River cruising in the U.S. is gaining in popularity for good reason. Riverboats are smaller than most ocean-going cruise ships and offer a more intimate experience. Riverboats also put you right into the rich culture of America’s heartland. Is a river cruise right for you? Guests Nick Chabarria and Elizabeth Harryman Lasley share their own experiences cruising U.S. rivers and offer insights for those considering riverboating on the Mississippi or other U.S. waterways.

Nick Chabarria is a public affairs specialist for the Automobile Club of Missouri. Travel journalist Elizabeth Harryman Lasley is a former travel editor of Westways magazine and a former cohost of OnTravel, a radio show that aired to a million listeners in 167 countries on the American Forces Network and at OnTravel.com.