America’s Only 100% U.S. Fleet Grows to 15 Small Ships

America’s Only 100% U.S. Fleet Grows to 15 Small Ships and Takes All-American Names for 2022

American Cruise Lines, the only 100% U.S. cruise line, has announced that the renaming of their small ship fleet is complete and the Line will expand to 15 small ships in 2022. American’s plan to rename and redesign their paddlewheel fleet was revealed earlier this year at Seatrade in Miami. Next season, all of the company’s riverboats and small cruise ships will officially carry the distinctive “American” brand moniker. The new interior design photos for American’s fleet remodel are now available online and the company’s cruise schedules are open to book through 2023.

Riverboats America, Queen of the Mississippi, and Queen of the West, will become American Splendor, American Heritage and American West (American Pride will retain its name). This all-American rebranding brings uniformity to American Cruise Lines’ growing fleet, which has doubled in the past 5 years, and remains the only 100 % U.S. fleet of small ships operating 100% domestic U.S. river and coastal itineraries. The company’s website, marketing materials, cruise schedules, and travel advisor portal, have been updated to reflect the name changes and redesign in effect for 2022.

Studio DADO, the Miami-based design firm commissioned to do the interiors for American’s newest modern riverboats: American Melody, American Symphony, and American Serenade, will also be completing the upcoming remodel of American’s paddlewheel fleet. The new project will begin this winter and will be finished in time for American’s 2022 cruise season which operates March through December.

“Both in designation and design, all four of our paddlewheelers will be remodeled to meet the sophisticated new bar we set for U.S. river cruising with our groundbreaking modern riverboats,” said Charles B. Robertson President & CEO of American Cruise Lines.

From the staterooms and suites to the lounges and dining rooms, each of American’s classic paddlewheelers will be completely made-over with new color palettes, luxurious textiles and linens, new furniture and carpets, and regionally inspired artwork and flourishes. Studio DADO will reimagine American’s paddlewheel fleet interiors while maintaining the romance, nostalgic touches, and iconic elegance of historic riverboats. Mississippi paddlewheelers, American Splendor and American Heritage will continue to pay homage to the Mighty River, highlighting its historical, cultural, musical, and literary inspirations; and the Line’s Columbia & Snake paddlewheelers, American Pride and American West, will continue to feature Western and Native American inspired themes, including influences from the region’s celebrated Lewis & Clark expedition.

The beautiful new interior design plan DADO has envisioned for American’s paddlewheel fleet will elevate these classic riverboats to the same sophisticated standard already showcased on American’s newest modern riverboats—all while retaining traditional elements true to American steamboat history and the American Cruise Lines brand.

Learn more at 1-800-814-6880 or www.AmericanCruiseLines.com