American Cruise Lines · All American Cruise Lines ships · American Riverboat (modern riverboat series)
American Melody: ship guide
The fourth American Riverboat, with a four-story atrium, walking track and Back Porch Cafe on the Mississippi.
Best for: Couples and solo travelers who want the classic Mississippi, New Orleans to St. Paul, in a modern all-balcony riverboat with casual outdoor dining and everything included. Sails from New Orleans, LA, Memphis, TN, St. Louis, MO, St. Paul, MN in 2026 and 2027.
About American Melody
American Melody is the fourth ship in American Cruise Lines’ modern American Riverboat series and the first to carry the line’s updated interior design, with a lighter, more contemporary look than its older sisters. Built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding and launched in 2021, it holds 180 guests on five decks, with a four-story glass atrium in the center of the ship, an outdoor walking track on the top deck and the Back Porch Café for casual meals outdoors.
Every stateroom has a private balcony and measures 250 to 615 square feet, with full bathrooms and roomy closets. The ship was designed specifically for the Mississippi, with the opening bow and retractable gangway that let American’s riverboats dock in small river towns. On board, everything is included: open-seating dining with views from every seat, the daily cocktail hour, a resident historian, nightly live music and at least one excursion in every port.
American Melody spends 2026 and 2027 on the Mississippi River system. It sails the Lower Mississippi between New Orleans and Memphis, Highlights of the Mississippi round trips from New Orleans, the Upper Mississippi between St. Louis and St. Paul, the 16-day Grand Heartland cruise from St. Paul to New Orleans, the full Complete Mississippi and, new for summer 2027, Grand Ohio River cruises. It suits travelers who want the classic Mississippi in a modern, all-balcony riverboat.
- Updated modern interior design, the first of the series to carry it
- Four-story glass atrium with panoramic river views
- Back Porch Café for casual outdoor dining, a guest favorite on American’s riverboats
- Outdoor walking track and fitness center on the top deck
- All-balcony staterooms from 250 to 615 square feet with full bathrooms
- Suite treats such as mini cheesecakes delivered to Grand and Veranda Suites
- Opening bow and retractable gangway for small-town landings along the Mississippi
- Daily cocktail hour, onboard 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, closet and full-size dresser, and floor-to-ceiling sliding doors to a furnished balcony; Veranda and Grand 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 with the same open layout, full-size furniture and furnished balcony as the Premium Balcony, one deck lower.
Standard Balcony
275 square feet on the Main Deck with full-size furniture, generous 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, large shower and a private balcony; offered without a single supplement.
American Melody 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.
- SundeckRelax and enjoy the panoramic views at Sundeck.
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 Melody
Dining on American Melody
The RestaurantIncluded
Open seating at every meal with all 180 guests in one seating and a view from every table; menus change daily with Mississippi regional dishes, from Gulf seafood and Cajun and Creole flavors to Southern classics.
Back Porch CaféIncluded
Casual outdoor café for a lighter breakfast or lunch in the open air while the river slides by.
Daily Cocktail HourIncluded
A complimentary evening cocktail hour every day with hors d’oeuvres and top-shelf spirits in the lounge.
Drinks PolicyIncluded
All meals, snacks and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included and available around the clock; there is nothing to sign for on board.
Entertainment and activities
- Resident historian with daily talks on the Civil War, steamboat history and the river’s role in American music
- Live entertainment nightly in the lounge, with local blues, jazz and country musicians joining in port
- Top-deck walking track and sun deck with lounge seating
- Several spacious lounges plus smaller midship 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 morning 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: Couples and solo travelers who want the classic Mississippi, New Orleans to St. Paul, in a modern all-balcony riverboat with casual outdoor dining and everything included.
Sails from: New Orleans, LA, Memphis, TN, St. Louis, MO, St. Paul, MN · Regions: Mississippi River, Ohio River
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Facts checked against American Cruise Lines: American Melody, American Cruise Lines: dates and fares for American Melody, 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.
Every American Melody sailing, priced all-in
Every American Melody 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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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.