The Growing American Cruise Lines Fleet Will Number 24 by 2026

Aug 9, 2024 | 0

The Growing American Cruise Lines Fleet

By Heidi Sarna

Amid an impressive building spree, American Cruise Lines currently boasts 19 ships and, by 2026, the fleet will number 24 US-registered small ships carrying between 90 and 180 passengers each.

All are built at the Chesapeake Shipbuilding yard in Salisbury, Maryland, to cruise only US rivers and coastal waters, with US crew, in 35 states.

Here’s a breakdown of the growing American Cruise Lines fleet, current and in the pipeline.

Coastal Cats (with hybrid catamaran hulls)

100 passengers, built in 2023 and 2024
4 ships —including the American Eagle (2023, no stabilizers), American Glory (2023), American Liberty (2024), American Legend (2024)

Patriot Class (with traditional hulls)

125 passengers, to be built in 2025 and 2026
4 ships —including American Patriot (2025) and American Pioneer (2025)

American Riverboats

180 passengers, built between 2018 and 2023 (and one coming in 2026)
7 ships —including American Harmony, American Song, American Jazz, American Melody, American Symphony and American Serenade

Paddlewheel Riverboats

110 to 180 passengers, built between 1995 and 2016; all refurbished in 2022
4 ships — American Splendor, American Heritage, American Pride, American West

Constellation Class

170 passengers, built in 2017 and 2018
2 ships —American Constitution, American Constellation

Independence Class

90 passengers, built from 2005 to 2010
3 ships — American Independence, American Star, American Spirit

RELATED: Heidi reviews her recent Maine coastal cruise aboard American Eagle.

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About The Author

QuirkyCruise

Ted & Heidi are long-time travel writers with a penchant for small ship cruising. Between them they've traveled all over the world aboard hundreds and hundreds of small cruise ships of all kinds, from river boats to expedition vessels and sailing ships.

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HEIDI SARNA

I'm up to 78 countries and 110+ cruises worldwide, and it's the small ship journeys that I love writing about most. And so QuirkyCruise.com was born, an excellent research tool for planning your own unforgettable small ship trip.

THEODORE W. SCULL

I have traveled between all continents by sea and cruised along three dozen rivers. Ships and travel are in my blood, and so is writing. My journeys have translated into many books and many hundreds of articles.

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Heidi & Ted and their team of curious travel writers explore the far corners of the world to share their experiences & insights about small-ship cruising.

Heidi M. Sarna

So far, I’ve explored 78 countries around the world by boat, road, plane, foot, bicycle and camel. My first big journey was a six-month trip around the world back in the days when…

Theodore W. Scull

I am happiest near water, over water or better still on a conveyance moving through water. When my brother Sandy and I were deemed old enough, mother took us to Europe by ship.

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