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.
RELATED: Jackie Sheckler Finch reviews her Lower Mississippi River from Memphis to New Orleans.
Subscribe to our monthly small ship cruise email
Subscribe to QuirkyCruise.com for monthly curated newsletters highlighting our top small cruise ship reviews, round-ups & offers!
HEIDI SARNA
