New Ships for American Cruise Lines
By Ted Scull
The second incarnation of American Cruises Lines (ACL) began in 1999 with the first ship, American Eagle, appearing a year later to take just 48 passengers along the Eastern Seaboard and inland waters.
A year later, a second ship, the American Glory appeared to offer more sailing dates and additional new ports. The vessels were and are built in the company’s shipyard on the Eastern Shore of Maryland just downriver from Salisbury (and today, ACL’s upcoming new pair of brand new “catamaran-inspired” 100-pax riverboats have taken these two names).
The line was successful and continued to expand the fleet to include the Midwest’s varied rivers headed by the mighty Mississippi, with the Ohio, Cumberland, and Tennessee following on.
At first, ACL built a pair of sternwheel paddle vessels but with modern interiors. Then the line opted for more riverboats closer to the sleek European style than American heritage design.
The line bought a Pacific Northwest inland waters firm and expanded its offerings to include the Columbia and Snake rivers to access highly diverse landscapes in Oregon and Washington, massive dams with canal-style passages and fish ladders for spawning salmon.
Some years later, ACL entered the Alaska summer market.
And so, in less than 25 years, ACL has impressively gone from two tiny ships to where the firm is today — by far the largest under the US flag.
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American Cruise Lines is Busy on the East Coast
On the East Coast, ACL calls at ports as far north as Eastern Maine and south to Key West.
Plus, there’s inland cruising via the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal to the vast expanse of Chesapeake Bay and north from New York City, roughly 150 miles along the picturesque Hudson River to Albany.
The 180-pax American Song. * Photo: American Cruise Lines
The Action Packed 2023-2024 Season
For the 2023-2024 season, American Cruise Lines will operate 17 small ships with the largest taking a maximum of 190 passengers and most of the fleet far less.
Itineraries number 150 if you are willing to accept that some may be roughly the same with a couple of ports added or subtracted for brevity or to add a few more days. This figure includes 11 itineraries on the Mississippi River alone. The vessels will tie up in a total of 35 different states.
Many American Cruise Lines itineraries begin with a hotel stay in or near the port of embarkation and a transfer to the landing the following morning.
By the way, ACL has plans for a dozen more vessels, including a sixth modern riverboat debuting on the Mississippi River in April, 2023, the 175-pax American Serenade (sister ship to 2022’s American Symphony).
For those who like to take a daily constitutional, note the blue Sky Walk on the highest deck of the 175-pax American Serenade. * Image: American Cruise Lines
Also look for a pair of brand new 109-passenger “Coastal Cats,” the American Eagle and American Glory. These are first two of what ACL calls “catamaran-inspired go-anywhere” small ships in the 12-ship Project Blue fleet announced earlier this year.
The aft activity platform on the new “Coastal Cat” class. * Rendering: ACL
American Eagle and American Glory will sail East Coast itineraries, beginning in August and October 2023.
RELATED: More details on American Cruise Lines’ Project Blue.
A rendering of the new “catamaran-inspired” river boats for ACL. * Photo: ACL
Rendering of the lounge area on ACL’s new “Coastal Cats” — American Eagle & American Glory. * Image: ACL
American Cruise Lines Cabins
As far as the accommodations go, all of the fleet’s cabins have a view of the outside world and most cabins are quite roomy for a small ship. The newer ships generally offer even larger. All but a handful have private balconies, step out and a bit more on some of the older vessels, and a boon when most itineraries are close to the shore or riverbank.
A rendering of a standard cabin on the pair of upcoming new “Coastal Cats” — the 100-pax American Eagle and American Glory. * Image: ACL
Another welcome feature for those traveling solo are dedicated single cabins. This feature is also great for two friends to take a cruise together without having to share a cabin.
Cheers to the New Ships for American Cruise Lines
Cocktail hour before dinner see passengers gather and enjoy complimentary drinks and varied hors d’oeuvres. Red and white wines are offered for both lunch and dinner.
Also, gratuities are included in the fares, a major change. The suggested tipping level was once very high.
For more info, visit the ACL website.
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