ACL American Constellation

The 2017-built MS American Constellation cruise ship is the first of American Cruise Lines fleet's "Coastal Class" boats - with sistership American Constitution (2018).

This "ocean ship" design was later modified for inland/river cruising, resulting in the company's "Modern Riverboat" fleet - American Song (2018), American Harmony (2019), American Jazz (2020), American Melody (2021), American Symphony (2022), American Serenade (2022).

History - construction and ownership

The shipowner American Cruise Lines (ACL) is the USA's largest river cruise company (headquarters in Guilford Connecticut) operational since 1991. The company specializes in cruise shipping on the USA's largest navigable inland waterways (rivers and lakes) as well as in cruises along the US East Coast, US West Coast and Florida. All ACL vessels feature some of the industry's largest passenger cabins with private balconies, spacious lounges and outdoor deck spaces, gourmet cuisine, top-quality enrichment program with many complimentary land tours and excursions, highly-personalized service by all-American staff and crew.

All ACL cruise ships are US-flagged and built by the company-owned Chesapeake Shipbuilding Yard in Salisbury (Maryland USA).

The new coastal riverboat set sail in April 2017. The "American Constellation" name was inspired by the numerous American ships named "Constellation" which have honored the United States. The original US Naval sailing frigate of 1797, USS Constellation, and the newest ship of American Cruise Lines were both constructed at Maryland shipyards. American Constellation left for her first cruise from Constellation Pier, next to where the retired USS Constellation is currently docked.

Decks and Cabins

ACCL's American Constellation ship has 6 passenger decks (accessible via one elevator) and a total of 90 staterooms. The number of cabin categories is 9. Most of the accommodations are Balcony rooms, with floor-ceiling sliding doors leading to a private step-out veranda. There are no connecting rooms onboard.

The smallest cabins (including the studios / single-occupancy cabins) sizes start at 250 ft2 (23 m2). Other staterooms range between 305-330 ft2 (28-31 m2). Veranda Suites are 405 ft2 (38 m2). Owner's Suites are 445 ft2 (41 m2). The boat's largest staterooms are the two Grand Suites located aft on deck 3. Each measures 900 ft2 (84 m2) and features 2 walls of floor-ceiling windows, sliding doors (opening to a wrap-around balcony), separate bedroom/lounge area, marble bathroom (double-sink vanity),

Shipboard facilities and amenities

The American Constellation has a single-capacity, open-seating dining room. This is the main restaurant onboard featuring floor-ceiling windows, crystal chandeliers, classy furniture, 4- and 8-seat tables and luxury dining amenities. Most of the cuisine is American fare. The menu boasts itinerary-inspired gourmet specialities and fresh food. Breakfast is buffet-style, with made-to-order items. Lunch offers soup, choice of 3 dishes, chef’s salad. Dinner offers soup, salad and 3 entrees. The wine list has a selection of domestic wines. Any dietary needs are catered for.

The ocean capable American Constellation ship with full active wing stabilization, features capacity for 163 guests. ACL Constellation caters to the discriminating eye of vacationers looking for an intimate high-end experience of a smaller vessel. Well-appointed rooms are the largest ever seen in service, with room service and tastefully furnished private balconies. Additional features include kayaks and Zodiacs that offer guests alternative ways to explore historic American destinations.

The list of the ship's main public venues includes:

• (Deck 1) Vestibule/lobby level, Ship's Office, Dining Room Restaurant, Galley/Kitchen
• (Deck 2) Lounge/midship-starboard
• (Deck 3) Library Lounge/midship-starboard, Chesapeake Lounge/forward
• (Deck 4) Pilothouse/Wheelhouse, Upper Lounge & Library (midship-starboard), Sky Lounge (aft, with outdoor terrace seating)
• (Deck 5) Fitness Room/midship Gym, Lower Sun Deck/aft
• (Deck 6) Upper Sun Deck with outdoor seating and Mini-Golf/Putting Green

Itineraries

American Constellation itinerary program includes two new American Cruise Lines itineraries - one from the USA to New England, and the other along southeast USA's Intracoastal Waterway.

• The 10-night / 11-day "Grand New England" cruise itinerary starts in Boston MA and visits Provincetown MA, Newport RI, Martha's Vineyard MA, Kennebunkport ME, Camden ME, Bar Harbor ME) and Rockland ME.
• The 10-night / 11-day "Grand Historic South" cruise itinerary is roundtrip from Charleston SC and visits Wilmington NC, Beaufort NC, Savannah GA, Sapelo Island GA, Jekyll Island GA, Amelia Island FL (Fernandina Beach) and Beaufort SC.

ACL cruise deals are inclusive of a pre-cruise hotel package, all shore excursions (organized daily), cocktail hour (each evening), cruise accommodation, gourmet meals, Afternoon Tea service, room service (Breakfast only), onboard enrichment and entertainment programs, Wi-Fi (shipwide coverage).

The ship has a modern propulsion system consisting of 2x azimuth thrusters ("Z-drives") manufactured by Veth (Holland). These 360-degree rotating propellers (1x forward, 1x aft) provide the boat with greater manoeuvrability and berthing flexibility.

The ship is powered by 2x Caterpillar marine engines running on low-sulfur diesel. These modern engines require less fuel and produce fewer emissions (COx, NOx, SOx) and soot particles in comparison to other boats on the US river cruising market.

The ACL's ship's namesake is the 2002-built cruise liner Celebrity Constellation.