How to Become an American Cruise Lines Cruise Travel Agent

We’ve put together an in-depth guide below on how to become a travel agent for this All-American River Cruise Line. But if you’d prefer to get answers right away, just click vacationlab.io/join to chat live with our team and learn firsthand how to become a travel agent for American Cruise Lines, and gain access to all our other travel partners as well. Best of all, clicking the link is completely free - no dues or fees from us, ever!

American Cruise Lines (ACL) is for those who want to explore every corner of the United States. This is an all-American company, from the flags on their ships to the crew members onboard, focused on discovering the Mississippi River, Alaska, New Orleans, Florida, and countless other waterways across the country. The cruise line is all about a chill atmosphere and usually attracts guests in their 50s and up who are looking for a peaceful experience and a deeper connection to American history.

Their ships are small, designed for 90 to 180 guests, and don’t include swimming pools or casinos. Instead, they visit unique ports and offer plenty of onboard lectures that dive into the history and culture of each destination. 

American Cruise Lines is also all-inclusive, with food, drinks, and Wi-Fi included for every guest. They also pride themselves on having some of the largest rooms in the river cruise industry, with entry-level staterooms averaging around 250 square feet. Prices typically start at around $3,000 per guest, following the trend that river cruises are generally more expensive than ocean cruises.

As you can see, there are a lot of small details when it comes to American Cruise Lines. Guess what? You can absolutely become a travel agent specializing in ACL and help people book unforgettable trips! Take time to research their all-inclusive fares, destinations, and itineraries, and get ready to lend a hand to travelers looking to explore the rich history of the United States.

This guide will teach you everything you need to know about becoming an American Cruise Lines travel agent. We will cover:

• Benefits of Becoming an American Cruise Lines Travel Agent
• Skills Required to Become an American Cruise Lines Travel Agent
• Finding an American Cruise Lines Host Agency
• The Best Host Agency for American Cruise Lines
• Tips for Those Starting Out
• Training Courses for American Cruise Lines
• Getting Paid
• Free Stock Library
• American Cruise Lines Travel Agent FAQ

Now let’s get started!

Great for American Travel Agents

American Cruise Lines focuses exclusively on the United States, offering cruises along some of the most iconic rivers in the country. Working with them allows you to specialize in a single destination and, most of the time, you'll be assisting guests from the USA only. That makes it much easier to research everything ACL has to offer - no need to juggle dozens of international ports or complex foreign itineraries. And hey, you might even live near some of these popular spots and be able to share your own personal insight about the places your clients will visit!

River Cruises are going to be HUGE

River cruising is becoming more popular with each passing year. In fact, bookings for 2026 are already 30 to 40% higher compared to 2025. More cruise lines are entering the river cruise market, with the latest being Celebrity Cruises, which has just ordered 10 ships set to sail rivers starting in 2027, 2028, and 2029. American Cruise Lines also debuted a new class of ships in 2025, with more coming in 2026. The market is huge, and it will only get bigger in the next decade.

American Cruise Lines is very niche

American Cruise Lines definitely isn’t a mainstream cruise line. It attracts a very specific demographic, typically retirees in their 60s and up who want to relax and enjoy the scenic beauty of the United States. Because of this, many people have questions about what ACL offers. That’s where you come in. This could be your opportunity to specialize in American Cruise Lines, learn everything about their ships and itineraries, and assist guests who will likely need guidance when it comes time to book.

Communication Skills

Strong communication skills are essential when working with any travel supplier, but they're especially important when selling American Cruise Lines. River cruises are a niche market, and most of your guests will be 60 years old or older. That means you'll need to answer questions clearly, politely, and in a way that’s easy to understand. Be ready to explain details like the all-inclusive fare, stateroom categories, onboard activities, and anything else your clients might be curious about.

Stay Up to Date with Everything American Cruise Lines-Related

As a travel agent, it’s important to be well-informed about the suppliers you’re selling. American Cruise Lines operates over 20 ships across the United States, and while you’re not expected to know every detail about each one, you should be familiar with their destinations, all-inclusive fare, and the unique perks of sailing with ACL. Make sure you understand key topics that often come up in conversations, such as typical cruise pricing, stateroom options, onboard activities, and a few extra details that can help you better guide your clients.

You need to research things like:

• The overall vibe of American Cruise Lines
• What’s included in your fare 
• Prices
• Restaurants
• Activities onboard
• Main Destinations
• …and more!

Hey, you’re already browsing one of the best host agencies around! We have a lot of information about American Cruise Lines on our sister website, Famvia, and plenty of travel agents across the globe who can help you with this river cruise line. We also have guides about several other river cruise lines, like Viking Cruises and A-Rosa. We’d love to have you here, of course, but here are some tips for choosing a host agency:

Look for host agencies that:

• Have a good track record and good online reviews
• Offer an interview process and listen to you
• Share commissions with you fairly (typically starting at 70% for the travel agent)
• Are as fancy as American Cruise Lines!

