American Cruise Lines has revealed the names of two more U.S.-built riverboats as it continues a rapid expansion of its domestic fleet. American Beauty will begin sailing in 2028, followed by American Rhapsody in 2029.

The two 180-guest vessels will become the 29th and 30th ships in American Cruise Lines' fleet. Both are part of the company's modern American Riverboat series and are being built at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland.

For river cruisers, the ships will serve two very different parts of the country. American Beauty will begin on the Upper Mississippi before adding Gulf Coast cruises later in its inaugural season, while American Rhapsody will sail the Columbia and Snake Rivers in the Pacific Northwest.

American Beauty Will Debut on the Mississippi in 2028

American Beauty is scheduled to begin cruising in September 2028 with eight-day Upper Mississippi River itineraries between St. Louis, Missouri, and St. Paul, Minnesota.

Later in the season, the ship will shift south to American Cruise Lines' new eight-day Gulf Coast cruises between New Orleans, Louisiana, and Pensacola, Florida.

That gives American Beauty two distinct itinerary styles during its first season: traditional Mississippi River cruising through the Midwest followed by coastal voyages along the Gulf.

American Rhapsody Heads to the Pacific Northwest

American Rhapsody will follow in 2029 and operate nine-day Columbia and Snake Rivers cruises between Portland, Oregon, and Clarkston, Washington.

The ship will join American Cruise Lines' growing presence in the Pacific Northwest, where the company is also expanding its river itineraries with American Anthem.

American Anthem is scheduled to debut in 2027 and spend its inaugural season operating a new 16-day Grand Columbia & Snake Rivers itinerary.

Both Riverboats Will Carry 180 Guests

American Beauty and American Rhapsody will continue the design approach used for American Cruise Lines' modern American Riverboat series, which began with American Song in 2018.

Each new ship will accommodate 180 guests across six decks, with every stateroom featuring a private balcony. Accommodation choices will include single staterooms and suites.

The ships will also introduce the company's new 1,500-square-foot Signature Suite, providing a particularly spacious option for travelers looking for larger accommodations on a U.S. river cruise.

Beyond the staterooms, both vessels will feature multiple lounges, top-deck lounges with walking tracks, chart rooms, main restaurants and casual cafés. Large fitness centers will also be included.

American Cruise Lines Is Adding Ships Quickly

The two newly named riverboats are part of a much larger fleet expansion underway at American Cruise Lines.

The company says it is introducing new ships at a rate of three per year as demand for U.S. river cruising continues to grow. Between 2025 and 2029, American plans to introduce 13 new vessels.

American Patriot and American Pioneer arrived in 2025. In 2026, the company added American Encore and American Maverick, with American Ranger scheduled to launch in September.

American Anthem, American Mariner and American Navigator are planned for 2027, followed by American Grace and American Beauty in 2028.

American Rhapsody will arrive in 2029 along with two additional new ships whose names and details have not yet been announced.

New Ships Are Supporting More U.S. Itineraries

American Cruise Lines is pairing its fleet expansion with a growing collection of domestic itineraries. The company now offers more than 50 U.S. itineraries across major rivers, lakes, bays, inland waterways and the East, West and Gulf coasts.

American Ranger, scheduled to become the company's third new ship of 2026, will sail Hudson River Fall Foliage cruises, Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay voyages, and Florida Gulf Coast and Keys itineraries.

American Patriot, which debuted in 2025, is operating the company's first season of domestic Great Lakes cruises.

The combination of new ships and new itineraries means American Cruise Lines is expanding beyond its established river programs while continuing to add capacity on waterways including the Mississippi, Columbia and Snake rivers.

What the New Riverboats Mean for Travelers

American Beauty and American Rhapsody give travelers two more options for exploring the United States aboard relatively small vessels built specifically for domestic cruising.

American Beauty's 2028 schedule provides a particularly interesting contrast, beginning with Upper Mississippi cruises between St. Louis and St. Paul before moving to the Gulf Coast between New Orleans and Pensacola.

American Rhapsody will take a different approach in 2029, concentrating on the Columbia and Snake Rivers between Portland and Clarkston.

Both ships will maintain the 180-guest size of American's modern riverboat series while adding the new Signature Suite and the private balconies, lounges, dining venues and other amenities planned for the company's newest generation of riverboats.

With additional ships already scheduled through 2029, the announcement is another step in American Cruise Lines' broader expansion of U.S.-based cruising, giving travelers more ways to explore domestic destinations without leaving the country.

Source: American Cruise Lines