Project Blue: ACL’s New Hybrid-Catamarans

Project Blu ship as viewed from the starboard side. Rendering by American Cruise Lines.

In an exciting fleet announcement on Tuesday, American Cruise Lines (ACL) unveiled its initial plans for “Project Blue.” Let’s just say this new project should tweak the interest of luxury travelers. That’s particularly true for those who’d love to cruise on an innovative, new coastal ship that sails close to home.

What’s on tap? Well, cruisers can expect ACL to construct 12 identical new sister ships – all hybrid catamarans in design. They’ll offer what ACL terms “unprecedented near-shore operating versatility.”

In laymen’s terms, these vessels will sail along U.S. coastlines, visiting small-town destinations and offering unique landside adventures.  Frankly, they’ll also be able to handle lakes, rivers and lock transits.

We’ve corraled a number of renderings of the new ships’ interior design. Keep reading as throughout this blog, you’ll see the “visual look” that ACL expects to deliver.

A rendering of a Project Blue coastal ship's aft exterior. Rendering by American Cruise Lines
Here’s a look at the aft exterior design for a new Project Blue coastal vessel. Two are launching in 2023, and American Cruise Lines is building 12 of these. Rendering by American Cruise Lines

Our “take” is that travelers will board an intimate vessel with cutting-edge design. In addition, they’ll enjoy a good dose of exclusivity. That’s because each ship will carry only 109 passengers maximum, plus 50 crew members.

Project Blue: Sailing Solely Along U.S. Coastlines

Don’t expect to see these new coastal voyagers in Europe, Central America or Asia. Nope. They’ll solely operate itineraries focused on U.S. coastal destinations. Consider the new Project Blue vessels as “close-to-home cruisers.”

“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,” explains Charles B. Robertson, president and CEO, American Cruise Lines.

Robertson emphasizes that the project “reinforces the growing interest in small ship experiences and personalized cruising. He also notes that the Project Blue small ships “can run almost anywhere.”

Because there will be a dozen such vessels, they’ll be deployed throughout the U.S. – from the East Coast to Alaska, the West Coast to the Gulf of Mexico and the Great Lakes.

Built in the USA, Coming in 2023

As with all American Cruise Lines’ new ships, the Project Blue fleet will be built at a U.S. shipyard – Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, MD. In fact, that shipyard is also owned by ACL. It’s carefully honed its craft over more than 30 years of building small ships including ACL’s recent Modern Riverboat series.

“Together with Chesapeake Shipbuilding, we built the first modern riverboats in the country,” says Roberton. “Now we are proud to introduce another new ship design for domestic exploration.”

For Robertson, “continuing to innovate and expand the possibilities for cruising close to home is central to our mission.”

Looking at the numbers, the new coastal cruisers will be 241 feet long and 56 feet wide. In addition, their hybrid- catamaran design will enable both shallow draft access and stable sailing along lakes, rivers, bays and America’s coastline.

ACL describes Project Blue as creating small ships with a “go-anywhere” agility that can combine the adventure of an expedition with the luxury of the finest river cruises.

Things are moving fast, we learned today. The first two Project Blue ships are already under construction. Look for deliveries of both to ACL in 2023. And so, the anticipation builds…

Project Blue: Elegant Modern Décor

The ships of Project Blue will offer this Blue Skylounge. Rendering by American Cruise Lines.
American Cruise Lines’ new fleet of coastal ships will offer this Skylounge. Rendering by American Cruise Lines

When the small ships hit the water and begin carrying guests, cruisers can expect interior design that’s elegant and modern.  Yet, examining the line’s renderings, the new ships look quite comfortable too. That’s in great part to the creative genius of Studio DADO of Miami, FL.

Sound familiar? Studio DADO also created a new Modern Riverboat series design look that recently debuted on American Melody.  In addition, the design firm was recently tasked by ACL to redesign the interiors of ACL’s existing paddlewheel river fleet.

Rendering of a Standard Stateroom on the new Project Blue ships of American Cruise Lines. Photo by American Cruise Line.
Rendering of a Standard Stateroom on the new Project Blue ships of American Cruise Lines. Photo by American Cruise Line.

As for accommodations, the new hybrid catamarans will each offer 56 spacious staterooms. Guests will choose from a range of large standard staterooms, sumptuous suites and single accommodation.

And yes, cruisers will enjoy “private perches” for watching the scenery. Nearly all accommodations will have private balconies.

To get a sense of the stateroom and suite “look,” check out the photos below. In both cases, there appears to be much space and a luxurious, yet comfortable feel to the design, decor and furnishings.

