Andrea Zelinski
Big ship cruise lines loaded with water slides and roller coasters and people aren't the only operators eager to add new ships to their fleets. But even lines featuring smaller, 100-passenger ships are feeling a sense of urgency to build new vessels to increase capacity.
I wrote this month about how big-ship cruise lines were on a building spree. Oceangoing lines have experienced strong demand since emerging from the pandemic and have begun making more aggressive moves to chart their future. Carnival Cruise Line has five ships on order, Norwegian Cruise Line has eight, and Royal Caribbean International has another massive Oasis-class ship in the works -- and on Tuesday it expanded its Icon class with a firm order for a fourth ship and options for more.
On the other end of the spectrum, U.S.-focused, small-ship operator American Cruise Lines is rapidly growing its lineup of ocean-going ships. The line last week christened its third new coastal catamaran in just more than a year, with a fourth due out in November.
It has a 12-ship order called Project Blue to build a dozen coastal ships at the Maryland shipyard with which it is affiliated, Chesapeake Shipbuilding (members of the Robertson family own the yard and the line).
Perhaps best known for being the largest river operator in the U.S., American Cruise Lines is looking to push out two new coastal ships a year. The American Liberty was the latest to debut and was christened in Newport, R.I., last week. The 100-passenger ship will sail New England Islands cruises into September then transition to a mix of East Coast itineraries, including fall foliage cruises roundtrip from New York City and sailings further south between Charleston, S.C., and Amelia Island, Fla., from November through the spring.
The line's fourth coastal cat, the American Legend, is expected to join the fleet in November sailing Florida Gulf Coast & Keys Cruises, an itinerary which the line said is experiencing huge demand. Due to its popularity, the line will sail seven ships in Florida on four itineraries next year. The lineup will include another pair of ships expected to debut in 2025, the American Patriot and the American Pioneer.
"The domestic cruise industry is the healthiest it has ever been," said Charles Robertson, president and CEO of American Cruise Lines. "Demand for modern river products, new small ships and unique exploration in the U.S.A. continues to grow."
The Liberty is a sister to a pair of ships that debuted late last year, the American Eagle (which I cruised on shortly after its launch) and the American Glory.
It's the smallest cruise ship I've sailed on. But that first round of cats pack in plenty: They
have four decks, cabins with private balconies, a top deck for
lounging, a main restaurant, a casual cafe, as well as a walking track
and fitness center.
The Patriot and Pioneer will be larger and known as the Patriot class; they'll accommodate 125 passengers and offer larger cabins ranging from 300 square feet to 620 square feet, according to the line. The ships will also include five decks instead of four. And instead of being catamarans, they will have a uniform hull with a slightly deeper draft.
The line plans to add two more coastal ships in 2026, although it hasn't yet offered details. What we do know is that American Cruise Lines isn't yet done with Project Blue.
CORRECTION: The original version misstated the number of ships and itineraries American Cruise Lines will operate in Florida; it is seven ships on four itineraries. And it gave an incorrect relationship between Chesapeake Shipbuilding and American Cruise Lines. Members of the Robertson family, which owns the cruise line, also own the yard.
The report was also updated to add additional details about the Patriot class of ship.