American Cruise Lines · All American Cruise Lines ships · Paddlewheeler
American Heritage: ship guide
A 150-guest Mississippi paddlewheeler with 300-square-foot balcony staterooms.
Best for: Travelers who want an authentic paddlewheeler on the Lower Mississippi from New Orleans with big balcony staterooms, elevators to every deck and everything included. Sails from New Orleans, LA, Memphis, TN, Huntsville, AL, Knoxville, TN in 2026 and 2027.
About American Heritage
American Heritage is a 150-guest classic paddlewheeler built in 2015 for the Mississippi River, with elevator access to all five passenger decks. Its decor celebrates the Mighty Mississippi with a serene palette, luxurious textiles and regional artwork, and its lounges are laid out for a river crowd: the Paddlewheel Lounge at the stern overlooks the working sternwheel, the River Lounge at the bow hosts entertainment, a midship lounge and The Study are for reading and cards, and the Sky Lounge on deck 4 opens to the sun deck.
Staterooms are large even by this line’s standards. Every balcony category is 300 square feet with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, from Standard Balcony on deck 2 to Premium Balcony on deck 5, Veranda Suites are 360 square feet, Main Deck Standard Waterview rooms are 245 square feet, and solo travelers get dedicated Single Balcony rooms of 235 square feet. The glass-enclosed restaurant on the Main Deck seats all guests together with open seating.
For 2026 and 2027 American Heritage is the fleet’s New Orleans specialist. After Lower Mississippi one-ways between New Orleans and Memphis in October 2026, it settles into the seven-night Highlights of the Mississippi Cruise round trip from New Orleans through spring 2027, then from summer 2027 heads up the Tennessee River on the ten-night Great Smoky Mountains Cruise between Huntsville, Alabama, and Knoxville, with a 15-night Mississippi and Tennessee Rivers positioning cruise in between.
- Classic paddlewheeler built in 2015 with elevator access to all five passenger decks
- All balcony staterooms are 300 square feet with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors
- Paddlewheel Lounge at the stern with a view of the working sternwheel
- River Lounge at the bow for the nightly cocktail hour and live music
- Sky Lounge, midship lounge and The Study for quiet time, plus a fitness center on deck 4
- Glass-enclosed Main Deck restaurant with open seating and Southern regional menus
- Sun deck and guest laundry on deck 5
- Highlights of the Mississippi round trips from New Orleans and Smoky Mountains cruises on the Tennessee River
Staterooms and suites
Veranda Suite
360 square feet on decks 3 and 4 with a seating area with table and chairs, stocked refrigerator, king bed, a large shower and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors to a private balcony with deck furniture.
Premium Balcony
300 square feet on deck 5, the top stateroom deck beside the sun deck, with full-size furniture, a large shower and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors to a private balcony.
Deluxe Balcony
300 square feet on deck 4 (Deluxe Balcony 1) and deck 3 (Deluxe Balcony 2) with an open layout, full-size furniture and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors to a private balcony.
Standard Balcony
300 square feet on deck 2, the same footprint as the deluxe grades with a full private balcony, one deck lower and the best value balcony on the ship.
Standard Waterview
245 square feet on the Main Deck with picture windows, a lounge chair, a closet, deep dresser drawers and a desk, the entry grade.
Single staterooms
Single Balcony rooms of 235 square feet on decks 2 to 5 with a sitting area and private balcony, and a 200-square-foot Single Waterview on the Main Deck, both sold for solo travelers.
American Heritage deck plans
Deck by deck, straight from our booking engine: the plan, the stateroom categories on that deck and the public rooms. Pick a deck.
Deck 5
Pilothouse, Guest Laundry, Sun Deck, Putting Green, Suites/Staterooms.
- SundeckTake a deep breath of fresh air and immerse yourself in the breathtaking 360º view of the passing scenery from this ideal setting.Unwind with your favorite book or simply bask in the serenity of your surroundings.
Plans are the cruise line’s current drawings as supplied to our booking engine. Layouts change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the exact stateroom when you book.
On board American Heritage
Dining on American Heritage
RestaurantIncluded
Glass-enclosed Main Deck dining room with open seating and menus of American specialties from locally sourced ingredients, with Louisiana and Delta flavors on the Lower Mississippi.
Cocktail hourIncluded
A complimentary cocktail party with full bar, top-shelf spirits and hors d’oeuvres is hosted every evening before dinner.
Lounges and The StudyIncluded
Coffee, soft drinks and snacks are available around the clock in the lounges and The Study on deck 3.
Drinks policyIncluded
All meals, snacks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included in the fare, with wine and beer poured at lunch and dinner.
Entertainment and activities
- Nightly performances by local musicians in the River Lounge, from Dixieland and blues to bluegrass
- Onboard expert giving daily talks on the Civil War, river history and Southern culture
- Paddlewheel Lounge at the stern for cocktails over the turning sternwheel
- Sun deck on deck 5 with lounge chairs for 360-degree river views
- Sky Lounge, midship lounge and The Study for reading, puzzles and card games
- At least one complimentary featured excursion in every port, with premium and signature tours available
- Fitness center on deck 4 with elliptical machines and exercise bikes
- Complimentary pre-cruise hotel night in the embarkation city with transfer to the ship
Families and who it suits
American Cruise Lines has no children’s program or kids’ facilities and does not publish a minimum age; the ship, its lectures and its included excursions are designed for adult travelers, so ask SmartCruiser before booking a child.
Best for: Travelers who want an authentic paddlewheeler on the Lower Mississippi from New Orleans with big balcony staterooms, elevators to every deck and everything included.
Sails from: New Orleans, LA, Memphis, TN, Huntsville, AL, Knoxville, TN · Regions: Lower Mississippi River, Tennessee River
American Heritage questions we answer every day
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Facts checked against American Cruise Lines: American Heritage, American Cruise Lines: dates and fares for American Heritage, American Cruise Lines: Highlights of the Mississippi Cruise, American Cruise Lines: all-inclusive on October 14, 2026. Ship details change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the current layout when you book.
Every American Heritage sailing, priced all-in
Every American Heritage departure the cruise line is selling, priced live with taxes, fees and port expenses included. SmartCruiser picks at the top are sailings where booking with us gets you something extra. Stack the filters, then sort by lowest price, best value per night or sail date.
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Sorted by what you save, biggest firstEvery American Heritage sailing
Stack any filters, then pick a sortPrices are per person, double occupancy, in US dollars, and include cruise fare, taxes, fees and port expenses as published by the cruise line at the moment you load this page. Fares are capacity controlled and change daily; the fare is confirmed when you book. Flights, hotels and transfers are extra unless the line’s offer says otherwise. Onboard credit shown on a sailing is per stateroom and applies to the lowest category offered unless stated otherwise.