The American Glory recently marked its first year of service for American Cruise Lines (ACL) after welcoming its first guests on Nov. 28, 2023.

The U.S.-flagged vessel was built at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Maryland as part of the company’s “Coastal Cats” class.

After leaving its building yard, the 109-guest ship offered a repositioning cruise to Florida before kicking off a maiden season in the Gulf of Mexico.

Sailing a new itinerary, the vessel offered a series of seven-night cruises from St. Petersburg, including visits to destinations in Florida’s Gulf Coast and Keys.

As part of its inaugural season, the American Glory was christened during a special ceremony in Key West.

The event took place on Jan. 21, 2024, and saw Key West’s Mayor, Teri Johnston, serving as the ship’s godmother.

Following its first deployment in Florida, the ship sailed to the U.S. East Coast for summer cruises to New England.

Currently offering a second winter season in the Gulf Coast, the American Glory is set to return to the Northeast for cruises that sail to Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine and New Hampshire.

Between September and October, the ship is also set to offer four fall foliage cruises on the Hudson River.

Following the American Eagle, which also debuted in 2023, the American Glory became the second vessel in American Cruise Lines’ “Coastal Cats” series.

In 2024, the company also welcomed two additional vessels to the class, the American Liberty and the American Legend.

As part of a bold expansion plan, ACL is now set to introduce five new ships to its fleet between 2025 and 2026.

The lineup includes a riverboat, the American Encore, and four additional coastal vessels: the American Pioneer, the American Patriot, the American Maverick and the American Ranger.