American Cruise Lines
will open its river cruise season at the end of June.
The American Song will launch on the Columbia and Snake
rivers in the Pacific Northwest on June 20 and the American Harmony will sail
on the Mississippi on June 28.
Additionally, ACL said it hopes to resume sailings to Alaska
aboard the American Constellation this summer, although an exact date has yet
to be confirmed.
The river ships, which are part of its new modern riverboat
series, can carry just under 200 passengers each but will sail at no more than 75%
capacity and with a host of new safety protocols.
In addition to health screenings and enhanced cleaning
measures, the company will have medical facilities and an onboard nurse or
emergency medical technician. The ships will also carry Covid-19 tests and have
cabins reserved for isolation purposes, if necessary.
Each of the cabins has its own heating and air conditioning
systems with no shared duct work, and all have private balconies, the company
said. Likewise, the dining and public areas across the ship each have their own
HVAC systems.
ACL said it will provide private transportation to and from
the ships for all guests, and dining and onshore activities will be in groups smaller
than usual.