American Encore: American Cruise Lines’ new riverboat starts delivery voyage

American Encore is the latest of the company’s series of Modern American Riverboats. It showcases top-notch amenities, a refined elegant onboard aesthetic, and state-of-the-art engineering.      “It is simply the best riverboat ever built—more akin to a luxury yacht with more space-per-passenger than any other riverboat globally,” says American Cruise Lines.

American Encore is currently cruising along the coastal waterways of the Eastern Seaboard and will next sail through the Caribbean Sea. It is expected to transit the Panama Canal at the end of March. Afterwards, the vessel will make its way northward up the Pacific Coast until it reaches the mouth of the Columbia near Astoria, Washington, where the river flows inland from the Pacific Ocean.

During the voyage, American Encore, is being helmed by Captain Andrew Gillilan along with other officers and crew. The riverboat’s nautical team is supported each day by American’s shoreside operations team. While underway, American’s Encore’s crew closely monitors the riverboat’s navigation systems and equipment, keeps watch of ocean and weather conditions, and continually relays information to American Cruise Lines’ fleet operations center in Connecticut.      Ever since American’s introduction of its first modern riverboat in 2018, the company has taken a lead in the U.S. river cruise industry; launching new small ships year-after-year,and setting an elevated standard for all riverboats worldwide. The company has introduced 20 new ships in the past decade and catapulted the domestic U.S. river cruise market into the mainstream.

American Cruise Lines has 28 new small ships for U.S. cruises around the country and 8 riverboats specifically for the Columbia and Snake Rivers. The company also continues to develop docks and waterfront access for communities throughout the river-region. It remains a committed economic partner to towns and ports all over the U.S.A. and brings thousands of guests to the Pacific Northwest every year. The Line’s Columbia and Snake itineraries feature an array of dynamic experiences and showcase the natural beauty of the western states—2026 cruises range from 9 to 16 days and include popular National Parks Cruises that highlight guided adventures in Yellowstone, Glacier, and Grand Teton National Parks.

American Encore’s inaugural season of sold-out cruises along the Columbia and Snake Rivers begins on May 5 and concludes in mid-November. Additional details on American Encore’s christening festivities and inaugural 9-day Columbia & Snake Rivers cruise will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead.

Following American Encore’s May 2026 launch, sisterships American Anthem and American Grace are slated to begin cruise operations along the Columbia and Snake Rivers in 2027 and 2028.