American Cruise Lines · All American Cruise Lines ships · American Riverboat (modern riverboat series)
American Serenade: ship guide
Cruise Critic’s 2023 Best New River Ship, sailing the Mississippi, Arkansas River and Gulf Coast.
Best for: Travelers who want the newest, award-winning riverboat on the Mississippi, or the only cruise on the Arkansas River, with large balcony staterooms and everything included. Sails from New Orleans, LA, Memphis, TN, Tulsa, OK, Pensacola, FL, St. Louis, MO, St. Paul, MN in 2026 and 2027.
About American Serenade
American Serenade is the sixth ship in American Cruise Lines’ modern American Riverboat series, launched in 2023 by Chesapeake Shipbuilding. It won Cruise Critic’s 2023 Editors’ Picks award for Best New River Cruise Ship, the first time an American-built ship took the award, with the judges singling out its extra-large staterooms, trendy interiors, the hydraulic bow and retractable ramp, and what they called one of the most gorgeous sun decks on any river ship.
Like its sister American Symphony it carries 180 guests on five decks with an updated interior inspired by American geography, a four-story glass atrium, a top-deck walking track and a fitness center. Every stateroom has a private balcony and measures 250 to 615 square feet. Fares include all meals and drinks, the daily cocktail hour, a resident historian, nightly live music, a pre-cruise hotel night and at least one excursion in every port.
American Serenade is the dedicated ship for American’s new Arkansas River cruise between Memphis and Tulsa, which it sails each spring and fall alongside Lower Mississippi cruises between New Orleans and Memphis, the 12-day Mississippi Explorer, Highlights of the Mississippi round trips from New Orleans, winter Gulf Coast cruises to Pensacola, and the Upper Mississippi, Grand Heartland and Complete Mississippi in summer. It suits travelers who want the newest award-winning riverboat on the river.
- Cruise Critic 2023 Editors’ Picks: Best New River Cruise Ship of the Year
- Four-story glass atrium and an open top deck the judges called one of the best on any river ship
- All-balcony staterooms from 250 to 615 square feet with full bathrooms and roomy closets
- Hydraulic opening bow and retractable gangway for landings in small river towns
- The ship for American’s new nine-day Arkansas River cruise between Memphis and Tulsa
- Outdoor walking track and fitness center on the top deck
- Updated interior design with natural textures and serene color palettes
- Daily cocktail hour, resident historian and nightly live music, all included
Staterooms and suites
Grand Suite
615 square feet on Deck 4 with a separate bedroom and living room, king bed, breakfast bar, daily restocked refrigerator, double-vanity bathroom and a 25-foot private balcony with table, chairs and chaise lounge.
Veranda Suite
350 square feet on Deck 4 with a seating area, stocked refrigerator, king bed, full-size dresser and closet, and floor-to-ceiling sliding doors to a furnished balcony; suite guests receive daily suite treats.
Premium Balcony
300 square feet on the sought-after Deck 3 with full-size furniture, an open layout, a spacious bathroom with large shower and a private balcony with deck furniture.
Deluxe Balcony
300 square feet on Deck 2, the same open layout and furnished balcony as the Premium Balcony one deck lower.
Standard Balcony
275 square feet on the Main Deck with full-size furniture, plenty of storage and picture windows beside a push door to a private balcony.
Single Balcony
250 square feet on Decks 2, 3 and 4 for solo travelers, with a full-size bed, desk and sitting area and a private balcony with table and chair; offered without a single supplement.
American Serenade 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 5
Sun Deck, Sky Walk.
- Sun DeckTake a deep breath of fresh air and immerse yourself in the breathtaking 360-degree view of the passing scenery from this ideal setting.
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 Serenade
Dining on American Serenade
The RestaurantIncluded
Open seating at every meal with all guests in one seating and a view from every table; menus follow the region, from Creole and Gulf seafood out of New Orleans to Memphis barbecue and Southern classics, with fresh produce brought aboard along the way.
Casual Café and LoungesIncluded
Lighter breakfast and lunch options, snacks and coffee are available in the lounges and on the top deck for guests who want to eat outdoors or between excursions.
Daily Cocktail HourIncluded
A complimentary evening cocktail hour every day with hors d’oeuvres and top-shelf spirits before dinner.
Drinks PolicyIncluded
All meals, snacks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included and available 24 hours a day.
Entertainment and activities
- Resident historian with daily talks on the Civil War, steamboat history and the birth of blues, jazz and rock and roll along the river
- Live music nightly in the lounge, with local musicians joining in New Orleans, Memphis and the river towns
- Top-deck sun deck with walking track and lounge seating, praised by Cruise Critic
- Several spacious lounges plus smaller rooms with library, puzzles and cards
- At least one included excursion in every port, with optional Premium and Signature tours and a Graceland pre-cruise package from Memphis
- Fitness center and daily stretch sessions
- Art classes, cooking demonstrations, trivia and tech help sessions depending on the itinerary
- Starlink Wi-Fi throughout the ship
Families and who it suits
American Cruise Lines runs no children’s program and its riverboats are designed for adult travelers; there are no kids clubs or family cabins, and the line does not publish a minimum age on its site, so ask before booking with anyone under 18.
Best for: Travelers who want the newest, award-winning riverboat on the Mississippi, or the only cruise on the Arkansas River, with large balcony staterooms and everything included.
Sails from: New Orleans, LA, Memphis, TN, Tulsa, OK, Pensacola, FL, St. Louis, MO, St. Paul, MN · Regions: Mississippi River, Arkansas River, Gulf Coast
American Serenade questions we answer every day
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Facts checked against American Cruise Lines: American Serenade, American Cruise Lines: dates and fares for American Serenade, American Cruise Lines press release: 2026 itineraries and new ships, American Cruise Lines: all-inclusive on October 14, 2026. Ship details change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the current layout when you book.
Every American Serenade sailing, priced all-in
Every American Serenade 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.
SmartCruiser picks
Sorted by what you save, biggest firstEvery American Serenade sailing
Stack any filters, then pick a sortPrices 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.