American Cruise Lines is expanding its fleet yet again. It just signed new contracts for four additional vessels, expected by 2027. The deal with Chesapeake Shipbuilding bolsters its current order book to nine ships expected to be handed over within the next three years. The new ships will boost ACL’s fleet to 21 ships. It comes as the company took delivery of new Coastal Cat American Legend this week. This ship officially launches on November 25. The further nine vessels will launch over the next three years at a steady pace, starting with American Patriot and American Pioneer during 2025. Three ships are expected in 2026, and four more the following year. 

Related News Stories:  

Domestic river and coastal cruise brand American Cruise Lines has christened American Liberty, its third new Coastal Cat in Newport, Rhode Island. It is the latest of the line’s 100-passenger ships. The naming ceremony took place at Fort Adams State Park, where all ACL small ships dock when visiting Newport. American Liberty was visiting the town during its inaugural cruise, a New England Islands cruise roundtrip from Providence, Rhode Island. American Liberty’s christening celebration included cruise guests, community members, officials from Sail Newport and Fort Adams State Park, and a small group of American’s executives and crew members. American Liberty’s godmother was Clare Harington, vice commodore of the New York Yacht Club. The christening was followed by a traditional New England lobster bake at Fort Adams State Park. “We look forward to further developing our longtime partnerships in Newport and many other historic coastal towns along the Eastern Seaboard,” said Charles B Robertson, CEO of American Cruise Lines. It follows christenings of series flagship, American Eagle, in Buzzard’s Bay, Massachusetts and American Glory’s christening in Key West, Florida, both in 2023. American Cruise Lines fourth new Coastal Cat, American Legend, is scheduled to begin sailing in November 2024.   

Related News Stories:  American Cruise Lines begins Mississippi cruise season     Outbreak reported on Celebrity Alaska cruise     Carnival Cruise Line teams up with USAirtours     Cruise ship calls to Noumea could be cancelled due to widespread ...     American arrested in Thailand over death of Australian tourist     Cunard - TravelMole     First cruise ship norovirus outbreak of 2024 - TravelMole     Royal Caribbean shifts ship from Baltimore to Norfolk, VA     MSC Cruises - TravelMole     Holland America Line launches 'Dutch Day' experience    

American Cruise Lines is growing its fleet again. Fresh off purchasing ships from shuttered rival American Queen Voyages, ACL is building two new coastal cruise ships. The two new-build ships are under construction at Chesapeake Shipbuilding, in Maryland. American Patriot and American Pioneer will have five decks and capacity for up to 125 passengers in 56 staterooms. All staterooms will have private balconies, and ships will have a large main lounge and restaurant, an indoor lounge, an outdoor sun deck and a casual cafe. They will also house a fitness center and walking track. American Patriot will launch in June 2025, while American Pioneer will debut later next year. They mark the halfway stage in the company’s Project Blue series of 12 new small ships. The coastal cruise ships will offer East Coast sailings, such as a longer version of the recently launched Grand Florida Coast & Keys itinerary. “Coastally, this category of cruise has never been available in so many regions of the country before,” ACL said. The company just bought four river cruise ships from former rival line American Queen Voyages, which is now in bankruptcy proceedings. This includes the American Queen, the largest ever US paddlewheeler. 

Related News Stories:  American Cruise Lines to sail out of DC - TravelMole     American Cruise Lines settles ADA lawsuit - TravelMole     American Cruise Lines begins Mississippi cruise season     American Cruise Lines' second coastal cat set for launch     American Cruise Lines' first Coastal Cat ship unveiled     American Cruise Lines unveils 2024 New England cruises     American Waterways: An Interview with Faith Alchorn-Selk from ...     American Cruise Lines buys four AQV river ships     Cruise lines skip Maui port calls     First cruise ship norovirus outbreak of 2024 - TravelMole    

  Faith Alchorn-Selk, Business Development Manager at American Cruise Lines, reveals the company's dynamic approach to river cruising in the United States. With over 50 diverse itineraries spanning 35 states, American Cruise Lines offers more than just the iconic Mississippi River experience. Faith emphasizes the company's innovation in designing smaller, more agile ships, enabling access to 400 additional ports across the US. Catering to well-traveled individuals aged 55 and above, the cruise line provides themed sailings such as American revolutionary and Civil War journeys, as well as culinary adventures. With a maximum capacity of 180 guests per vessel, including options for private charters, American Cruise Lines promises intimate, unforgettable journeys along America's waterways.

