American Cruise Lines is the largest river and small-ship cruise line in the United States with its headquarters in Guilford, Connecticut.[1][2] The line operates nineteen small U.S.-flagged cruise ships along the Eastern Seaboard (Maine to Florida, Hudson River, and Chesapeake Bay) and Western Seaboard (including Alaska and Puget Sound[3]) as well as the Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland, and Tennessee Rivers and the Columbia-Snake river system in the United States.
 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Travel and Hospitality |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Headquarters | Guilford, Connecticut, U.S. |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO (2019-Present); Charles A. Robertson, Founder, Chairman & CEO (1973-2019) |
| Products | Cruises |
| Website | www |
History
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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 United States, 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 first and second 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, the 170-passenger American Constellation and American Constitution.[6] All American Cruise Lines' riverboats and small ships cruise only in the United States 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
editOn March 1, 2017, American Cruise Lines announced American Song, the flagship in a new class of riverboats for the United States. 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 five 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 two 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 United States. 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 third and fourth 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. More newbuilds through 2026 were announced in June 2024.[10][11]
Fleet
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Coastal ships U.S. East & West Coasts
edit- American Spirit (2005)
- American Star (2007)
- American Independence (2010)
- American Constellation (2017)
- American Constitution (2018)
- American Eagle (2023)
- American Glory (2023)
- American Liberty (2024)
- American Legend (2024)
Columbia & Snake riverboats
edit- American West (1995)
- American Pride (2012)
- American Song (2018)
- American Harmony (2019)
- American Jazz (2020)
Mississippi riverboats
edit- American Heritage (2015)
- American Splendor (2016)
- American Melody (2021)
- American Symphony (2022)
- American Serenade (2023)
Modern riverboats
edit- American Song (2018)
- American Harmony (2019)
- American Jazz (2020)
- American Melody (2021)
- American Symphony (2022)
- American Serenade (2023)
Coastal Cats
edit- American Eagle (2023)
- American Glory (2023)
- American Liberty (2024)
- American Legend (2024)
Retired
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- 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, Maryland.
- The company's original American Glory (built 2002) - scuttled off coast of Delaware on November 4, 2019 for artificial reef[12]'
References
edit- ^ "General Information". American Cruise Lines. Archived from the original on 2012-01-21. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
- ^ "Cruise News – New Sternwheeler Named Queen of the Mississippi by American Cruise Lines" (PDF) (Press release). American Cruise Lines. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 23, 2011. Retrieved January 15, 2012.
- ^ http://www.americancruiselines.com/admin/includes/uploadpdf/Alaska_Shore_Excursions_FINAL_2_2_12.pdf[permanent dead link]
- ^ "American Cruise Lines". Altius Directory. Archived from the original on 17 January 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
- ^ ""America" - American Cruise Lines' Brand New Mississippi Riverboat" (PDF) (Press release). American Cruise Lines. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-07-14. Retrieved 2015-07-14.
- ^ "American Cruise Lines Announces Construction of a New Coastal Cruise Ship" (Press release). American Cruise Lines. Archived from the original on 27 November 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015 – via PR Web.
- ^ "American Constellation Cruise Ship". Ship Technology. Archived from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
- ^ Gray Faust, Chris. "American Cruise Lines Announces Name for 2018 Coastal Cruise Ship". Cruise Critic. Archived from the original on 2017-03-31. Retrieved 2017-03-30.
- ^ "America's Only 100% U.S. Fleet Grows to 15 Small Ships and Takes All-American Names for 2022" (PDF) (Press release). American Cruise Lines. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 December 2021.
- ^ "American Cruise Lines Announces 3 More Newbuilds Confirms 7 Ships on Order" (Press release). American Cruise Lines. June 12, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
- ^ "American Cruise Lines Announces 3 More Newbuilds: Confirms 7 Ships on Order". Cruise Industry News. June 12, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
- ^ "Video: Small Cruise Ship Sunk as Artificial Reef Off Delaware". The Maritime Executive. Archived from the original on 2019-11-08. Retrieved 2019-11-08.
