On the heels of news that a major competitor is up for sale with its parent company declaring bankruptcy, American Cruise Lines opened the 2024 season with five riverboats cruising the Mississippi, in its largest season ever. This year, it will sail 16 itineraries on the Mississippi and its tributaries, the Tennessee, Ohio, and Cumberland Rivers.

American Cruise Lines has nearly tripled its US fleet over the past five years, introduced a new ship every year since 2018, and recently announced that it has five more ships under construction. Rival Mississippi steamboat company American Queen Voyages, meanwhile, has failed to fully recover from the pandemic, its parent Hornblower has announced, leaving Viking River Cruises as its only competitor on the river, at least for now. Hornblower last week entered chapter 11 and shut down operations at American Queen (for more on this see American Queen Is Up for Sale as Hornblower Files for Bankruptcy | Travel Research Online.)

In May, American will begin sailing several new Mississippi River itineraries, including an exclusive 12-day cruise in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on a sailing from Knoxville to Nashville, cruising the Ohio, Tennessee, and Cumberland Rivers. Also coming in May is a 35-Day Civil War Battlefields cruise on the Mississippi, Tennessee, and Cumberland Rivers and Chesapeake Bay, visiting more than 20 Civil War battlefields. In August, American will sail the longest river cruise in US history—a 61-day Great United States cruise—down the Mississippi, passing 20 states, 3 national parks, 4 rivers, and on to the Hudson River, visiting New York, Boston and Bar Harbor.

American Cruise Lines will be sailing its American Revolution 11-day itineraries round-trip out of Washington DC in 2024.

The only cruise ship that sails the Potomac into Washington, American Constitution will depart from The Wharf and sail the Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac and the York River, with calls in the historic ports of Yorktown, Williamsburg, Jamestown, Mount Vernon, Annapolis and Norfolk.

It’s a particularly interesting offer for the drive-to cruise market, “allowing many guests to skip flights and jump on board hassle- free,” noted American’s Director of Business Development Melissa Young

Cruises on the American Revolution itinerary will run in the spring and fall 2024, beginning March 26 and including Cherry Blossom season. They all include entertainment and enrichment, as well as regionally inspired cuisine featuring Maryland’s famous Blue Crabs. Excursions in Washington include guided tours of the Capitol and the Smithsonian museums, as well as Arlington National Cemetery, the Harriet Tubman’s Underground Railroad exhibit, Colonial Williamsburg, the Jamestown Settlement, and Virginia Beach, and an authentic sailing on “Skipjack” through the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.

Wave season specials include savings up to $1,500 plus complimentary airfare on select Spring dates. There is also an option to add a pre-cruise hotel stay at the Four Seasons, D.C.

The largest small ship and river cruise operator in the United States, American Cruise Lines will sail 19 ships in 35 states, with more than 50 domestic itineraries.

Highlighting its newest itinerary, American Cruise Lines on Monday officially welcomed its second Coastal Cat ship, American Glory, in Key West, Florida.

Sailing round trip from St. Petersburg, American Glory will visit Punta Gorda, Marco Island and Key West on its seven-night Florida Gulf Coast & Keys itinerary from January 26 through March, and then again in November and December. Glory’s sister ship, American Legend, is scheduled to sail the same itinerary beginning in November.

Both ships are part of American Cruise Line’s ‘Project Blue,’ a fleet of 12 small ships, carrying 100 passengers each, designed to sail almost every domestic US itinerary. The Coastal Cats will sail the east coast from Maine to Florida throughout 2024 and 2025.

At the christening ceremony for American Glory, American Cruise Lines president and CEO Charles B. Robertson introduced the ship’s godmother, Key West mayor Teri Johnston.

“Docking in Mallory Square is a privilege, and we are honored to be a new small piece of the Key West community,” he said.

American Glory has four decks, a unique catamaran bow, an elegant interior design and private balconies, as well as a restaurant, casual café and fitness center.

American Cruise Lines is building five ships in 2024, and will operate 19 ships and cruise more than 50 domestic itineraries, ranging from six to sixty days, in 35 states, including both coasts and many rivers in between. All the ships are American-built, flagged, and crewed.

Though we primarily focus on European river cruises, we would be remiss not to mention Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals on the Mississippi. Here are two from American Queen Voyages and American Cruise Lines. Read the rest of this entry »

American Cruise Lines continues to provide US river cruising with a look at their 2024 cruise season. With a total of 125 US ports of call and nine new itineraries, ACL has big announcements out.

Leading the announcement is two new 100-passenger ships, Coastal Cats, American Liberty and American Legend. These are the 3^rd and 4^th ships of the American series which will include 12 total. The first two coastal cats already in operation are American Eagle and  American Glory. Slated to sail New England, Chesapeake Bay, Hudson River and Florida, the American Liberty is set to cruise in June 2024 while American Legend is set for October 2024.

