ACL-American Cruise Lines has named two new riverboats under construction at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland, with American Beauty scheduled to enter service on the Mississippi River in September 2028 and American Rhapsody planned for Columbia and Snake Rivers operations in 2029. The vessels will become the 29th and 30th ships in the company's expanding fleet.
American Beauty will initially operate 8-day Upper Mississippi itineraries between St. Louis, Missouri, and St. Paul, Minnesota. Later in the 2028 season, the 180-passenger vessel is also scheduled to operate American Cruise Lines' new 8-day Gulf Coast cruises between New Orleans and Pensacola, Florida. The company's current schedule lists the first American Beauty departure for September 2nd, 2028.
Sister vessel American Rhapsody is scheduled to enter service in 2029 on 9-day Columbia and Snake Rivers itineraries linking Portland, Oregon, with Clarkston, Washington. Both ships are being developed as part of American Cruise Lines' modern American Riverboat series, which began with American Song in 2018.
The two vessels will accommodate 180 passengers and feature private-balcony accommodation throughout. The design includes six passenger decks, multiple accommodation categories including single cabins and suites, and extensive public areas. Among the planned facilities are top-deck lounges, walking tracks, chart rooms, main restaurants, casual cafés and fitness centres.
American Beauty will also introduce a 1,500-square-foot Signature Suite, described by the operator as the largest stateroom on an American riverboat. Standard accommodation averages ~300 square feet, while the vessel will feature a multi-storey glass atrium and observation areas designed around views of the river.
The two new vessels follow American Encore, which entered service in May 2026, while American Anthem is scheduled for April 2027 and American Grace for April 2028. The company's expansion also includes the Patriot-class fleet, with American Ranger scheduled to enter service in September 2026.