American Cruise Lines (ACL) has signed contracts with Chesapeake Shipbuilding for four more new ships, bringing the Line’s total orderbook at the shipyard to 10 ships over the next three years.
All of the newbuildings are specifically for the US cruise market; the fastest growing segment of the river cruise industry.
ACL has been involved in this market for more than 50 years and will operate 21 small ships around the country next year.
The 10 new ships from Chesapeake began with the delivery of ’American Legend’ last week. The latest Coastal Cat in ACL’s fleet passed sea trials and is on schedule for its first cruise on 25th November.
The remaining ships on order will be delivered every few months over the next three years. They include three riverboats and six additional coastal ships.
Now available for booking are: ’American Patriot’ and ’American Pioneer’ (2025); ’American Maverick’ and ’American Ranger’ (2026), and new riverboat ’American Encore’ (2026).
More details on the four new vessels due in 2027 will be released soon, ACL said.
ACL has introduced 19 of the 24 cruise ships built in the US in the past 20 years.
The company operates the only 100% US flagged fleet of riverboats and small ships in the world and remains fully committed to introducing only new small ships built specifically for domestic cruising.
ACL said that it will operate 21 small ships in 2025; sailing the largest collection of 100% domestic river and coastal itineraries ever offered in the US.
The company will continue to introduce new ships with top amenities that are unusual for small ships—unlocking amazing new opportunities for exploring America year after year, it concluded.
