In a canyon at the Idaho border and alongside a bayou in Louisiana, two nearly identical cruise ships were just christened. American Cruise Lines announced Wednesday the christening of the 345'x60' American Jazz and the 328'x60'4" American Serenade. The sisterships are two of the company’s six new American Riverboats.
U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, R-La., christened the American Serenade in Vidalia, La., on the Mississippi River.
Stacia L. Morfin, CEO of Nez Perce Tourism and a citizen of the Nimíipuu Nation, christened American Jazz in Clarkston, Wash., on the Snake River.
The two godmothers were joined by American Cruise Lines’ guests, crew, and executives, as well as state and local officials who welcomed the ships to t
“The two christenings, one in a desert canyon and one on the bayou, show the incredible breadth of river cruise options in the USA,” Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO, American Cruise Lines, said in a prepared statement. “They also show the growth of American Cruise Lines and the range of places that we explore. We are so grateful to the communities who welcome us and look forward to a strong future together as we cruise the Snake and Mississippi Rivers.”
The new riverboats accommodate only 180 guests and feature the largest staterooms on any riverboat in the world, ACL officials said. Each has multiple dining and lounge options, as well as spacious sundecks and lecture rooms. They also feature the hallmark architectural detail of the American Riverboat series, a four-story glass atrium in the center of the ship.
All six of the company’s American Riverboats were built at Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Md. American Cruise Lines has four additional ships now under construction at the yard, the first two of which will debut later this year.