American Cruise Lines has officially begun its Mississippi River cruise season in New Orleans. Over the next few weeks, all five of ACL’s Mississippi riverboats will begin cruising on the Lower Mississippi. This year will be the company's largest season ever across the country, especially on the Mississippi. ACL’s new riverboats will sail more than 16 itineraries throughout the region, also exploring Mississippi tributaries, the Tennessee, Ohio and Cumberland Rivers. In May of this year, American will begin operating several new Mississippi River experiences, including the first Great Smoky Mountains National Parks cruises. This new itinerary allows guests to explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on a 12-day itinerary from Knoxville, TN, to Nashville, TN, cruising the Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. Also in May, the company's first new 35-Day Civil War Battlefields cruise will depart. This cruises the Mississippi, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers as well as large expanses of the East Coast and Chesapeake Bay. It visits over 20 Battlefields of the Civil War. In August, it will sail a historic 61-Day Great United States cruise - the longest river cruise in US history. It explores the entire Mississippi River, 20 states, three national parks and four rivers, as well as sailing the East Coast and Hudson River ports from New York City, to Boston, and Bar Harbor, Maine. In the past five years, American Cruise Lines has nearly tripled its US fleet while also introducing brand new riverboats on the Mississippi River every year since 2018. Following this week's opening on the Mississippi, the company's full fleet of 19 small ships and riverboats will continue deploying across the country, visiting over 140 US ports this year. 

Related News Stories:  American Cruise Lines to sail out of DC - TravelMole     Fred. Holidays: Not connected with American Queen Voyages     First cruise ship norovirus outbreak of 2024     Over 100 guests ill in cruise ship outbreak - TravelMole     Cunard to sail Caribbean cruises from Miami     Regent Seven Seas revs up Aston Martin Aramco F1 partnership ...     Cunard - TravelMole     Carnival Cruise Line     Windstar partners with Traveltek to expand UK distribution ...     American Queen Voyages ceases trading    

Domestic cruise operator American Cruise Lines will offer regular sailings departing central Washington DC. It is the only cruise line to sail up the Potamac and operate multi-day coastal and river cruises from the heart of the nation’s capital. In 2018, ACL’s American Constitution was the first cruise vessel to dock in D.C. in over 60 years. Starting in spring, the ‘American Revolution’ river cruises will offer 10 nights on Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River, and the York River. Cruises call at Annapolis, Norfolk and Mount Vernon as well as the ‘Historic Triangle’ of Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown. It is deploying the American Constitution and 100-guest American Glory from DC with 10-night sailings in the spring and fall. “We offer cruises no one else does, from small ships docking in D.C., to new ships exploring the country’s National Parks,” said Melissa Young, the cruise line’s Director of Business Development. Land experiences include tours of the Capitol and Smithsonian museums in DC and a visit to Arlington National Cemetery among many others. 

Related News Stories:  American Cruise Lines settles ADA lawsuit     American Cruise Lines' first Coastal Cat ship unveiled     First cruise ship norovirus outbreak of 2024     Cruise lines skip Maui port calls     Over 100 guests ill in cruise ship outbreak     Carnival Cruise Line     Cunard     Carnival Cruise Line     One dead after Bahamas tourist boat sinks     TravelMole – Travel industry community since 1999    

American Cruise Lines’ coastal cat, American Glory has successfully passed sea trials. It will be the second coastal cat to launch this year. American Cruise Lines has accepted delivery of the 100-passenger small ship from Chesapeake Shipbuilding on time as scheduled. American Glory is the newest to be inducted in American's series of 12 new coastal cats for US waterways. Additional ships in the series are already under construction with the next two scheduled for delivery in 2024. American Glory will sail its inaugural cruise on 28 November from Maryland to Florida where it will begin operating American's brand new Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruises from late December. American Glory will sail US itineraries along the East Coast throughout 2024. It is being introduced only a few months after series flagship, American Eagle, as well as new riverboat American Serenade. American Glory features four decks with private balcony accommodations, including single- and double-occupancy staterooms as well as suites. The ship also offers a top deck with lounges inside and out, a main restaurant, casual café and fitness center.

