United States Travel Guide

The cruising season for the Great Lakes runs from late May through mid-September, from the end of the North American spring season through summer and into early autumn.

We review the top expedition cruise lines visiting the Arctic. Which one is a good match for you?

The remote wilderness of Alaska beckons, and we’re here to help you plan your trip with our guide to choosing the best small ship cruise for your visit to this natural northern paradise. Home to grizzly bears, eagles, wolves, caribou, moose, and other majestic creatures, small ship cruises give you a more up-close encounter with the amazing …

Mating season – the best time of year for wildlife enthusiasts! With destinations to every corner of the globe, Adventure Life is your key to seeing nature's most fascinating breeding rituals, from the dance of the blue-footed boobies in the Galapagos Islands to the playful, nuzzling interactions of the wolves of Yellowstone.

What are the top five destinations if you want to see incredible animals? At the top of our list: Africa, Antarctica, the Galapagos Islands, Alaska, and Costa Rica! Spread across five distinct ecological zones from the northernmost tip of the globe down to its frigid south pole, Adventure Life has tours that will immerse you in the best wildlife.

Which Polar region is home to penguins? Or how about those elusive narwhals? Before your travels, it will be helpful to learn more about the different species that inhabit the Polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctica. You may be surprised to learn the differences!

Your cruise of the Great Lakes takes you to some of the top destinations and cities in the mid-East of the United States and Canada. Learn about the history and culture of the Great Lakes region, sample the local cuisine, learn about the industrial past, marvel at mighty Niagara Falls and the beautiful landscapes that span this region, or simply relax on the serene blue waters of these expansive lakes under the warmth of the North American sun.

Your cruise of the Great Lakes takes you to some of the top destinations and cities in the mid-East of the United States and Canada. Learn about the history and culture of the Great Lakes region, sample the local cuisine, learn about the industrial past, marvel at mighty Niagara Falls and the beautiful landscapes that span this region, or simply …

On a Mississippi River cruise, there’s no excuse for boredom: you'll float past roaring waterfalls, dams, and scenic river bluffs, and explore historical towns along the banks of the mighty river. These are just a few of the highlights you'll experience on a Mississippi River cruise.

Below are our favorite Mississippi River cruise ports in order from north to south. Mississippi ports range from big cities like New Orleans and St. Louis to small historical towns like Mark Twain’s Hannibal and historical Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Unless you have over two weeks to spare and can cruise the entire Mississippi River, you will have to make the hard decision of whether to cruise the Upper or Lower Mississippi. Each section of this vast river can see wildly different weather at similar times of year, so the ideal time to visit will depend on where you plan to go. The overall experience between north and south also varies, with the north having more wildlife and scenery while the south offers more cultural experiences and history. The Mississippi tributaries like the Ohio, Tennessee, and Illinois Rivers offer an alternative, abbreviated Mississippi River experience worth considering.

All five of the Great Lakes feature exciting cruise itineraries, so there’s no wrong choice when selecting your Great Lakes cruise - it’s just a matter of deciding what you’d most like to see and do on your luxury cruise of the Great Lakes.

The Great Lakes feature the best of both worlds - all the excitement of a bigger cruise on the open seas with the intimate atmosphere and familiar feeling of river cruises. As the most significant collective body of fresh water on the planet, the Great Lakes of North America stretch across the border between the northern United States and southern Canada, draining into Canada’s mighty Saint Lawrence River.

The cruising season for the Great Lakes runs from late May through mid-September, from the end of the North American spring season through summer and into early autumn.

The most popular time to cruise the Great Lakes is during the generally sunny summer months of July and August when temperatures can reach into the 90s F during the day. There is …

The cruising season for the Great Lakes runs from late May through mid-September, from the end of the North American spring season through summer and into early autumn.

The most popular time to cruise the Great Lakes is during the generally sunny summer months of July and August when temperatures can reach into the 90s F during the day. There is …

The cruising season for the Great Lakes runs from late May through mid-September, from the end of the North American spring season through summer and into early autumn.

The most popular time to cruise the Great Lakes is during the generally sunny summer months of July and August when temperatures can reach into the 90s F during the day. There is …

There’s a new kid on the block if you’re an avid cruiser or looking for your next waterfront vacation: Great Lakes cruising. With plenty of options to choose from, choosing the right Great Lakes cruise can be an exciting experience, and we’re here to help.

When choosing your Great Lakes cruise, first decide when you’d …

There’s a new kid on the block if you’re an avid cruiser or looking for your next waterfront vacation: Great Lakes cruising. With plenty of options to choose from, choosing the right Great Lakes cruise can be an exciting experience, and we’re here to help.

Much of American history and culture has bloomed on and near the river. Playing a major role in the Civil War, and WWI, as well as American cultural classics like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn written by the sorts of Mark Twain, who could be easily considered in the top 3 most influential American writers of all time. Over fifty thousand years ago the Central United States was covered in water by an inland sea that drained south through what is known nowadays as the Mississippi River.

Learn the BIG differences of small ship expeditions compared to the huge, more traditional cruises. Fewer passengers means having the complete attention of the crew, personalized activities, and more time to really explore Alaska!

An expedition cruise through the Arctic is unlike any other vacation experience. As you follow in the wake of great explorers, you will discover firsthand the breathtaking beauty and surprising biodiversity that exists in the northernmost region of the globe. A cruise of the Arctic may circumnavigate one single country or cross the Arctic Circle on a comprehensive expedition.

May through September is usually the top season to plan your Arctic cruise as there are fewer insects, the temperatures are tolerable, and usually above freezing levels.

Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park, Haines, Sitka, Wrangell, and Thorne Bay are the best ports of call for cruises throughout Alaska. The state of Alaska is unrivaled in the United States as a place to discover the breathtaking wilderness, history, and culture that surrounds the Northwest.

Juneau

Often a starting point for Alaska cruises, the …

Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park, Haines, Sitka, Wrangell, and Thorne Bay are the best ports of call for cruises throughout Alaska. The state of Alaska is unrivaled in the United States as a place to discover the breathtaking wilderness, history, and culture that surrounds the Northwest.