By Jodi Ornstein

Debuting in 2017, the 175-passenger American Constellation is one of U.S.-based American Cruise Lines’ newest coastal cruise ships and currently operates on seven-night “Puget Sound & San Juan Islands” itineraries roundtrip from Seattle. The vessel features intimate and comfortable public areas and accommodations, tasty regional cuisine and a friendly, all-American crew. A sister ship, American Constitution, debuted in April 2018.

In all, American Cruise Lines offers more than 35 itineraries to 25 states in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, New England, the Southeast and the Mississippi River regions. As is the case with all vessels in the American Cruise Lines fleet, American Constellation itineraries feature onboard experts, including historians and naturalists, who provide lectures and educational entertainment that highlight the region the cruise is visiting.

Fanciest and Most Common Accommodations: Eight Owners Suites, which measure up to 450 square feet, are on the fifth deck and feature private balconies with sliding glass doors, sitting areas and desks. Three Veranda Suites, which also measure up to 450 square feet, are equipped with private balconies with sliding glass doors and large living areas.

Ninety staterooms measure between 200 and 450 square feet include full-sized bathrooms and flat-screen TVs.

Sixty-three Balcony Staterooms (one handicapped-accessible) measure from 350 to 368 square feet and feature private balconies with sliding glass doors. Ten 302-square-foot Picture Window Staterooms (one handicapped-accessible) have large opening picture windows. There are six single-occupancy staterooms, measuring 226 to 238 square feet. Four have balconies and two have picture windows. There is no single supplement for single staterooms.

What’s Included: Cruise fares include all meals and snacks, nightly pre-dinner cocktail parties, entertainment, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, shipboard Wi-Fi and select shore excursions. Guests are not expected to leave gratuities.

What’s for Dinner? All meals are open seating in the Dining Room, which features tables of six and eight (unless special requests are made). An early-risers breakfast begins at 6:30 a.m. in the Cascade Lounge and Sky Lounge. Breakfast in the Dining Room includes à la carte entrees and a small buffet. Room service is available for breakfast only.

Lunch and dinner are served at one seating time (typically 12:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.) and include standard American fare and regional specialties using locally sourced ingredients and regional wines. A vegetarian option is available at every meal, and passengers with dietary restrictions or food allergies meet with the chef on embarkation day to discuss special requests.

Entertainment: The Cascade Lounge is the venue for onboard lectures, bingo and evening entertainment, which includes swing, jazz and a cappella performances by local musicians—accompanied by popcorn, root beer floats and ice cream sundaes.

Favorite Excursion: From Anacortes, Wash., a Deception Pass open-air boat tour proffered up sweeping mountain views and the chance to see such wildlife as bald eagles, harbor seals and porpoises. Also highly recommended is an excursion that includes a 90-minute ferry ride from Port Angeles, Wash., to Victoria, British Columbia, where guests explore Butchart Gardens, which features sunken and rose as well as Japanese and Italian garden spaces.

Who Goes on this Ship? The vessel caters to sophisticated travelers who are 55 and older—including Americans who don’t want the additional expense and hassles of international travel.

Insider Booking Tips: The ship’s two most forward Owner’s Suites are slightly smaller than the other six due to the angle of the forward-facing wall. Select suites can accommodate third passengers. There are also adjoining accommodations for larger families traveling together.

Key Selling Points: American Constellation was custom built with scenic cruising in mind, and was designed with multiple lounges and observation areas to take in the passing views, which typically includes snow-capped mountains, picturesque marinas, pods of whales and lighthouses along the shoreline.

Agent Assistance: American Cruise Lines unveiled a new agent portal and on-demand agent certification series on its website. The certification series includes six sections covering the line’s fleet, destinations and itineraries. Once completed, agents will receive official certification to sell all of the line’s cruises. The agent portal also offers webinars, which cover information on fam trips, group bookings, commissions and marketing materials.

Other Amenities and Perks: Onboard amenities include a laundry room (complimentary, and detergent is provided), a putting green, a fitness room, a library and two smaller lounges in addition to the two larger main lounges. The captain also offers several tours of the bridge, which he calls his “office.”