Fifteen Days, Thirteen Ports, and a Whole Lot of Lobster: Our Grand New England Cruise with American Cruise Lines
Hi friends, Cheryl here from Yellow Umbrella Travel!
My husband and I just got back from American Cruise Lines’ Grand New England cruise: 15 nights sailing roundtrip out of Boston, with stops in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island along the way. If you’ve been eyeing this itinerary and wondering whether it’s worth it, grab a cup of coffee, because I have a lot to tell you. This is Part One of our recap of the full experience, ship life, and what surprised us most. In Part Two, I’ll break down exactly what we spent, day by day, so you can budget for your own trip.
A Little Background on American Cruise Lines
Before I get into our trip, it’s worth knowing who you’ll be sailing with. American Cruise Lines has been family owned by the Robertsons for more than fifty years, since Charles Robertson and his wife Carol founded the company in 1972. Today the line operates more than 50 itineraries across 40 states aboard 25-plus small ships, and continues to add new vessels to the fleet. That’s a lot of itineraries to choose from if the Grand New England route isn’t quite your speed.
It’s also worth knowing this is a fully all-inclusive cruise. Your stateroom, breakfast, lunch, and dinner every single day, gratuities, and a selection of daily excursions are all included in your fare, plus a pre-cruise hotel night, transportation to the ship, and transportation to the airport on your final day (as long as you’re on the group shuttle with everyone else). It takes a lot of the guesswork and nickel-and-diming out of budgeting for the trip, which I really appreciated.
Getting There: A Night in Boston First
We flew into Boston late on June 12th, tired and ready for bed, so that first night was really just check-in and lights out. The next day, June 13th, we had all of Boston to ourselves before the cruise even started. Or as much to ourselves as we could have with nearly 50,000 Scottish soccer fans who arrived the same day we did. And let me tell you, they were having an absolute riot of a time. You could tell they were thoroughly enjoying Boston and Boston was thoroughly enjoying their presence. They were a blast! Either way, we had plenty of time to wander the Freedom Trail, grab fresh seafood at Quincy Market, and get a feel for a city that’s equal parts colonial history and modern energy. Boston is the perfect bookend for this cruise, since you start and end right there, and I’d genuinely recommend building in that extra day like we did rather than rushing straight to the ship. This was my first time in Boston, and I hope it won’t be my last.
Boarding Day: Almost Too Easy
Here’s something American Cruise Lines did really well: the whole embarkation process. Your pre-cruise hotel stay is built right in, so you check into a nice hotel (4 to 5 stars) the night before, and from that point on, they handle nearly everything. The morning of boarding, you either set your luggage outside your door or have it picked up at a set time, and it’s whisked straight to the ship. You take a shuttle over, they check your name off a list, and you walk directly to your stateroom with your bags already waiting for you. No standing in line at a check-in counter, no hunting for your cabin. It’s about as smooth a start to a cruise as I’ve experienced. And the fact that we didn’t have to take a multi-hour overnight international flight to get there was a huge bonus. No passports needed.
Disembarkation, on the other hand, had one hiccup for us. Our flight home was early, so we couldn’t take the group shuttle with everyone else. The ship arranged a taxi for us in advance, but it never showed, and after about 15 minutes’ wait we made the call to grab an Uber instead, which got us to the airport just fine. For the next nearly 90 minutes, we had nonstop taxi companies calling and texting that they were “on the way.” Other guests we talked to who’d cruised with American before said this wasn’t typical, so it may have just been a Boston taxi issue that particular morning. Lesson learned: if your flight is early, have a backup plan ready. I almost always book private transportation in advance, but I thought I’d give American’s option a try to see how the process went. I won’t be doing that again.
Life Aboard: How This Coastal Cruise Compares to a European River Cruise
Now, we’ve done European river cruises before, and I want to be upfront about how this compares, because I think it matters for your expectations if you’ve done a European river cruise before.
