American Cruise Lines has ordered four more new ships from Chesapeake Shipbuilding, bringing the cruise line’s total pipeline to 10 new ships over the coming three years.

All of the new ships will be used in the U.S. cruise market, which American Cruise Lines says is its fastest growing segment of river cruising. In the coming year, the company will operate a total of 21 small ships throughout the United States.

“American’s commitment to U.S. River cruising is longstanding, but the rapid expansion of the company’s fleet in just the past several years is demonstrative of the growing interest and demand for world-class cruise experiences in the United States,” the company said in a statement.

American Cruise Lines fleet (Photo Credit: Courtesy American Cruise Lines)

Timeline for Delivery

The company will start taking delivery of newly ordered ships beginning this week with the American Legend. The newest Coastal Cat in American’s fleet has already passed sea trials and is on schedule to embark on its first cruise on November 25.

The remainder of the new builds that have been ordered will be delivered every few months over the next three years, the cruise line said.

The order includes three riverboats and six coastal ships.

Ships currently available for booking, meanwhile, include: 

• American Patriot and American Pioneer (2025)
• American Maverick and American Ranger (2026)
• The new riverboat American Encore (2026).

American Cruise Lines operates the only 100 percent U.S. flagged fleet of riverboats and small ships in the world.
More details on the four additional new builds for 2027 will be released in the near future, said the cruise line.

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