American Cruise Lines launched its first Arkansas River cruise with the sailing of its new U.S. itinerary operated by American Serenade, one of ACL’s modern Mississippi riverboats.
“American is proud to continue leading the way for U.S. river cruising, opening up more and more of the country each year for authentic explorations along U.S. waterways,” said ACL president and CEO Charles B. Robertson.
“The response from our repeat guests and Eagle Society members to this itinerary was tremendous, demonstrating the genuine demand for worldclass river cruising in new destinations around the U.S.A.” said Robertson. “We also appreciate the warm welcome from ports along the river including Little Rock, Tulsa, Van Buren, Dardanelle, and Muskogee, and we look forward to exploring them with our guests.”
The cruise started Nov. 8 with an included hotel stay in Memphis, Tenn., and a second .sailing begins Nov. 15 with an included stay in Tulsa, Okla. Most of American’s 9-day Arkansas River cruises will operate between Tulsa and Little Rock, Ark., with stops in Muskogee, Okla.; Fort Smith/Van Buren, Ark.; Dardanelle, Ark.; and Little Rock, Ark.
With its riverside small towns, “this unique cruise is totally exclusive to the Line and is one of the fastest-selling itineraries American has ever introduced,” according to company official
“The Arkansas River is one of America’s hidden gems, a lesser-known tributary of the Mississippi River that offers river cruise guests many historical and cultural experiences along with picturesque views of the Midwest’s splendor, from beautiful farmlands to forested bluffs and limestone cliffs,” according to the company’s description.
Christened in May 2023, the 328'x60'4" American Serenade was among a class of six new “American Riverboats” put into service.
