American Cruise Lines (American) christened their newest riverboat, American Encore, in Lewiston, Idaho on May 12. The event came during the boat’s inaugural cruise which departed from Stevenson, Wash., on May 6.
Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who represented Eastern Washington and the Snake River in Congress for twenty years, was named American Encore’s godmother. She was joined on the ship’s top deck for the ceremonial blessing and bottle smash by cruise guests, travel advisors, company executives, crew members, and local officials.
Speakers included American Encore’s captain, American Cruise Line president & CEO, American’s director of government affairs, the president of Chesapeake Shipbuilding, and local dignitaries. The day’s festivities included a special flyover, music by The Victory Belles, and a ship tour and reception in American Encore’s Sky Lounge.
The celebrations included recognition of the recently built dock constructed in a partnership between the cruise line and the Port of Lewiston. The dock provides additional space for American’s growing fleet and host of itineraries in the region, allowing the company’s riverboats to visit Lewiston and Clarkston simultaneously. The dock enables better access to many shore excursions for cruise guests and provides the local community with enhanced waterfront access year-round. American’s expanding operations on the Columbia and Snake Rivers are a driver of increased tourism and deliver a positive economic impact to local communities in the region.
American has rapidly expanded operations around the country in the past decade, most notably in the Pacific Northwest, where American operates a fleet of small ships sailing coastal itineraries in Puget Sound and Alaska.
American Encore is the most elevated ship in the company’s series of modern American riverboats, first introduced in 2018. The company stated that the new riverboat offers more space per passenger than any other riverboat in the world. It will be followed by sister ships American Anthem in 2027 and American Grace in 2028.
The vessel features five decks and hosts 180 guests in private balcony accommodations, and introduces the company’s newest stateroom category, the Signature Suite. At 1,500 sq. ft. it offers a wrap-around balcony, panoramic views, separate living and sleeping spaces, and a hotel-sized bathroom with soaking tub and heated floors. Other onboard amenities include a four-story glass atrium is at the center of the ship, a grand dining room and casual café, multiple indoor and outdoor lounges, top deck lounge and outdoor walking track, large gym, complimentary laundry room, and elevators to all passenger decks.