ACL American Cruise Lines: Exciting Fleet and Route Expansions for 2026!
In 2026, American Cruise Lines (ACL) will embark on an ambitious expansion, unveiling three new vessels and 11 new itineraries, which will signify its most extensive offering to date. The cruise line plans to explore nearly 200 U.S. ports, journeying through the nation’s rivers and coastlines.
Among the new itineraries are two focused on national parks. One is a 15-day cruise through the Pacific Northwest, featuring guided tours of Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks, along with additional sailing around Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and Friday Harbor. The second is an 11-day trip down the Tennessee River, providing opportunities to discover Great Smoky Mountains National Park and towns like Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
Moreover, ACL’s updated schedule will enhance its coverage of America’s inland and coastal waterways. Their cruises will navigate the Mississippi River and its tributaries, including a new 9-day route on the Arkansas River between Memphis and Tulsa, and a Gulf Coast itinerary connecting New Orleans, Louisiana, with Pensacola, Florida, amongst other destinations.
In a first for the line, ACL will also introduce all-domestic cruises on the Great Lakes. The offerings will include a 9-day voyage around the Thousand Islands and Niagara Falls, a 9-day Lake Michigan and Upper Peninsula route, and a lengthy 14-day trip covering 800 miles across Lakes Erie, Huron, and Michigan.
The new vessels set to debut in 2026 include the modern riverboat American Encore, which will begin servicing the Columbia and Snake Rivers in May. This ship will accommodate 180 guests in all-balcony staterooms, with single-guest cabins available at no supplement. Additionally, the small coastal ships American Maverick and American Ranger will enter service later in the year, both part of the company’s Patriot Class, and each capable of carrying 130 guests on East Coast itineraries.
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