New River Ship Launches for Mississippi River Cruises
American Cruise Lines introduces American Song to the Mississippi
American Song, nicknamed a “modern riverboat” by American Cruise Lines, set out on its inaugural cruise from the Port of New Orleans last weekend. Cruising the Mississippi from New Orleans to Memphis, Tennessee, the ship was a sold-out event for this 8-day sailing. With only 184 guests, American Song will cruise the Mississippi River through the remainder of 2018.
Port stops along the way include beautiful Oak Alley – where guests can walk from the riverboat to the historic plantation house, Baton Rouge, St. Francisville, Natchez, and Vicksburg, Mississippi. Last stop in Memphis, Tennessee allows time to explore Elvis’ Graceland, St. Jude Children’s Hospital and even the Peabody Hotel and its duck parade.
American Song is the first riverboat in American Cruise Lines new modern riverboat collection. The second ship, American Harmony, is nearly built and will launch in 2019. Both American Song and American Harmony have a unique convenient feature; a bow ramp with a retractable gangway. If the captain spots an interesting place to let guests go ashore, the bow ramp is extended and you can simply walk to shore.
Inside, you’ll find a five-story glass-enclosed atrium and high above the river are spacious lounges for guests to mix and mingle. American Cruise Lines’ riverboats have some of the largest, if not the largest staterooms on riverboats. The Grand Suite clocks in at over 900 sq. ft. with even the solo staterooms at spacious 250 sq. ft. All staterooms have private balconies and floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
In addition to American Song and the soon-to-launch American Harmony, there are four more riverboats; authentic, churning paddlewheelers. These soon-to-be six riverboats ply the Mississippi River and the Columbia and Snake Rivers in the Pacific Northwest.
Once the American Harmony is ready to cruise the Mississippi, American Song will reposition out west for Columbia & Snake Rivers cruises.
Read Next: My Queen of the West Columbia River Cruise
Beside American Cruise Lines’ fleet of authentic paddlewheelers, there are also six coastal cruise ships. In total, there are over 35 itineraries that visit 25 states in New England, Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, the Mississippi River system, and the Southeast.
Photos: American Cruise Lines
