American Encore Set to Debut May 2026 on Columbia and Snake Rivers

American Cruise Lines says its new riverboat American Encore remains on schedule for an inaugural season starting in May 2026 on the Columbia and Snake rivers. The company is tying the ship’s debut to a broader fleet growth plan running through 2028 after what it described as a record-breaking 2025.

May 2026 debut on the Columbia and Snake rivers

American Encore is slated to enter service in the Pacific Northwest, with American Cruise Lines positioning the ship as a major newbuild for its domestic river portfolio of vessels designed for U.S. waterways. The launch also marks the next step in the line’s American Riverboat series, which began when American Song entered service in 2018.

American Cruise Lines has linked Encore’s arrival to a longer-term buildout of capacity in the Columbia and Snake river market, with additional sister ships planned for the same region in subsequent years.

Size, capacity, and stateroom design

American Cruise Lines said American Encore will have five passenger decks and carry 180 guests, with all accommodations featuring balconies. The company has framed the ship’s design around space and onboard comfort, citing what it described as industry-leading room per guest, along with high ceilings, large staterooms, and an expanded fitness area compared with other river ships.

Charles B. Robertson, president and CEO of American Cruise Lines, said the ship was benchmarked against international operators. “We compare ourselves to others around the world and ask, ‘How can we beat that?’” Robertson said, adding that the company believes it met that objective with American Encore.

Signature Suite and “next-gen” public spaces

A headline accommodation will be a new stateroom category called the Signature Suite, which American Cruise Lines said will exceed 1,000 square feet. The company has billed it as the largest suite in the river cruise sector, with a wrap-around balcony, wide views from the living spaces, and separate areas for sleeping and relaxing.

American Cruise Lines said the suite will include a hotel-sized bathroom with a soaking tub and heated floors. The ship is also expected to feature a four-story glass atrium, which the company has described as a central architectural feature within a broader set of “next-gen” public spaces.

Dining, lounges, and onboard amenities

American Cruise Lines said American Encore will include both formal and casual dining, including a grand dining room and a café-style option. The ship is also slated to offer multiple indoor and outdoor lounges, including a top deck lounge designed for panoramic viewing while underway.

Other features highlighted by the company include an outdoor walking track on the top deck, elevators serving all passenger decks, a complimentary guest laundry room, and a large gym as part of the ship’s wellness and fitness facilities.

How American Encore fits into the 2026–2028 ship pipeline

American Cruise Lines has paired the Encore rollout with a wider expansion plan that includes new river and coastal vessels. In addition to placing American Encore in the American Riverboat series, the company has said it plans to add two sister ships for the Columbia and Snake rivers: American Anthem in 2027 and American Grace in 2028.

The company has also outlined additional deliveries through 2028, including Patriot-class coastal vessels and other newbuilds it has named as part of the forward schedule.

• 2026: American Encore is scheduled to begin service in May, and the company also plans to introduce two Patriot-class coastal vessels, American Ranger and American Maverick.
• 2027: American Cruise Lines has identified American Navigator, American Mariner, and American Anthem as entering service.
• 2028: American Grace is planned for 2028, and the company has described its broader buildout as bringing multiple additional newbuilds into service by that year.

Record-breaking 2025 and what the company said comes next

In a separate year-end announcement, American Cruise Lines said it completed a “record-breaking” 2025, during which it welcomed two new coastal vessels to its fleet and received more than 20 awards. The company has also described itself as “The Most Awarded U.S. Cruise Line.”

In the same statement, American Cruise Lines thanked travel advisors, industry partners, and employees. “As the year comes to a close and we look ahead to 2026, American would like to express sincere thanks,” the company said, crediting staff and partners for supporting the year’s performance.

With American Encore’s inaugural season targeted for May 2026, the company’s published timeline points to continued capacity growth on the Columbia and Snake rivers in 2027 and 2028, alongside additional coastal newbuilds entering service over the same period.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When will American Encore begin service?

American Cruise Lines said American Encore is on schedule for an inaugural season beginning in May 2026.

Where will American Encore operate?

The ship is set to debut on itineraries on the Columbia and Snake rivers.

How many guests will American Encore carry, and how is it configured?

American Cruise Lines said the riverboat will have five passenger decks, carry 180 guests, and feature all-balcony staterooms.

What is the Signature Suite on American Encore?

American Cruise Lines said the Signature Suite is a new stateroom category that will exceed 1,000 square feet and include a wrap-around balcony, separate living and sleeping areas, and a hotel-sized bathroom with a soaking tub and heated floors.

What other ships has American Cruise Lines said it plans to add through 2028?

American Cruise Lines said three ships are expected to join in 2026, including American Encore and two Patriot-class coastal vessels, American Ranger and American Maverick. The company has also identified American Navigator, American Mariner, and American Anthem as entering service in 2027, with American Grace planned for 2028, and it has linked Encore’s debut on the Columbia and Snake rivers to the arrival of sister ships American Anthem (2027) and American Grace (2028) for that same region.