American Cruise Lines

American Cruise Lines
TypePrivate
IndustryTravel and Hospitality
Founded1973 (1973)
HeadquartersGuilford, Connecticut, U.S.
Area served
United States
Key people
Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO (2019-Present); Charles A. Robertson, Founder, Chairman & CEO (1973-2019)
ProductsCruises
Websitewww.americancruiselines.com

American Cruise Lines is the largest river and small-ship cruise line in the United States with its headquarters in Guilford, Connecticut.[1][2] The line has 30 small U.S.-flagged cruise ships that cruise along the Eastern Seaboard (Maine to Florida), the Hudson River, the Chesapeake Bay, the Great Lakes, and the Western Seaboard (including Alaska and Puget Sound) as well as the Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland, Arkansas, and Tennessee rivers and the Columbia-Snake river system in the United States.[3]

History

American Spirit visiting Liberty Bay in Western Washington, USA

American Cruise Lines was founded in the early 70s.[4] The company operates the largest and only 100% U.S.-flagged fleet of riverboats and small cruise ships in the world, with 30 new riverboats and small cruise ships exploring around the United States, including seven riverboats on the Mississippi River and ten on the Columbia and Snake rivers.

All American Cruise Lines' riverboats and small ships cruise only in the United States following 100% U.S. itineraries along U.S. rivers, lakes, bays, and protected coastal waterways along the East and West coasts. The company has over 50 domestic itineraries and all cruises visit only U.S. ports of call.

In May 2026, American Cruise Lines launched the newest riverboat in the country, American Encore, on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. The 180-passenger riverboat was christened in Lewiston, Idaho on May 12th, and was the first riverboat ever christened in the state. In June 2026, American Cruise Lines also launched the newest small cruise ship in the U.S.A., American Maverick. The 130-passenger small ship was christened in Newport, Rhode Island on June 16th. The company announced another new small ship, American Ranger, will launch in September 2026, and has recently announced 9 other new ships launching in 2027, 2028 and 2029. These 9 new ships will include both new riverboats and small ships.

In 2018, the company introduced modern American Riverboat, American Song, on the Mississippi River. American Song was the first contemporary style riverboat in the U.S.A. Accommodating 180-passengers in all-balcony staterooms, American Song's innovative design and amenities are a complete departure from the more traditional paddle-wheel riverboats more commonly seen cruising the Mississippi River in previous decades. Time magazine named American Song one of the World's Greatest Places in 2019.

American Constellation leaving Port Townsend, Washington, USA

Since the introduction of the series flagship, American Song, American Cruise Lines has launched six more modern American Riverboats: American Harmony in 2019; American Jazz in 2020; American Melody in 2021; American Symphony in 2022; American Serenade in 2023 (named Cruise Critic's Best New River Cruise Ship of 2023); and American Encore in 2026. The company has recenly announced more new modern riverboats, American Anthem, American Grace, American Beauty, and American Rhapsody, joining the fleet in 2027, 2028, and 2029. All the company's new riverboats feature world-class amenities including 100% private balcony accommodations, and the largest-in-class cabins (singles, doubles & suites) with en-suite bathrooms. The company's newest riverboat, American Encore launched in May 2026, features one of the largest riverboat suites in the world, the Signature Suite, at 1,500 square-feet.

In 2022, American Cruise Lines announced Project Blue, a new series of twelve small U.S. built ships for domestic cruises exploring coastally around the United States. The company's Project Blue ships are designed to cruise rivers, bays, lakes and U.S. protected coastal waterways in the same manner as the company's riverboats, sailing close to home and visiting only U.S. ports of call. All the company's new small ships and riverboats are built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding, in Salisbury Maryland.

In 2023 and 2024, the first four ships in the Project Blue series were introduced. These included four new 100-passenger Coastal Cats, American Eagle, American Glory, American Liberty, and American Legend (American Eagle, and American Glory, are namesakes of original company vessels that have since been retired).

In 2025 and 2026, American Cruise Lines continued the series, introducing four 130-passenger Patriot Class ships, American Patriot, American Pioneer, American Maverick and American Ranger. These four new small cruise ships, along with the four Coastal Cats, sail a variety of U.S. itineraries along the East Coast from Maine to Florida. The company has announced that two more 130-passenger Patriot Class sister ships, American Mariner and American Navigator will launch in 2027.[5][6]

American Constitution in Camden, Maine, USA
Coastal Cat ship American Eagle at Boston

American Cruise Lines fleet includes other small ships like 170-passenger sister ships, American Constellation and American Constitution, which cruise in Alaska and Puget Sound.

