American Cruise Lines welcomed its newest ship into the fleet this past weekend in New Orleans. The American Eagle was christened by Cheryl Landrieu, wife of New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu who served as an official guest of honour during the ceremonies that took place under ominous skies in the Big Easy. Even the brooding weather couldn’t dampen enthusiasm for the company’s latest ship to ply the famous Mississippi River.

The new American Eagle was christened in New Orleans on April 25, 2015. Rendering courtesy of American Cruise Lines.

“The city of New Orleans has played an integral part in the growth of American Cruise Lines, and we couldn’t be happier than to have the First Lady of New Orleans, Cheryl Landrieu, to christen the American Eagle,” said Judy Roman, Vice President of American Cruise Lines. “With its rich history and deep culture, New Orleans is a favorite destination for our guests along the Mississippi River.”

The American Eagle is designed to carry 150 guests in staterooms that range in size from 300 square feet to 600 square feet. Of the 84 staterooms onboard the vessel, 78 feature large private balconies, all of which have sliding glass doors for optimal views. The entire ship was designed to maintain the elegance of classic late 1800’s riverboats, without compromising on modern features, amenities and environmental initiatives. Onboard features include elevator service to all passenger decks, six onboard bars and lounges, room service and refreshments throughout the day. American Cruise Lines plans to operate the new paddlewheeler primarily on the Lower Mississippi River between New Orleans and Memphis.

“The highest-quality onboard experience is what our guests can expect aboard the American Eagle,” siad Roman. “Every day we think of more ways to maximize comfort and address the desires of our guests. This ship will truly raise the bar in U.S. river cruising.”

Although designed to look like a paddlewheeler, the American Eagle utilises Z-Drives (a kind of azimuthing propeller system) for her primary propulsion. While the vast majority of guests aren’t likely to care, riverboat purists who insist on paddlewheel propulsion (yes, they are out there) should look elsewhere. From an operational standpoint, the Z-Drives result in better maneuverability for the ship – something that guests will appreciate. Less time spent navigating and maneuvering translates into more time spent ashore.

More information on American Cruise Lines can be found by viewing our company profile here on River Cruise Advisor.