American Cruise Lines proudly announces that American Symphony, the newest riverboat on the Mississippi, has begun cruising the Upper River for the first time this week. Christened in Natchez, Mississippi, on August 30th, 2022, the brand new riverboat is currently sailing the company’s longest river cruise itinerary, a 22-Day Complete Mississippi River Cruise from New Orleans, Louisiana, to St. Paul, Minnesota.  American Symphony is scheduled to arrive in: Hannibal, MO, 9/24; Fort Madison, IA, 9/25; Davenport, IA, 9/26; Dubuque, IA, 9/27; Winona, MN, 9/28 and Red Wing/St. Paul, MN, 9/30.

American Cruise Lines has been cruising the Mississippi River for over a decade and has specialized in all-domestic cruising for over 30 years. The company has grown to become the country’s largest U.S. cruise line and will have 17 small ships and riverboats exploring 34 states in 2023. American Symphony is the 5th new modern riverboat American Cruise Lines has launched on the Mighty Mississippi in just the past 4 years, indicating the company’s strong leadership and ongoing commitment to the growth and development of ports and communities along the length of the River from St. Paul to New Orleans.

American Cruise Lines regularly offers over 10 different Mississippi itineraries, which include cruises along the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers, plus holiday and theme cruises. The company’s river cruises regularly visit Upper Mississippi ports and towns an average of 28 times each per season. Visits in the region continue to increase as American’s fleet consistently expands every year, adding capacity and itineraries along the Upper River. American’s U.S. fleet has more than doubled in the past 5 years alone.

“American Cruise Lines led the last decade of Mississippi River cruising, and with new riverboats like American Symphony, we look forward to leading the next one. We remain committed to introducing new small riverboats each year which enables us to deliver personalized all-American river cruises along the country’s most iconic river,” said Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO of American Cruise Lines.

In just the past few years, the company has transformed the U.S. river cruise market to compete on a global scale by launching new state-of-the-art riverboats every year since 2018. All ships offer 100% outward-facing staterooms, and the Line’s acclaimed Modern Series riverboats offer 100% private balcony accommodations. American offers 100% domestic itineraries across the country and has aggressively grown its U.S. fleet, but has continued to keep each ship very small—all are under 190 passengers, which is especially important to the experience they deliver on the Mississippi River.

“We have many new luxurious riverboats and a record number of guests who are excited to explore the Mississippi River with us. The demand we are seeing is due in large part to the beautiful new riverboats but also to the long-established relationships American Cruise Lines has with the ports and towns along the entire river. These relationships help us to consistently deliver authentic American experiences, which are curated and led by local experts, guides, and community members whom we have worked with for many years,” said Frank Klipsch, American Cruise Lines Director of City Partnerships & Special Projects.

American Symphony follows the acclaimed 2021 debut of sister ship American Melody, and it will be followed in early 2023 by a 6th Modern Series riverboat, sister ship American Serenade. American Symphony is the 9th riverboat in American Cruise Lines’ fleet for 2022, which includes 4 classic paddlewheelers and 5 modern riverboats, plus 5 small cruise ships.

Accommodating 175 guests, American Symphony features 5 decks and offers 100% private balcony staterooms, including gracious suites and single staterooms. The new riverboat has an elegant design which employs a stunning use of glass, allowing for unparalleled views throughout the ship. American Symphony also showcases American’s Modern Series hallmark—patented opening bow and retractable gangway, as well as the gorgeous 5th deck skywalk with an ellipse skylight, which cantilevers dramatically over the 4th deck café below. American Symphony also offers spacious lounges inside and out, a grand dining room, fitness center, and a wellness-yoga studio.

American Symphony‘s sold-out inaugural cruise followed an 8-Day Lower Mississippi River itinerary which departed from New Orleans and concluded in Memphis, Tennessee on September 3rd. The new riverboat will continue to explore throughout 2022, cruising the Upper Mississippi River through October and returning to the Lower River for seasonal Holiday cruises through December. American Symphony will sail a full Mississippi season again throughout 2023, with an extensive Upper Mississippi season operating from June through October 2023.

American Cruise Lines christened its newest ship, the American Symphony in Natchez, Mississippi—the new riverboat’s official Godmother City. The christening marks the on-time delivery of American’s 5th new modern riverboat in 4 years and the Line’s continued growth on the Mississippi River. Read the rest of this entry »

When it comes to river and coastal sailing in the United States, American Cruise Lines has been at the top of the game since 1991. Not only have they provided sophisticated cruising for travelers since then, but they have also continued to update their fleet with new ships ready to provide unique scenery on the Mississippi and the Columbia and Snake Rivers. And they’ve done it again, with anticipation for the first voyage of the American Symphony approaching in August.

As part of the modernization of their fleet, American Symphony has taken elements of the ships that cruise the European rivers and brought them to the shores of the United States… particularly the shores of the mighty Mississippi River. The ship carries 175 passengers. Similar to her sibling ship, American Melody, the interior has been updated in design and comfort.

The newest riverboat for the Mississippi River passed sea trials late last week and is on its way to New Orleans for an on-time start to its inaugural season on the Mighty Mississippi. American Cruise Lines announced that it has accepted delivery of the American Symphony from Chesapeake Shipbuilding as scheduled. American Symphony is the 5^th riverboat in the Line’s ground-breaking new series and the 15^thsmall ship built by Chesapeake for American. The 175-passenger new boat will immediately join the company’s expanding Mississippi River fleet. American Symphony’s first cruise is set to depart on August 27^th from New Orleans, and American Cruise Lines plans to christen the riverboat during its inaugural cruise on August 30^th in Natchez, Mississippi.

“American Symphony is part of our ongoing commitment to leading the U.S. River Cruise market by introducing innovative small ships every year,” said Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO of American Cruise Lines. “Smaller is better on the rivers. We look forward to American Symphony’s first season on the Mississippi, as well as the introduction of sister ship American Serenade early next year.” Read the rest of this entry »