Adding to the 19 ships they will have in operation by October of next year are new itineraries. Including longer cruises like the 60-day itinerary exploring 20 states (August 16^th to October 14^th) and the 35-day Civil War Battlefields cruise exploring 20 Civil War battlefields (May 3^rd to June 6^th).

They’ve also announced new 2024 cruises at National Parks. Including Denali Fjords and Glacier Bay National Parks in Alaska, and Smoky Mountains National Park. Also available is the multi-national park cruise of Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton along the Colombia and Snake Rivers.

With new departures, new ships, more itineraries than featured here, and a maximum range of 90-180 guests per cruise, American Cruise Lines looks to be growing into the booming interest in cruises.

It’s warmer than Europe and closer to home—and now only time will tell if cruisers will buy Natchez as a Christmas market destination.

American Queen Voyages is giving it a go, partnering with the city of Natchez, MS, to recreate a traditional Christmas market for cruisers on select itineraries during the 2023 and 2024 holiday seasons.

AQV president Cindy D’Aoust called Natchez “the quintessential Christmas town,” perfect for fusing “European yuletide nostalgia and authentic Southern charm.”

Stopping in Natchez will be:
• American Countess – Memphis to New Orleans, November 27 sailing
• American Queen – New Orleans to Memphis, December 3 sailing
• American Countess – New Orleans to Memphis, December 4 sailing
• American Queen – Memphis to New Orleans, December 10 sailing
• American Countess – Memphis to New Orleans, December 11 sailing
• American Queen – Roundtrip New Orleans to Memphis, December 17 sailing
• American Countess – Roundtrip New Orleans to Memphis, December 18 sailing
• American Queen – Roundtrip New Orleans to Memphis, December 23 sailing
• American Countess – Roundtrip New Orleans to Memphis, December 25 sailing

AQV also will offer special “Holidays on the River” experiences for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve, all of which are now available for booking.

The cruise line in June announced that despite solid bookings, it was pulling out of the Great Lakes to focus on its river and Alaska itineraries.

It’s kickoff season for the biggest year yet for American Cruise Lines, with more ships in more states than ever before. American Serenade, the line’s sixth riverboat, and the first two Coastal Catamarans will join the fleet. On the West Coast, American Jazz will be the first riverboat in 80 years to sail San Francisco Bay and into California Wine Country; on the East Coast, American Star will sail an eight-day Great Rivers of Florida itinerary roundtrip from Jacksonville.

Following on the heels of a similar announcement by Norwegian Cruise Lines this week, American Cruise Lines has changed its policy and will roll non-commissionable fees (NCFs) into its fares—and pay travel advisors commission on them. Read the rest of this entry »

American Cruise Lines proudly announces that American Symphony, the newest riverboat on the Mississippi, has begun cruising the Upper River for the first time this week. Christened in Natchez, Mississippi, on August 30th, 2022, the brand new riverboat is currently sailing the company’s longest river cruise itinerary, a 22-Day Complete Mississippi River Cruise from New Orleans, Louisiana, to St. Paul, Minnesota.  American Symphony is scheduled to arrive in: Hannibal, MO, 9/24; Fort Madison, IA, 9/25; Davenport, IA, 9/26; Dubuque, IA, 9/27; Winona, MN, 9/28 and Red Wing/St. Paul, MN, 9/30.

American Cruise Lines has been cruising the Mississippi River for over a decade and has specialized in all-domestic cruising for over 30 years. The company has grown to become the country’s largest U.S. cruise line and will have 17 small ships and riverboats exploring 34 states in 2023. American Symphony is the 5th new modern riverboat American Cruise Lines has launched on the Mighty Mississippi in just the past 4 years, indicating the company’s strong leadership and ongoing commitment to the growth and development of ports and communities along the length of the River from St. Paul to New Orleans.

American Cruise Lines regularly offers over 10 different Mississippi itineraries, which include cruises along the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers, plus holiday and theme cruises. The company’s river cruises regularly visit Upper Mississippi ports and towns an average of 28 times each per season. Visits in the region continue to increase as American’s fleet consistently expands every year, adding capacity and itineraries along the Upper River. American’s U.S. fleet has more than doubled in the past 5 years alone.

“American Cruise Lines led the last decade of Mississippi River cruising, and with new riverboats like American Symphony, we look forward to leading the next one. We remain committed to introducing new small riverboats each year which enables us to deliver personalized all-American river cruises along the country’s most iconic river,” said Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO of American Cruise Lines.

In just the past few years, the company has transformed the U.S. river cruise market to compete on a global scale by launching new state-of-the-art riverboats every year since 2018. All ships offer 100% outward-facing staterooms, and the Line’s acclaimed Modern Series riverboats offer 100% private balcony accommodations. American offers 100% domestic itineraries across the country and has aggressively grown its U.S. fleet, but has continued to keep each ship very small—all are under 190 passengers, which is especially important to the experience they deliver on the Mississippi River.

