American Cruise Lines (www.americancruiselines.com) has released a first glimpse of its new-look modern ship interiors and new interior design partnership.
The move marks the biggest change in the line’s interior design history and also showcases the first river cruise ship project by Miami-based design company Studio DADO which works with well-known ocean cruise lines including Oceania, Norwegian Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas.
Many people associate US river cruises, particularly on the Mississippi, with stately paddlewheel vessels with retro interiors befitting the period. However, in addition to Victorian-style river ships American Cruise Lines introduced the first-ever modern riverboats without a paddlewheel to appeal to passengers that prefer to sail in more contemporary surroundings. They also feature an innovative front opening bow with a retractable gangway which enables them to make bow landings, with easy access for guests embarking and disembarking.
The line debuted the first modern riverboat in the US in 2018 with American Song, which was the first style departure from the classic paddlewheel style riverboats iconic to the Mississippi and American river cruising. It was followed in 2019 by American Harmony and this year by American Jazz.
American Cruise Lines has now partnered with Studio DADO to design the interiors of its next new riverboats, starting with the 175-passenger American Melody, the 13th ship in its fleet, which is scheduled to begin its inaugural season on the Mississippi River in summer 2021. The line is also launching another new ship next year, American Jazz, which will also sail on America’s most famous river. American Song and Harmony will sail on the Columbia and Snake rivers.
It’s the first time the company has partnered with an outside design firm for its ships and the line said it marked an ongoing development of the interior design for its class of modern vessels. More are being constructed and will launch in 2022 and beyond.
Charles B. Robertson, President and CEO of American Cruise Lines, said:
“Studio DADO has a remarkable ability to blend the sophisticated and the modern. Their design vision closely aligned with our mission to provide sophisticated experiences on modern ships. We have been proud to partner with them in creating the new class of modern riverboats. American Melody and its sister ships are the biggest step forward in American Cruise Lines design history but continue to offer the same great experience that has defined us since our founding.”
Studio DADO Founding Partner Jorge Mesa said his team had set out to create a “fresh but cultured” atmosphere on American Melody whilst paying homage to the line’s American origins.
American Cruise Lines offers more than 35 river and coastal cruises through more than 30 states on its fleet of small ships that carry 100 to 190 passengers.
A virtual tour of the modern river vessels can be seen at: www.americancruiselines.com/usa
Author Bio:
Known as the ‘River Cruise Queen’, Jeannine Williamson is an award-winning travel writer, cruise expert and our cruise correspondent, who has clocked up thousands of nautical miles.
Photographs courtesy of American Cruise Lines
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