46
FOGHORN
PHOTOS: AMERICAN CRUISE LINES
MEMBER NEWS
A
merican Cruise Lines (Amer-
ican) christened their newest 
riverboat, American Encore, 
in Lewiston, Idaho on May 12. The 
event came during the boat’s inaugu-
ral cruise which departed from Ste-
venson, Wash., on May 6.
Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who rep-
resented 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 bless-
ing and bottle smash by cruise guests, 
travel advisors, company executives, 
crew members, and local officials.
Speakers included American Encore’s 
captain, American Cruise Line pres-
ident & CEO, American’s director of 
government affairs, the president of 
Chesapeake Shipbuilding, and local 
dignitaries. The day’s festivities includ-
ed a special flyover, music by The Vic-
tory Belles, and a ship tour and recep-
tion 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 en-
hanced waterfront access year-round. 
American’s expanding operations on 
the Columbia and Snake Rivers are a 
driver of increased tourism and deliv-
er a positive economic impact to local 
communities in the region. 
American has rapidly expanded oper-
ations 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.
The company stated that the Amer-
ican Encore 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 catego-
ry, 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 heat-
ed 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. 
MEMBER NEWS
New Riverboat American Encore Joins  
American Cruise Lines’ Fleet
On American Encore, American Cruise Lines introduces their newest stateroom category, the 1,500 sq. ft. Signature Suite.

View this content as a flipbook by clicking here.