American Cruise Lines's (ACL) 2021 Alaska season is underway and the company's small ship cruises will continue to explore Southeast Alaska all summer long.
On June 12, the 175-passenger American Constellation was the first cruise ship to dock in Haines in 622 days (since Sept. 29, 2019).
To celebrate the town’s first docking in almost two years, ACL’s guests were warmly welcomed on shore by Mayor Douglass Olerud, the Chilkat Dancers, and many members of the Haines community.
“We are thrilled to be back in Haines and appreciate the wonderful reception we received from the community. We have worked diligently throughout Southeast Alaska to coordinate with each port to ensure the safe resumption of domestic cruising,” ACL’s Charles Robertson, president and CEO, said in a statement. “We look forward to 12 dockings in Haines this year and many more in the coming years, as the popularity of experiencing Alaska’s majesty aboard small, new U.S. ships continues to grow.”
Once the welcome festivities concluded, ACL’s guests immediately began several guided small-group tours of Haines.
ACL has been exploring Alaska since 2010 aboard small U.S.-built ships which follow 100% domestic itineraries ranging from eight to 15 days in length. This year, ACL also added a new 11-Day Alaskan Explorer cruise to its offerings in Alaska.
Each summer, June through September, ACL’s small ships operate between Seattle and Juneau, roundtrip from Juneau, and between Ketchikan and Juneau. ACL’s new 11-Day Alaskan Explorer cruise sails the Inside Passage, Clarence Straight, Tracy Arm, and Glacier Bay, and includes visits to Mendenhall Glacier, LeConte Glacier, and Chilkoot Lake.
Cruises aboard the American Constellation offer smooth small ship cruising, spacious staterooms, of which nearly 100% feature a private balcony for up-close views of Alaska’s breathtaking natural beauty, ACL officials said.
