ACL-American Cruise Lines announced the delivery of American Melody from Chesapeake Shipbuilding on schedule.
Despite challenges, the Maryland shipyard continued construction through the COVID crisis and delivered ACL's Melody boat on time.
In addition, ACL also announced the names of its 5th and 6th "modern riverboat" units - American Symphony and American Serenade. The two new riverboats are both scheduled for delivery in 2022.
Following her successful sea trials, American Melody headed to New Orleans (Louisiana) to get ready for her inaugural voyage along the Mississippi, an 8-day round-trip New Orleans itinerary.
The sold-out trip departs from New Orleans on August 27 and then American Melody continues to operate a selection of the line’s most popular Mississippi River itineraries through December, including a 22-day Complete Mississippi River Cruise between Port NOLA and Minneapolis-Saint Paul (Minnesota).
American Melody and sisterships Symphony and Serenade will each accommodate 175 guests. Showcasing sky-lit atriums, multiple lounges, fitness centers, grand dining rooms, outdoor cafes, and open-air Skywalks, ACL's 3 new ships will also boast 100% private-balcony staterooms and suites.
American Melody, Symphony, and Serenade bring ACL's domestic U.S. fleet to 15 ships: 5 cruise ships and 10 riverboats. Despite the growth in fleet size, the company has maintained a commitment to keeping the size of each individual vessel small with every one accommodating fewer than 200 passengers.
ACL's Symphony and Serenade ships are currently under construction at Chesapeake Shipbuilding (in Salisbury MD) where all of the ACL's ships from the "modern riverboat" series and all coastal ships are built.
Following this year’s debut of American Melody on August 27, American Symphony is scheduled for delivery next summer while American Serenade is expected at the end of next year.