A spacious Grand Suite awaits coastal cruisers on American Cruise Line's newest fleet of coastal ships. Photo by American Cruise Lines.
A spacious Grand Suite awaits luxury guests seeking top-of-line accommodations on American Cruise Line’s new fleet of coastal ships. Photo by American Cruise Lines.

A Peek at Public Spaces

Project Blue ships’ public spaces will include observation and sitting areas at the bow, both inside and outside. We can’t wait to see the expansive Forward Lounge that will provide 270-degree views.

Rendering of the Forward Lounge on Project Blue ships. Photo by American Cruise Lines
Rendering of the Forward Lounge on the new fleet of coastal ships. Photo by American Cruise Lines

 

The Forward Lounge will offer 270-degree views. Photo by American Cruise Lines.
Guests can sit on the outer deck of the Forward Lounge for 270-degree views. Photo by American Cruise Lines.

At the stern, each ship will offer guests a new adventure deck equipped with kayaks, a tender (capable of holding 49 people, which will be used for beach landings and so on), and other activity-related equipment. Usage will vary based on the specific itinerary.

Dining-wise, guests will enjoy two elegant dining venues. And yes, there will be room service, something not always available on similar ships of this small size. Check out the rendering of one of the restaurants below.

Project Blue Restaurant Rendering. Photo by American Cruise Lines.

Project Blue: American Eagle, American Glory

Look for the first two Project Blue ships to debut along the East Coast. They’ll be named American Eagle and American Glory. Sound familiar? Cruisers may remember those names, which are tribute throwbacks to the company’s first two small U.S.-built ships of the same names.

Here’s the initial 2023 schedule line-up provided by ACL:

  • American Eagle’s first voyages will include a “Chesapeake Bay Cruise” on July 15, 2023; and four “Cape Codder” cruises on July 24, 2023; July 31, 2023; August 7, 2023; and August 14, 2023.
  • American Glory’s initial line-up of voyages will include the “American Revolution Cruise,” on October 29, 2023; November 8, 2023; and November 18, 2023. The ship will also operate an “East Coast Inland Passage Cruise” on November 28, 2023,  and a “Historic South and Golden Isles” cruise on December 12, 2023.

For more than 30 years, ACL has built, introduced and operated 100 percent U.S.-built, crewed, and registered ships. The company takes great pride in its specializing in close-to-home cruising across the U.S.

So in 2023, look for the latest innovations to debut with American Eagle and American Glory.

Editor’s Note:  Moving forward, look for updates on Project Blue and other coverage of ACL as well as American Queen Voyages and Viking River Cruises. In fact, check out our a first-hand look at a pampering Two-Level Loft Suite on AQV’s American Duchess. And, of course, we’ll continue to focus on the rise of river cruising and the rise of new options across the globe.

Note from Pavlus Travel, if you’d like to discuss close-to-home sailing opportunities, talk with your travel advisor or contact us at 800-528-9300 or visit us online. 


Comments

    1. Susan J. Young

      Hello Susanne, I’ve just inserted the preliminary schedule in this story. Nothing West Coast for these two ships “yet”…. but ACL does have other West Coast cruises. Thanks.

    1. Susan J. Young

      Hi Cathie, we just received the initial line-up of 2023 itineraries and they’ve been inserted toward the end of the story above. Talk with your travel advisor about pricing. Thanks!

    1. Susan J. Young

      Each individual cruise line has its own set of health/safety protocols. The cruise lines also must meet the requirements of individual countries and ports that the ships visit. I’d suggest talking with a travel advisor about any specific line you are interested in and what they require.

    1. Susan J. Young

      Hi David, thanks for your comments. FYI, this is all that the line was providing at the time this news was announced. I’d suggest contacting your travel advisor or the Pavlus Travel contacts at the bottom of the story.

    2. Susan J. Young

      Hi David, you definitely need to contact the Pavlus Travel folks (see info at end of story). This is strictly a “general blog site.” I’m sure sure they will be able to assist.

    1. Susan J. Young

      FYI, no details beyond what we gave in this story were known at press time. But we just spoke to ACL and they always have at least one fully accessible accommodation per ship. Upon request, they can also bring in certain mobility equipment, such as a shower seat, for example. They are a U.S. flagged line and sail from U.S. ports so they meet ADA requirements. The line tells us that all their small ships have an elevator too. But talk to a travel advisor about any specific needs and cabin availability.

    1. Susan J. Young

      For any specific pricing details, please contact the advisor number or the Web site, which are both listed in the “Important Notes from Pavlus Travel” section that appears immediately after this blog. They’ll be happy to assist. Thanks.

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