American Glory

The 2002-built MS American Glory cruise ship was the oldest vessel in the ACL-American Cruise Lines fleet. The small-sized riverboat is similarly-designed as the fleetmates American Spirit (2004), American Star (2007) and Independence (2010).

As clientele, the vessel served mainly older and well-traveled North Americans. It served interesting itineraries with numerous call ports and cruisetours with guided by knowledgeable local experts shore excursions. Because of their smaller sizes, ACL ships can visit smaller ports to offer their guests exceptional tours to little known scenic sites and important historic places in the USA.

The vessel's last identification numbers were 8972338 (IMO) and 366858820 (MMSI). The ship was last AIS-spotted on December 5, 2017, being berthed at Eastern Branch Elizabeth River (Hampton Roads). Since then, its AIS transponder went silent - forever.

The cruise ship was last drydock refurbished in 2015.

History - construction and ownership

American Cruise Lines (ACL) is a small cruise line with headquarters in Guilford (Connecticut USA). The company provides passenger shipping services since 1991. The 1267-ton, 49-passenger cruise ship American Glory was US-flagged and crewed and fully ACL owned. The vessel was seaworthy and compliant with the USA's PVSA (Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886) which allowed it to transport passengers between US ports directly (without visiting a foreign seaport along the current itinerary). MS American Glory was US-built (by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland USA) for overnight river cruises, voyages on inland waterway and coastal cruises within the continental USA.

The cruise vessel was actively operated until 2017. Surprisingly, on November 4, 2019, it was scuttled (deliberately sunk by a contractor company) off Delaware Bay (Delaware River's estuary) approx 28 km (17 mi) off Indian River Bay (south of Cape Henlopen / Delaware State Park).

The scuttling was actually celebrated as the vessel became part of an artificial reef project promoted by the Delaware State's Government. In the near future, the laying on the bottom cruise ship will be visited only by scuba divers and snorkeling enthusiasts - welcoming them with its silent decks and crew- and passenger-free cabins and public areas.

According to Delaware Government's Artificial Reef Program, the state has 14 publicly accessible (diving permitted) artificial reef sites located in Delaware Bay and along the state's Atlantic coastal area (where the seabed is featureless - mostly sand or mud). The program started in 1995 and is designed to build a habitat for reef fish species (like seabass, scup, tautog, spadefish, triggerfish) via sinking large structures (including shipwrecks) thus providing new snorkeling and sea fishing opportunities. Among the Delaware Artificial Reef's structures (all donated) are concrete products, large rocks, tires, tugboats, ferryboats, decommissioned military vehicles, hundreds NYC subway cars (sunk mainly at Redbird Reef since 1996).

Cruise itinerary program

MS American Glory itinerary program was based on New England cruises, along the East Coast USA and on Florida rivers leaving from homeports Jacksonville FL, Portland ME and Providence RI. The list of regularly scheduled cruise itineraries for this ACL vessel included

• 7-day "Historic South and Golden Isles" and "Great Rivers of Florida cruise" from Jacksonville FL
• 7-day "Potomac River Cruise" from Washington DC and Philadelphia PA
• 6- and 7-day "Chesapeake Bay" leaving from Baltimore MD
• 6-day "New England Islands" and 7-day "Hudson River" from Providence RI
• 6- and 7-day "Maine Coast and Harbors" and 10-day "Grand New England" cruises departing from Portland ME
• 7-day "Hudson River Cruises" leaving out of NYC

MS American Glory also offered special 14-day "East Coast Inland Passage" relocation cruises out of Jacksonville FL (Spring) and Baltimore MD (Fall).

Cabins

ACL's American Glory ship has 4 passenger decks and accommodates 54 guests in 27 staterooms (no Suites, 14 Balcony, 13 Oceanview, no Inside) in 6 cabin grades. All rooms have windows, interior entrances and en suite bathrooms. The boat has 5 single cabins and 1 wheelchair-accessible cabin.

Cabin sizes range from 150 ft2 (14 m2) to 235 ft2 (22 m2). Around 50% have step-out balconies, all are with large windows and en-suite bathrooms.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

MS American Glory has one (49-seat) Dining Room Restaurant that offers regional and seasonal cuisine (with open seating). Other options for a drink include Maindeck Lounge, Midship lounge and Nantucket lounge. The social hour includes free cocktails before dinner.

The boat offers the most modern and unique small ship cruising as each of the visited ports gives a glimpse into the US cultural heritage. The country-club onboard atmosphere allows passengers to relax and enjoy fellow travellers' company, as well as to share interests in American history. The public lounges and observation decks are spacious and frequented by those who wish to meet and mingle with new friends. American Glory has a Library Lounge, putting green, fitness, sunshade and lifts (serving all decks). Room-Service is offered twice daily. There is also complimentary Internet, WiFi access and American staff and crew.