Name: American Independence
Brand: American Cruise Lines
Availability: InStock

At a glance

American Independence is an intimate-size cruise ship operated by American Cruise Lines, in service since 2010. It carries 92 guests and 27 crew (3.4 guests per crew member) at 2,300 gross tons. It ties with 1 other ship as the 19th largest of 20 American Cruise Lines ships by guest capacity. On Cruiseable's Bliss scale it scores highest for staterooms (8/10) and lowest for romantic (2/10). It is rated 3 out of 5 by Cruiseable and 2.5 out of 5 by Berlitz. It has 6 cruises on sale, with lead fares from $4,610 to $5,240.

Builder's plate

Specs

Cruiseable: 3 / 5
Berlitz: 2.5 / 5

Guests: 92
Crew: 27
Gross tons: 2,300
Decks: 4
Length: 223 ft
Beam: 51 ft
Maiden voyage: 2010
Space ratio: 3.4; Gross tons per guest
Guests per crew: 3.4
Draft (feet): 8

Bliss scores

What American Independence is best at

Ten dimensions scored by our editors on a 10-point scale. The Cruiseable app ranks every cruise against the mix you care about.

Active 6.0
Adventure and nature 5.0
Cultural 6.0
Dining 5.0
Entertainment 6.0
Family friendly 4.0
Party 5.0
Romantic 2.0
Spa and fitness 4.0
Staterooms 8.0

Our review

American Independence: Hugging the eastern coastline

Maybe it's time to see more of the United States. American Cruise Lines offers a variety of options, including the American Independence, which cruises the Maine coast in summer and the Atlantic coast between South Carolina and Florida in winter. Fall cruisers can cruise the Hudson River for seasonal color and leaf peeping.

Built in 2010, American Independence is a small cruise ship with larger than average staterooms and plenty of onboard amenities. New design features including Rolls Royce stabilizers allow for better stabilization so the ship will roll less, and passengers will have a smoother cruise.

While the passenger capacity is 90 — roughly the same as the 100-passenger American Star and American Spirit — American Independence is larger, giving a more spacious feel to the interior areas, including the cabins and balconies.

Who will like sailing on American Independence?

American Independence is a good fit for those who might like small-ship cruising along the eastern coast of the United States. It's a great small ship for those worried about seasickness. Passengers tend to be older Americans, and the elevator is a big draw.

Where American Independence sails

American Independence spends winter months cruising the coastal waterways of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. New England cruises in Maine and along the Hudson River are featured during summer months.

Read the full review

Dining

The casual atmosphere is intended to foster camaraderie between fellow passengers, and all meals, which feature fresh meats and seafood, and in-season fruits and veggies, are open seating. Look for crab in season on the Chesapeake Bay cruise and lobster in Maine! Open decks and glassed-in observation areas allow for stellar views of the passing scenery.

Activities & entertainment

Simple but comfortable, the Independence was built to nestle into small coves and ports along the East Coast. Activities onboard are often tied into the destination and may include a visit with a local lobsterman in Maine, or while on southern sailings, costumed antebellum characters may entertain cruisers.

Other activities include:

Lectures and Q&A sessions
Walking tours of historic homes
Museum visits
Binoculars are available to use any time
Kite flying on the observation deck
Exercise equipment is minimal. Most passengers get their exercise by going ashore independently and walking through the towns

Staterooms

Staterooms on the Independence are generally more spacious than those found on other small cruise ships, with picture windows and private bathrooms. Some rooms have private balconies, perfect for watching the world float past.

With a maximum of 104 passengers, and generally leisurely schedules, you will have time to relax and join fellow passengers in excursions to towns and villages along the way.

Stateroom features:

Spacious staterooms
Most staterooms have private balconies
Large opening picture window
All interior entrances means that every stateroom has a private view
Complimentary wi-fi in all staterooms
Satellite TV and DVD player in all staterooms
Twice-daily stateroom service
Individual climate control system
Writing desk & stationery
Hair dryer
Spacious closet
Four-drawer dressers and night tables
110-volt outlets

Amenities on this ship

Note: There's no pool, fitness center, spa facilities, whirlpools or casino on the petite Independence. Passengers get their exercise by going ashore and walking around the port towns.

Your take

Have you sailed on Independence? What was it like? Please share a story, tip or discovery. What was the highlight? We'd love to hear about your experience — please share!

Help improve this article. See anything wrong? What did we overlook? Be a co-creator!

Interested in a cruise on this ship?

For pricing, itinerary information and to reserve your spot on American Independence, contact a Cruiseable travel consultant by email or call 1-877-322-3773.

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Photos

Inside and out

Destinations 5

Set sail on American Cruise Lines and explore Bar Island off the coast of Maine — also a good spot to get nice views of Bar Harbor.
Guests on American Cruise Lines' "Maine Coast and Harbors" tour will love Camden Harbor, popular for its schooners and pretty coastal views.
Cruise to Maine on American Cruise Lines and admire Camden's Lighthouse up close.
American Cruise Lines' special Lobster Cruises in Maine and other parts of New England give you access to mouthwatering lobster based dishes.
Hop on American Cruise Lines and visit Maine Harbor to see a beautiful lighthouse and impressive neo-colonial architecture.

Dining 3

Take in the passing landscapes over dinner with family or friends on your American Cruise Lines sailing.
A dessert dish served on an American Cruise Lines voyage.
A table setting in the dining room on an American Cruise Lines sailing.

More photos 9

The 90-passenger American Independence sails overnight coastal, river and inland waterways.
Take in scenic sunsets over serene beaches in Fort Myers, Fla., during a vacation with American Cruise Lines.
Drop by the Rhett House Inn in Beaufort, S.C., known for its romantic style of architecture, where traditional horse carriages may still be seen.
Guests aboard American Cruise Lines can look forward to seeing wildlife such as heron up close during tours.
See Bear Mountain Bridge and colorful fall foliage on a cruise up the Hudson River on an American River Cruises sailing.
Bear Mountain Bridge and nearby Fort Montgomery, scene of a fierce Revolutionary War battle for control of the Hudson River.
Take in impressive views of the Hudson River, especially during the late summer and early fall, during an American Cruise Lines sailing.
Enjoy sweeping views and pretty fall foliage on a sailing up the Hudson River on American Independence from American Cruise Lines.
Tour the Southeast U.S. on American Cruise Lines and feel closer to nature.

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Cruises on American Independence

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Overheard

“Independence is best suited to mature couples and single travelers sharing a cabin who want to cruise in an all-American environment where the itineraries and destinations are more important than food, service or entertainment. It is extremely expensive for what you get – although this is a new ship and the cabins are larger and marginally better equipped than those in comparable ships.”

Berlitz: River Cruising in Europe

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