American Cruise Lines today underlined its expansion plan, adding three ships to its fleet. The new ships will be built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, MD.

“American Cruise Lines has always chosen to build new ships, as it considers refurbished boats unable to meet guest expectations for comfort, spacious staterooms, and modern amenities,” said a statement from the cruise line.

American Constellation will join the fleet in May 2017. The ship will have capacity for 170 passengers and will sail its first season from Boston. 

The sister ship to American Constellation is also well underway, is scheduled to be completed in 2018, and will carry 170 passengers.

In addition, steel is now being fabricated for a third ship which will be the lead in a series of new riverboats destined for the American rivers. This new, modern riverboat will carry approximately 195 passengers, said the company.