American Cruise Lines was incorporated in 1991.[4] The company operates the largest and only 100% U.S.-flagged fleet of riverboats and small cruise ships in the world, with 19 new riverboats and small cruise ships exploring around the U.S.A., including five riverboats on the Mississippi River and five on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. In 2023, American Cruise Lines launched two 100-passenger Coastal Cats, American Eagle and American Glory; the 1st and 2nd ships in the company's newest series of twelve small ships for the U.S. market. (both are namesakes of original company vessels that have since been retired). The company operates both classic paddlewheelers and a fleet of new modern riverboats, including the first modern riverboat in the country, American Song, which debuted in 2018, and was named one of Time Magazine's World's Greatest Places in 2019. American's four classic paddlewheel riverboats were redesigned and renamed in 2022. Paddlewheelers Queen of the Mississippi, Queen of the West, and America became American Heritage, American West, and American Splendor (American Pride retained its original name). [5] In 2017 and 2018, American Cruise Lines launched two new small coastal cruise ships 170-passenger American Constellation and American Constitution.[6] All American's riverboats and small ships cruise only in the U.S.A. following 100% U.S. itineraries along U.S. Rivers as well as the protected coastal waters along the East and West coasts (all the company's itineraries visit only U.S. ports of call). [7][8][9]
Modern Riverboats & Coastal Cats
On March 1, 2017, American Cruise Lines announced American Song, the flagship in a new class of modern riverboats for the U.S.A. Unlike more traditional paddle-wheel riverboats the company's new American Song is more modern, offering contemporary design like riverboats more commonly found on European rivers. American Song has four decks, is 345 feet (105 m) long, carries 180 passengers, and offers 100% private balcony accommodations. Since 2018, American Cruise Lines has launched 5 more modern riverboats: American Harmony in 2019; American Jazz in 2020, American Melody in 2021; American Symphony in 2022; and American Serenade in 2023 (named Cruise Critic's Best New River Cruise Ship of 2023). All the company's new modern riverboats feature state-of-the-art amenities like private balconies, largest-in-class cabins (singles, doubles & suites), and en-suite bathrooms.
In 2023, American Cruise Lines launched 2 new boats in another new series of small coastal cruise ships, American Eagle and American Glory. These 100-passenger Coastal Cats are part of the company's Project Blue series of twelve new small ships being built in the U.S.A. The company's Project Blue ships are meant for exploring U.S. coastal waters in the same manner as the company's riverboats, sailing close to home and visiting only U.S. ports of call. In 2024, American Cruise Lines will launch the 3rd and 4th ships in the series, Coastal Cats, American Liberty and American Legend. American Cruise Lines has announced more riverboats and small ships, already under construction, set to launch in 2025.
The company's original American Eagle (built 2000) - was moored at Chesapeake Shipbuilding as housing for contractors. It has since been sold for scrap in Baltimore, MD.
The company's original American Glory (built 2002) - scuttled off coast of Delaware on November 4, 2019 for artificial reef[10]
References
^"General InformationArchived 2012-01-21 at the Wayback Machine." American Cruise Lines. Retrieved on January 15, 2012. "American Cruise Lines, Inc. operates from headquarters in Guilford, Connecticut[...]"
^"Cruise News." (Archive) American Cruise Lines. Retrieved on January 15, 2012. "741 Boston Post Road ٠ Suite 200 ٠ Guilford, Connecticut"
