MS American Independence (2010-built) is one of the oldest ACL-American Cruise Lines ships – together with American Spirit (2004) and American Star (2007).
American Cruise Lines introduced the 104-passenger American Independence — then just known as Independence — in 2010. While the passenger capacity is roughly the same as the 100-passenger American Star and American Spirit, American Independence is larger, giving more space to the interior areas, including the cabins and balconies.
Unlike Star and Sprit, American Independence is also fully stabilized, with Rolls Royce stabilizers, allowing for smoother sailing.
The ship spends the summer sailing roundtrip from Portland, Maine, trawling Maine’s coast and harbors. In the fall, it offers a handful of leaf-peeping cruises on the Hudson River before heading south for a series of “Historic South & Golden Isles” cruises from Jacksonville and Charleston.
MS Independence cruise ship deck plan shows 4 passenger decks (3 with cabins), a total of 52 staterooms, Vestibule (midship Atrium area), Dining Salon (Restaurant), Chesapeake Lounge Bar, Midship Lounge, Library Lounge, Passenger Decks (outdoor spaces), Wheelhouse (Navigation Bridge), Sundeck (with Outdoor Gym, Putting Green, Sun Shade seating area).
Some 75 percent of American Independence‘s cabins have balconies, and all have flat-screen satellite TV’s and DVD players. The ship has seven cabins for solo travelers.
Activities onboard are tied into the destination, and may include a visit with a local lobsterman in Maine. Or, while on southern sailings, costumed antebellum characters may entertain cruisers.
The casual atmosphere is intended to foster camaraderie between fellow passengers, and all meals, which feature fresh meats and seafood, and in-season fruits and veggies, are taken open seating. Open decks and glass-in observation lounges allow for views of the passing scenery.
PHOTOS
FULL SPECIFICATION
Specifications of MS Independence
| Year built | 2010 / Age: 12 |
| Flag state | USA |
| Builder | Chesapeake Shipbuilding (Salisbury, Maryland USA) |
| Speed | 14 kn / 26 kph / 16 mph |
| Length (LOA) | 52 m / 171 ft |
| Beam (width) | 12 m / 39 ft |
| Gross Tonnage | 3000 gt |
| Passengers | |
| Crew | 47 |
| Passengers-to-space ratio | 30 |
| Decks | 4 |
| Cabins | 52 |
| Decks with cabins | 3 |
| Last Refurbishment | 2018 |
| Sister-ships | American Star, American Spirit, American Glory |
| Owner | American Cruise Lines Inc |
