America

Launched in 2016, MS America is paddle-wheeler riverboat from the American Cruise Lines fleet. The company's other paddle-wheel ships are Queen of the West, Queen of the Mississippi (2015) and American Pride (fka Queen of the Mississippi steamboat).

History - construction and ownership

The shipowner American Cruise Lines (ACL) is USA's largest river cruise company (headquarters in Guilford Connecticut) operational since 1991. The company specializes in cruise shipping on USA's largest navigable inland waterways (rivers and lakes) as well as in cruises along the US East Coast, US West Coast and Florida. All ACL vessels feature some of industry's largest passenger cabins with private balconies, spacious lounges and outdoor deck spaces, gourmet cuisine, top-quality enrichment program with many complimentary land tours and excursions, highly-personalized service by all-American staff and crew. All ACL cruise ships are US-flagged and built by the company-owned Chesapeake Shipbuilding Yard in Salisbury (Maryland USA).

"American Eagle" was the name previously chosen for the new Queen of the Mississippi boat - sister ship (of similar design) to American Pride. In 2015, American Cruise Lines decided to rename the old "Queen of the Mississippi" to "American Pride" and the new vessel ("American Eagle") to "Queen of the Mississippi". On August 4, 2015, American Cruise Lines announced that the "American Eagle" boat would be renamed (first to "American Eagle") and repositioned from Mississippi to Columbia-Snake River System in early 2016, and replaced on the Mississippi by the ship "America". Another new paddle-wheeler constructed at Chesapeake Shipbuilding assumed the name "Queen of the Mississippi".

America is the American Cruise Lines’ 8th ship and its 2nd newbuild vessel - launched in 2016 and homeported in Port NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana). According to the company, "America is the finest Mississippi paddle-wheeler ever built, introducing features never before seen on a Mississippi riverboat". The vessel is slightly bigger than older ACL boats and has max passenger capacity 185. The hull was launched on August 7, 2015, then moved to a basin where the upper decks construction and final outfitting took place. The America riverboat entered service on May 7, 2016.

Cruise itineraries

MS America cruise itinerary program is based on Mississippi River roundtrips from New Orleans, including Grand Heartland Cruise. Some of the American Cruise Lines riverboat deals are on themed voyages. Among those themes are "Food and Wine", "Fall Foliage", "Music", the Holiday themed sailings for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.

Cabins

America cruise ship staterooms are among the roomiest in small ship cruising - all more than 200 square feet in size, each featuring large opening picture windows and private bathroom. Most accommodations have private balconies.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

The Grand Dining Room can accommodate all passengers. The culinary program features locally sourced ingredients. Each evening, America offers a complimentary cocktail hour. Afternoon tea service in ship's Sky Lounge is also available.

America features a relaxed atmosphere and casual ambience while providing unique panoramic views of passing scenery. The ship boasts many lounges to relax, an open-air exercise area, putting green on Top Deck, jazz and evening musical entertainment. The all American crew offers personalized service. Historians and naturalists are onboard for interesting lectures.

This infographic shows the American Pride cruise ship (Queen of the Mississippi's and America's sister-ship). Here you can see what is what and where on these unique riverboats.

Fun fact is that this American Cruise Lines ship has a namesake - the 2012-launched "HANJIN America". The vessel is among the world's largest container ships (capacity 13,102 containers) and operated by HANJIN Line.

Note: You can see the CruiseMapper's list of all river cruise ships and riverboats in the "itinerary" section of our River Cruises hub. All companies and their fleets are listed there.