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.

See every American Serenade sailing Deck plans American Cruise Lines policies

180guests at double occupancy

5decks

2023entered service

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.

Deck 4

Pilothouse, The Game Room, Sky Lounge, Back Porch Cafe, Suites/Staterooms.

Single Single Balcony StateroomGrand Grand SuiteVeranda Veranda Suite

Sky LoungeSituated on the top deck of the ship, this elegantly appointed lounge offers an inviting atmosphere for socializing and soaking in the stunning views.

Deck 3

River Lounge, The Study, Suites/Staterooms.

Single Single Balcony StateroomPremium Premium Balcony Stateroom

River LoungePerfect for casual conversations and mingling with fellow passengers. In the evening, it is transformed into a lively entertainment venue, promising memorable nights filled with laughter and camaraderie.
The StudyThis mid-ship study offers an ideal space to immerse yourself in a good book, engage in a friendly card game, or tackle a challenging puzzle.

Deck 2

Bow Terrace, Storyteller Lounge, Guest Laundry, Fitness Center, Suites/Staterooms.

Single Single Balcony StateroomDeluxe Deluxe Balcony Stateroom

Fitness RoomFrom treadmills and elliptical machines to free weights and resistance training equipment, guests can continue their workout regimen while enjoying rolling river views.

Main Deck

Restaurant, Galley, Suites/Staterooms.

Standard Standard Balcony Stateroom

RestaurantRestaurant

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

How big is American Serenade?

American Serenade is a 180-guest modern riverboat with five decks, launched in 2023 by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Maryland. American Cruise Lines does not publish tonnage, length or crew figures for its riverboats. Every stateroom has a private balcony and measures 250 to 615 square feet, and the ship has a four-story glass atrium, a top-deck walking track, a fitness center and elevators to every deck.

Where does American Serenade sail in 2026 and 2027?

American Serenade is based on the Lower Mississippi most of the year, sailing between New Orleans and Memphis, the 12-day Mississippi Explorer and Highlights of the Mississippi round trips from New Orleans. It is also the ship for the new Arkansas River cruise between Memphis and Tulsa in May and November, sails Gulf Coast cruises to Pensacola in December, and moves north each summer for the Upper Mississippi, the Complete Mississippi and the Grand Heartland cruise from St. Paul to New Orleans.

What award did American Serenade win?

Cruise Critic named American Serenade its 2023 Editors’ Picks Best New River Cruise Ship of the Year, the first time a US-built ship had won. The editors cited the extra-large staterooms and suites, the trendy interior design, the innovative hydraulic bow and retractable ramp and one of the most attractive sun decks they had seen on a river ship, and said it sets the bar high for domestic US river cruising.

What is included in the fare on American Serenade?

American Cruise Lines is all-inclusive. The fare covers all meals and snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks around the clock, the daily cocktail hour, a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay with luggage service and transfer to the ship, at least one Featured excursion in every port, enrichment and nightly entertainment, Starlink Wi-Fi, gratuities, port charges and fees. Premium and Signature excursions cost extra.

Which staterooms are best on American Serenade?

Every stateroom has a balcony. The 300-square-foot Premium Balcony rooms on Deck 3 and Deluxe Balcony rooms on Deck 2 suit most couples. The 615-square-foot Grand Suite on Deck 4 adds a separate living room and a 25-foot balcony, and the 350-square-foot Veranda Suites also receive daily suite treats. Solo travelers can book 250-square-foot Single Balcony rooms on Decks 2 to 4 without a supplement.

Is American Serenade good for families with children?

Not really. American Cruise Lines runs no children’s program, there are no kids clubs or connecting family cabins, and the onboard program of history talks, cocktail hours and evening music is built for adult travelers. Most guests are retired couples and solo travelers. If you are considering bringing a teenager, ask about the line’s age policy before booking.

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.

Live from the cruise line

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.

Every American Serenade 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.