Chesapeake delivers fourth modern riverboat to ACL

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(GUILFORD, Conn.) — American Cruise Lines (ACL) has taken delivery of the modern riverboat American Melody from Chesapeake Shipbuilding. Despite various challenges, the Maryland shipyard continued building through the pandemic and delivered the vessel on schedule.

In addition, American Cruise Lines has announced the names of the fifth and sixth modern riverboats in the series, American Symphony and American Serenade. The two vessels are slated for delivery next year.

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American Cruise LInes photo

ACL introduced the modern riverboat series in 2018 with American Song. The vessels are available for cruises along the Mississippi River and the Columbia and Snake rivers.

Immediately following last week’s successful sea trials, American Melody headed to New Orleans to prepare for its inaugural cruise along the Mississippi River, an eight-day itinerary. The cruise departs from Port of New Orleans on Aug. 27.

American Melody and 2022 sister ships American Symphony and American Serenade will each accommodate 175 passengers. Showcasing sky-lit atriums, multiple indoor and outdoor lounges, fitness centers, grand dining rooms, casual outdoor cafes, and dramatic open-air skywalks, American’s three newest ships also will feature private-balcony staterooms and suites.

American Melody, American Symphony and American Serenade bring ACL’s overall domestic U.S. fleet to 15 small ships: 10 riverboats and five cruise ships. Despite the rapid growth in fleet size, American has maintained a strong commitment to keeping the size of each individual ship small — every one of the 15 vessels in the fleet accommodates fewer than 200 passengers.

American Symphony and American Serenade are under construction at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Md., where all of ACL’s modern riverboats and small cruise ships are built. Delivery of American Symphony is expected next summer and American Serenade is expected at the end of 2022.

– American Cruise Lines

By Professional Mariner Staff