The company also operates the only four remaining paddle-wheel riverboats (available for overnight river cruises in the United States). These classically-styled riverboats with their iconic red paddle-wheels were redecorated and renamed in 2022, while still retaining their nostalgic and historic aesthetic. Queen of the Mississippi, Queen of the West, and America became American Heritage, American West, and American Splendor; and American Pride retained its original name. They operate on the Mississippi River and tributaries, and on the Columbia and Snake Rivers.[7]

Fleet

Current fleet

Small Ships U.S. East & West Coasts

Independence Class Coastal Ship [8]
Name Built Shipyard Passenger Capacity
American Spirit 2005 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 90
American Star 2007 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 90
American Independence 2010 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 90
Constellation Class Coastal Ship [8]
Name Built Shipyard Passenger Capacity
American Constellation 2017 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 170
American Constitution 2018 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 170
Coastal Cat Class Ship [8]
Name Built Shipyard Passenger Capacity
American Eagle 2023 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 100
American Glory 2023 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 100
American Liberty 2024 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 100
American Legend 2024 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 100
Patriot Class Coastal Ship [8]
Name Built Shipyard Passenger Capacity
American Patriot 2025 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 130
American Pioneer 2025 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 130
Future Ships
American Maverick June 2026 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 130
American Ranger September 2026 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 130
American Mariner 2027 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 130
American Navigator 2027 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 130
Paddlewheel Riverboat [8]
Name Built Shipyard Passenger Capacity
American West 1995 Nichols Bros. Boat Builders, Freeland, Washington 110
American Pride 2012 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 130
American Heritage 2015 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 150
American Splendor 2016 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 180
American Riverboat [8]
Name Built Shipyard Passenger Capacity Notes
American Song 2018 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 180 First ship in new modern American Riverboat series
American Harmony 2019 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 180 Additional deck of staterooms on Deck 5[9]
American Jazz 2020 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 180 Additional deck of staterooms on Deck 5[9]
American Melody 2021 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 180 New top deck 5 design with added Skywalk[10]
American Symphony 2022 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 180 New top deck 5 design with added Skywalk[11]
American Serenade 2023 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 180 New top deck 5 design with added Skywalk[11]
Future Ships
American Encore May 2026 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 180 Reconfigured Layout, including River Lounge moved down to lowest deck, added signature suite[12]
American Anthem 2027 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 180 Reconfigured Layout, including River Lounge moved down to lowest deck, added signature suite[12]
American Grace 2028 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 180 Reconfigured Layout, including River Lounge moved down to lowest deck, added signature suite[12]

Former fleet

Former Ships[13]
Name Built Shipyard Passenger Capacity Status
American Eagle 1975 Harvey F. Gamage Shipyard, South Bristol, Maine 60 Sold in 1984, renamed Island Clipper. Now sailing in Fantasía del Mar in Panama.[14]
Independence 1976 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 87 Sold 1985 to Great Pacific Cruise Lines and renamed Columbia. Now sailing as now sailing as Wilderness Explorer
America 1982 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 87 Now sailing as Safari Voyager with UnCruise[15]
Savannah 1984 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 140 Renamed Terra Australis, sank 2002
New Orlean 1985 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 140 Unknown
Charleston 1987 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland 125
American Eagle 2000 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland Moored at Chesapeake Shipbuilding as housing for contractors. Sold for scrap in Baltimore, Maryland.
American Glory 2002 Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Maryland Scuttled off coast of Delaware on November 4, 2019, for artificial reef.[16]

References

  1. ↑ "General Information". American Cruise Lines. Archived from the original on January 21, 2012. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  2. ↑ "Cruise News – New Sternwheeler Named Queen of the Mississippi by American Cruise Lines" (PDF) (Press release). American Cruise Lines. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 23, 2011. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
  3. ↑ http://www.americancruiselines.com/admin/includes/uploadpdf/Alaska_Shore_Excursions_FINAL_2_2_12.pdf
  4. ↑ "American Cruise Lines". Altius Directory. Archived from the original on January 17, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
  5. ↑ "American Cruise Lines Announces 3 More Newbuilds Confirms 7 Ships on Order" (Press release). American Cruise Lines. June 12, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  6. ↑ "American Cruise Lines Announces 3 More Newbuilds: Confirms 7 Ships on Order". Cruise Industry News. June 12, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  7. ↑ ""America" - American Cruise Lines' Brand New Mississippi Riverboat" (PDF) (Press release). American Cruise Lines. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 14, 2015. Retrieved July 14, 2015.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Fleet of Small Ships & Riverboats | American Cruise Lines". www.americancruiselines.com.
  9. 1 2 "American Jazz Riverboat | Columbia & Snake Rivers Cruise Ship". www.americancruiselines.com. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  10. ↑ Levine, Irene S. "Newest Riverboat In USA Launched By American Cruise Lines". Forbes.
  11. 1 2 Leppert, Jason Leppert (June 15, 2021). "American Cruise Lines Announces Two New Riverboats". www.travelagewest.com.
  12. 1 2 3 Leppert, Jason (January 28, 2026). "Preview: American Cruise Lines' American Encore". www.travelagewest.com. Retrieved May 30, 2026.
  13. ↑ Dragonetti, Greg (August 30, 2024). "The Complete History of American Cruise Line | CruiseInd". Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  14. ↑ "FANTASIA DEL MAR - IMO 8331948". www.shipspotting.com. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Meet-The-Fleet". UnCruise Adventures. Retrieved May 31, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Video: Small Cruise Ship Sunk as Artificial Reef Off Delaware". The Maritime Executive. Archived from the original on November 8, 2019. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
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