Those who love – or would like to try – river cruising close to home can rejoice: there’s a new river to sail on. In the summer of 2023, American Cruise Lines launched a new river route that explores the charming towns of America’s Tennessee Valley.
The cruise line, which operates a 17-vessel fleet of river and small ships, has dedicated three of its river ships to its new, 8-day, Tennessee River Cruise itinerary. That includes the newly-christened American Serenade (pictured.)
The river cruise sails between Chattanooga and rising hotspot Nashville. It follows the river’s winding path into the Appalachian Mountains, calling in Decatur, AL; Florence, AL; Savannah, TN and Paducah, KY. It also sails the Cumberland River, exploring Lake Barkley and the Land Between the Lakes.
History
Current culture and rich history combine on this authentically American river cruise experience. The itinerary includes a range of excursions such as visits to Shiloh National Military Park in Savannah, TN; the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL; and the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY.
Activities
Guests can also enjoy active outdoor excursions like an ATV Backcountry Excursion in Chattanooga, or a visit to “The Shoals,” where they can golf 18 holes at the beautiful Robert Trent Jones golf course.
Music
The Tennessee Valley is also home to musical greats from Johnny Cash to Patsy Cline, and American Cruise Line’s new Tennessee River itinerary pays homage to the harmonious influences of the region, offering guests the opportunity to visit both singers’ museums as well as other music-focused experiences.
The American Cruise Line river cruise experience
This river cruise line includes breakfast each morning, and luggage concierge and transportation to the ship the morning of embarkation.
Your cruise trip doesn’t start on the ship. The itinerary is inclusive of a pre-cruise hotel stay in both departure cities of Nashville and Chattanooga.
You can also opt in to a Grand Ole Opry, 2-night, pre-cruise extension in Nashville that includes tickets to a show at the famed country music venue.
In 2023, the new Tennessee River Cruise runs from June until August.
Missed this itinerary in 2023? No worries.The cruise line is also offering 8-Day Tennessee River Cruises again in 2024, cruising and even longer season from May to early November.
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Image of Nashville, TN: Getty