On a European river you’re almost always within sight of land, and the water is famously smooth, smooth enough that you sometimes forget the boat is even moving. This is a big deal for anyone prone to seasickness, because you just don’t feel it. The Grand New England cruise is different. You’re sailing along the open ocean for long stretches of the trip (often while sleeping), and there were times we were out of sight of land entirely. The ride was noticeably more rocking and swaying than a large ocean liner, and less smooth than what we’re used to on European rivers. If you or a travel companion deal with seasickness easily, this is worth knowing going in. I’d suggest talking to your doctor about preventive options before you sail.
On the flip side, our stateroom was more spacious than what we typically get on a European river vessel, and it was very comfortable for the full two weeks. The crew was warm, attentive, and worked hard to make sure we were taken care of. No question there. We did notice the staff skewed younger than the crews we’ve had in Europe, where you often meet staff who’ve been with the same ship for years. It felt more like an entry-level or early-career role for a lot of the wait staff here. That’s not a knock on their effort, because they went above and beyond, but just a difference in that seasoned, “I’ve done this a thousand times” polish you usually get with longtime European crews.
The Food: Regional, Fresh, and Full of Seafood
If you love seafood, you are going to eat very well on this cruise. Because the itinerary hugs the New England coast, the menu leaned into that: lobster rolls more than once, crab cakes, and a steady rotation of grilled and baked seafood that tasted quite fresh. There were always non-seafood options too, so nobody’s stuck, but I loved that the kitchen matched the food to the region we were actually sailing through. (For reference, a Mississippi River cruise would taste completely different: think gumbo and Cajun flavors instead. I love that American Cruise Lines leans into that regional identity rather than serving the same menu no matter where you sail.)
Excursions: More Included Than We Expected
I went in assuming we’d get one basic complimentary walking tour a day and have to pay for everything else. That was not the case. Yes, there was almost always a walking tour included, but many days also had several excellent excursions at no extra charge, like museum admissions, historical site visits, and one absolutely unforgettable included lobster bake under a big tent, lobsters and clams straight off the grill. Most days offered one or two complimentary options, and some days three or more. The paid add-ons, when we chose them, were reasonably priced too.
What I appreciated most was the freedom. You are never locked into the excursion list. One day we rented a car and explored completely on our own. Another day, we booked local massages instead. You can build the exact trip you want, day by day.
One last thing worth noting about excursions: settling the bill was refreshingly simple. We just walked off the ship on departure morning, and they charged our card for whatever we owed a few days later. You can view your invoice in advance if you want to, but you never have to sit in an office reconciling charges before you leave.
The Best Day of the Whole Trip: Sconset, Nantucket
If you ask me to pick one single stop from fifteen days, it’s easy: our day in Sconset, Nantucket. We rented a car on our own and just explored. We walked along the ocean and through neighborhoods lined with rose-covered cottages, some dating back to the 1600s, with rose bushes on some homes as old as 80 years. We stopped for lunch at a little sandwich shop, wandered the shops back in town, and just soaked in the slower, peaceful pace of that day. It was one of those days that reminds you why you travel in the first place. I really felt like I was part of the town for the day and not just a tourist rushing around trying to check things off a list.
Salem was also a very special stop. The history there, both the proud parts and the painful parts, really stayed with me.
Honestly, though, what stood out most across the whole cruise wasn’t any single town. It was how different each one felt from the last. Portland’s working waterfront, Bath’s shipbuilding legacy, Newport’s Gilded Age mansions (truly remarkable), Provincetown’s artist colony roots, Plymouth’s Pilgrim history: you really do get thirteen distinct personalities packed into one trip.
Onboard Laundry: A Small Detail That Made a Big Difference
Here’s a little thing that made a big difference over fifteen days: the ship had onboard laundry. Three washers and three dryers were available for guests. That meant we didn’t have to overpack for two weeks. We just did a small load every few days whenever it was convenient, and packed like we were going on a much shorter trip. If you’ve ever agonized over how many outfits to bring for a long cruise, this alone is worth knowing about.
