ACL christens American Encore in Idaho

American Cruise Lines christened its new 269'x56’ riverboat American Encore in Lewiston, Idaho on May 12 following the boat’s inaugural nine-day cruise on the Columbia and Snake rivers.

Retired Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., who represented Eastern Washington and the Snake River in Congress for 20 years, served as the American Encore’s godmother for the christening. The ceremonial blessing and bottle smash was joined by cruise guests, travel advisors, company executives, crew members, and local officials from Lewiston, Idaho, and Clarkston, Washington.

Speeches and remarks were given by American Encore’s Captain, Andrea Mickelson; Charles B. Robertson, President & CEO of American Cruise Lines; Kristin Meira, American’s Director of Government Affairs; Joe Anderson, Commissioner of the Port of Lewiston; the Honorable Dan Johnson, Mayor of Lewiston; and Steven McGee, President of Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Md., where all American Cruise Lines small ships are built.

American Encore is the eighth riverboat American Cruise Lines has built for the Columbia and Snake rivers. The company has introduced 20 new vessels in the past decade and operates a fleet of 28 small ships for U.S. cruises.

The 180-passenger vessel American Encore departed Chesapeake Shipbuilding in mid-March for passage south along the U.S. East Coast and through the Panama Canal to the Pacific and north to the mouth of the Columbia River near Astoria, Ore.

ACL says the American Encore “offers more space per passenger than any other riverboat in the world. American Encore will be quickly followed by sister ships American Anthem in 2027 and American Grace in 2028.”

The vessel features accommodations for up to 180 guests in 100% private balcony accommodations.

“The riverboat showcases a stunning four-story glass atrium at the center of the ship and introduces American’s newest stateroom category, the extraordinary Signature Suite,” according to ACL. “At 1,500 sq. ft.  American Encore’s Signature Suite is the largest riverboat suite in the world, offering a wrap-around balcony, panoramic views, separate living and sleeping spaces, and a hotel-sized bathroom with soaking tub and heated floors

Other shipboard amenities include a grand dining room and casual café, multiple indoor and outdoor lounges, top deck lounge and outdoor walking track, large gym, complimentary laundry room, and elevators to all passenger decks.

The May 12 Lewiston event recognized a new dock recently built in partnership between the cruise line and the Port of Lewiston.

“The Lewiston dock provides additional space for American’s growing fleet and host of itineraries in the region – also allowing the company’s riverboats to visit Lewiston and Clarkston simultaneously,” according to the company.

“The dock enables better access to many shore excursions for cruise guests and provides the local community with enhanced waterfront access year-round. American’s expanding operations on the Columbia and Snake Rivers are a considerable driver of increased tourism in the region, and the cruises deliver a significant economic impact to local communities throughout the area.”