; overnight stays at premier hotels in Memphis and New Orleans bookend a 7-night river cruise aboard the boutique-styled paddle wheelerAmerican Duchess
  • evoking the graceful traditions of the era of steamboat travel with a modern-day flair.Discover the inspiration behind the Blues in Memphis
  • the Delta blues in Helena
  • Civil War struggles at Vicksburg National Battlefield and history in Natchez. Immerse in the multi-layered cultural traditions of the Louisiana bayou
  • the politics of Huey Long in Baton Rouge
Show more

Themes

Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 

5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. 

Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."

Trip dates & details
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Life on the Mississippi - Northbound 2022
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

  • Channel your inner Huckleberry Finn as you cruise along the Mississippi River aboard a modern-day paddle wheeler that caters to your comfort with some of the largest accommodations on the river. Visit places immortalized in American history and song from the Big Easy in New Orleans to the Blue City of Memphis as you explore the sights with local experts and savor multi-cultural culinary traditions along the way. Cast off for a storied adventure as iconic as America itself as you explore daily life along the great Mississippi River! This 11-day adventure includes 7 nights aboardAmerican Duchess; overnight stays at premier hotels in Memphis and New Orleans bookend a 7-night river cruise aboard the boutique-styled paddle wheelerAmerican Duchess
  • evoking the graceful traditions of the era of steamboat travel with a modern-day flair.Discover the inspiration behind the Blues in Memphis
  • the Delta blues in Helena
  • Civil War struggles at Vicksburg National Battlefield and history in Natchez. Immerse in the multi-layered cultural traditions of the Louisiana bayou
  • the politics of Huey Long in Baton Rouge
Show more

Themes

Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 

5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. 

Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
Life on the Mississippi - Northbound 2021
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
River Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

  • Channel your inner Huckleberry Finn as you cruise along the Mississippi River aboard a modern-day paddle wheeler that caters to your comfort with some of the largest accommodations on the river. Visit places immortalized in American history and song from the Big Easy in New Orleans to the Blue City of Memphis as you explore the sights with local experts and savor multi-cultural culinary traditions along the way. Cast off for a storied adventure as iconic as America itself as you explore daily life along the great Mississippi River on this new-for-2021 Tauck journey. This 11-day adventure includes 7 nights aboardAmerican Duchess; overnight stays at premier hotels in Memphis and New Orleans bookend a 7-night river cruise aboard the boutique-styled paddle wheelerAmerican Duchess
  • evoking the graceful traditions of the era of steamboat travel with a modern-day flair.Discover the inspiration behind the Blues in Memphis
  • the Delta blues in Helena
  • Civil War struggles at Vicksburg National Battlefield and history in Natchez. Immerse in the multi-layered cultural traditions of the Louisiana bayou
  • the politics of Huey Long in Baton Rouge
Show more

Themes

Cultural, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 

5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. 

Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."

Trip dates & details
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My selections:
River Cruise

North America Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
3,210  Reviews
See all North America tour reviews
Excellent
1,471
Great
457
Average
73
Disappointing
24
Terrible
13
B

Begum

Oct 2015

Written on

I love our tour leader Edith and

I love our tour leader Edith and the support we got from her was excellent!

I

Ida

Oct 2015

Written on

A great variety of experiences (learning about

A great variety of experiences (learning about culture, but also being in nature and doing some more physically challenging activities). Great tour leader and great ...

P

Paul

Sep 2015

Written on

I felt we covered a lot in

I felt we covered a lot in a short time and there was a flexible app...

g

geraint

Sep 2015

Written on

Great country, people, food and quality of

Great country, people, food and quality of the trip & leader

X

Xiao

Sep 2015

Written on

I thoroughly enjoyed my Intrepid tour and

I thoroughly enjoyed my Intrepid tour and all the optional activities on offer. It's great to travel with the comforts of having transport and accommodation already ...

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North America Tour Selection Trips

  • To keep your tour manageable, think regionally: the Northwestern or Southwestern U.S., the Canadian Maritimes, Canadian Rockies, etc.
  • U.S. national parks are some of the finest in the world and a good place to keep tour prices down, especially if you like camping.
  • While most of its citizens live near the U.S. border, Canada is the world’s second largest country, with vast wilderness, mountain and coastal areas awaiting exploration.
  • Greenland, one of the least visited islands in the world, is part of North America, too – and has a fascinating Arctic culture and landscape.
  • Mexico is far more diverse than you might imagine: think Mayan culture vs. modern-day Mexico City, Oaxacan marketplaces vs. Cancun party scene.

Additional details

What Countries are in North America?

North America consists of Canada, Mexico, and the United States (including the Hawaiian Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

What is the best time to visit North America?

The best time to visit North America will vary based on destination. 

Travelers booking a trip to Alaska or northern Canada may want to avoid the cold, dark winters as most guided tours only operate in the warmer months and transportation may be difficult to find. If you are hoping to see the Northern Lights, the “shoulder seasons” of late fall and early spring may be your best bet; the skies will be dark enough to see the beauty of the lights, but the climate won’t be as harsh. 

The best time to visit Mexico is the dry season between December and April. Temperatures are warm enough during this time to enjoy the beach and the sun while avoiding the rainy season of late summer to early fall. Keep in mind that prices peak around the holiday season. 

The southern and eastern regions of the United States can get extremely hot and humid in the summer and freezing in the winter-- avoid weather extremes by visiting in the fall or spring. The Pacific Northwest tends to be warmest and driest during the summer and fall, but don’t be surprised if you encounter rainy skies at any time of year. 

Skiers and snowboarders will naturally want to head to the mountains during winter or early spring when there is enough snow on the peaks. Hikers can avoid snow-covered or muddy trails during winter by visiting in the late summer or fall. 

Safety tips for traveling in North America

North America is generally considered a safe place to travel, although there is crime in the big cities and in some areas of Mexico. Of course, it is important to use common sense and be aware of your surroundings when traveling to any new place. 

Safety tips for traveling in North America:

  • Watch out for pickpockets. Keep your phone, wallet, and other valuables close and out of sight.
  • Don’t carry large sums of cash.
  • Use certified taxicab companies to avoid being ripped off.
  • Ask your tour guide or hotel staff about areas to avoid. 
  • When around wildlife, never get too close. Most national and state parks provide instructions online or at visitor centers on what to do if you encounter wildlife.
  • If you will be driving a car in an unfamiliar country, get familiar with the driving laws and customs of the country to avoid accidents and traffic stops.
  • When traveling alone, give a friend or family member a copy of your itinerary and don’t mention to any strangers that you are alone.

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On Travelstride you can find 2867 trips to North America and more than 20,000 trips worldwide ranging from budget to luxury and private guided to group tours and everything in between. Only on Stride can you find and compare expert-planned trips from 1,000+ tour operators, cruise lines and local experts. Read traveler and professional reviews so you can confidently find your perfect trip.

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