While cruising does not come more basic than aboard the two American coastal ships of ACCL, loyal passengers return year after year to try new itineraries. The firm, started in the mid-1960s by New England Yankee entrepreneur Luther Blount who died in 2006, revived the concept of coastal and inland voyages. His daughter now runs the company, based in Warren, Rhode Island.
Fleet
The two shallow-draft ships, the Grand Caribe and GrandMariner take just 100 passengers in small outside cabins with truly tinybathrooms and a single public lounge.
Itineraries
This is close-in cruising along rivers, IntracoastalWaterway, Erie Canal and the St. Lawrence Valley, and in New England, Chesapeake, Great Lakes, Colonial South and Caribbean. The Erie Canal and Great Lakes’itineraries are unique to ACCL, and occasionally one of the vessels will cruisefrom Chicago to New Orleans via an intriguing set of interlocking rivers andcanals.
Dining and Decor
Both ships operate open seating dining room withfamily-style service and thoroughly American meals served from an open galley.Décor is plain.
Programs
Most cruises have one person aboard who gives talks whileunder way, and occasionally, local guides who take passengers on tours, willcome aboard in the evening.
Onboard Experience
The key is a lively social life shared amongst mostlyretired Americans in an all American atmosphere.
Competitors
While the social life is similar to its competitors, ACCLrates are lower than those of American Cruise Lines, Cruise West, LindbladCruises and Majestic America Line. Accommodations are on par with some of theCruise West fleet and Lindblad’s Sea Bird and Sea Lion and less spacious andsophisticated than the others.