VacationLab is the best host agency if you want to focus on American Cruise Lines, other cruise lines, theme parks, and even beach resorts. Here’s why!

• No experience as a travel agent? No problem! We're here to help you.
• We have a (super) fun interview process and listen to what you have to say!
• We offer SORS - our very own Travel Dashboard to help you manage bookings and travel rewards. Yes, SORS like in sorcery, it’s that good.
• We provide exclusive courses, like Mastering Travel Social Media, to support travel advisors of all backgrounds.
• We offer a commission split starting at 70%.
• We have hundreds of guides and reviews on our sister site, Famvia, covering major cruise lines, theme parks, and beach resorts. This includes American Cruise Lines as well!
• We’re experts when it comes to river cruises, with in-depth guides on A-Rosa, Viking, and even the upcoming Celebrity Cruises river cruise offerings.
• We’re always ready to listen, chat, and lend a helping hand!

Become an American Cruise Lines expert

One of the rules of being a travel agent is that you need to be an expert on the travel supplier you’re trying to sell. After all, if someone comes to you asking about American Cruise Lines, you need to be ready to answer with confidence, as if you’ve mastered the subject.

VacationLab's sister site, Famvia, offers free guides covering everything about American Cruise Lines, including pricing, stateroom options, restaurants and destinations. Check it out, learn about American, and expand your knowledge through online training courses!

• Planning a Cruise on American Cruise Lines
• American Cruise Lines Room & Dining Options
• American Cruise Lines Ships & Destinations

There’s a lot of information there, so use this guide to familiarize yourself with American Cruise Lines before trying the training courses!

Prepare for your Interview

You need to prepare for your interview by researching two key subjects: the host agency in question and the travel supplier. 

When it comes to American Cruise Lines, it’s important to understand the different classes of ships, their main destinations, and what’s included in their all-inclusive fare. You don’t need to memorize every detail, but you should know what makes this cruise line unique.

For example, ACL isn’t great for kids, since there aren’t many entertainment options onboard, and most guests are 50 and older. But it’s a fantastic choice for travelers seeking a peaceful, slow-paced experience focused on American history and culture.

Stay calm, ask thoughtful questions to show your interest and knowledge, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming an expert in selling American Cruise Lines.

Commission Payout

Commission is paid approximately 45 days before cruise embarkation. Commission is also protected if a booking is paid in full and the guest cancels within 45 days of the embarkation date.

American Cruise Lines Travel Agent Rates

While specific commission percentages are protected by NDA (“Non Disclosure Agreement”) between all travel partners/travel suppliers and the host agency, you can assume that commission percentages range from 10% up to 20% (depending on the type of booking).

More often than not, commissions with American Cruise Lines start at 15%. Be sure to keep an eye on your status in the Travel Agent Portal for any updates, special promotions, or commission challenges.

Let’s make a quick simulation based on a 8-Day Mississippi River Cruise for two guests to see how much you’d get on commissions:

• Total cruise fare: $7,500
• Base commission (15%): $1,125
• Your share at 70% split: $787

That’s pretty good, especially considering this is a relatively simple river cruise, and you could book hundreds of them if you get your name out there!

American Cruise Lines Travel Agent Salary

Your salary will depend on several factors, including the number of bookings you make, the size of your client base, and the cost of each trip. On average, we expect the annual earnings for an American Cruise Lines travel agent to range from $40,000 to $70,000

American Cruise Lines Training Course

American Cruise Lines has its very own Travel Advisor Program & Portal where you can register to work with them. That’s where you’ll find training videos, become an American Cruise Lines specialist, and get ready to start booking tons of vacations!

The On‑Demand Advisor Certification Program consists of 8 modules you can watch at your own pace.

American Cruise Lines Travel Agent perks

Completing modules gives you certification that sets you apart as an American Cruise Lines specialist. Perks include a tiered commission structure that usually starts at 15%, access to FAMs and other special Travel Advisor offers, exclusive support and access to marketing materials.

American Cruise Lines Travel Agent Course Requirements

To apply for the Travel Advisor Program, you must first be affiliated with a host agency. Once eligible, simply complete the required fields and select the courses you’re interested in. Best of all, the American Cruise Lines training courses are completely free.

CLIA Training

You might also want to look into CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) and complete specific courses there. CLIA certification brings numerous benefits, as you can see here.

VacationLab gives you access to thousands of images and videos from major cruise lines to theme parks and beach resorts.

By joining us, you'll also gain access to our exclusive database, making it easy to showcase images and videos to your clients based on what they’re looking for.