American Cruise Lines introduces its two new small ships built in the United States: American Beauty, a new riverboat destined for the Mississippi that will begin operating in 2028, and American Rhapsody, another new riverboat that will sail the Columbia and Snake rivers starting in 2029.
These ships will be the 29th and 30th in the company's ever-expanding fleet, respectively. All new American Cruise Lines ships are built at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland.
American Beauty will begin sailing the Mississippi River in September 2028, operating the popular 8-day Upper Mississippi cruises between St. Louis, Missouri, and St. Paul, Minnesota. Toward the end of the season, the ship will also offer new 8-day Gulf Coast cruises between New Orleans, Louisiana, and Pensacola, Florida.
In 2029, American Rhapsody will begin operating 9-day cruises on the Columbia and Snake Rivers, between Portland, Oregon, and Clarkston, Washington.
American Beauty and American Rhapsody are part of the renowned, modern-designed American Riverboat™ series, which began in 2018 when American Song became the first modern-style riverboat available for river cruising in the United States.
Since then, demand for these river cruise ships has increased year after year. American Beauty and American Rhapsody join three other ships previously announced: American Encore, which began sailing in May 2026; American Anthem, scheduled to enter service in April 2027; and American Grace, which will begin sailing in April 2028.
All of the company's American Riverboat ships can accommodate up to 180 passengers, with cabins equipped with private balconies, and offer a wide variety of onboard services and amenities.
Demand for river cruises is growing in the United States
Demand for river cruises in the United States continues to grow rapidly. To meet this demand, American Cruise Lines is adding new ships at a rate of three per year.
The company claims to have incorporated more cruise ships built in the United States in the last ten years than the total number of cruise ships built in the country during the previous four decades.
American Cruise Lines has also expanded and developed new itinerary options in 40 states, including numerous company-exclusive tours.
In addition to these new riverboats destined for the Mississippi and the Columbia and Snake rivers, American Cruise Lines continues to expand its presence in other regions of the United States. Its fleet of smaller vessels currently operates more than 50 itineraries along the East, West, and Gulf Coasts, as well as on the nation's major rivers, lakes, bays, and inland waterways.
According to the company, the combination of new ships and the breadth of domestic itineraries currently allows for a greater diversity of options than ever before, while the US market has established itself as one of the fastest-growing segments of the global cruise industry, alongside Europe and other major river cruise regions.
More news in the fleet
American Ranger, the third new ship the company will add in 2026, will begin sailing in September. The ship will operate American Cruise Lines' signature Hudson River cruises during the fall season, as well as Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay itineraries and Florida Gulf Coast and Key cruises during the holiday season and into the new year.
One of the new ships added by American Cruise Lines in 2025, American Patriot, is currently on its first domestic cruise season on the Great Lakes, an offering that the company presents as the only exclusively domestic cruise option currently available in this market.
In 2027, with the entry into service of American Anthem, the ship will operate throughout its first season the new 16-day regional itinerary on the Columbia and Snake Rivers, called Grand Columbia & Snake Rivers.
All the new riverboats mentioned below belong to the American Riverboat series and have a capacity of 180 passengers.
2025: American Patriot and American Pioneer — small ships with a capacity for 130 passengers.
2026: American Encore — riverboat; American Maverick and American Ranger — small boats with a capacity of 130 passengers.
2027: American Anthem — riverboat; American Mariner and American Navigator — small boats with a capacity of 130 passengers.
2028: American Grace and American Beauty — two riverboats.
2029: American Rhapsody — riverboat, plus two other new ships whose names and features will be announced later.
American Beauty and American Rhapsody will have six decks and all cabins will have a private balcony, including single categories and suites.
Both ships will also feature the company's new largest accommodation, the Signature Suite, which is approximately 1,500 square feet (about 139 m²).
The new riverboats will also feature numerous lounges and common areas, including spectacular upper deck lounges with walking paths, map rooms, main restaurants and informal cafes.
The onboard offering will be complemented by spacious gyms and other services and spaces that are unusual on ships of this size.
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