North America River Cruises
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10 best river cruises through North America
Compiled by

NinaNorth America travel expert at TourRadar
- Reflections of the Rockies and Alaska Cruise Victoria to Vancouver (2025)
- America's Great River St Paul, Minnesota to New Orleans, Louisiana
- Western Canada with Inside Passage & Alaska Cruise
- Rockies and Alaskan Adventure Vancouver to Fairbanks (2025)
- Panoramic Canadian Rockies (Oceanview Cruise)
- Western Canada with Inside Passage (from Calgary to Vancouver)
- Icons of Western Canada & Alaskan Cruise 2025|2026 - 22 Days
- New Orleans & Southern Charms
- Calgary Stampede, Rockies and Alaska Cruise Calgary → Vancouver (2026)
- Spectacular Rockies, Alaska Inside Passage Cruise and Highlights of Eastern Canada
Holland America Line ships and Rocky Mountaineer train showcase North America's waterways. The route includes Glacier Bay's ice-filled fjords, Skagway's gold rush history, and Fraser Canyon views. Premium dining includes 41 meals over 21 days.
Duration 21 days Destinations Victoria, Whistler, Sun Peaks, Jasper, Lake Louise, Banff, Blue River, Kamloops, Vancouver, Inside PassageSee all destinations Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator APT From
- NZ$15,670+$1,595 upfront costs
Viking Mississippi's Scandinavian-designed staterooms with verandas offer comfort while sailing America's iconic river. From Saint Paul's cultural sites to New Orleans' French Quarter, stops include Dubuque's Mississippi River Museum and Memphis's riverside blues scenes.
Duration 15 days Destinations Saint Paul, Red Wing, La Crosse, Dubuque, Hannibal, St. Louis, Memphis, Vicksburg, Natchez, Baton RougeSee all destinations Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator Viking Cruises From $22,547
5% Off- NZ$21,468You save $1,079
The MS Koningsdam takes passengers through North America's Inside Passage, with visits to Juneau's Mendenhall Glacier and Skagway's Trail of '98 Museum. Marvel at calving glaciers at Glacier Bay and delve into Ketchikan's Native Alaskan culture.
Duration 21 days Destinations Calgary, Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Jasper, Prince George, Smithers, Prince Rupert, Inside Passage, Chemainus, Port HardySee all destinations Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Cosmos From
5% Off- NZ$7,749+$823 upfront costs
A 7-night Holland America Line cruise through the Inside Passage stops at Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway. Ocean-view staterooms aboard Noordam or Nieuw Amsterdam complement a Chena River sternwheeler ride in Fairbanks. Park rangers narrate during Glacier Bay National Park sailing.
Duration 23 days Destinations Vancouver, Kamloops, Jasper, Banff, Maligne Canyon, Lake Louise, Kelowna, Whistler, Victoria, Inside PassageSee all destinations Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator APT From
5% Off- NZ$16,390+$2,210 upfront costs
Duration 20 days Destinations Vancouver, Whistler, Shannon Falls Provincial Park, Victoria, Squamish, Horseshoe Bay, Vancouver Island, Chemainus, Kamloops, Jasper National ParkSee all destinations Age Range up to 80 year olds Operator Costsaver From
5% Off- NZ$12,893
The Inside Passage route offers whale and sea lion viewing, followed by Gulf Islands cruising from Victoria to Vancouver. Prince Rupert's historic fishing village and Strait of Georgia's marine wildlife highlight the voyage.
Duration 14 days Destinations Calgary, Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Jasper, Prince George, Smithers, Prince Rupert, Inside Passage, Port Hardy, ChemainusSee all destinations Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Cosmos From $6,069
2% Off- NZ$5,969You save $100
Rocky Mountaineer's GoldLeaf Service winds through the Canadian Rockies before an Alaska's Inside Passage cruise. Passengers enjoy dome car views, gourmet dining, and a Kamloops stopover before viewing glaciers and fjords.
Duration 22 days Destinations Vancouver, Kamloops, Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Jasper National Park, Sun Peaks, Whistler, Victoria, Juneau, SkagwaySee all destinations Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours From $19,795
6% Off- NZ$18,545You save $1,250
Viking Mississippi's modern river ship plies the Lower Mississippi waters. The journey features all-outside staterooms, regional cuisine, and daily shore excursions. Ports include Manchac Swamp, historic plantations, and French-influenced cities from New Orleans to Baton Rouge.
