Two cruise brands are making waves with major fleet expansions. American Cruise Lines (ACL) will add 10 new ships through 2028, while Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has announced its most ambitious growth yet, introducing four ships and six itineraries in 2027.
All-American Expansion
Through 2028, American Cruise Lines will be rolling out 10 new ships for the U.S. market—starting with the Pioneer debuting in Florida on Oct. 31, the second new Patriot Class ship the company has launched this year.
The balance of the order will be delivered over the next three years, with the new ships operating itineraries across the line’s growing portfolio, including the Mississippi River, Alaska and the East Coast. The new ships will also accelerate the line’s expansion into new niche markets such as the Great Lakes, the Arkansas River and National Parks cruises.
“American’s order book reflects our confidence in the domestic cruise market and the product we have pioneered in the U.S.,” said Charles B. Robertson, the line’s President & CEO, in a media statement. “The new ships will roll out at an average pace of one every four months and keep us on a disciplined growth trajectory.”
Following American Pioneer’s inaugural sailing, the company’s orderbook will feature five new American Riverboats and four more Patriot Class ships, part of the line’s ongoing Project Blue series. The Project Blue ships to date have included four new Coastal Cats and Patriot Class flagship, American Patriot, which launched in June 2025.
The new ships are: American Pioneer, small Patriot Class ship, 2025; American Encore, modern American Riverboat, 2026; American Maverick, small Patriot Class ship, 2026; American Ranger, small Patriot Class ship, 2026; American Anthem, modern American Riverboat, 2027; American Mariner, small Patriot Class ship, 2027; American Navigator, small Patriot Class ship, 2027; American Grace, modern American Riverboat, 2028; (American’s 29th ship), modern American Riverboat, 2028; and (American’s 30th ship), modern American Riverboat, 2028
Uniworld Pays Homage to Hollywood Screen Legends
In 2027, Europe’s rivers will welcome three new Uniworld Boutique River Cruises vessels—S.S. Audrey, S.S. Marlene and S.S. São Rafael. The Audrey and Marlene will have similar layouts to sister ship S.S. Emilie, set to debut in 2026; in terms of design, though, they will differ from their older sister as the Audrey and Marlene will each showcase interiors inspired by the screen legends they are named for—Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich. The São Rafael, meanwhile, sailing the Douro, will be a brother ship to S.S. São Gabriel. The final addition to the fleet is the Aqua Blu, a sleek expedition yacht operated in partnership with Aqua Expeditions. With just two sailings per year, its exclusive voyages will offer rare access to the islands of Indonesia and Singapore.
“2027 is shaping up to be a landmark year for us at Uniworld as we introduce four remarkable new ships to our guests and a range of itineraries that blend cultural immersion, luxury and adventure,” said Ellen Bettridge, President and CEO of Uniworld, in a media statement. “From honoring the timeless elegance of Audrey Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich aboard our newest Super Ships, to exploring the rich landscapes of Singapore and Indonesia with the Aqua Blu, these additions mark an exciting chapter of growth and continued elevation.”
New ships mean more itinerary options, which translates to more booking opportunities for you. Uniworld will launch six new sailings across Europe and Asia in 2027, including the 13-night Bali, Singapore & Indonesia Exploration on board Aqua Blu; the 11-night Paris, Prague & Germany’s Hidden Gems and the 11-night Scenic Rhine, Paris & the Swiss Alps, both on board Audrey; the 14-night (one date only) European Gems aboard Emilie; the 16-night Grand Highlights of the Danube on board Marlene, weaving together two itineraries—Highlights of Eastern Europe and Enchanting Danube; and an expanded Castles Along the Rhine & Amsterdam sailing, which will feature two nights in Amsterdam for a 9-night cruise.
