10 Incredible Cruises You Can Take Without Leaving the U.S.

You don’t have to travel abroad to experience adventure, natural beauty, and bucket-list-worthy sights. Whether you are traveling around Alaska’s glacier-fed bays or down the Mississippi River, you can feel like you are traveling the world—but never even leave the U.S. No passport is required.

As someone who has cruised since she was a little girl, I've visited dozens of destinations in many regions around the country. Below are 10 types of cruises for your bucket list, and I recommend that for each listed one, you do your own research to determine the best cruise lines for your party, timing, itinerary options, and the target audience of the specific cruise.

1. Alaska

• Best time to go: Most cruise lines only offer summer cruises to Alaska
• Cruise Highlights: Glaciers, wildlife, culture, and history
• Who it’s best for: Everyone

You will have at least a dozen cruise line options when booking an Alaska cruise. Not to mention, there are multiple itineraries, port destinations, and trip lengths, allowing you to find a trip that best fits your party. Some cruise lines even offer itineraries featuring multi-day rail tours and overnight lodging on land. However, no matter which cruise line you choose, you can expect to witness breathtaking glaciers, fjords, and wildlife. Come prepared with the right clothing (layers, coats, gloves, etc.) because, despite most Alaska cruises taking place in the summer, you definitely will feel a chill in the air.

2. Hawaii

• Best time to go: You’ll likely find the best deals in November and early December. April, May, September, and October are typically when you’ll find the best weather and smaller crowds.
• Cruise Highlights: Unique excursions, culture, history, and breathtaking natural beauty
• Who it’s best for: Everyone

Similar to an Alaska cruise, you will have oodles of cruise line options for a Hawaiian cruise. Some of these cruise lines will depart from major cities on the mainland, while others will depart from Honolulu and take you to many of the Hawaiian Islands. I particularly love a Hawaiian cruise to simplify logistics if you wish to island hop. For example, you don’t have to worry about flying from island to island, meals are provided, and you can still visit some of the best beaches. A cruise ship is a terrific base camp, allowing you to sit back and simply enjoy your trip.

3. New England

• Best time to go: Autumn
• Cruise Highlights: American history, seasonal beauty, and a quieter experience
• Who it’s best for: Couples and retirees

I will admit that many New England cruise itineraries include Canadian destinations. However, you can find itineraries where you'll only stick to U.S. ports, visit historic U.S. cities, enjoy a quiet atmosphere, and stay on smaller ships. New England cruises are especially popular during the autumn months when fall foliage is at its peak, but they can be quite pricey. However, if you are more flexible with your timing, you can find good deals and some exciting ports to explore at other times in the year.

4. Gulf Coast

• Best time to go: Winter or spring. You can find great deals in the summer and early fall months, but remember, this is hurricane season.
• Cruise Highlights: Laid-back atmosphere, tropical excursions, and gorgeous ocean views
• Who it’s best for:  Couples and retirees due to the longer itineraries and quieter atmospheres on most ships

Gulf Coast cruises are an excellent way to experience the history, food, culture, and breathtaking scenery of the cities that dot the shores of the Gulf Coast. You will need to book through smaller, more regional cruise lines for these types of adventures, and some companies combine Gulf Coast and Florida Keys ports into one large trip. Some cruise lines may also include a Caribbean port, so reading each itinerary carefully before you book is vital. However, no matter the trip you choose, you can expect to see extraordinary sights and have an experience of a lifetime.

5. Florida Keys

• Best time to go: During the dry season, typically from December to April
• Cruise Highlights: Laid-back atmosphere, tropical excursions, and gorgeous ocean views
• Who it’s best for: Couples and retirees as many Florida Key-specific cruises are a minimum of seven days and quite expensive.

