Cruise lines expand river fleets with new ship launches

Several cruise lines are expanding their river cruising fleets with new vessel launches and announcements.

Viking has introduced the Viking Aton, an 82-guest ship designed specifically for Egypt’s Nile River. This addition brings Viking’s Nile fleet to four ships, with plans to expand to six vessels by 2025. Additionally, Riverside Luxury Cruises has renamed and launched the Riverside Ravel on the Rhone River in France.

In the United States, American Cruise Lines announced the names of two upcoming U.S.-built riverboats: American Beauty and American Rhapsody. The American Beauty is scheduled to launch in 2028 for Mississippi River cruises, while the American Rhapsody is slated for 2029 to serve the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Both vessels will be constructed at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Maryland.