American Cruise Lines Reveals Two More Riverboats
by Dori Saltzman
All of American Cruise Lines’ ships are built at Chesapeake
Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland. Photo: American Cruise Lines
American Cruise Lines (ACL) has revealed plans for American Beauty, a new river cruise ship on the Mississippi that will launch in 2028, and American Rhapsody, another new riverboat that will debut on the Columbia and Snake rivers in 2029. The vessels represent the 29th and 30th ships in the company’s fleet.
American Beauty will begin cruising the Mississippi River in September 2028, operating the company’s popular eight-day Upper Mississippi River cruises between St. Louis and St. Paul. Toward the end of the season, the vessel will also cruise the company’s new eight-day Gulf Coast cruises, which operate between New Orleans and Pensacola.
In 2029, American Rhapsody will begin cruising the company’s nine-day Columbia & Snake river cruises between Portland and Clarkston, Wash.
Both American Beauty and American Rhapsody are part of ACL’s modern American Riverboat series, which launched in 2018 with American Song. They follow three previously announced modern riverboats: American Encore, which debuted in May 2026; American Anthem (sailing April 2027); and American Grace (sailing in April 2028). All accommodate 180 guests in all-balcony staterooms.
In addition to the new riverboats, American Cruise Lines continues to expand its coastal cruise ships, with small ships sailing over 50 U.S. itineraries along the East, West, and Gulf Coasts, as well as lakes, bays, and inland waterways.
