ACL-American Cruise Lines announced plans to redesign, fully refurbish and rename its 4 paddlewheel ships.
The paddlewheelers will get a new interior design that is similar to that on ACL’s "modern riverboats" while retaining the elements true to steamboat history.
The new project is slated for completion in March 2022.
The redesigned paddlewheelers will be renamed - American Heritage (Queen of the Mississippi), American West (Queen of the West) and American Splendor (America), only American Pride retains her name.
The refurbishment will not change the new construction timeline of American. The company is doubling the size of its American fleet to 15 small cruise ships, including the introduction of 6 new modern riverboats.
The refurb project is via partnership with Studio DADO (Miami-based interior design firm) which did American Melody's interior design.
The two Mississippi paddlewheelers, American Heritage and American Splendor, will celebrate the river's musical genres, from jazz and blues to rock ‘n roll and country, along with historical literary figures, like Mark Twain. The Columbia & Snake paddlewheelers, American West and American Pride, will highlight Western and Native American themes, such as the Lewis & Clark expedition.
Each cruise ship will be made over with new color palettes, luxurious textiles and linens, new carpets and furniture, and regionally inspired artwork.
Curiously, just recently ACL's main competitor AQSC (American Queen Steamboat Company) changed its brand name to AQV/American Queen Voyages.