One of the things I love the most about Florida Keys cruises is the number of options available. Simple day trips are available, or multi-day cruises, many of which do leave the United States and visit Mexico or the Caribbean. If you do wish to stay specifically in the United States, you’ll want to look at smaller, luxury ships rather than major cruise lines. These cruises can become quite expensive, but you’ll enjoy much smaller, quieter moments on the ship and plenty of excursion options.

6. Mississippi River

• Best time to go: Fall and spring
• Cruise Highlights: History and culture
• Who it’s best for:  History buffs, nature lovers, and photographers

A cruise along the Mississippi River is one of the most popular river cruises in the U.S. Several smaller cruise lines offer these itineraries, with many giving you the option to ride on either a modern or a paddlewheeler ship. If you wish to explore the entire Mississippi River on a cruise, you can expect trip lengths of 20 or more days. However, there are smaller options that allow you to explore either the upper or lower section of the river.

7. Columbia River

• Best time to go: Late spring through early fall
• Cruise Highlights: Places like Multnomah Falls, Columbia River Gorge, Hells Canyon, etc.
• Who it’s best for: Retirees and couples

There may not be as many Columbia River cruise options as other destinations in the U.S., but that doesn’t make these cruises any less special. Several itineraries will take you right through the heart of the Columbia River Gorge, where you can capture some of the most beautiful Pacific Northwest views. Several cruises travel along both the Columbia River and Snake River, where you’ll enjoy waterfalls, canyons, and breathtaking mountains like Oregon’s Mount St. Helens.

8. Hudson River

• Best time to go: Fall or summer
• Cruise Highlights: City and natural beauty views and history
• Who it’s best for: History buffs, nature lovers, and leaf peepers for those embarking on an autumn cruise

It doesn’t matter if you wish to see the city or nature, you can get the best of both worlds when you embark on a Hudson River cruise. With trip options ranging from single-day to multi-day adventures, there are itineraries for every type of group. However, be aware that American Cruise Lines is the only cruise line to offer overnight itineraries along this river. Hudson River cruises are particularly popular in the autumn, as the shores will mesmerize you while covered in a sea of colorful foliage. However, don’t overlook summer cruises, as you’ll enjoy warmer weather and will stop at bucket-list-worthy historical sights throughout New York State.

9. Great Lakes

• Best time to go: Most cruise lines only offer summer options
• Cruise Highlights: Slower pace, ability to see large and small cities
• Who it’s best for: Individuals looking for a quiet experience, retirees, and couples.

An excellent way to explore the Great Lakes and many of the bucket-list-worthy destinations along its shores is on a cruise. A small handful of cruise lines offer itineraries around these massive bodies of water, and you’ll find trips that take you to hidden gems and major cities like Milwaukee, Detroit, and Cleveland. These types of cruises are typically much longer than others, and most of the popular routes are one to two weeks. Some itineraries do head into Toronto, so again, you’ll want to read each itinerary carefully if you do not want to leave the U.S.

10. Puget Sound

• Best time to go: Late spring or summer
• Cruise Highlights: Wildlife viewing, natural beauty, and possibly the San Juan Islands
• Who it’s best for: Individuals looking for a quiet experience, retirees and couples.

You will only find a few select cruise lines that feature Puget Sound-specific itineraries. However, no matter which trip in this area you choose, you can guarantee it’s going to provide epic natural beauty, incredible adventures, and possibly even some whale watching opportunities. Many of these cruises will take you to the San Juan Islands, where you can enjoy gorgeous views, hiking, locally-owned shops and restaurants, and a slower, relaxing pace. It’s cruises like this that give you the chance to see the best of a region without worrying about logistics—just one of the many reasons I love cruising.

There's no need to travel the world when you can experience the trip of a lifetime exploring our beautiful country and many of its breathtaking regions. If there are other cruises you love without leaving the U.S., let me know by filling out this nomination form. I'd love to check it out. And, if you simply want to stay on land, check out our recommendations for the best scenic road trips in the U.S. You can also plan your own trip with Only In Your State’s AI-powered itinerary planner.