Guilford, CT—April 27, 2026—May will be a monumental month for American Cruise Lines, ushering in many exciting “firsts” for U.S. river cruising around the country. Next month, American Encore launches on the Columbia and Snake Rivers and becomes the first ship ever to be christened in the state of Idaho. May will also mark the first 2026 departures for two of the longest domestic cruises ever, the 52-Day Great United States Cruise and the 36-Day Civil War Battlefields Cruise. Each was specifically designed to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday while exploring up to 18 states in a single journey. Finally, the month of May will introduce American’s first season on the Great Lakes, featuring the only domestic cruises on the Great Lakes, all operated by American Patriot, the newest small ship in the region.
“What, where, when, and how you can cruise throughout The United States today is a tremendous accomplishment that has been decades in the making,” said Alexa Paolella, spokeswoman for American Cruise Lines. “Our U.S.-flagged fleet and array of small ship itineraries honor American ingenuity, grit, and perseverance. This year, we are cruising more domestic waterways than at any other time in our company’s history, and we are looking forward to celebrating the country’s 250th birthday on board with our guests cruising from Alaska to the Florida Keys.”
