American Song to start inaugural season from Port NOLA

American Cruise Lines’ American Song – the first modern riverboat in the US – has arrived at the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) in Louisiana ahead of her inaugural cruises on the Mississippi River.

Constructed by Chesapeake Shipbuilding, American Song is the flagship in a series of new contemporary riverboats that will soon join the America Cruise Lines fleet. The 184-guest newbuild features a four-storey glass-enclosed atrium with a large domed skylight, lounges with triple the amount of glass of other riverboats, luxury accommodation and other amenities.

American Song will depart New Orleans for her maiden voyage on 6 October, sailing to Memphis in Tennessee, before starting her full schedule of eight-day ‘Lower Mississippi River’ cruises. At the end of 2018, the vessel will reposition to the US West Coast and begin offering ‘Columbia and Snake Rivers’ itineraries from January 2019. American Song’s sister ship, American Harmony, will debut in the first quarter of 2019 and take over on the Mississippi River.

“American Cruise Lines is delighted to introduce American Song from the Port of New Orleans,” said Charles Robertson, CEO of American Cruise Lines. “It is only fitting to see the first modern riverboat in US history debut on the Mississippi – the nation’s most storied and iconic river.”

American Cruise Lines’ new vessel is likely to help Port NOLA achieve its fifth consecutive year of handling more than one million cruise passenger movements and set a new record in 2018.

“Inland river cruising is a quickly growing segment of our cruise portfolio,” said Brandy Christian, president and CEO of Port NOLA. “We appreciate our partnership with American Cruise Lines and are working together to provide an exceptional experience for river cruise customers. The history and charm of our vibrant city combined with the modern appeal of American Song makes sailing from New Orleans on the Mississippi River truly unique.”