American Cruise Lines (ACL) announced it will name its 4th newbuild (from the Modern Riverboat series) American Melody. The new river cruise ship is to be inaugurated in late-2020, joining the sisterships American Harmony, American Jazz, and American Song. ACL planned a new fleet of 5 such vessels featuring a contemporary design rather than the more traditional for the USA paddlewheel riverboats.
In addition to large staterooms and implemented latest marine technologies and modern design, these vessels feature a bow door that which opens for a retractable gangplank.
The sisterships were inaugurated in 2018 (American Song), 2019 (American Harmony, Inaugural Cruise from New Orleans planned for August 17) and 2020 (American Jazz). Details about the 5th planned vessel have not been released yet.