American Cruise Lines confirmed today that it has seven new ships on order, all scheduled for delivery before the end of 2026, the company said in a press release.
The new ships include six Project Blue series ships and a brand-new American Riverboat.
Three of the seven new ships on order are yet to be named, and additional details about each vessel will be announced over the summer, the company said.
The new American Riverboat will be similar to its award-winning sisterships and will feature several new design elements that will continue to raise the standard for the global river cruise community.
The company plans to operate 21 small ships in 2025, and 24 ships in 2026, all exclusively sailing 100 percent U.S. itineraries along U.S. rivers and coasts. All seven new ships are being built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland.
(ACL)
Malcolm says: Unfortunately, ACL now has a virtual monopoly on America rivers with the loss of the American Queen Steamboat Company. I note that the fares for the ‘American Patriot’ for a 15 day ‘Grand New England’ itinerary in September 2025, starts from an eyewatering $15,405. I also understand that Viking River Cruises are finding it difficult to compete in the American market.
Viking were required to build their Mississippi boat in the US at a higher cost than in Europe. However, they were not allowed to own it, that have to charter it from a US company. Then there is the US crew issues. Firstly, US cruise crews are said to be inferior terms of guest service culture or in terms of loyalty to the company, resulting in massive turnover. The pay rates are higher than those for European crew including Social Security taxes and insurance. ACL has had years of experience with these issues, and has developed a pool of potential crew. Foreign flag ships operating in countries where they are not registered attract duty-free status on everything that they import be duty free, from spare parts, food and liquor. US flag ships operating in the US don’t get such duty free benefits, so if they need to import something for the ship’s operation, they have to pay duty on it. Foreign flag cruise ships, even those home ported and operating out of US ports, are exempt from all corporate taxes on revenues earned by the foreign flag vessel. This is not so for a US flag vessel.
NCL’s ‘Pride of America’ cruise ship faces similar such barriers operating in Hawaiian waters.
Tags: American Cruise Lines
WaterWorld by Malcolm Oliver 
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