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

American Star: ship guide

A 90-guest coastal ship for New England islands and Chesapeake Bay cruises.

Best for: Northeast travelers who want a small, casual, all-inclusive ship for the New England islands in summer or the Chesapeake in spring and fall. Sails from Providence, RI, Baltimore, MD, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, PA in 2026 and 2027.

See every American Star sailing Deck plans American Cruise Lines policies

90guests at double occupancy

4decks

2007entered service

220 ftlong

About American Star

American Star is a 90-guest Independence Class coastal ship built in 2007 by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland. At 220 feet it is sized for the narrow rivers and shallow bays of the Eastern Seaboard, and American Cruise Lines describes its atmosphere as friendly and accommodating, with a casual ambiance where fellow travelers quickly become friends. The ship is stabilized and has a traditional bow for coastal travel.

Public rooms are simple and well placed: a glass-enclosed Main Deck restaurant with 270-degree views, the Chesapeake Lounge at the bow for cocktail hour, lectures and evening entertainment, a quiet midship lounge, a fitness center on deck 3 and a sun deck with a shaded lounge area. Standard staterooms start at 230 square feet, every second and third deck room has a private balcony, and Veranda Suites reach 315 square feet. Elevator access is limited, so call before booking if stairs are a concern.

In fall 2026 American Star sails an 11-night American Revolution Cruise from Philadelphia to Washington, DC, and the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay Cruise from Washington to Baltimore. In May 2027 it returns to the Potomac and Chesapeake from Baltimore, then spends June through early October 2027 on the eight-night New England Islands Cruise round trip from Providence, calling at Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Block Island, Newport and Bristol.

Just 90 guests on a 220-foot ship that fits New England harbors and Chesapeake creeks
Private balconies on every second and third deck stateroom
Main Deck restaurant with 270-degree views and open seating
Chesapeake Lounge at the bow for cocktail hour, lectures and live music
Sun deck with a shaded lounge area for island cruising days
Fitness center on deck 3 and a quiet midship reading lounge
Daily complimentary cocktail hour and at least one included excursion per port
New England Islands cruises from Providence all summer 2027

Staterooms and suites

Veranda Suite

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

Deluxe Balcony

240 square feet on the second deck (Deluxe Balcony 2) and third deck (Deluxe Balcony 1) with full-size furniture, a large shower and a private balcony; the core of the ship.

Deluxe Waterview

240 square feet on the second deck with picture windows and full-size furniture including a desk and chair, for guests who want the space without a balcony.

Standard Waterview

230 square feet on the Main Deck with picture windows, a closet, deep dresser drawers and a desk, the entry grade.

Single Balcony

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

American Star 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

Sun Shade.

Deck 3

Pilothouse, Fitness Center, Suites/Staterooms.

Veranda Veranda SuiteDeluxe 1 Deluxe Balcony StateroomSingle Single Balcony Stateroom

Deck 2

Chesapeake Lounge, Midship Lounge, Suites/Staterooms.

Deluxe Deluxe Waterview StateroomDeluxe 2 Deluxe Balcony Stateroom

Main Deck

Galley, Restaurant, Suites/Staterooms.

Standard Standard Waterview Stateroom

RestaurantEach menu showcases American specialties crafted from locally sourced ingredients, ensuring a fresh and flavorful dining experience.

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 Star

Dining on American Star

RestaurantIncluded

Glass-enclosed Main Deck dining room with 270-degree views, open seating and a regional menu that changes daily, with New England seafood and Chesapeake specialties in season.

Cocktail hourIncluded

A complimentary cocktail hour with full bar and hors d’oeuvres is hosted in the Chesapeake 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 regional musicians
Onboard expert giving daily talks on New England maritime history and the Chesapeake
Sun deck with shaded seating for cruising the islands and the bay
Midship 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: Northeast travelers who want a small, casual, all-inclusive ship for the New England islands in summer or the Chesapeake in spring and fall.

Sails from: Providence, RI, Baltimore, MD, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, PA · Regions: New England Islands, Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River

American Star questions we answer every day

How big is American Star?

American Star is a four-deck, 220-foot coastal ship built in 2007 for 90 guests. 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 Star sail in 2026 and 2027?

In October 2026 American Star sails an 11-night American Revolution Cruise from Philadelphia to Washington, DC, followed by the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay Cruise to Baltimore. In May 2027 it repeats the Potomac and Chesapeake routes from Baltimore and Washington, then from June 7 to early October 2027 runs the eight-night New England Islands Cruise round trip from Providence, Rhode Island. No sailings beyond October 2027 are published.

Which staterooms are best on American Star?

All second and third deck rooms have private balconies, so a 240-square-foot Deluxe Balcony is the sensible choice; Deluxe Balcony 1 on deck 3 is closest to the sun deck and the fitness center. The 315-square-foot Veranda Suites on deck 3 add a seating area and stocked refrigerator. Deluxe Waterview rooms give the same 240 square feet without a balcony, and solo travelers have a dedicated Single Balcony.

What is included in the fare on American Star?

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 does the New England Islands Cruise visit?

The eight-night round trip from Providence spends a day cruising, then calls at Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket Island, Block Island, Newport and Bristol, Rhode Island, with a second cruising day between the islands. Each port has at least one included featured excursion, and American Star’s 220-foot length lets it dock close to town where larger ships must anchor and tender.

Is American Star the same as American Independence?

They are sisters in the Independence Class, both 90 guests and built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding. American Star (2007) is 220 feet with staterooms from 230 square feet and suites of 315. American Independence (2010) is 226 feet with rooms from 260 square feet and suites of 350. Both have limited elevator access and sail the East Coast between the Chesapeake and New England.

Facts checked against American Cruise Lines: American Star, American Cruise Lines: dates and fares for American Star, American Cruise Lines: New England Islands Cruise, 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 Star sailing, priced all-in

Every American Star 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 Star 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.