The first American Cruise Lines' Coastal Cat has completed its sea trials. ACL accepted delivery of the 100-passenger small ship from Chesapeake Shipbuilding on-time as scheduled. American Eagle is the first of a dozen new Coastal Cats that American Cruise Lines is planning to build. The next four ships are already under construction for expected delivery over the next year. The new boat is the first in its class. American Eagle is already on its way to Massachusetts where it will embark on its first passenger cruise. The new ship will sail itineraries along the East Coast starting 14 August 2023. The first cruise is an eight-day 'Cape Codder' itinerary round trip from Boston. "This is the flagship in American Cruise Lines new series of small Coastal Cats, which are unlike anything else available in the US market,” said CEO Charles B Robertson. American Eagle accommodates 100 guests axross four decks with private balcony staterooms. It features comfortable interior and outdoor lounges, a main restaurant, café and fitness centre. It comes just months after the company introduced its sixth new modern riverboat. The second new Coastal Cat in the series, American Glory, will launch in November 2023.  

American Cruise Lines announced its longest-ever US cruise itinerary. It lasts 60 days and takes in 20 states from the Pacific Coast to the Atlantic. The Great United States sailing sails from mid-August to mid-October 2024. It cruises the Columbia and Snake Rivers, the Mississippi and the Hudson before ending in New York Harbor. Prices start at $51,000 with reservations open now. “The Great United States cruise is a fantastic showcase of our country,” CEO Charles B. Robertson said. “A river cruise of this magnitude has never been done before in the US.” Guests will sail on three ships along the way - American Jazz, American Symphony and American Independence. There is an overland ride and a flight to connect journeys between the three vessels.

American Cruise Lines is back on the Mississippi River this month. It starts its biggest season ever on the Mississippi, introducing the brand new American Serenade. It includes a new eight-day Tennessee Rivers itinerary between Nashville and Chattanooga, TN;. ACL will operate five new riverboats and over 11 Mississippi cruises from St. Paul, to New Orlean. On 20 April, American Serenade will make its Mississippi debut, sailing from New Orleans to Memphis on a special eight-day Christening Cruise. American Serenade will be accompanied on Mississippi cruises this season by merican Melody and American Symphony, and two classic paddlewheelers. American Cruise Lines continues to operate the longest US river sailing, the 22-day Complete Mississippi River cruise. All 2023 Mississippi River sailings include one-night complimentary hotel stays in every departure port.

The Food and Drug Administration has officially warned American Cruise Lines after guests contracted Legionnaires' disease. The FDA said the cruise line has failed to provide proof of measures taken to combat any further outbreak. The agency warned a failure to ‘adequately address this matter may result in legal action.’ Three passengers contracted Legionnaires' disease in 2021. Legionella bacteria was found in potable water on the American Star and American Heritage ships after an inspection. The line failed to monitor potable water on the ships. Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease include coughing, shortness of breath, headache, and fever. Despite the warning letter, ACL said it 'took extensive corrective action and modified water treatment and monitoring.’

American Cruise Lines will officially kick off the 2023 US cruise season on 18 February. This February, American is running more small ships from US ports than ever before. It has two riverboats and two small ships on the East Coast from Florida and South Carolina, from California and on the Mississippi. "2023 is poised to be the most exciting cruise season ever for American Cruise Lines. More small ships exploring in more states than ever before," said Charles B Robertson, CEO. American Jazz will embark on a historic cruise from San Francisco on 24 February. Following an eight-day San Francisco Bay itinerary, American Jazz will be the first US riverboat in over 80 years to explore San Francisco Bay and the California Delta, cruising Wine Country. On the East Coast, American Star will begin the season on the company's unusual eight-day Great Rivers of Florida cruise roundtrip from Jacksonville. Sister ship, American Independence, will sail the line's popular eight-day Historic South & Golden Isles itinerary between Charleston and Amelia Island. The newly renovated American Heritage classic paddlewheeler begins the 2023 season on the Mississippi River, following a classic eight-day Lower Mississippi itinerary from New Orleans to Memphis. American Cruise Lines offers five new riverboats and 11 itineraries on the Mississippi alone in 2023. American's 2023 season continues to open around the country, with Chesapeake Bay cruises in March; Columbia & Snake Rivers cruises and Puget Sound cruises in April; and New England cruises in May. Alaska cruises start in June; and Hudson River cruises in September.