American Cruise Lines is pleased to announce its newest ship, Independence, passed its first underway trials with flying colors and is now three months ahead of schedule. The trial was run on the Wicomico River in Maryland, close to Chesapeake Shipbuilding, where the ship is being built. During this important milestone trial, the ship handled exceptionally while maneuvering and equipment tests were performed successfully.

American Cruise Lines plans to operate the Independence on 7-14 night cruises beginning in June with 102 passengers. After its inaugural cruise departing from Providence, Rhode Island on June 23, 2010, the Independence will spend its first summer along the coast of Maine with weekly departures from Portland.

“We are very excited about the first of our next generation of small cruise ships,” stated Timothy Beebe, Vice President of American Cruise Lines. “The ship has a number of important differences from other ships that Chesapeake has built for us, including a wider beam and active wing stabilizers. The wider beam will allow for larger staterooms, public spaces, and private balconies.”

American Cruise Lines currently operates three other ships along the East Coast, the American Star, American Spirit and American Glory, all built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding. In the summer of 2010, it will start operating the newly acquired Queen of the West, an authentic paddlewheeler, along the Columbia and Snake Rivers in the Pacific Northwest.