New American Eagle Doing Coastal Maine Cruises
By Ted Scull
Updated February 2025; the Eagle has launched. Here’s Heidi’s review of her week aboard American Eagle along the Maine coast.
The State of Maine will be the recipient of the first of a dozen catamarans when American Cruise Lines’ brand new 100-passenger American Eagle takes up a late summer series of 7-night cruises based at Portland, Maine.
It’s short inaugural season will see six Maine departures beginning September 5th and with the final departure on October 10th 2023. This follows American Eagle’s very first cruises, three weeklong Cape Codder cruises round-trip from Boston.
Seven ports of call on the Maine itinerary will begin with Bath and then aim north to turn inland along the scenic Penobscot River as far as Bangor, and via a coastal route to ever-popular Bar Harbor.
Gorgeous Maine. * Photo: Heidi Sarna
The catamaran design adds stability when underway and at anchor as well as providing a shallow draft for further exploration of coastal areas and rivers. With less contact with the water’s surface, the vessel can also move at higher speeds.
Rendering of the new 100-pax American Eagle. * Rendering: American Cruise Lines
A Look at American Eagle’s Interior
Many of the new vessel’s design features are a continuation of the recent past. Cabins are spread over four decks, and all but eight on Main Deck have private balconies. Two elevators connect four of the five decks with Sun Deck the exception.
Just three cabins are designated singles. Three of the six stateroom categories are given the designation “suite” — Grand, Sky, and Veranda.
A Grand Suite onboard the new 100-pax American Eagle. * Rendering: American Cruise Lines
Veranda Suite Private Balcony accommodations measure 280 square feet and have large bathrooms and also sitting areas, and include a private walk-out balcony. * Rendering: American Cruise Lines
The outdoor space is generous with a café, observation seating at the bow, and a fitness center in two sections facing aft over the stern.
American Eagle’s multiple lounges include, as with the rest of the fleet, spaces that do double duty as embarkation entrances and connecting across amidships to the main staircase.
An American Eagle lounge. * Rendering: American Cruise Lines
A scenic viewing spot at the bow of American Eagle. * Rendering: American Cruise Lines
Stay tuned for more about the American Eagle and its Maine itinerary, as Heidi is planning to sample this cruise in early October. Her review to follow!
The First of 12 Coastal “Cat” Ships
Sister-ship American Glory, the second of American Cruise Lines’ dozen identical “Coastal Cat” ships is also debuting in 2023, in November.
Glory will also begin on the East Coast, offering 10-night American Revolution itineraries round-trip from Baltimore.
The 10-day American Revolution cruise includes a day in Washington DC. Here in front of the Lincoln Memorial. * Photo: Heidi Sarna
RELATED: Ted reports on American Cruise Lines’ tall order of new ships.
Heidi on her last Maine coastal cruise aboard the J&E RIggin. * Photo: Heidi Sarna
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HEIDI SARNA
