American Cruise Lines Continues To Lead With The Largest Fleet And Expanding Routes Across U.S. Waters

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American Cruise Lines (ACL) confidently claims its title as the largest cruise line in the U.S., offering the country’s newest fleet. This statement holds true as the Guilford, Connecticut-based company has experienced significant growth in recent years, continuously adding new ships and expanding its range of destinations.

Currently, American Cruise Lines operates a fleet of 21 vessels, with additional ships planned for the future, covering more than 50 itineraries. By 2025, the company will expand its reach to 125 ports across 35 states. One of the standout offerings for this year is the 51-day “Great United States” cruise, which holds the title of the longest river cruise in the country.

The company kicked off its Mississippi River journeys in 2012 with the Queen of the Mississippi, a vessel inspired by historical designs. In 2018, it introduced American Song, the first riverboat in its modern fleet, featuring multi-story glass atriums and private balconies in every stateroom. Since then, American Cruise Lines has expanded its routes to include the Mississippi, Hudson, Columbia/Snake, Potomac, and Florida rivers.

American Cruise Lines (ACL) boasts six unique ship classes, providing a wide variety of options within the small-ship category. Each vessel has a capacity of fewer than 200 passengers, with the smallest holding just 90 guests and the largest accommodating up to 180. All ships are U.S.-flagged and constructed at the company’s Chesapeake Shipbuilding facility in Salisbury, Maryland.

American Cruise Lines takes immense pride in its American roots, reflected in everything from the construction of its vessels to its naming conventions. All of the company’s itineraries are domestic, and every crew member is American.

The cruise line sets itself apart by emphasizing “who we are” and “what we are not.” “Who we are” includes an all-inclusive cruise package that covers gratuities, port fees, Wi-Fi, select cocktails, wine and beer, and most shore excursions. Some itineraries also include hotel stays and airfare on specific sailings.

In contrast, “what we are not” encompasses casinos, swimming pools, pre-paid beverage packages, and inside staterooms. The result is a cruise experience that appeals to travelers who seek a more refined, spacious, and luxurious alternative to larger ships, while avoiding the typical offerings of other small-ship lines.

American Cruise Lines’ U.S.-flagged vessels enable cruises that operate exclusively within U.S. waters, departing and arriving at American ports across New England, the Southeast, the Mid-Atlantic, Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest. Recently, the company has redirected a large part of its fleet to explore America’s inland rivers, broadening its operations beyond the coastal regions.