American Cruise Lines presents Project Blue
American Cruise Lines is pleased to reveal details of Project Blue, a brand new fleet of ships for the U.S. market.
The company announced plans for 12 sister ships that will represent more than double the current domestic capacity for domestic coastal cruises. Featuring an innovative hybrid catamaran design, these ships will have unprecedented near-shore operating versatility.
american cruise lines project blue
Charles B. Robertson, President and CEO of American Cruise Lines, said, “Project Blue began as a design challenge to create a ship small enough for New England ports and stable enough for Alaska’s Inside Passage, with a shallow enough draft for the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. These ships can travel almost anywhere, and since there will be 12 of them, they will be deployed throughout the United States.”
American’s unprecedented Project Blue expansion further reinforces the growing interest in small-ship experiences and customized cruising. Like all of American’s new ships, the entire Project Blue fleet will be built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, MD. The first two Project Blue ships are already under construction and are expected to be delivered in 2023.
American Cruise Lines
Each vessel in the Project Blue fleet will accommodate 109 passengers and 50 crew members. They will be 73.5 meters long, 17 meters wide and feature the hybrid catamaran design that allows for both shallow draft access and stable sailing along lakes, rivers, bays and the U.S. coast. Their go-anywhere agility combines the adventure of an expedition with the luxury of the best river cruises.
American Cruise Lines Interiors
“Together with Chesapeake Shipbuilding, we built the country’s first modern riverboats. Now we are proud to unveil another new domestic exploration vessel design. American has specialized in small ship cruising for more than 30 years, and continuing to innovate and expand cruising options close to home is critical to our mission,” Robertson explained.
American Cruise Lines Cabins
American Cruise Lines Interiors
The new fleet will feature sleek, modern decor by Studio DADO of Miami, FL. Each ship will offer 56 spacious staterooms almost all with private balconies. Viewing and seating areas will be available forward, both inside and out, and each ship will feature a large forward lounge with 270-degree views. Aft, the ships will have a new adventure deck equipped with kayaks, tenders and other options related to itinerary-relevant activities. The new ships will also feature two dining options in addition to room service, a rarity for ships of this size!
The first two ships will debut along East Coast itineraries and will be called American Eagle and American Glory.
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