American Cruise Lines adds boats and another Mississippi cruise
American Cruise Lines yesterday announced that it is building another paddlewheel river boat, and has more in the works, in response to a record passenger traffic increase of 25% over the past year.
With the largest fleet on the river, ACL said the growth is due in large part to its new ships and meaningful relationships with travel agents, as well as strong consumer demand for U.S. river cruising.
It also claimed to have the highest repeat booking rates in the company’s history.
The new vessel is an authentic paddlewheeler that will hold 150 passengers.
The line soon will announce more details about the itineraries for the first new paddlewheeler and begin accepting bookings early next year.
More newbuilds will be announced in the next few weeks.
"The demand for riverboat vacations is higher than it has ever been," said president Charles A. Robertson. "Today’s travelers are seeking more personalized and intimate travel experiences, along with top-notch accommodations and service, which is only possible with new small ships like ours."
Connecticut-based American Cruise Lines operates more than 35 itineraries on rivers and waterways in 28 states.
Its year-old Queen of the Mississippi, boasting the largest staterooms in the industry, is doing so well that more Mississippi River itineraries will be added in 2014.
American Cruise Lines also offers a variety of themed cruises, including holiday cruises, culinary cruises, historical cruises and tribute cruises, such as itineraries centered on the Civil War, Mark Twain and Lewis & Clark on the Columbia and Snake River.
(For more on the Queen of the Mississippi, see my blog this week here on TravelMole.com.)
Cheryl
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