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American Anthem: ship guide
Due April 2027: Encore’s sister with the 1,500-square-foot Signature Suite.
Best for: River cruisers who want a brand-new riverboat in its inaugural 2027 season on the Columbia and Snake, including the longer 16-day Grand Columbia & Snake Rivers itinerary. Sails from Portland, Oregon, Clarkston, Washington in 2026 and 2027.
About American Anthem
American Anthem is an upcoming modern American Riverboat from American Cruise Lines, scheduled to launch in April 2027 as the sister ship to American Encore, which debuted on the Columbia and Snake Rivers in May 2026. Announced in October 2025 as part of a ten-ship order, it is under construction at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland, and will carry 180 guests in 94 staterooms, all with private balconies. The first listed departure is a Columbia & Snake Rivers cruise from Portland on April 16, 2027.
Built to the same standard as American Encore, the ship is planned around a multi-story glass atrium and the Signature Suite, a 1,500-square-foot stateroom with 180-degree views and a wraparound balcony furnished with a full dining area and loungers, which the line calls the largest on any riverboat. The deck plan mirrors its sister: Deluxe, Premium and Vista Balcony staterooms of 300 square feet, Sky Suites, two Grand Suites and eight singles, with the River Lounge, Sky Lounge, Storyteller Lounge, Chart Room and Bow Terrace for company and a Sun Deck and Sky Walk on top.
American Anthem will spend its inaugural season on the Columbia and Snake Rivers, sailing nine-day cruises between Portland, Oregon, and Clarkston, Washington, and, as the first ship assigned to it for a full season, the company’s newest regional itinerary, the 16-day Grand Columbia & Snake Rivers cruise, from May to September 2027. From 2028 it adds Columbia River Gorge cruises and 16-day National Parks & Legendary Rivers itineraries. It suits river cruisers who want to be among the first aboard a brand-new riverboat in the Pacific Northwest.
- Brand-new modern American Riverboat launching April 2027, sister to American Encore
- Signature Suite of 1,500 square feet with 180-degree views and a wraparound balcony with dining area and loungers
- Inaugural 2027 season on the Columbia and Snake Rivers, including the new 16-day Grand Columbia & Snake Rivers cruise
- All 94 staterooms have private balconies, with every double at least 300 square feet and eight singles
- Multi-story glass atrium at the center of the ship and an elevator to all passenger decks
- River Lounge, aft Sky Lounge, Storyteller Lounge, Chart Room and Bow Terrace for sweeping river views
- Open seating Restaurant with Pacific Northwest menus and the casual Back Porch Café
- Daily cocktail hour, all drinks, an excursion in every port, gratuities and Wi-Fi included
Staterooms and suites
Single Balcony
250 square feet on deck 4 with a full-size bed, desk, sitting area and a private balcony with table and chair; eight planned, priced for one guest.
Deluxe Balcony
300 square feet on deck 2 with an open layout, full-size furniture, a large shower and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors onto a furnished private balcony.
Premium Balcony
300 square feet on deck 3 with full-size furniture, plenty of open space and a private balcony with deck furniture; the largest stateroom category on the ship.
Vista Balcony
300 square feet on the sought-after deck 4 beside the suites, with an open floor plan and a private balcony with table and chairs.
Sky Suite
350 square feet on deck 4 with a triple-panel floor-to-ceiling glass wall, separate sitting and sleeping areas, stocked refrigerator and a bathroom with double vanity and large shower.
Grand Suite and Signature Suite
Two 600-square-foot Grand Suites on deck 4 with separate bedroom and living room and a 25-foot balcony, and the single Signature Suite of more than 1,500 square feet with three walls of glass, a wraparound balcony with full dining area, a separate living room and bedroom, and a hotel-size bathroom with soaking tub and heated floors.
American Anthem 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
Sky Walk, Sun Deck.
- Sky WalkFor those seeking a bit of exercise while cruising, the Sky Walk on the sun deck is an ideal location for scenic strides. Offering a unique perspective high above the water, this walking track allows you to fully appreciate the beauty of the landscapes that unfold before you
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 Anthem
Dining on American Anthem
RestaurantIncluded
Glass-enclosed main dining room with open seating and river views from every table; Columbia and Snake menus feature coastal seafood, grass-fed beef, regional produce, huckleberries and hazelnuts.
Back Porch CaféIncluded
Casual outdoor café on the upper deck for sandwiches, burgers and salads in the open air.
Daily cocktail hourIncluded
A complimentary evening cocktail hour every day with hors d’oeuvres and top-shelf liquor.
Drinks policyIncluded
All beverages are included at any hour, from Northwest wines, beer and spirits to soft drinks, water, coffee and tea, with no drinks package to buy.
Entertainment and activities
- River Lounge at the bow, the daytime gathering place and nightly live entertainment venue
- Aft Sky Lounge with skylight for scenery and cocktails, plus the Sun Deck and Sky Walk track on top
- Storyteller Lounge, The Study and The Game Room, quiet mid-ship spaces for reading, cards and puzzles
- Onboard expert sharing Lewis and Clark, Sacajawea and Mount St. Helens history, with regional musicians in the evenings
- Guided shore excursions with at least one included in every port, from Astoria and the Columbia Gorge to Walla Walla wine country
- Chart Room and Bow Terrace for morning coffee through the eight Columbia and Snake locks
- Fitness Center, Starlink Wi-Fi and a self-service guest laundry
Families and who it suits
American Cruise Lines publishes no minimum age and runs no children’s program; there are no kids’ facilities on board, and the enrichment talks, excursions and cocktail hour are built for adults, so families with young children should ask before booking.
Best for: River cruisers who want a brand-new riverboat in its inaugural 2027 season on the Columbia and Snake, including the longer 16-day Grand Columbia & Snake Rivers itinerary.
Sails from: Portland, Oregon, Clarkston, Washington · Regions: Columbia and Snake Rivers, Pacific Northwest
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Facts checked against American Cruise Lines: American Anthem, American Cruise Lines press release: 10 new U.S.-built ships through 2028, American Cruise Lines press release: American Beauty and American Rhapsody named, American Cruise Lines: all-inclusive fares on October 14, 2026. Ship details change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the current layout when you book.
Every American Anthem sailing, priced all-in
Every American Anthem 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.
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Sorted by what you save, biggest firstEvery American Anthem 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.