American Cruise Lines to Add 10 U.S.-Built Ships by 2028

American Cruise Lines has confirmed plans to add 10 new U.S.-built ships to its fleet through 2028, beginning with the debut of American Pioneer in Florida on Oct. 31. Charles B. Robertson, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Cruise Lines, said the orderbook reflects the company’s view of demand at home: “Our order book reflects our confidence in the domestic cruise market and the product we have pioneered in the U.S.”

Robertson added, “The new ships will roll out at an average pace of one every four months and keep us on a disciplined growth trajectory.” The expansion spans two vessel types, Patriot-class coastal ships and a new group of modern American Riverboats, and the company has said the ships are scheduled to operate U.S.-only itineraries.

American Pioneer starts the rollout in Florida

American Pioneer is the newest coastal ship for American Cruise Lines and a sister ship to American Patriot, which entered service earlier in 2023. The Patriot-class design includes five decks and capacity for 130 passengers, with private balcony cabins and a mix of indoor and outdoor public spaces, including multiple guest lounges, a top-deck walking track, and a fitness center.

For its inaugural program, the ship launched in Florida with a 15-night, 16-day itinerary from Amelia Island to St. Petersburg. The route includes calls such as St. Augustine, Cape Canaveral, West Palm Beach, Key Biscayne, and Punta Gorda, with itinerary highlights tied to Everglades National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park from Key West.

After the inaugural sailing, American Cruise Lines said American Pioneer is scheduled to operate regular eight-night Florida Gulf Coast and Keys cruises roundtrip from St. Petersburg, calling at ports including Punta Gorda, Marco Island, and Key West. The company has also said American Pioneer and American Patriot are both scheduled to operate Florida coastal itineraries through April 2026, and that starting in April 2026 the pair will jointly offer additional eight-night roundtrips from St. Petersburg.

How the new ships fit into U.S.-only deployment plans

American Cruise Lines has linked the newbuild introductions to established operating areas such as the Mississippi River, Alaska, and the U.S. East Coast, while also pushing into additional markets including the Great Lakes, the Arkansas River, and National Parks-themed cruises.

After its Florida program, American Pioneer is slated to reposition to New England for summer 2026 itineraries ranging from eight to 11 nights, calling across states including Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. The broader Patriot-class pipeline is also tied to East Coast deployment, with American Maverick and American Ranger scheduled to begin East Coast itineraries in June and September 2026, followed by American Mariner and American Navigator scheduled to start East Coast sailings in June and July 2027.

On the Great Lakes, the company has outlined itineraries using American Patriot beginning in 2026, calling at U.S. ports including Muskegon, Sault Ste. Marie, Alpena, Escanaba, Mackinac Island, and Detroit, with Milwaukee also included among the destinations highlighted for the region. American Cruise Lines has described the Great Lakes segment as highly competitive, while also positioning its smaller, 130-passenger ships as able to reach ports that larger, internationally registered ships cannot access.

American Cruise Lines has cited growth expectations for the Great Lakes segment as well, saying the region’s cruise market is expected to increase by 25% in economic impact by 2026, with more than 23,000 passengers projected to participate.

On the river side, American Encore is scheduled to begin sailing the Columbia and Snake Rivers in May 2026, with sister ships American Anthem (2027) and American Grace (2028) slated for the same region. The company has connected that deployment to demand for its National Parks cruise offerings.

Two ship types under Project Blue

American Cruise Lines has positioned the Patriot-class series within its “Project Blue” program, which has also included the introduction of Coastal Cats vessels. The company has said the Project Blue portfolio includes four Coastal Cats delivered earlier in the series, with six remaining vessels scheduled for completion by 2027.

While both newbuild types are five-deck ships with balcony accommodations and similar core public spaces, American Cruise Lines has distinguished the two designs by capacity and operating environment.

• Patriot-class coastal ships: Designed for 130 guests with balcony accommodations across single, double, and suite categories, plus multiple lounges, a top-deck lounge area, an outdoor walking track, and observation space.
• Patriot-class dining and access: The company has highlighted a formal dining room and a casual café, along with elevators serving all decks.
• Modern American Riverboats: Designed for up to 180 guests, with private balconies across accommodations and a multi-story glass atrium as a central architectural feature.
• Modern American Riverboat accommodations: The company has described premium suites in the series, with some accommodations reaching up to 1,000 square feet.

In describing its river program, the company has pointed to American Song’s 2018 entry into service as the start of its modern riverboat series, with additional vessels delivered since then.

Construction in Maryland and the delivery list through 2028

American Cruise Lines has said the ships in its current expansion plan are being built at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland, underscoring its emphasis on U.S. labor and materials. The company has also emphasized that the new ships will continue to sail exclusively in the United States.

Beyond American Pioneer and American Patriot, the company has named additional ships across both categories and outlined a multi-year rollout through 2028, rather than concentrating deliveries in a single year.

• 2026: American Maverick and American Ranger are slated to enter service as additional Patriot-class coastal ships, and American Encore is scheduled to debut as a modern riverboat and begin sailing the Columbia and Snake Rivers in May.
• 2027: American Mariner and American Navigator are scheduled as additional Patriot-class ships, while American Anthem is slated to join the modern riverboat series.
• 2028: American Grace is scheduled to join the riverboat series, alongside two additional unnamed modern American Riverboats planned for delivery that year.

With American Pioneer now in service, American Cruise Lines’ next wave of introductions is set to arrive in 2026, when it adds two more Patriot-class vessels and brings American Encore into the Columbia and Snake River market.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many new ships is American Cruise Lines adding through 2028?

American Cruise Lines has confirmed plans to add 10 new U.S.-built ships through 2028, starting with American Pioneer.

What is the capacity of Patriot-class ships like American Pioneer?

The Patriot-class ships are designed for 130 passengers across five decks. American Cruise Lines has highlighted private balcony accommodations and multiple guest spaces, including lounges, a top-deck walking track, a fitness center, and dining venues that include a formal dining room and a casual café.

How do the modern American Riverboats differ from the Patriot-class coastal ships?

The modern American Riverboats are designed for up to 180 guests and feature a multi-story glass atrium, with balcony accommodations across the ship. American Cruise Lines has also highlighted larger premium suites in the riverboat series, with some accommodations reaching up to 1,000 square feet, while the Patriot-class ships are built around a smaller coastal-ship footprint for domestic coastal itineraries.

Where will American Pioneer sail after its inaugural Florida itinerary?

After its inaugural Florida program and subsequent Gulf Coast and Keys cruises roundtrip from St. Petersburg, American Pioneer is scheduled to reposition to New England for summer 2026 itineraries ranging from eight to 11 nights, calling in states including Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.

Where are the new ships being built?

American Cruise Lines has said the ships in the current expansion plan are being built at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland, and that the vessels are scheduled to operate U.S.-only itineraries.