American Cruise Lines Introduces New Ships, Itineraries in 2026
by Dori Saltzman
American Encore. Photo: American Cruise Lines
America Cruise Lines (American) will welcome three new ships and add 11 new itineraries to its deployment in 2026, making next year its largest ever, visiting a total of 200 U.S. ports of call while sailing the country’s iconic rivers and coastlines.
New U.S. Itineraries for 2026
Among the 11 new itineraries that American will offer in 2026 are two new National Parks itineraries. The 15-day Northwest National Parks sailings will features seven days of guided exploration through Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks, while the 11-day Great Smoky Mountains sailings will sail along the Tennessee River through the Appalachian Mountains and provide guided experiences in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Other new itineraries will feature the Mississippi River and its tributaries, as well as the Southeast U.S., including the nine-day Arkansas River that sails between Memphis and Tulsa, Okla. and the nine-day Gulf Coast between New Orleans, and Pensacola, Fla.
American is also rolling out three new Great Lakes itineraries in 2026, sailing from May through August. Options include a nine-day sailing visiting the Thousand Islands and Niagara Falls, a nine-day itinerary that highlights Lake Michigan, Green Bay inlet, and the Upper Peninsula, and a 14-day American Great Lakes voyage that travels 800 miles through three of the Great Lakes (Erie, Huron, and Michigan).
New American Cruise Lines Ships Launching in 2026
The first of American’s new ships to launch in 2026 will be its newest modern riverboat, the American Encore. Launching in May 2026, the ship will sail the Columbia and Snake Rivers. It can hold up to 180 guests with all staterooms featuring a balcony, including single rooms (available without a supplement).
In June and September, American will welcome its third and fourth Patriot Class ships – American Maverick and American Ranger – both operating an array of East Coast itineraries. Each can accommodate up to 130 guests.
