American Cruise Lines
American Melody
- Cruises
- 11
- From
- $4,255
Ship comparison
American Melody vs American West
American Cruise Lines
American West
- Cruises
- 2
- From
- —
The verdict
Which should you choose?
American Melody is an intimate American Cruise Lines ship carrying 175 passengers, in service since 2021. American West is an intimate American Cruise Lines ship carrying 120 passengers, in service since 1994.
Choose American Melody if you want a more romantic trip, more space per passenger or a newer ship: it outscores American West for romantic (6.0 vs 2.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores, it has 30.9 gross tons per passenger (vs 17.6) and its maiden voyage was in 2021 (vs 1994).
Choose American West if you want better-rated dining, better-rated staterooms or more crew per passenger: it outscores American Melody for dining (8.0 vs 5.0) and staterooms (8.0 vs 5.0) in Cruiseable’s Bliss scores and it has a crew member for every 3.2 passengers (vs 4.1).
Side by side
Specifications
marks the better figure where more, or less, is plainly better.
| American Melody | American West | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise line | American Cruise Lines | American Cruise Lines |
| Ship size | Intimate | Intimate |
| Maiden voyagenewer highlighted | 2021 (better) | 1994 |
| Last refurbishedmore recent highlighted | — | 2022 |
| Gross tonnage | 5,400 | 2,115 |
| Passengers | 175 | 120 |
| Crew | 43 | 37 |
| Passengers per crew memberfewer is better | 4.1 | 3.2 (better) |
| Space per passengergross tons per passenger; more is roomier | 30.9 (better) | 17.6 |
| Cabins | 91 | — |
| Decks | 6 | 4 |
| Length | 269 ft | 232 ft |
| Beam | 56 ft | 50 ft |
| Speed | — | 14 mph |
| Cruiseable ratingout of 10 | 8 / 10 (better) | 7 / 10 |
| Cruises on sale | 11 | 2 |
| Upcoming sailings | 105 | 2 |
| Cruise lengths | 7–22 nights | 6–8 nights |
| Fares fromlower highlighted | $4,255 | — |
Bliss scores
How they rate, out of 10
Cruiseable rates ships out of 10 on ten parts of a cruise holiday. American Melody leads on 3 of the ten, American West on 4, with 3 level.
- Active
- Adventure & nature
- Cultural
- Dining
- Entertainment
- Family friendly
- Party
- Romantic
- Spa & fitness
- Staterooms
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.
American Cruise Lines
American West
A veteran of the Columbia and Snake Rivers, American West from American Cruise Lines, formerly Queen of the West, underwent a major renovation in 2022, with new color palettes, luxurious textiles and linens, new furniture and carpets, artwork and other flourishes.
Sailing now
2 cruises on sale.
Questions
American Melody or American West?
Which is bigger, American Melody or American West?
American Melody is bigger at 5,400 gross tons, against 2,115 gross tons for American West. American Melody carries 175 passengers and American West carries 120.
Which ship is newer, American Melody or American West?
American Melody is newer, with a maiden voyage in 2021 against 1994 for American West.
Which has more space per passenger?
American Melody, with 30.9 gross tons per passenger against 17.6 on American West. The higher the figure, the more ship there is for each guest.
Which has more crew per passenger?
American West, with one crew member for every 3.2 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 West.
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