American Cruise Lines
American Independence
- Cruises
- 6
- From
- $4,610
Ship comparison
American Independence vs American Melody
American Cruise Lines
American Melody
- Cruises
- 11
- From
- $4,255
The verdict
Which should you choose?
American Independence is an intimate American Cruise Lines ship carrying 92 passengers, in service since 2010. American Melody is an intimate American Cruise Lines ship carrying 175 passengers, in service since 2021.
Choose American Independence if you want better-rated staterooms, better-rated entertainment or more culture: it outscores American Melody for staterooms (8.0 vs 5.0), entertainment (6.0 vs 5.0) and cultural (6.0 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores.
Choose American Melody if you want a more romantic trip, a newer ship or more space per passenger: it outscores American Independence for romantic (6.0 vs 2.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores, its maiden voyage was in 2021 (vs 2010) and it has 30.9 gross tons per passenger (vs 25.0).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| American Independence | American Melody | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | American Cruise Lines | American Cruise Lines |
| Ship size | Intimate | Intimate |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2010 | 2021 (better) |
| Gross tonnage | 2,300 | 5,400 |
| Passengers | 92 | 175 |
| Crew | 27 | 43 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 3.4 (better) | 4.1 |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 25.0 | 30.9 (better) |
| Cabins | — | 91 |
| Decks | 4 | 6 |
| Length | 223 ft | 269 ft |
| Beam | 51 ft | 56 ft |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 6 / 10 | 8 / 10 (better) |
| Cruises on sale | 6 | 11 |
| Upcoming sailings | 73 | 105 |
| Cruise lengths | 8 nights | 7–22 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $4,610 | $4,255 (better) |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. American Independence leads on 3 of the ten, American Melody on 3, with 4 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
American Cruise Lines
American Independence
Maybe it's time to see more of the United States. American Cruise Lines offers a variety of options, including the American Independence, which cruises the Maine coast in summer and the Atlantic coast between South Carolina and Florida in winter. Fall cruisers can cruise the Hudson River for seasonal color and leaf peeping.
Highlights
- New design features including Rolls Royce stabilizers make for a smoother cruise and less seasickness
- Simple but comfortable, these ships were built to nestle into small coves and ports along the East Coast
- Don't miss the crab and lobster served in the Chesapeake Bay and Maine regions!
Sailing now
6 cruises on sale, from $4,610.
About American Independence Plan my cruise on American Independence
American Cruise Lines
American Melody
American Melody began its inaugural season in September 2021 as the newest riverboat from American Cruise Lines to offer sailings on the Mississippi River through the American heartland.
Sailing now
11 cruises on sale, from $4,255.
Questions
American Independence or American Melody?
Which is bigger, American Independence or American Melody?
American Melody is bigger at 5,400 gross tons, against 2,300 gross tons for American Independence. American Independence carries 92 passengers and American Melody carries 175.
Which ship is newer, American Independence or American Melody?
American Melody is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2021 against 2010 for American Independence.
Which has more space per passenger?
American Melody, with 30.9 gross tons per passenger against 25.0 on American Independence. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
American Independence, with one crew member for every 3.4 passengers against one for every 4.1 on American Melody.
Which is better for families?
American Melody scores higher for family friendliness in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores: 5.0 out of 10, against 4.0 for American Independence.
Still deciding?
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