American domestic cruise has a rich cultural heritage, with references found in classic films, hit songs and literature. After some time as a relatively unchanging market, design and construction of ships destined for exclusive use in US river and coastal cruises has picked up. Not only has titan of the American domestic cruise market American Cruise Lines (ACL) invested heavily in expanding their fleet with exciting new vessel designs, but Viking Cruises has now entered the river cruise market.

There are two US acts, the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 and the Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886, impacting the domestic US cruise market. Ships may only sail exclusively in American waters, stopping only at US ports, if they bear a US flag, were constructed in the US and carry an American crew. This means the recent boom in American coastal and river cruise ships has brought a wave of ship construction work to American shores. American Cruise Lines is the primary driver of exciting newbuilds. This is due to the modernisation of their river cruise fleet and launch of their innovative new ‘coastal cat’ class of ships. The ‘coastal cat’ class was previously known as Project Blue.

Who is designing and building these ships?

All 12 of American Cruise Lines’ ‘coastal cat’ fleet will be designed and built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding. The same shipyard constructed every vessel in ACL’s modern riverboats, delivering the most recent American Serenade, in 2023. Viking Cruises debuted Viking Missisippi in 2022, which was constructed by Edison Chouest Offshore. American Cruise Lines and Viking Cruises have also each tapped into American interior design talent to guide the interior design vision of their US-bound fleet.

American Cruise Lines have formed a fruitful relationship with Miami-based designers Studio DADO. Studio DADO have been responsible for the design of ACL’s modern riverboat fleet since American Melody, which debuted in 2021. The studio are also working with the cruise line to design and outfit all vessels in the ‘coastal cat’ fleet. The first coastal cat ship, American Eagle, debuted in 2023 to an east coast itinerary. Meanwhile, Viking Cruises tapped the talents of American interior designer Richard Riveire for Viking Mississippi. Richard Riveire, Founding Principle, Rottet Studio has designed over 50 river and ocean ships for Viking Cruises, many of which were award-winning.

As we sail through a remarkable revitalisation of domestic cruise in the US, we take a look at the trends that are shaping this new wave of interior design:

Tasteful Americana

The Viking Mississippi river cruise ship design is recognisably an extension of the Viking Cruise brand. The interior design is grounded in the unmistakable Scandinavian style that characterizes the other ships in Viking Cruise’s river cruise fleet. There is, said Richard Riveire, a closer relationship between Scandinavian design and many American states than some people realise. He pointed out that the largest population of Norwegians outside of Norway reside in Minnesota. The Mississippi, the river upon which the Viking Mississippi sails, runs through Minnesota, connecting the two nations. This is also the case with the fusion of Scandinavian style and restrained Americana in the river cruise ship design.

Riveire evoked memories of sitting on his grandmother’s porch in Texas with his adaptation of the guest-favourite Aquavit Terrace into the more casual alfresco dining space River Café. He said, ‘I wanted Viking guests to have a touch of this special and familiar American experience, so all the windows open completely to the very expansive deck at the back of the ship. We even have swinging and rocking chairs here, which is something very characteristic of the American South.’

Airy Elegance

At 241 feet long and accommodating 109 guests American Cruise Line’s American Eagle is designed to deliver the intimate, elevated private yacht experience to her guests. Jorge Mesa, Design Lead and Founding Partner, Studio DADO described how the interior design imparts this atmosphere, ‘Each space onboard the vessel aims to bring the outdoors in, allowing passengers to traverse the sea in an intimate excursion akin to that of a handcrafted sailboat.’

The vessels’ airy interiors invite light into the interior spaces. Spacious private quarters avoid flat visuals with natural finishes including wood paneling and tactile, textured furnishings. The finishes compliment the colourways, which extends the view from the large windows in through woody neutrals and rippling blues.

ACL’s river cruise vessel American Melody is also interested in this sophisticated melding of indoor and outdoor spaces. Their innovative outdoor design features an elliptical cut out on deck 5, causing light to pool on the Ellipse Café situated below. The lounge, Sky Lounge, leads out to the Ellipse Café terrace. It’s topped by a beautiful skylight and surrounded by ceiling-to-window walls. Light streams in from every angle, welcomed into the space by the cream, white and wood interiors.

Harmonious Design

Music flows through US history like the Mississippi forges a path through the US landscape. The river itself has nourished musical genres and talent, its effect is felt across the world. Therefore it’s no surprise that music has inspired the interior design of the river cruise ships that sail those waters. Richard Riveire highlighted the vinyl collection and record player situated in the Living Room on board the Viking Mississippi. He said, ‘music is such a big part of the discovery of this river, so it was essential to incorporate it into the interiors of the new ship.’

ACL refurbished two of their existing paddlewheel vessels and renamed them American Splendor and American Heritage. The refreshed interiors, also designed by Studio DADO, draw inspiration from rock’n’roll, jazz, blues and country. These vessels were refurbished at the same time as two others, which became American West and remained American Pride. This program of refurbishment brought the paddlewheel fleet closer in line with the stunning modern interiors of American Melody. However, ACL stated that the ships retained ‘the nostalgic touches that are iconic to classic American paddlewheelers.’

Want more of this?

Check out the Cruise Ship Interiors (CSI) Design Expo Americas blog for more design insights and the latest industry updates. CSI Design Expo Americas is the world’s only exhibition and conference exclusively dedicated to connecting the buyers and suppliers of the cruise design industry. The next event will be taking place on 3 – 4 June 2025 alongside Hotel & Resort Design South and Cruise Xperience Innovation Summit at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

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