CRUISING IN AMERICA IS THE TREND FOR 2021
The coronavirus pandemic is forcing many cruise companies, even those that sail only in America, to take a new look at how they present themselves. American Cruise Lines is no exception and is now promoting what it calls “Cruising Close To Home™.” Because 2020 has been such a challenge, American is looking forward to 2021 and has a number of changes and enhancements planned.
Next year, the country’s largest domestic cruise line will have 14 new small ships exploring in over 30 U.S. states. American will introduce two new Mississippi-bound modern riverboats, three brand new itineraries, over 50 new shore excursions, and an array of pre and post cruise packages in famous cities across the U.S.A.
MODERN RIVERBOATS SET THE STAGE FOR THE NEW YEAR
The biggest news is that American is adding two new modern Mississippi riverboats in 2021. In August 2020, American Jazz, the Line’s third modern riverboat passed its sea trials with flying colors. The 190-passenger American Jazz is the latest in American’s series of five new modern riverboats bound for the Mississippi River, where the company has enjoyed remarkable expansion since 2012. Next year, American will have four new riverboats cruising the Mighty Mississippi by adding American Melody, its fourth modern riverboat, in Summer 2021, with a yet to be named fifth ship to follow.
American Cruise Lines has continued to expand year after year. Since just 2017, American Cruise Lines has doubled its fleet to 14 U.S.-flagged ships. American provides one-stop shopping for those guests wanting to sail in the United States since it is the only U.S. river cruise line to offer both classic paddlewheelers and modern riverboats on both the Mississippi and Columbia & Snake Rivers.
NEW CRUISES ARE ON TAP
American also will introduce a new 8-day Cape Codder cruise sailing roundtrip from Boston, which visits a variety of small New England ports including an exclusive partnership with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; an 8-Day Music Cities cruise, between Nashville and Memphis, which draws on American musical influences and offers complimentary and extended pre-and post-cruise packages in both Nashville and Memphis; and an 11-day Alaskan Explorers cruise, roundtrip from Juneau, which will visit more Alaskan ports than ever before—including two days in Glacier Bay as well as a complimentary pre-cruise package in Juneau.
EXPLORE ASHORE
Over 50 new shore excursions will be offered in 2021, including many new active excursions—from kayaking and hiking, to wildlife and whale watching adventures. American will also introduce new luxury American Cruise Coaches which will follow all the company’s Upper & Lower Mississippi River cruises from St. Paul to New Orleans. This allows American to provide 100% private transportation for their guests to all shore-side activities, as well as airport transfers upon arrival and departure.
RELAX AND STAY FOR A BIT
Also, if you want to sail and stay to explore a bit, in 2021 American has added many new complimentary pre-cruise hotel and transportation packages. All American’s 2021 Mississippi and Columbia & Snake River cruises offer a one-night complimentary pre-cruise hotel package; with complimentary packages also available on select coastal cruises. American will also offer several longer Premium pre-cruise and post-cruise packages (including new Four Seasons hotel packages from cities like Boston, St. Louis, and Baltimore). In Memphis, American has an all-new VIP Graceland package which includes private tours and presentations of the King’s home and artifacts, as well as two nights in the Guest House Hotel next door to Graceland. American’s many 2021 Premium packages include a vast array of added enrichment from exhilarating Jet Boat rides to backstage tours.
It’s easy to see that after weathering 2020, next year will be an exciting and banner year for cruising close to home with American Cruise Lines.
Contact Select Waterways now to be among the first to experience a Mississippi River cruise, Viking-style, in just two years. Select Waterways are your river and small ship cruise insiders, specializing in European river cruises, including Danube River cruises, Rhine River cruises, wine cruises, Seine River cruises, as well as China river cruises with Yangtze river cruises, Vietnam river cruises with Mekong River cruises, Russia river cruises with Volga river cruises, Nile river cruises, Africa river cruises and Amazon river cruises. We also offer expedition cruises and small ship cruises throughout the world, with polar cruises such as Arctic cruises and Antarctica cruises among the most popular. Naturally, we have American river cruises with Mississippi River cruises, Ohio River Cruises, Columbia River cruises, Illinois River cruises and Tennessee River cruises. Whether it’s luxury river cruising, premium river cruising, expedition cruising or small ship cruising, we’ve got you covered. Visit our website at www.selectwaterways.com or give us a call at 1-844-SWCRUISE (1-844-792-7847). Be sure to join our Insider Club by clicking here and Like our Facebook page by clicking here.
