MIAMI BEACH_American Cruise Lines promotes “Closer to Home” with its fleet of paddlewheelers, modern riverboats and coastal ships navigating U.S. waterways. Now, with “Project Blue,” the pre-eminent American cruise line will be closer to home than ever.
Here at Seatrade Cruise Global, company president and CEO Charles B. Robertson spoke to the media about the new initiative.
“Project Blue started as a design challenge to create a boat small enough for New England harbors and stable enough for the Alaska Inside Passage, with a draft shallow enough for the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway,” said Robertson in a press release. “These boats can run almost anywhere, and because there will be 12 of them, they will be deployed all over the United States.”
These new boats, now under construction at the company’s shipyard in Salisbury, Maryland, will feature an innovative hybrid catamaran design. Accommodating 109 passengers and 50 crew, the first two — named American Eagle and American Glory — will be delivered in 2023.
Robertson said they are working with designers Studio DADO in Miami to create “an elegant modern décor” for the new ships. The majority of the 56 staterooms will feature private balconies, while guests will enjoy the scenery from observation and public areas, including a forward lounge with 270 degree views. The ships also will feature a new adventure deck “equipped with kayaks, tender, and other activity-related options” relevant to the cruise itinerary.
“American has specialized in small ship cruising for over 30 years, and continuing to innovate and expand the possibilities for cruising close to home is central to our mission,” said Robertson.
Since the pandemic started, there has been an increased interest in general for domestic cruising. American’s cruises range from 5 to 22 days, and their fleet of 15 boats visit over 30 states, from the Pacific Northwest and Alaska to New England, the Mississippi region and the Southeast.
At Seatrade Robertson also talked about new land excursion packages around the national parks, and the introduction of flat rate air fares.
PHOTOS:
Cover: Project Blue rendering
Charles Robertson at Seatrade
Ed. Note: — See sailings here: American Cruise Lines (cruisecompete.com)
Heidi, Editor-In-Chief
