American Cruise Lines · All American Cruise Lines ships · Independence Class

American Independence: ship guide

A 90-guest coastal ship for Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac and New England islands.

Best for: Mid-Atlantic and New England travelers who want an intimate, all-inclusive coastal cruise with the biggest staterooms in its class and no flights required. Sails from Baltimore, MD, Washington, DC, Providence, RI, Portland, ME in 2026 and 2027.

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American Independence
American Independence
90guests at double occupancy
4decks
2010entered service
226 ftlong

About American Independence

American Independence is the newest and largest of the three Independence Class coastal ships, built in 2010 by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland, and 226 feet long. With only 90 guests it slips into the narrow rivers and shallow bays of the Eastern Seaboard that bigger ships cannot reach. The ship is stabilized and has a traditional bow for coastal travel, a Main Deck restaurant with 270-degree views, the Chesapeake Lounge at the bow, a quieter midship reading lounge, a fitness center and a sun deck with a shaded lounge area.

Staterooms are the largest of the Independence trio: Standard Waterview rooms start at 260 square feet, Deluxe Balcony rooms on decks 2 and 3 are 270 square feet with a private balcony, and Veranda Suites reach 350 square feet. Lightly colored interiors and full-size furniture give the rooms a residential feel. Elevator access is limited, so guests who need step-free movement between decks should call before booking.

For fall 2026 American Independence sails the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay between Baltimore and Washington, DC, plus Chesapeake Bay round trips from Baltimore. In 2027 it moves north for New England Islands cruises round trip from Providence, calling at Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Block Island and Newport, and Maine Coast and Harbors cruises round trip from Portland, Maine, returning to the Chesapeake in October.

  • Just 90 guests on a 226-foot ship built for narrow rivers and shallow bays
  • Largest staterooms of the Independence Class, starting at 260 square feet
  • Private balconies on all second and third deck staterooms
  • Main Deck restaurant with 270-degree views and open seating
  • Chesapeake Lounge at the bow for cocktail hour and evening entertainment
  • Sun deck with a shaded lounge area and a fitness center on deck 3
  • Daily complimentary cocktail hour and at least one included excursion per port
  • Chesapeake Bay and Potomac cruises from Baltimore, New England islands and Maine in summer 2027

Staterooms and suites

Veranda Suite

350 square feet on the second and third decks with a seating area, stocked refrigerator, king bed, a large shower and a push door to a private balcony with deck furniture.

Deluxe Balcony

270 square feet on the second deck (Deluxe Balcony 2) and third deck (Deluxe Balcony 1), both with full-size furniture, a large shower and a private balcony; the most numerous category on the ship.

Standard Waterview

260 square feet on the Main Deck with picture windows, a closet, deep dresser drawers and a desk, the entry grade and still larger than most river-ship balcony cabins.

Single Balcony

200 square feet on the third deck sold for solo travelers, with a full-size bed, desk and chair, a large shower and a private balcony with a table and chair.

American Independence deck plans

Deck by deck, straight from our booking engine: the plan, the stateroom categories on that deck and the public rooms. Pick a deck.

Deck 4 plan

Deck 4

Sun Shade, Sun Deck, Putting Green.

Plans are the cruise line’s current drawings as supplied to our booking engine. Layouts change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the exact stateroom when you book.

On board American Independence

Sun Deck
Sun Deck
Putting Green
Putting Green
Lounge
Lounge
Dining
Dining
Sun Deck
Sun Deck
Putting Green
Putting Green
Lounge
Lounge
Dining
Dining

Dining on American Independence

RestaurantIncluded

Glass-enclosed Main Deck dining room with 270-degree views, open seating and a regional menu that changes daily, from Chesapeake crab to Maine lobster depending on the route.

Cocktail hourIncluded

A complimentary cocktail hour with full bar and hors d’oeuvres is hosted in the lounge every evening before dinner.

Lounge snacks and coffeeIncluded

Coffee, tea, soft drinks and snacks are available around the clock in the lounges.

Drinks policyIncluded

All meals, snacks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included in the fare, with wine and beer poured at lunch and dinner.