Duration 8 days Destinations New Orleans, Darrow, Saint Francisville, Natchez, Vicksburg, Baton Rouge Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator Viking Cruises From $8,519
30% Off- NZ$5,929You save $2,590
Duration 21 days Destinations Calgary, Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Jasper National Park, Blue River, Vancouver, Whistler, Victoria, Inside Passage, JuneauSee all destinations Age Range up to 99 year olds Operator Travel Marvel From
30% Off- NZ$13,680
Holland America's ms Koningsdam cruises Alaska's Inside Passage with ocean-view accommodations. The itinerary features Glacier Bay's calving ice walls, Skagway's Gold Rush history, and Ketchikan's native art scenes.
Duration 29 days Destinations Vancouver, Kamloops, Lake Louise, Banff, Jasper, Kelowna, Whistler, Victoria, Inside Passage, SkagwaySee all destinations Age Range up to 90 year olds Operator Emerald Cruises From
30% Off- NZ$30,248
What our customers ask about North America River Cruises
When is the best time of year to take a river cruise in North America?
North American river cruise seasons vary by region. The Pacific Northwest and Alaska routes run from May to September offering mild weather and extended daylight. Mississippi River cruises operate throughout the year with peak seasons in spring (March-May) and fall (September-November). The Columbia and Snake Rivers see most visitors during summer months despite higher crowds. A TourRadar traveler mentioned: "We took our Inside Passage cruise in July and had perfect weather with temperatures in the 60-70s°F and amazing wildlife viewing opportunities."
What are the main highlights of a North America river cruise through the Inside Passage?
The Inside Passage stretches from British Columbia to Alaska featuring mountains waterfalls and rainforests. Holland America's MS Koningsdam takes travelers past humpback whales sea lions and bald eagles while visiting historic ports like Ketchikan (Alaska's "First City") and Juneau with its Mendenhall Glacier. The route includes Glacier Bay National Park where ice chunks regularly break from glaciers into the sea. A TourRadar traveler noted, "The scenery through the Inside Passage was absolutely breathtaking - we saw multiple whales breaching and the glacier calving was a once-in-a-lifetime experience."
What types of shore excursions are available during North America river cruises?
Shore activities blend cultural experiences with outdoor adventures. Ketchikan offers Native Alaskan cultural sites showcasing Tlingit Haida and Tsimshian heritage. Juneau provides glacier hiking whale watching and aerial tours over the Juneau Icefield. Skagway features the Trail of '98 Museum and Red Onion Saloon highlighting Gold Rush history. Prince Rupert's North Pacific Historic Fishing Village shows visitors British Columbia's oldest cannery settlement. A TourRadar traveler shared, "The shore excursion to Mendenhall Glacier was incredible - we got to walk right up to the glacier and see wild bears fishing for salmon."
How long are typical North American river cruise itineraries?
Most river cruises last between 7 and 15 days while combined land-cruise packages can extend to 29 days. Mississippi River journeys between New Orleans and Memphis take 7-8 days and Alaska Inside Passage trips usually run 7-14 days. Longer routes like Viking's America's Great River cruise from St. Paul to New Orleans spans 15 days. As noted by a TourRadar reviewer: "Our 14-day cruise felt like the perfect length to really experience the region without feeling rushed."
What are the cabin options available on North America river cruise ships?
The MS Koningsdam represents typical cabin offerings on North American cruise ships. Choices range from economical Inside Staterooms to Ocean-view rooms with windows and Verandah Suites with private balconies. Upscale options include Vista Suites Signature Suites and top-tier Neptune and Pinnacle Suites with exclusive perks. Each room comes with modern amenities and daily housekeeping. A TourRadar traveler commented, "Our Verandah Suite on MS Koningsdam was spacious and comfortable - having our own private balcony to watch whales and glaciers was worth every penny."
How does the experience differ between Mississippi River and Alaska Inside Passage cruises?
These routes deliver contrasting experiences. Mississippi cruises center on American heritage Southern culture and regional cuisine featuring historic towns antebellum mansions jazz music and Cajun food. Alaska journeys focus on natural landscapes with glacier viewing wildlife spotting and outdoor activities. The vessels differ too with Mississippi routes using traditional paddlewheelers while Alaska trips employ larger ocean-going ships. A TourRadar traveler observed: "The Mississippi cruise was like stepping back in time while Alaska was all about nature's grandeur."