Top 10 Biggest American Cruise Ships
It is also home to many of the biggest cruise ships in the world but few know that due to the Passenger Services Act of 1886, only current US flagged cruise ships can sail solely in the United States of America, so if you want to spend more time cruising regions such as Alaska or Hawaii and not have to make stops in Mexico or Vancouver Island, you will need to sail on a US flagged ship.
With poor ship building infrastructure across the whole of the states, that does limit your options greatly, but there are quite a few cruise ships flying Old Glory including one large ship operating for NCL but which are the 10 biggest, that is just what I take you through in this list.
Our Top 10 Biggest American Cruise Ships
Pride of America (NCL America)- 80,439 GT
The biggest cruise ship to sail under the United States flag, and by a long distance, is Norwegian’s Pride of America, although it is a ship that is quite controversial in that regard.
At the turn of the millennium, American Classic Voyages contracted the Litton Ingalls Shipyard of Pascagoula, Mississippi to build a new class of American made cruise ships under the title of Project America.
Originally, 2 ships were to be built with an option for a 3rd, but before the first ship could be completed, ACV went bankrupt as the US government, through the United States Maritime Administration, decide to not help fund the development of the ships.
The ship was only said to be 40% complete when in August 2002, Norwegian Cruise Line Ltd bough the partially built hull along with the plans and materials to build it, which were then taken to the Lloyd Werft Shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany and the ship was complete.
With well over half of the ship now built outside of the USA, most presumed she would lose her right be a US built ship and to fly the US flag but the line managed to gain a special exemption from the US Government that gave the Pride of America, as well as both the Pride of Hawaii and Pride of Aloha, both built in Germany, the right to be registered in the USA.
The pride of Hawaii would go onto to become the Norwegian Jade, and the Pride of Aloha would become the Norwegian Sky, which would both go on to take the flag of the Bahamas.
The Pride of America herself would go on to be based out of Honolulu and would become the largest cruise ship to offer itineraries sailing around the Hawaiian Islands, without the need for a stop at a foreign port.
American Eagle (American Cruise Lines) -3,000 GT
The American Eagle is the same class of ship as the American Glory and offers all of the same facilites as her sister catamaran, including multiple dining venues, a bow observation arena, a sun deck, a tender platform and a fitness centre.
Built at the Chesapeake Shipbuilding yard in Maryland, this class of ship are around 75 metres in length and 17 metres in width and offer a sleek design, a white finish with an easy to recognise red, white and blue funnel.
American Glory (American Cruise Lines)- 3,000 GT
American Glory is a Coastal Cat class of ship built for the American Cruise Line brand that offers a mix of coastal and river cruising all around the United States.
The modern ship can host up to 100 passengers and thanks to a shallow draft, she is just as adapt as inland exploration as she is cruising the American coastline, which gives it a great variety of itineraries.
American Independence (American Cruise Lines)-3,000 GT
American Cruise Lines’ American Independence is a bit smaller in size that some of her fellow ACL ships, but she shares the same Gross Tonnage of the Coastal Cats class above, but the older ship offers a more traditional shape and experience.
The highlight of the ship is her restaurant with 270-degree views and a large sundeck which is great for relaxing on as you sail the eastern coast of America.
American Patriot (American Cruise Lines) -3,000 GT
The newly launched American Patriot comes on the back of a $40 million investment from American Cruise Lines to bring modern, luxury cruising to the eastern seaboard of the USA.
As the launch ship of the ACL Patriot class, she will be joined by 3 other ships over the next few years which will all include a specially designed bow to allow for deeper drafts, some luxurious grand suites, open seating dining, a choice of lounges, a bow terrace and a running track.
National Geographic Quest (Lindblad Expeditions) -2,920 GT
Built at the Nichols Brothers Boat Builders in Freeland, Washington back in 2017, the National Geographic Quest is the sister ship of the Venture, who are both owned by Lindblad Expeditions and operated in partnership with National Geographic.
She offers 50 cabins across 3 decks and plenty of great viewing areas for sailing in some of Americas most beautiful regions.
National Geographic Venture (Lindblad Expeditions) -2,920 GT
Lindblad Expeditions have teamed up with Nat Geo to bring a whole new level of expertise to the expedition cruise market, which is ideal for her itineraries sailing around Alaska.
Both ships are designed for sailing in the icy waters of the great white north thanks to an ice-strengthened hull and that allows for a longer cruise season in Alaska and itineraries heading much further north than larger, mainstream ships.
American Constitution (American Cruise Lines) -2,400
The Constitution is a Constellation class of ship, also operated by UCL and also offering all that her sister ship has to offer.
Built at the Chesapeake Shipbuilding yard in Salisbury, Maryland she cost $30 million dollars to build, can cruise at 12 knots, is 82 metres in length and has a width of 17 metres.
American Constellation (American Cruise Lines) -2,400 GT)
The American Constellation is capable of taking 170 guests on cruises around Alaska and the Puget Sound, so it’s a good job that she offers lots of great vantage points to take in the stunning scenery of the north-west of America and Alaska.
Owned by the American Cruises Lines line she has a main restaurant with 270-degree views, a sun deck and plenty of cabins with a balcony.
American Spirit (American Cruise Lines) -1,955 GT
The American Spirit is an Independence Class of ship, operated by the American Cruise Lines line that is just slightly bigger than her sister, the American Star.
She features a traditional bow perfect for coastal cruising, a reading lounge, an entertainment lounge and a large restaurant complete with stunning views, so you need never miss any of the stunning coastal scenery as you sail up and down the coast of the United States.