Entertainment and activities

  • Nightly live entertainment in the Chesapeake Lounge, from folk and jazz to regional performers
  • Onboard expert giving daily talks on the Chesapeake, the Potomac and New England maritime history
  • Sun deck with shaded seating for island and bay cruising days
  • Midship reading lounge with books, puzzles and card games
  • At least one complimentary featured excursion in every port, with premium tours available
  • Fitness center with cardio and resistance equipment
  • Complimentary pre-cruise hotel night in the embarkation city with transfer to the ship

Families and who it suits

American Cruise Lines has no children’s program or kids’ facilities and does not publish a minimum age; the ship, its lectures and its included excursions are designed for adult travelers, so ask SmartCruiser before booking a child.

Best for: Mid-Atlantic and New England travelers who want an intimate, all-inclusive coastal cruise with the biggest staterooms in its class and no flights required.

Sails from: Baltimore, MD, Washington, DC, Providence, RI, Portland, ME · Regions: Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River, New England Islands, Maine Coast

American Independence questions we answer every day

How big is American Independence?
American Independence is a four-deck, 226-foot coastal ship built in 2010 for 90 guests, the newest and largest of the Independence Class. It has a Main Deck restaurant, the Chesapeake Lounge at the bow, a midship lounge, a fitness center on deck 3 and a sun deck on deck 4. American Cruise Lines does not publish tonnage or crew numbers. Elevator access is limited, so call before booking if stairs are a concern.
Where does American Independence sail in 2026 and 2027?
In October 2026 it sails the eight-night Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay Cruise between Baltimore and Washington, DC, then Chesapeake Bay round trips from Baltimore. From May 2027 it runs the New England Islands Cruise round trip from Providence, Rhode Island, calling at Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Block Island, Newport and Bristol, and from June the Maine Coast and Harbors Cruise round trip from Portland, Maine, before returning to the Chesapeake in the fall.
Which staterooms are best on American Independence?
Every room on decks 2 and 3 has a private balcony, so a 270-square-foot Deluxe Balcony is the natural pick; Deluxe Balcony 1 on deck 3 sits closest to the sun deck. The 350-square-foot Veranda Suites add a seating area and stocked refrigerator. Main Deck Standard Waterview rooms are 260 square feet, bigger than many ocean-ship balcony cabins, and solo travelers get a dedicated Single Balcony on deck 3.
What is included in the fare on American Independence?
American Cruise Lines is all-inclusive: all meals and snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, the nightly cocktail hour, onboard entertainment and enrichment, at least one featured shore excursion in each port, gratuities, port charges and a pre-cruise hotel night with transfer to the ship. SmartCruiser adds bonus onboard credit on sailings where American Cruise Lines allows it, not available when you book direct.
What is the difference between American Independence, American Star and American Spirit?
All three are 90-guest Independence Class coastal ships from Chesapeake Shipbuilding. American Independence (2010) is the newest, six feet longer at 226 feet, and has the largest rooms, with standard staterooms from 260 square feet and suites of 350. American Star (2007) and American Spirit (2005) are 220 feet with rooms from 230 square feet. Independence and Star sail the East Coast; Spirit is based in Puget Sound.
Is there an elevator on American Independence?
Elevator access on American Independence is limited, and American Cruise Lines asks guests to call for details. Most of the fleet has elevators serving every passenger deck, but the three Independence Class ships do not. Guests with mobility concerns on the Chesapeake or in New England can consider the line’s Coastal Cats or Patriot Class ships on the same routes, which have elevator access to all decks.

Facts checked against American Cruise Lines: American Independence, American Cruise Lines: dates and fares for American Independence, American Cruise Lines: all-inclusive, American Cruise Lines: FAQs on October 14, 2026. Ship details change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the current layout when you book.

Live from the cruise line

Every American Independence sailing, priced all-in

Every American Independence departure the cruise line is selling, priced live with taxes, fees and port expenses included. SmartCruiser picks at the top are sailings where booking with us gets you something extra. Stack the filters, then sort by lowest price, best value per night or sail date.

Every American Independence sailing

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Prices are per person, double occupancy, in US dollars, and include cruise fare, taxes, fees and port expenses as published by the cruise line at the moment you load this page. Fares are capacity controlled and change daily; the fare is confirmed when you book. Flights, hotels and transfers are extra unless the line’s offer says otherwise. Onboard credit shown on a sailing is per stateroom and applies to the lowest category offered unless stated otherwise.