“We have many new luxurious riverboats and a record number of guests who are excited to explore the Mississippi River with us. The demand we are seeing is due in large part to the beautiful new riverboats but also to the long-established relationships American Cruise Lines has with the ports and towns along the entire river. These relationships help us to consistently deliver authentic American experiences, which are curated and led by local experts, guides, and community members whom we have worked with for many years,” said Frank Klipsch, American Cruise Lines Director of City Partnerships & Special Projects.

American Symphony follows the acclaimed 2021 debut of sister ship American Melody, and it will be followed in early 2023 by a 6th Modern Series riverboat, sister ship American Serenade. American Symphony is the 9th riverboat in American Cruise Lines’ fleet for 2022, which includes 4 classic paddlewheelers and 5 modern riverboats, plus 5 small cruise ships.

Accommodating 175 guests, American Symphony features 5 decks and offers 100% private balcony staterooms, including gracious suites and single staterooms. The new riverboat has an elegant design which employs a stunning use of glass, allowing for unparalleled views throughout the ship. American Symphony also showcases American’s Modern Series hallmark—patented opening bow and retractable gangway, as well as the gorgeous 5th deck skywalk with an ellipse skylight, which cantilevers dramatically over the 4th deck café below. American Symphony also offers spacious lounges inside and out, a grand dining room, fitness center, and a wellness-yoga studio.

American Symphony‘s sold-out inaugural cruise followed an 8-Day Lower Mississippi River itinerary which departed from New Orleans and concluded in Memphis, Tennessee on September 3rd. The new riverboat will continue to explore throughout 2022, cruising the Upper Mississippi River through October and returning to the Lower River for seasonal Holiday cruises through December. American Symphony will sail a full Mississippi season again throughout 2023, with an extensive Upper Mississippi season operating from June through October 2023.

American Cruise Lines proudly announces a brand new 15-Day National Parks & Legendary Rivers itinerary for 2023. Following successful product testing this year, the itinerary will be the country’s largest land-cruise package and the first-ever coupling of a river cruise with the mountain states’ national parks. Read the rest of this entry »

American Cruise Lines christened its newest ship, the American Symphony in Natchez, Mississippi—the new riverboat’s official Godmother City. The christening marks the on-time delivery of American’s 5th new modern riverboat in 4 years and the Line’s continued growth on the Mississippi River. Read the rest of this entry »

When it comes to river and coastal sailing in the United States, American Cruise Lines has been at the top of the game since 1991. Not only have they provided sophisticated cruising for travelers since then, but they have also continued to update their fleet with new ships ready to provide unique scenery on the Mississippi and the Columbia and Snake Rivers. And they’ve done it again, with anticipation for the first voyage of the American Symphony approaching in August.

As part of the modernization of their fleet, American Symphony has taken elements of the ships that cruise the European rivers and brought them to the shores of the United States… particularly the shores of the mighty Mississippi River. The ship carries 175 passengers. Similar to her sibling ship, American Melody, the interior has been updated in design and comfort.

The newest riverboat for the Mississippi River passed sea trials late last week and is on its way to New Orleans for an on-time start to its inaugural season on the Mighty Mississippi. American Cruise Lines announced that it has accepted delivery of the American Symphony from Chesapeake Shipbuilding as scheduled. American Symphony is the 5^th riverboat in the Line’s ground-breaking new series and the 15^thsmall ship built by Chesapeake for American. The 175-passenger new boat will immediately join the company’s expanding Mississippi River fleet. American Symphony’s first cruise is set to depart on August 27^th from New Orleans, and American Cruise Lines plans to christen the riverboat during its inaugural cruise on August 30^th in Natchez, Mississippi.

“American Symphony is part of our ongoing commitment to leading the U.S. River Cruise market by introducing innovative small ships every year,” said Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO of American Cruise Lines. “Smaller is better on the rivers. We look forward to American Symphony’s first season on the Mississippi, as well as the introduction of sister ship American Serenade early next year.” Read the rest of this entry »

American Queen Voyages announced a free roundtrip air promotion on select voyages from 30 gateways in 2023 when booked by Aug. 31, 2022. Guests taking advantage of this offer can sail on any vessel in the cruise line’s fleet, with itineraries sailing February through December 2023.

In addition, the cruise line has also launched a new full-service air desk to provide consumer and agent support beginning with select 2022 and 2023 voyages. Overseen by Director of Call Center Operations Dana Horton and a team of cruise industry veterans led by Director Tonya Meyer and Manager Kevin White, who have a combined 35 years of experience enabling them to provide a seamless voyage experience for guests.

