The Columbia and Snake rivers will soon be welcoming a grand new riverboat when American Encore is launched on May 5.

American Encore will be the first riverboat ever to be christened in the state of Idaho. The christening ceremony will take place May 12 at a new dock in Lewiston, Idaho, during American Encore’s inaugural cruise.

American Cruise Lines built the new Lewiston dock to accommodate its expanding fleet and operations along the Columbia and Snake river systems.

Raising the bar for riverboats globally, American Cruise Lines remains the leader in U.S. river and small ship cruising. American Cruise Lines has introduced more than 80 percent of all cruise ships built in the United States in the past several decades.

“This boat was not designed in a vacuum,” Charles B. Robertson, president and CEO of American Cruise Lines, said in a press release.

“We compare ourselves to others around the world and ask, ‘How can we beat that?’ I think we have objectively accomplished this mission with American Encore,” he said.

                                                           Industry Leader

The company has distinguished itself as a positive disruptor in the industry, enabling river cruises to be sailed all over the U.S.A., well beyond just traditional rivers.

The company has the only 100 percent U.S.-flagged fleet of riverboats and small ships in the world which can sail U.S. rivers as well as the country’s coastlines, lakes, bays and inland waterways while visiting only U.S. ports of call.

All American Cruise Lines’ innovative and elegant new ships accommodate just 90 to 180 passengers. American Encore will feature five decks and accommodate 180 guests in 100 percent private balcony accommodations.

                                            American Encore Newest Modern Riverboat

American Encore is the newest ship in the line’s revolutionary series of modern riverboats, which was first introduced to the U.S. market in 2018.

The new 2026 riverboat will soon be followed by two sister ships – American Anthem in 2027 and American Grace in 2028.

All three are slated to operate cruises on the Columbia and Snake rivers, the fastest-growing river region in the country.

                                                      Next-Gen Riverboat

American Encore is a next-gen riverboat with world-class amenities including the largest staterooms, highest ceilings, largest gym, and most space-per-person in the global river cruise industry.

American Cruise Lines has made U.S. river cruising mainstream within the broader worldwide cruise industry by introducing modern ships to a once boutique domestic market.

The company’s new ships excel in modern design, noise and vibration control, and passenger amenities. The riverboat will showcase a stunning four-story glass atrium at the center of the ship and introduce American’s newest stateroom category – the extraordinary Signature Suite.

At over 1,000 square feet, American Encore’s Signature Suite will be the largest riverboat suite in the world. The suite will offer a wrap-around balcony, panoramic views, separate living and sleeping spaces, and a hotel-sized bathroom with soaking tub and heated floors.

                                                   Many Onboard Amenities

Other onboard amenities include a grand dining room and casual café, multiple indoor and outdoor lounges, top desk lounge and outdoor walking track, large gym, complimentary laundry, and elevators to all passenger decks.

American Encore represents the next step in the company’s award-winning modern American Riverboat series. Series flagship, American Song, was lauded by TIME Magazine as one of The World’s Greatest Places when it launched in 2018.

Sister ship American Serenade became the first U.S.-built riverboat to be named Best New Riverboat of the Year by Cruise Critic in 2023. American Encore will continue to elevate the industry in 2026.

                                                             More New Ships

American Cruise Lines also is set to launch two more small cruise ships in 2026, American Maverick and American Ranger, followed by two more in 2027, American Mariner and American Navigator.

All four 130-passenger ships are part of the line’s ongoing Patriot Class, first introduced in 2025 with American Patriot and American Pioneer.

Series flagship, American Patriot, begins sailing the company’s new Great Lakes cruises in late May 2026, operating three of the only all-domestic itineraries available on the Great Lakes.

                                           

                                                    About American Cruise Lines

American Cruise Lines is the largest river cruise line in the U.S.A. with 28 small ships sailing the Mississippi River, the Columbia and Snake Rivers, and protected waterways all over the country.

American’s award-winning fleet exemplifies the company’s 50-year history of offering domestic small ship cruises that explore exclusively in the United States.

Today, it is the only 100 percent U.S.-flagged fleet of riverboats and small ships in the world. American now offers more than 50 domestic cruise itineraries in more than 35 states operating year-round, including new Extended Cruises honoring the country’s 250^th in 2026.

Photos courtesy of American Cruise Lines

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