Oct 24, 2015
Queen of the West. * Photo: American Cruise Lines
The fastest growing cruise line under the U. S Flag also offers the largest cabins, many with balconies, and dedicated single cabins.
Snapshot: An American-flag coastal and inland river company manned by an all-American crew, the line operates seven vessels (passenger capacities 49-150) offering a high level of comfort while undertaking a varied menu of itineraries along the U. S. East Coast, the Mississippi River system, Columbia and Snake rivers, in the Pacific Northwest, and North to Alaska. The company has built all its vessels (except the acquired QUEEN OF THE WEST) in its Chesapeake Bay yard, hence there are many similarities between ships.
Click here for a QuirkyCruise feature article on American Cruise Lines.
Ships, Years Delivered & Passengers: AMERICAN GLORY (2002); AMERICAN SPIRIT (2005); AMERICAN STAR (2007); INDEPENDENCE (2010); QUEEN OF THE MISSISSIPPI (2012); AMERICAN EAGLE (2015); AMERICA (May 2016); and acquired ship QUEEN OF THE WEST (1994). N. B. QUEEN OF THE MISSISSIPPI becomes AMERICAN PRIDE and repositions to the Pacific Northwest beginning early April 2016. N. B. A new and larger coastal ship, AMERICAN CONSTELLATION, will debut in May 2017 with 350-square-foot cabins for 165 passengers and Zodiacs and kayaks for exploring off the ship. A sister will follow in 2018. Also in 2018, a new style of riverboat will appear, more like the European models, rather than Mississippi sternwheelers. Four decks high, they will take 200 passengers who will occupy roomy cabins with hotel-size baths and larger and deeper balconies. A bow ramp will give access to more landings and obviate the need to build expensive docking facilities. This new fleet will be built at the company-owned Chesapeake Shipbuilding.
Passenger Profile: Mostly Americans, 55 and up, and a high rate of repeaters. Some British, mostly in groups.
American Pride. * Photo: American Cruise Lines
Passenger Decks: 4 or 5. Elevators connect all decks.