While we’re on the subject of clothes, let me touch on the dress code. There really isn’t one. This was a very casual cruise, and they don’t even have a formal night (though there is one Americana themed night on the last night that nearly every person dressed up for, but it was still casual). This was actually the most casual cruise I’ve ever been on. If you’re a jeans and tennis shoes kind of person, you will not have an issue. If you want to wear fancy dresses to dinner, you also will not have an issue. It was a very relaxed dress environment I’d call slightly business casual, maybe less formal than what you’d wear to work but not exactly tank tops and jean shorts, though I don’t think anyone would care if you wore that either. Hopefully that makes sense.
A Word on Booking: Don't Wait
Here’s something I really want you to walk away knowing: these itineraries sell out. Some of the most popular American Cruise Lines departures, like the Fall Foliage cruises and anything on the Snake River, start selling out a year or more in advance, and nearly every sailing is completely full. If you have your heart set on the Grand New England cruise, or really any of their routes, my honest advice is to book at least a year out.
Funny enough, we didn’t do that ourselves. We got on this exact sailing with only four days’ notice, thanks to a last-minute cancellation that opened up a spot. It worked out beautifully for us, but I don’t want anyone reading this to think that’s the plan to go with, because we paid the exact same rate as everyone who booked a year ahead. There’s no discount for swooping in late. You’re just hoping a cabin opens up. If you know you want to go, the smart move is booking early and letting a happy accident like ours be the exception, not the strategy.
Who Is This Cruise For?
Based on our experience, this itinerary is a great fit for couples, friends, and multigenerational groups who love history, want more social time than a big ocean liner offers, and want to build their own days instead of following a fixed schedule. If you love good seafood and New England charm, you’ll be very happy here.
The one caveat, and I want to be upfront about this: if you or someone you’re traveling with struggles with seasickness, know that this route spends real time in open ocean and isn’t as smooth as a European river cruise. That’s worth a conversation, and a plan of action, before you book.
A Note on Accessibility
One more thing worth sharing: we had fellow passengers on our sailing using walkers, and one guest who used a motorized scooter. The crew was wonderful with all of them. The scooter user was given priority boarding and disembarking every single time, on the ship and on every shuttle, with a crew member always on hand to help move the scooter from ship to shore and assist with walking on and off. It was clear this wasn’t a one-time accommodation, because the staff had it down to a system.
That said, I’d be honest with you: if you or a travel companion is fully wheelchair-bound, these ships and how you embark and disembark daily could be difficult, given the tendering, shuttles, and uneven terrain at some of the ports. But if you’re dealing with more limited mobility, like using a walker or scooter, and needing a bit of extra help, the crew here goes above and beyond to make sure you’re taken care of.
Would We Recommend It?
Yes, without question. We’ve already booked our next cruise. (Of course, with that one caveat about seasickness.) Everything else, from the included excursions to the regional food to the ease of boarding to the sheer variety of towns you get to experience, made this trip worth it for us.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s 15 nights, sailing roundtrip out of Boston with stops across Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
No. It’s a coastal, open-ocean itinerary aboard a small ship, not a river cruise, so expect more movement than you’d feel on a smooth European river cruise, especially if you’re prone to seasickness.
Your stateroom, three meals a day, gratuities, a pre-cruise hotel night, and a selection of daily excursions are all included. Optional add-on excursions cost extra but are reasonably priced.
Popular departures, including Fall Foliage cruises and anything on the Snake River, often sell out a year or more in advance. Booking early is the safest plan.
No. Our planning services are completely complimentary. American Cruise Lines pays us, so you pay the same fare you’d pay booking directly, and you get an advisor who will walk you through cabin selection and excursion planning at no extra cost.
Thinking about a Grand New England cruise of your own? Planning is completely complimentary. From picking the right cabin category to knowing which excursions are worth booking ahead, we handle it at no extra cost. Reach out to us at cheryl@yellowumbrellatravel.com or 512-955-1320, and let’s start planning your adventure.
Up next: Part Two, where I break down exactly what we spent, from the cruise fare to excursions, tips, and all those little extras, day by day, so you can budget for your own Grand New England adventure.
