By james art 
American Cruise Lines, an operator of US-flagged coastal and river cruise ships, announced that it has signed contracts with Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Maryland for four additional new cruise ships as part of the company’s continued expansion. ACL reports that the US cruise market is the fastest growing segment of the river cruise industry.
The four new vessels to be delivered in 2027 bring the company’s total order book with Chesapeake to 10 vessels over the next three years. With its last vessel leaving the shipyard this week and set to enter service later this month, ACL says it will operate 21 small vessels around the US in 2025.
American emphasizes that its commitment to U.S. river cruises is long-standing, but that the company’s rapid fleet expansion in just the past few years is indicative of the growing interest and demand for cruise experiences in the United States. ACL has introduced 19 of the 24 cruise ships built in the US in the past 20 years.
ACL highlights that its orders include three river vessels and six additional coastal vessels. More details on the four additional newbuilds for 2027. will be published soon.
American is growing its small ship fleet, including its innovative Coast Cats. American Liberty, due in summer 2024, is the third in the series.
His newest ship, American legendwas delivered by Chesapeake earlier this week. The newest Coastal Cat in the U.S. Navy has passed sea trials and is on schedule for her maiden cruise on November 25. ACL introduced the Costal Cat as a new concept in 2023. with American eagle. Designed to explore the interior of the US East Coast, the vessels feature a semi-catamaran design with a double bow and shallow draft for access to smaller harbors and sea lanes. The ships accommodate 100 passengers. American legend is the fourth ship in the class.
American announced another new class earlier this year called the Pioneer, which is a slightly larger ship with a traditional single bow and a deeper draft. They will accommodate up to 130 guests in 69 cabins and 5 decks. The first two ships, American patriot and American pioneerwill be introduced in 2025. and now the company is announcing that they will be joining them American maverick and American Ranger in 2026
It also plans to add American encore to its class of American river ships. These are larger vessels with a capacity of 180 passengers operating on the Mississippi, Columbia and Snake Rivers. They combine the modern stylings of larger ocean cruise ships, including features such as a multi-story glass atrium and fitness center, with the traditional elements of an American river cruise ship, including a bow ramp for easy access to ports. The class was introduced in 2016. and today the company operates six of these ships.
The company emphasizes that it operates the world’s only 100 percent American-flagged river and small vessel fleet. It remains fully committed to introducing only new small ships built specifically for domestic cruise travel.