American Cruise Lines said it will build five new modern riverboats for service in the United States.

“These will be the first to combine the modern styling of a European riverboat with the premium comfort for which American Cruise Lines is known,” said the company, in a statement.

The first in the series is scheduled to begin passenger service in 2018 and will carry 200 guests. 

“For over a decade, we have led the way with ship innovation in the United States and we continue to raise the bar with this new class of modern riverboats” says Timothy Beebe, Vice President of American. “American Cruise Lines has consistently pursued its new build program, as it considers refurbished boats unable to meet the modern expectations of today’s river cruise passengers.”

Construction has already begun at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, MD. In addition to the new class of modern riverboats, American is building two additional cruise ships at Chesapeake Shipbuilding. American Constellation, has a capacity of 170 passengers and is scheduled to begin cruising in May of 2017 and its sister ship which will begin cruising in 2018.