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American Grace: ship guide

Announced for 2028: the third Encore-class riverboat for the Columbia and Snake Rivers.

Best for: Advance planners who want a brand-new riverboat in its 2028 inaugural season on the Columbia and Snake Rivers, with the choice of nine-day or 16-day itineraries. Sails from Portland, Oregon, Clarkston, Washington in 2026 and 2027.

See every American Grace sailingDeck plansAmerican Cruise Lines policies
American Grace
American Grace
180guests at double occupancy
5decks
2028entered service
94staterooms

About American Grace

American Grace is an announced modern American Riverboat from American Cruise Lines, due to enter service in 2028 as the third ship in the generation that began with American Encore in 2026 and continues with American Anthem in 2027. The company named it in October 2025 in an order of ten new U.S.-built ships, and it will be built at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland. It is not yet in service; the first departures listed are Columbia & Snake Rivers cruises from Portland beginning April 30, 2028.

The ship is planned to the same design as its sisters: 180 guests in 94 all-balcony staterooms over five decks, a multi-story glass atrium, an elevator to every passenger deck, and the Signature Suite of more than 1,500 square feet with 180-degree views and a wraparound balcony furnished with a full dining set and loungers. Doubles start at 300 square feet in Deluxe, Premium and Vista Balcony grades, with Sky Suites, two Grand Suites and eight singles on deck 4, and the River Lounge, Sky Lounge, Storyteller Lounge, Chart Room and Bow Terrace for the scenery.

American Cruise Lines has assigned American Grace to the Columbia and Snake Rivers, where it says demand keeps growing, especially for its National Parks cruises. The 2028 schedule pairs nine-day Columbia & Snake Rivers cruises between Portland, Oregon, and Clarkston, Washington, with 16-day Grand Columbia & Snake Rivers cruises from Portland. There are no 2026 or 2027 sailings. It will suit travelers planning ahead who want a brand-new riverboat on the Lewis and Clark route with the most space per guest on any river.

  • Announced modern American Riverboat due in 2028, sister to American Encore and American Anthem
  • Signature Suite of more than 1,500 square feet, which American calls the largest stateroom on any riverboat
  • All 94 planned 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 with river views
  • Open seating Restaurant with Pacific Northwest menus and the casual Back Porch Café
  • First season of Columbia & Snake Rivers and 16-day Grand Columbia & Snake cruises from Portland in 2028
  • 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 sliding glass doors onto a furnished private balcony.

Premium Balcony

300 square feet on deck 3 with full-size furniture, open floor space and a private balcony with deck furniture; the largest category on the ship.

Vista Balcony

300 square feet on the sought-after deck 4 among 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 double-vanity bathroom.

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 one Signature Suite of more than 1,500 square feet with 180-degree views, a wraparound balcony with full dining set and loungers, separate living and sleeping rooms and a bathroom with soaking tub and heated floors.

American Grace 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 plan

Deck 5

Sundeck, Skywalk.

  • 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.
  • 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. Savor the gentle breeze and scenic views while reclining on a comfortable lounge chair. Unwind with your favorite book, socialize with fellow travelers, play shuffleboard, or simply bask in the serenity of your surroundings.

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 Grace

The Game Room
The Game Room
Sky Walk
Sky Walk
High Note Lounge
High Note Lounge
Sun Deck
Sun Deck
Storyteller Lounge
Storyteller Lounge
Sky Lounge
Sky Lounge
Restaurant
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Fitness Center
Back Porch Cafe
Back Porch Cafe
Atrium
Atrium
The Game Room
The Game Room
Sun Deck
Sun Deck

Dining on American Grace

RestaurantIncluded

Glass-enclosed main dining room with open seating and river views from every table; Columbia and Snake menus built on coastal seafood, grass-fed beef, regional produce and huckleberry desserts.

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, plus the Sun Deck and Sky Walk walking track on top
  • Storyteller Lounge, The Study and The Game Room for reading, cards and quiet conversation
  • Onboard expert on Lewis and Clark, the Corps of Discovery and the river’s locks and dams, with regional musicians in the evenings
  • Guided shore excursions with at least one included in every port, from Fort Clatsop to the Columbia Gorge and Walla Walla
  • Chart Room and Bow Terrace for morning coffee through the 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: Advance planners who want a brand-new riverboat in its 2028 inaugural season on the Columbia and Snake Rivers, with the choice of nine-day or 16-day itineraries.

Sails from: Portland, Oregon, Clarkston, Washington · Regions: Columbia and Snake Rivers, Pacific Northwest

American Grace questions we answer every day

When does American Grace start sailing?
American Cruise Lines lists American Grace as coming in 2028, with the first departure a Columbia & Snake Rivers cruise from Portland on April 30, 2028. It was announced in October 2025 as the third of five new modern American Riverboats, after American Encore (2026) and American Anthem (2027), and will be built at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Maryland. There are no 2026 or 2027 sailings.
How big will American Grace be?
American Grace is planned for 180 guests in 94 staterooms across five decks, with a multi-story glass atrium and an elevator to every passenger deck, matching American Encore and American Anthem. American Cruise Lines does not publish tonnage or length, but says the design provides more square footage per guest than any other small cruise ship worldwide, with the smallest double stateroom at 300 square feet.
Where will American Grace sail?
The Columbia and Snake Rivers. The 2028 schedule combines nine-day Columbia & Snake Rivers cruises between Portland, Oregon, and Clarkston, Washington, following the Lewis and Clark route through the Columbia River Gorge and eight locks, with 16-day Grand Columbia & Snake Rivers cruises from Portland between May and October. American Cruise Lines says it placed all three Encore-class riverboats on these rivers because demand there continues to grow.
What is the Signature Suite on American Grace?
The Signature Suite is the largest riverboat stateroom in the world according to American Cruise Lines, at more than 1,500 square feet. On American Grace it will offer 180-degree panoramic views, a wraparound balcony furnished with a full dining set, loungers and additional seating, a separate living room and bedroom, and a hotel-size bathroom with a soaking tub and heated floors. Each Encore-class riverboat carries one, above the pilothouse on deck 4.
What is included in the fare on American Grace?
Fares are all-inclusive: all meals and snacks, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, a daily cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, at least one guided excursion in every port, onboard enrichment and nightly entertainment, gratuities, port charges, Starlink Wi-Fi and a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay with luggage service and transfer to the ship. Premium and Signature excursions are extra. SmartCruiser adds bonus onboard credit on sailings where American allows it, not available when you book direct.
Which staterooms are best on American Grace?
All staterooms have private balconies and every double is at least 300 square feet, so Deluxe Balcony on deck 2, Premium Balcony on deck 3 and Vista Balcony on deck 4 differ mainly by height above the water. Deck 4 also has 350-square-foot Sky Suites with a full glass wall, two 600-square-foot Grand Suites with a separate bedroom and the Signature Suite. Eight 250-square-foot Single Balcony staterooms are priced for solo travelers.

Facts checked against American Cruise Lines: American Grace, 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.

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Every American Grace sailing, priced all-in

Every American Grace 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 Grace 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.