American Cruise Lines’ 9-Ship Expansion Signals a New Era for U.S. River and Coastal Cruising
Among all new seagoing cruise ship launches this year, the smallest is American Cruise Lines’ new American Pioneer. At just 130 passengers, American Pioneer entered service last week on a 16-day Florida coast itinerary between Amelia Island and St. Petersburg.
Along the way, the ship will be christened at Key West this coming Monday, November 10. Once official, American Pioneer will become American’s 21st ship. She stands with sister ship American Patriot (launched in June) as the only new 2025 tonnage for U.S. cruising.
And what’s to come for American is signaling a modern shipbuilding revival. The line has announced plans to launch nine more U.S.-built ships through 2028, expanding its total berths by nearly 70 percent, one of the largest growth surges in the segment’s history. American will also command roughly 70 percent of all North American river and coastal capacity.
For travelers, the expansion means more itineraries, ships, and year-round availability across U.S. waterways. For the industry, it underscores the continuing evolution of a market that remains American-built and regionally focused.
Expansion and Market Reach
American Cruise Lines’ next growth phase extends through 2028, with nine new ships under construction or on order. Together, these vessels will add about 1,420 berths, increasing the company’s capacity to about 5,000 berths across 30 ships before 2029.
Five of the new ships will be Modern American Riverboats, American’s class of contemporary river vessels. American Encore launches in 2026, followed by American Anthem in 2027 and American Grace in 2028. Two additional Modern American Riverboats, both yet unnamed, are also planned for 2028. These ships feature sleek designs and expansive glass lounges suited to the Mississippi, Columbia, and Snake rivers.
The other four ships belong to American’s Patriot Class, the newest generation of small coastal vessels. American Maverick and American Ranger are scheduled for 2026, followed by American Mariner and American Navigator in 2027. These coastal ships serve near-shore and inland routes across New England, the Chesapeake Bay, Florida, and the Pacific Northwest.
Not among the new ships list, but noteworthy, are the traditional paddlewheel riverboats form American’s heritage fleet. They offer the spirit of 19th-century steamboat travel. Vessels such as American Splendor, American Heritage, American Pride, and American West feature authentic sternwheels.
Few Competitors in the U.S.-Flag Market
American Cruise Line touts that it is the only cruise line to design, build, and operate its entire fleet domestically. These particulars allow American to cruise anywhere along U.S. coasts and rivers.
Why this matters is that the Jones Act and Passenger Vessel Services Act only permit U.S.-built, U.S.-owned, and U.S.-crewed ships for itineraries sailing solely between U.S. ports. As a result, most global operators find the higher costs of American shipbuilding, maritime regulations, and crewing less attractive, and potentially leaving an under-served market.
American, however, has steadily expanded by embracing its niche. The company has long anchored its growth at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland. Founded in 1980, the privately owned yard builds all American vessels using U.S. steel and labor. Chesapeake has produced every ship in American’s fleet.
Regional Shipyards Fuel Market
The North American river cruise industry traces its roots to the Delta Queen Steamboat Company, founded in 1926. Its paddlewheelers introduced overnight river voyages that helped define the genre.
After decades of change, the 2010s brought renewed growth. American expanded nationally, Lindblad increased its Alaska and Pacific Northwest presence, and Viking entered the Mississippi market. These developments revitalized a uniquely North American form of cruising that combines heritage, local design, and domestic shipbuilding.
Along with UnCruise Adventures, Alaskan Dream Cruises, Pearl Seas Cruises, and St. Lawrence Cruise Lines, these companies round out the segment. Together, they operate more than 40 small ships, most carrying between 60 and 200 passengers. Their itineraries span the Mississippi and Columbia rivers, the Great Lakes, Alaska, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and the Eastern Seaboard.
Each operator depends on regional shipyards that reflect North America’s maritime diversity. Viking charters its Viking Mississippi from LaShip in Houma, Louisiana, part of Edison Chouest Offshore. The 386-passenger vessel, launched in 2022, proved that large, Jones Act–compliant ships could be built competitively on the Gulf Coast.
On the West Coast, Nichols Brothers Boat Builders on Whidbey Island, Washington, constructed expedition ships for Lindblad and ferries for Alaskan Dream Cruises, whose parent company, Allen Marine, also refits vessels locally in Juneau.
In the Northeast, Pearl Seas Cruises, American’s sister brand, operates the 210-passenger Pearl Mist. The ship was completed overseas but sails along the U.S. and Canadian coasts from ports such as Portland, Maine, and Toronto.
Across the border, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines’ Canadian Empress was built in 1981 by Algan Shipyard in Gananoque, Ontario. Although Algan later closed, the vessel remains in active service, a testament to enduring regional craftsmanship.
The Immediate Future
American Cruise Lines’ projected growth stands as a sign of renewed confidence in America’s waterways. With new ships on the horizon, the company seems to be singularly defining domestic cruising for travelers and for U.S. shipbuilding.
Travelers have significantly fewer unpack-once, see-many-places options for domestic cruising, while European rivers enjoy intense competition. Could there be a growing segment of experienced international river cruisers who would now consider cruising in the U.S. too? The United States is vast, and maybe river and coastal cruising can and should be added into the mix, with road trip and bus tour, to see a series of American (the people) destinations in one go.
