New Riverboat Delivered to American Cruise Lines
American Cruise Lines announced it has taken delivery of a new riverboat from Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Md.
The 190-passenger American Jazz is the latest in American’s series of five new modern riverboats and will be added to the company’s fleet on the Mississippi River. American’s building plans have continued at full strength, despite this year’s pause in cruising.
“American Jazz and the modern riverboats we currently have under construction demonstrate our commitment to leading the U.S. river cruise market by adding new small ships each year,” said Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO of American Cruise Lines. “The outlook for 2021 is tremendous, and we look forward to American Jazz’s first full season on the Mississippi, as well as the introduction of American Melody, the next new ship to follow in our modern riverboat series.”
American’s small ship fleet has expanded year after year, as the company continues to introduce new vessels for operations on the Mississippi River, the Columbia and Snake Rivers, and across the U.S. Since 2017, American Cruise Lines has debuted five new ships; expanding its overall fleet to 12 ships in 2020, with more new builds coming in 2021 and 2022.
Last week, with the U.S. Coast Guard aboard, American Jazz successfully underwent speed trials, an endurance run, and was thoroughly tested in all areas of safety and maneuverability.
American Jazz is the Line’s third modern riverboat following the successful launches of American Harmony in 2019, and American Song in 2018, the first modern riverboat in U.S. history.
The six deck American Jazz features a patented opening bow and retractable gangway, as well as a multistory glass atrium in the center of the ship. American Jazz offers several spacious interior lounges, a grand dining room, fitness center, and a new wellness-yoga studio. Providing spaces for social distancing, American Jazz and all American’s new ships are designed with numerous outdoor lounges, including casual outdoor dining cafés and expansive top sundecks.
Standard staterooms are from 300 to 350 sq/ft—all with full size sliding glass doors and private furnished balconies. The new ship also offers suites up to 650 sq/ft, as well as single staterooms at 250 sq/ft (available without single supplement). American Jazz is 100% private balcony, and offers independent HVAC air systems in each stateroom and all interior spaces on board (with no shared duct work).
