American Cruise Lines held a christening ceremony for its newest riverboat, the American Encore, in Lewiston, Idaho, on May 12, the cruise line said in a statement. 

The ship’s godmother is Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who represented Eastern Washington and the Snake River in Congress for 20 years. 

Following an included hotel stay in Portland, Oregon on May 5, the guests boarded the ship and departed on an inaugural nine-day Columbia & Snake Rivers cruise from Stevenson, Washington on May 6. 

The ship will now continue to sail a series of nine-day itineraries until early November 2026.  

The Encore, which the company claims has more space-per-passenger than any other riverboat globally, passed sea trials in early March. 

Its two sister ships, the American Anthem and the American Grace, are slated to join the company’s fleet in 2027 and 2028, respectively.