American Cruise Lines (ACL) will debut six new ships in 2027 and 2028, when the company will have 30 ships in its fleet.
The domestic cruise line will add three vessels to its fleet in 2027: the American Anthem river ship and the American Mariner and American Navigator coastal ships. And it will add three river ships in 2028, the American Grace and two yet-unnamed vessels.
CEO Charles Robertson said the forthcoming ships reflected the company's confidence in the domestic market. The new vessels, and new ships already announced for this year and 2026, will grow the line's expansion on the Arkansas River and the Great Lakes, ACL said.
The Mariner and Navigator are part of the Patriot class of ships that launched in June with the American Patriot. The second ship in that class, the American Pioneer, will debut on Friday, and two more Patriot-class ships will launch in 2026. The ships accommodate 130 passengers and feature multiple lounges, a walking track on the top deck and suites with private balconies.
The newly announced Mariner and Navigator will both sail East Coast itineraries beginning in June and July 2027.
The Anthem, Grace and the unnamed river ships will be part of ACL's ship class that debuted in 2018 with the American Song. The 180-passenger vessels will have a new cabin category, the 1,000 square-foot Signature Suites. The Anthem and Grace will sail the Columbia and Snake Rivers, which ACL says is growing in demand. They will join the American Encore, an ACL river ship debuting next year.
Update: This report was updated to add the full name of the American Pioneer.