Photo: American Cruise Lines
The second ship in American Cruise Lines' new Coastal Cat range is ready for its inaugural trip at the end of this month.
While conventional cruise ships continue to dazzle us with over-the-top amenities and ever-increasing luxury, there's no denying that one of the most prominent tendencies in the industry is to switch to smaller and greener vessels that offer a more intimate experience.
River cruising can be just as exciting and luxurious as the more popular options with exotic destinations. American Cruise Lines wants to offer the best of both worlds – the cozy, comfortable experience of a smaller vessel and the adventure spirit of an expedition ship.
The operator's Coastal Cat range was announced as a fleet of "go anywhere" small ships with a distinctive silhouette inspired by catamarans. In fact, American Cruise Lines says this is a proprietary hybrid catamaran design. The first one to display it was the American Eagle, the fleet's flagship, launched earlier this year. Now, American Glory is ready to join it after successfully passing sea trials.
All the 12 Coastal Cats will be built in the US by Chesapeake Shipbuilding and will mix luxurious amenities with green features. American Cruise Lines claims to operate the most eco-friendly fleet of small ships across America. It starts with designing and building innovative hulls for increased fuel efficiency and a low level of environmental disturbance.
In addition to the optimized design, these vessels are meant to run only on ultra-low sulfur diesel, a greener alternative to bunker oil. They are also shore power ready, which means they can shut down the diesel-burning systems in ports and plug into the existing electrical infrastructure. This is an effective way to reduce harmful emissions when docked.
Another way to reduce the small ships' environmental footprint is through optimized route planning. For instance, cruising at a slower speed and doing it overnight helps further reduce emission levels. Also, each vessel comes with the most advanced water purification systems, LED lights that help reduce energy consumption, and onboard recycling mechanisms.
Like its sister ships, American Glory is designed to welcome no more than 100 guests across 56 rooms. The four-deck catamaran-inspired ship sports an impressive top deck for the best views onboard and numerous luxurious amenities, such as a fitness center and an elegant restaurant. In terms of accommodation, the most exquisite option available is the Sky Suite, a 470 square feet (43.6 square meters) sanctuary with sliding glass doors and a spacious private balcony.
American Glory will set sail on November 28, traveling from Maryland to Florida. The Coastal Cat will take its first guests on memorable Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruises starting in late December.
The next two ships in the Coastal Cat fleet are expected to be delivered next year.
River cruising can be just as exciting and luxurious as the more popular options with exotic destinations. American Cruise Lines wants to offer the best of both worlds – the cozy, comfortable experience of a smaller vessel and the adventure spirit of an expedition ship.
The operator's Coastal Cat range was announced as a fleet of "go anywhere" small ships with a distinctive silhouette inspired by catamarans. In fact, American Cruise Lines says this is a proprietary hybrid catamaran design. The first one to display it was the American Eagle, the fleet's flagship, launched earlier this year. Now, American Glory is ready to join it after successfully passing sea trials.
All the 12 Coastal Cats will be built in the US by Chesapeake Shipbuilding and will mix luxurious amenities with green features. American Cruise Lines claims to operate the most eco-friendly fleet of small ships across America. It starts with designing and building innovative hulls for increased fuel efficiency and a low level of environmental disturbance.
In addition to the optimized design, these vessels are meant to run only on ultra-low sulfur diesel, a greener alternative to bunker oil. They are also shore power ready, which means they can shut down the diesel-burning systems in ports and plug into the existing electrical infrastructure. This is an effective way to reduce harmful emissions when docked.
Another way to reduce the small ships' environmental footprint is through optimized route planning. For instance, cruising at a slower speed and doing it overnight helps further reduce emission levels. Also, each vessel comes with the most advanced water purification systems, LED lights that help reduce energy consumption, and onboard recycling mechanisms.
Like its sister ships, American Glory is designed to welcome no more than 100 guests across 56 rooms. The four-deck catamaran-inspired ship sports an impressive top deck for the best views onboard and numerous luxurious amenities, such as a fitness center and an elegant restaurant. In terms of accommodation, the most exquisite option available is the Sky Suite, a 470 square feet (43.6 square meters) sanctuary with sliding glass doors and a spacious private balcony.
American Glory will set sail on November 28, traveling from Maryland to Florida. The Coastal Cat will take its first guests on memorable Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruises starting in late December.
The next two ships in the Coastal Cat fleet are expected to be delivered next year.
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