Despite the optimism of the travel trade publications, you only need to look at the stock prices of the major cruise lines to see what’s happening in cruising. Compared to a year ago:

• Carnival stock is down by 61%
• Norwegian is down by 56%
• Royal Caribbean is down by 55%

A drop in stock prices doesn’t reflect past woes. It predicts what analysts think companies will be earning in 3-6 months. Morgan Stanley’s Jamie Rollo outlined a worst-case scenario in which Carnival stock could fall to $0 during a global economic downturn. Read the rest of this entry »

American Cruise Lines explores the Mississippi River like no one else—offering unique cruise experiences along the length of the river, from St. Paul to New Orleans—also cruising the famous Mississippi tributaries, the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers. This week, the company’s newest riverboat, American Melody, is headed north on the Mississippi, where it will begin seasonal Upper Mississippi River cruises between St. Louis and St. Paul. The company is also offering Complimentary domestic airfare for late July and August Upper Mississippi cruise departures aboard American Melody. Currently, the new riverboat is underway along the longest river cruise itinerary in the country, American’s 22-day Complete Mississippi River itinerary, from New Orleans, LA, to St. Paul, MN. 

With over 10 different Mississippi itineraries, American’s guests experience the rich history and classic American mystique embodied by the Mississippi, as they explore the charming towns, distinct cultures, 

and colorful characters that give life to the country’s most vital and storied waterway. Cruises include a range of cultural experiences, from literary inspired visits to Mark Twain’s boyhood home in Hannibal, MO, to more active experiences, like a Cajun Pride Swamp Adventures in Baton Rouge, LA. Throughout the cruises, guests enjoy curated onboard entertainment and lectures, as well as small-group-guided adventures each day on shore. 

10 Different Carefully Curated Itineraries 

American offers several delightful 8-day cruises along both the Upper and Lower Mississippi, departing from many of its most famous port cities like Memphis, New Orleans, Nashville, St. Louis, St. Paul, and more. American offers unparalleled longer itineraries, including a 22-day Complete Mississippi cruise and a 15-day Grand Heartland cruise—both enable guests to cruise the entire Mississippi—exploring 10 states in a single journey. American also offers shorter 5-day Highlights cruises, seasonal Holiday cruises, and exceptional Theme cruises—carefully crafted both on board and on shore to celebrate iconic Mississippi themes, from Mark Twain cruises to Music cruises, to Culinary cruises featuring Cajun, Creole, and classic Memphis BBQ. 

Four new riverboats to choose from: 

American Cruise Lines is the only domestic line to offer 2 styles of riverboat for explorations along the Mississippi—classic paddlewheelers and new modern American riverboats. American’s modern riverboats are the newest in the country and the company’s beautiful classic paddlewheel fleet has just been completely renovated and redecorated for 2022. On all American’s riverboats, guests enjoy an all-inclusive experience, and relax in spacious 100% outward-facing staterooms, nearly all with private furnished balconies. In August 2022, the company will introduce a 5th new riverboat for the Mississippi, American Symphony. 

Special Pre-Cruise Packages: 

All American’s Mississippi River itineraries include Complimentary Pre-Cruise Hotel Stays, including concierge luggage and transportation services in every departure city. Also offered are longer pre-cruise packages like the Line’s exceptional Graceland Pre-Cruise Package, which includes 2 nights in Memphis at the Guest House Hotel (right next door to Graceland), Graceland ticket with special presentation, a Memphis City Tour, and transportation to the ship. 

Complimentary & Flat Rate Domestic Airfare: 

There has never been a better time to cruise close to home and fly free. American now offers Flat Rate Domestic Airfare for all its domestic cruises, and for a limited time, the company is also offering Complimentary Airfare on select Upper Mississippi River cruises between St. Louis, MO and St. Paul, MN; summer departures with Complimentary Air are aboard American Melody: 7/29/22, 8/5/22, 8/12/22, 8/19/22, & 8/26/22. 

Learn more at: www.AmericanCruiseLines.com 

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Follow us on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/American_Cruise 

American Cruise Lines announced today that the 2022 river cruise season on the Columbia and Snake Rivers has begun. Read the rest of this entry »

The best evidence that the cruise market is in flux and subject to wild changes is that Douglas Ward’s Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships hasn’t been updated since 2020. The Berlitz Guide used to sit on most travel agents’ desks. For 35 years, it could be counted on to give clients a two-page summary of every vessel promoted to clients by American travel advisors. It was more than a mere directory. The 754-pages of the 2020 edition rated the accommodations, cuisine, and service on each ship. It was the final word on ship statistics, so that passenger space ratios, passenger crew ratios, and tonnage could be reliably compared.

In my 2019 Amazon book, How to Plan Your Next & BEST Cruise: Secrets of Selecting Cruises, Ships & Destinations, I used Douglas Ward’s data in every chapter to show readers how to move beyond the ads and hype, and to make viable comparisons among cruise ships they were considering.  Read the rest of this entry »