American Cruise Lines Names Two New Riverboats for 2028 and 2029
American Beauty is slated for Upper Mississippi cruises between Saint Louis and Saint Paul before shifting to a Gulf Coast route from New Orleans to Pensacola.
Updated September 18, 2026
American Cruise Lines has named American Beauty and American Rhapsody, two 180-passenger riverboats scheduled to enter service in September 2028 and in 2029, respectively. The vessels will become the 29th and 30th ships in the company's fleet, with both under construction at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland.
The two ships extend American's modern riverboat series, which began with American Song in 2018. They are part of a plan to introduce 13 vessels from 2025 through 2029, with the company adding ships at a rate of three per year.
American's fleet operates more than 50 routes across 40 states. Those include itineraries along the East, West and Gulf coasts, plus sailings on U.S. rivers, lakes, bays and inland waterways.
Where the two riverboats will sail
American Beauty will begin with eight-day Upper Mississippi River cruises between St. Louis, Missouri, and St. Paul, Minnesota. Later in its first season, the ship will move to American's new eight-day Gulf Coast itinerary between New Orleans, Louisiana, and Pensacola, Florida.
American Rhapsody will enter service on a nine-day Columbia and Snake rivers itinerary between Portland, Oregon, and Clarkston, Washington. American did not provide a specific entry-into-service month.
Inside the new riverboats
Both ships will have six passenger decks and private balconies in every accommodation. The cabin mix will include single-occupancy rooms and suites, among them a 1,500-square-foot Signature Suite, the company's newest accommodation category.
Public areas will include a main restaurant, casual cafe, chart room and fitness center, along with a top-deck lounge with a walking track. The modern riverboat design also incorporates the series' opening bow and retractable gangway. American did not include an executive statement with the naming announcement.
Riverboat delivery schedule extends into 2029
American Beauty and American Rhapsody follow three previously announced members of the series. American Encore entered service in May 2026, while American Anthem is due in April 2027 and American Grace is scheduled for April 2028. American Anthem will spend its inaugural season on a 16-day Columbia and Snake rivers itinerary.
The wider delivery plan includes two 130-passenger ships delivered in 2025, three vessels in 2026, three in 2027, two riverboats in 2028 and three vessels in 2029. American Rhapsody is the only named ship in the 2029 group so far. Names and details for the other two vessels have yet to be announced.
Every ship in American Cruise Lines' fleet has been built at Chesapeake Shipbuilding. American Patriot, one of the ships delivered in 2025, is operating on the Great Lakes. The yard also constructs the line's coastal vessels, including the smaller American Ranger, which will carry 130 passengers.
American Ranger is scheduled to debut in September as the company's third new ship of the year. Its initial program will include Hudson River fall foliage cruises, Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay sailings, and Florida Gulf Coast and Keys itineraries through the holiday season and into the new year.
