American Cruise Lines plans a major refit of its fleet of four classic paddlewheel vessels.
America, Queen of the Mississippi and Queen of the West will be renamed American Splendor, American Heritage and American West, while American Pride will retain its original name.
The project is due to be completed in early March next year, in time for the start of the 2022 cruise season.
American’s two Mississippi River paddlewheelers, American Splendor and American Heritage, will celebrate the musical genres of the river from jazz and blues to country and rock‘n’roll, as well as historical literary figures such as Mark Twain.
The line’s two Columbia and Snake river vessels, American Pride and American West, will highlight western and native American themes.
Each ship will be revamped from the cabins and suites to the lounges and dining rooms,
The company said: “The new interior design will bring paddlewheel cruising to the same sophisticated standard already exhibited on American’s newest modern riverboats, while retaining traditional elements true to steamboat history.”
President and chief executive Charles Robertson said: “Both in designation and design, all four paddlewheelers will meet the sophisticated standard we set for US river cruising.”
American Cruise Lines has expanded aggressively in the domestic cruise market, doubling the size of its US fleet to 15 small ships, including the introduction of six new riverboats.