American Cruise Lines Just Announced 10 New Ships—And They're All Staying in the U.S.
American Cruise Lines announces 10 new ships by 2028, exclusively for U.S. waters. From riverboats to coastal vessels, this expansion could reshape domestic cruising.
While most cruise lines expand globally, one company just made a massive bet on American waters that could reshape domestic cruising forever.
American Cruise Lines has announced a bold fleet expansion that will add 10 new vessels to its roster by 2028, exclusively serving destinations across the United States. The announcement, made in late October 2025, comes as the company’s latest ship, the American Pioneer, debuts in Florida this week—marking the beginning of an aggressive growth strategy that will see a new ship enter service approximately every four months.
According to Cruise Industry News, this expansion represents one of the most significant domestic cruise investments in recent memory, bringing the company’s total fleet to 30 vessels by the end of 2028.
A Strategic All-American Approach
What makes this expansion particularly noteworthy is its exclusive focus on American waters. At a time when major cruise lines are deploying ships to exotic international destinations, American Cruise Lines is doubling down on homegrown tourism—from Alaska’s Inside Passage to the Mississippi River, from Florida’s coastline to the Great Lakes.
“The new ships will roll out at an average pace of one every four months and keep us on a disciplined growth trajectory,” said CEO Charles B. Robertson in the announcement.
This disciplined approach contrasts sharply with the boom-and-bust cycles we’ve seen from international cruise operators, suggesting a calculated confidence in the domestic cruise market’s potential.
What’s Coming and When
The 10-ship expansion breaks down into two distinct categories: five Patriot Class vessels designed for coastal cruising and five American Riverboats built specifically for inland waterways.
2025-2026 Arrivals
The American Pioneer launched on October 31, 2025, immediately beginning a 16-day “Grand Florida Coast and Keys” itinerary from Amelia Island to St. Petersburg. This Patriot Class ship will operate Florida coastal routes through April 2026, joined by its sister ship, the American Patriot.
Next up is the American Encore, an American Riverboat scheduled for May 2026 debut on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Two more Patriot Class vessels—American Maverick and American Ranger—will join the fleet later in 2026.
2027-2028 Expansion
The pace continues into 2027 with the American Anthem (another Columbia and Snake Rivers riverboat), plus the Patriot Class ships American Mariner and American Navigator. The expansion concludes in 2028 with the American Grace and two additional unnamed American Riverboats, bringing the total fleet count to 30.
New Markets, New Opportunities
While American Cruise Lines already operates successfully on the Mississippi River, Alaska routes, and East Coast itineraries, this expansion enables the company to push into previously underserved markets.
The Great Lakes represent a particularly intriguing opportunity. With growing interest in regional tourism and the appeal of exploring America’s “inland seas,” these massive freshwater bodies offer cruise experiences that rival ocean voyages—complete with charming port towns, maritime history, and spectacular coastal scenery.
The Arkansas River deployment signals another strategic move, opening up the heartland of America to cruise tourism in ways that few operators have attempted. And the company’s emphasis on National Parks-focused itineraries taps into the surging popularity of America’s public lands.
Why This Matters for Cruise Travelers
For cruisers, this expansion offers several compelling advantages:
Accessibility: No passport required, no international flight connections, and the ability to embark from ports much closer to home for many Americans.
Cultural familiarity: While international travel has its appeal, domestic cruising eliminates language barriers, currency confusion, and the logistical complexities of overseas travel.
Emerging destinations: As American Cruise Lines opens up new routes and markets, travelers gain access to regions that were previously difficult to explore by water.
Smaller ship experience: Unlike the mega-ships that dominate Caribbean and European routes, American Cruise Lines operates intimate vessels that can access smaller ports and provide a more personalized onboard experience.
The Bigger Picture
This announcement comes at a fascinating moment for the cruise industry. While ocean-going mega-ships grab headlines with their size and amenities, there’s clearly robust demand for a different kind of cruise experience—one that prioritizes destination immersion over onboard spectacle, and American heritage over international exoticism.
The fact that American Cruise Lines can commit to such aggressive expansion suggests strong booking trends and financial performance that justify the investment. With 10 ships under construction and a clear deployment strategy, the company is effectively betting that domestic cruising’s best days are ahead, not behind.
For travelers who’ve never considered a cruise because they didn’t want to leave U.S. waters, or for experienced cruisers looking for something different from the typical Caribbean loop, this expansion creates compelling new options.
The American Pioneer’s debut this week marks just the beginning. Over the next three years, as ship after ship enters service, American Cruise Lines will reshape what’s possible in domestic cruise tourism—proving that you don’t need to cross an ocean to have an ocean-worthy adventure.
Source: Cruise Industry News - American Cruise Lines: 10 New Ships and American Pioneer Debut