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PASSENGER VESSELSPASSENGER VESSELS

B u i l i B d g ,

Photo Credit: ACL

American Cruise Lines Takes the Luxury

Route to River Dominance.

By Patricia Keefe assive, city-sized ocean liners and wide open seas small ship U.S. cruise market, know they need to offer the are the ? rst things most people think of when same amenities found on European river boats – such as

Mit comes to cruises, but a river runs through expansive suites, ? oor-to-ceiling views, private balconies that market, too. In fact, the more accessible and intimate and spacious lounges – along with quiet, steady sailing, to river cruising experience is heating up, according to Cruise entice today’s consumers. And there’s the added incentive

Lines International Association’s (CLIA) “2016 State of the of fresh competition from Viking River Cruises, a Euro-

Cruise Industry Outlook,” which found that the demand pean company that is trying to muscle its way into the for river cruising is at an all-time high. Worldwide, as of U.S. river cruising market. 2015, CLIA counted 169 member river cruise vessels in To meet “modern” customer expectations and to coun- service with 18 additional ships ordered for 2016, an in- ter new competition, ACL continues to bet heavily on two crease of more than 10%. attributes: “big” and “new” – as in new vessels, new tech-

Unlike ocean cruising, river excursions “allow passen- nologies, and spanking new, spacious accommodations. To gers to experience multiple, memorable destinations in a get that, it has successfully partnered for 30 years solely short amount of time all while travelling the world’s most with sister company Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corp., for famous, historic rivers,” says CLIA. American passengers both construction and naval architect design services. who aren’t able to swing airfare and the time needed to take Among the vessels designed and built over the years for in a glamorous European river cruise, are ? nding that they ACL by Chesapeake, are the American Eagle, American can still experience the luxury travel provided on modern Spirit, American Glory, American Star and Independence.

European river boats without ever leaving U.S. waters. “By continually designing and building brand new

Savvy cruise operators like American Cruise Lines ships, we are able to exceed the expectations of seasoned (ACL) of Guildford, Conn., the largest operator in the European river travelers right here in the U.S,” says ACL

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