The Covid-19 pandemic may have halted river cruising in the U.S. this year. But it hasn't slowed American Cruise Lines' (ACL) aggressive moves to cement its position as the leader ahead of global river cruise giant Viking's long-anticipated launch here.
ACL last week announced that 2021 will be it "Mightiest Mississippi season ever," with two new, modern riverboats to supplement its fast-growing domestic fleet, as well as an expansion of itineraries, excursion options and land packages.
While ACL and its only other river competitor at the moment, American Queen Steamboat Company, both had plans to launch new ships this year, ACL has vowed to also continue adding a new ship every year moving forward. American Queen, meanwhile, has turned its expansion focus beyond its new and fourth paddlewheeler, the American Duchess, to growing small-ship cruising through its Victory Cruise Lines brand.
By the time Viking launches its first domestic river vessel, which it initially promoted as one that would introduce modern river cruising to the U.S., ACL should have at least four of its five planned modern ships in operation, along with its four paddlewheelers. That would give ACL two paddlewheelers and two modern ships in both regions in it sails: along the Mississippi and in the Pacific Northwest.
Still, Viking's ship will offer a different kind of experience. The Viking Mississippi will be more like a small ocean vessel than a traditional river ship, with 193 staterooms, even a swimming pool on the top deck. Its capacity is about double that of the modern riverboat series of ships introduced in 2018 by ACL. American Queeen sails only paddlewheelers, which range in size from under 200 passengers to just over 400.
Viking has kept mum on its domestic plans beyond the launch of the Viking Mississippi. But given its track record, it's not surprising that ACL has kept its shipyard busy over the past few years to get it its new ships launched.
Viking is the largest river cruise company in the world, and after introducing its trademark Longships in Europe 2012, it kicked off a building spree that launched 55 river cruise ships over the course of six years. In 2021 it will have 72 rivers ships in its global fleet.
ACL, meantime, is the largest domestic river and small ship cruise line. And it says it will continue to grow, while emphasizing both its variety of ship products as well as its smaller ship size, which could be an added plus coming out of the pandemic. Its largest ship holds just 190 passengers
And as demand for close-to-home experiences continues to grow, the line remains committed to growth, CEO Charles Robertson said. "The level of sophistication [ACL] provides is only possible on ships carrying under 200 guests, and each new ship will be under that capacity. Any cruise with American Cruise Lines will always be a personalized, enriching experience."