This year is shaping up to be a good one for vacations that stick close to home. Small towns and big cities alike are commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The FIFA World Cup is coming to North America. The 100th anniversary of Route 66 is boosting the popularity of nostalgic road trips along the 2,448-mile Mother Road.
But not to be overlooked in 2026 are domestic cruises, with options including coastal sailings, river cruises, and voyages on the Great Lakes. If your vacation plans are likely to keep you closer to home this year, consider one of these U.S.-based cruises.
Soak up Alaska’s Stunning Scenery
Alaska’s cruise season runs May through October, aligning with the summer vacation season. Princess Cruises offers sailings to Alaska with onboard naturalists, movies under the stars with popcorn and blankets, and a range of experiences for every age.
A highlight is a day spent cruising Glacier Bay National Park, where the pristine land and seascapes look like a frosty wonderland. The line’s North to Alaska program brings Indigenous Alaskans and resident experts on board, from lumberjacks who can swing an axe with style to mountain climbers who have tackled Denali.
Sail on a Windjammer in Maine
To savor Maine’s rugged coastal beauty, consider a Windjammer Cruise. Windjammers are traditional tall ships powered by harnessing the force of the wind. Treasured by environmentalists, they are also a genuine slice of New England’s maritime history. There’s no definitive itinerary on each voyage — the next day’s destination is determined the old-fashioned way: by weather, wind, and tide.
Each of the nine ships in the Windjammer fleet is individually owned and has a distinct personality, with beauty, grace, and speed as the unifying elements. These seafaring vessels carry just a few dozen passengers and a small but capable crew. Windjammers depart from either Rockland or Camden from May through October; some cater to families, while others are better suited to adults.
Take a River Cruise in the United States
Not all river cruises meander down European rivers such as the Rhine or Danube. There are plenty of rivers to cruise in the U.S., too, from the Snake River to the Hudson. American Cruise Lines operates a fleet of small ships made in America that focus exclusively on U.S. itineraries.
Immortalized by Mark Twain, the Mississippi River is a symbol of America’s adventurous spirit. American Cruise Lines offers numerous itineraries along the Mississippi, including the popular Complete Mississippi River Experience, traveling the full length of the river from New Orleans to St. Paul, Minnesota. Shore excursions are led by local guides, with a stop in Hannibal, Missouri — Twain’s boyhood hometown. Keep in mind that guests on these sailings tend to be baby boomers; there are no activities that cater specifically to young children.
Say Aloha to Hawaii
The Hawaiian Islands never disappoint. The Aloha State has eight major islands, each with its own distinct flavor, and cruising gives you the opportunity to visit multiple islands with ease.
UnCruise offers energetic travelers a way to explore this tropical paradise on small ships carrying only 22 to 86 guests. The focus is on nature, away from screens and technology — ships have kayaks, hiking poles, binoculars, and other gear to get you into action mode. UnCruise’s seven-night Hawaiian Seascapes stops at four islands: Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and the Big Island, with opportunities to snorkel with manta rays, hike around a volcano, and learn about Hawaiian culture.
Explore the Great Lakes by Cruise Ship
The Great Lakes — Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario — make up the largest freshwater ecosystem on the planet and are abundant in natural beauty, wildlife, and migratory birds. If you’re over 18, you can sail these vast waterways on a Viking expedition ship with Great Lakes Treasures, a 10-day trip that starts and finishes in Milwaukee.
The itinerary showcases both big cities and pristine wilderness, with stops in Chicago and Canada’s Fathom Five National Marine Park with its stunning Flowerpot Island rock formations. While this closed-loop cruise departs and returns to the same U.S. port, you’ll still want to carry a valid passport for emergencies and to comply with the cruise line’s travel recommendations.
Expedition cruising is a growing trend, with everyone from multigenerational families to seniors hopping aboard. If your definition of luxury includes adventure, learning, and immersion in nature, these sailings deliver.
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