Cruise & Cruise Line

American Cruise Lines’ New Paddlewheeler Casts Off On the Mississippi

Jason Leppert
by Jason Leppert
Last updated: 6:00 PM ET, Wed May 25, 2016

Photo courtesy of American Cruise Lines

For those wishing to take a cruise closer to home, American Cruise Lines' new America paddlewheeler has set sail along the Mississippi River this month roundtrip from New Orleans, LA.

The inaugural river cruise featured festive celebrations, musical entertainment, complimentary shore excursions and riverlorian Bill Wiemuth, and passengers were given commemorative gifts with the ship's name on them.

"The much anticipated inaugural season of America is off to a fantastic start," said Hotel Manager, Drew Godfrey. "Guests are truly enjoying the period inspired ship with its warm and inviting decor."

READ MORE: Are The Big Cruise Lines Drifting Away From North America?

The 185-guest America is the line's biggest ship but continues to showcase the line's signature intimate atmosphere. The vessel innovates on the Mississippi with engineering designed for a quieter and faster ride.

American Cruise Lines now consists of a fleet of eight ships - four paddlewheelers and four coastal cruisers - and now the America and Queen of the Mississippi together sail on the aforementioned mighty river. Meanwhile the American Pride has been repositioned to the Columbia and Snake Rivers, joining the Queen of the West there. As a result, the company is the only one with two riverboats on both waterways.

What's more, the line also just announced that the name of its next ship launching in April 2017 will be American Constellation. The vessel is currently under construction.


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Jason Leppert

Jason Leppert

Jason Leppert - Senior Writer, Cruises and Cruise Travel - is a San Diego-based cruising expert with more than 100 sailings...

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