The Town of Plymouth and American Cruise Lines have agreed to scheduled overnight visits to Plymouth, docking in Plymouth Harbor this August.
A pilot program this season will include three small ship cruises to Plymouth on the cruise line’s popular “Cape Codder” itinerary followed by additional dates beginning in 2024 on that cruise as well as the Boston-to-New York “Yankee Seaports” cruise.
The 2023 cruises are aboard the new ship, American Eagle, the first of 12, 100-passenger Coastal Cats American Cruise Lines is building at their affiliated U.S. shipyard. The first cruise, departing Boston on Aug. 14 (and landing in Plymouth Aug. 19) is also the inaugural christening cruise for American Eagle.
The Plymouth port calls represent the next big step in an ongoing relationship between the town and the cruise line, which has been offering regularly scheduled visits to Plymouth via motorcoach from Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay.
“Plymouth is proud to expand our partnership with American Cruise Lines and appreciate the support from our maritime community,” said Derek Brindisi, Plymouth Town Manager. “Docking in the harbor, and spending the night will increase business in our downtown waterfront area and give passengers the opportunity to explore Plymouth and enjoy all it has to offer in a unique way.”
American Cruise Lines, known for it’s high-end, “bespoke”-style cruise vacations has over 50 years of experience cruising the U.S.A., and specializes in authentic American experiences, personalized service, and well-curated destination-focused cruises.
The door was opened to visits from major cruise lines after harbor dredging efforts were completed ahead of the 400th anniversary of the landing of the Mayflower in 2020. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began dredging activities in 2018 after funding was procured from a delegation of Federal and State legislators, as well as Town officials.
“This is a great opportunity to grow tourism, the #1 industry in the town and county of Plymouth,” said Lea Filson, President/CEO of See Plymouth. “We welcome the additional visitors who will dine in our restaurants, visit our shops and attractions, and enjoy our history.”
Cruises will arrive Aug. 19, 26 and Sept. 2 as part of an itinerary which also includes ports in Boston, Gloucester, Martha’s Vineyard, Newport, R.I., New Bedford and Provincetown.
