New Jersey Scuba Diving

American Glory

Launched in 2002, MS American Glory was one of the ACL-American Cruise Lines ships. The vessel was a small-sized passenger ship of the same class as the fleet-mate American Star. As clientele, the boat served mainly older and well-traveled North Americans. It served interesting itineraries with numerous call ports and cruise tours with shore excursions guided by knowledgeable local experts. Because of their smaller sizes, ACL ships could visit smaller ports to offer their guests exceptional tours to little-known scenic sites and important historic places in the USA.

History - construction and ownership

American Cruise Lines (ACL) is a small cruise line with headquarters in Guilford, Connecticut USA. The company provides passenger shipping services since 1991. The 1267-ton, 49-passenger cruise ship American Glory was US-flagged and crewed and fully ACL owned. The vessel was seaworthy and compliant with the USA's PVSA (Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886) which allowed it to transport passengers between US ports directly, without visiting a foreign seaport along the current itinerary. MS American Glory was US-built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland USA, for overnight river cruises, voyages on inland waterway and coastal cruises within the continental USA.

Cruise itinerary program

MS American Glory's itinerary program was based on New England cruises, along the East Coast USA and on Florida rivers leaving from homeports Jacksonville FL, Portland ME, and Providence RI. The list of regularly scheduled cruise itineraries for this ACL vessel included:

• 7-day "Historic South and Golden Isles" and "Great Rivers of Florida cruise" from Jacksonville FL
  
• 7-day "Potomac River Cruise" from Washington DC and Philadelphia PA
  
• 6- and 7-day "Chesapeake Bay" leaving from Baltimore MD
  
• 6-day "New England Islands" and 7-day "Hudson River" from Providence RI
  
• 6- and 7-day "Maine Coast and Harbors" and 10-day "Grand New England" cruises departing from Portland ME
  
• 7-day "Hudson River Cruises" leaving out of NYC

MS American Glory also offered special 14-day "East Coast Inland Passage" relocation cruises out of Jacksonville FL (Spring) and Baltimore MD (Fall)

Cabins

American Glory had 4 passenger decks and accommodated 49 guests a total number of 41 staterooms, of which 14 balcony rooms and 27 ocean-view in 5 grades. All rooms had windows, interior entrances, and private baths. There were 4 single and 2 wheelchair-accessible cabins.

Room sizes were over 200 ft2, (50% with a balcony), all with a large picture window and en-suite bathroom. Other amenities included flat-screen TVs with DVDs, picture windows, individual climate control, writing desk with chair, stationary, wardrobe, electronic safe box in the closet, and 4-drawer dressers.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

MS American Glory had one 49-seat dining room restaurant that offered regional and seasonal cuisine with open seating. Other options for a drink include the main deck lounge, midship lounge, and Nantucket lounge. The social hour included free cocktails before dinner.

The boat offered the most modern and unique small ship cruising as each of the visited ports gave a glimpse into the US cultural heritage. The country-club onboard atmosphere allows passengers to relax and enjoy fellow travelers' company, as well as share interests in American history. The public lounges and observation decks were spacious and frequented by those who wished to meet and mingle with new friends. American Glory had a library lounge, putting green, fitness, sunshade, and lifts serving all decks. Room service was offered twice daily. There was also complimentary Internet, WiFi access, and American staff and crew.

The vessel's last identification numbers were 8972338 (IMO) and 366858820 (MMSI). The ship was last AIS-spotted on December 5, 2017, being berthed at Eastern Branch Elizabeth River (Hampton Roads). Since then, its AIS transponder went silent - forever. The cruise ship was last drydock refurbished in 2015.

The cruise vessel was actively operated until 2017. On November 4, 2019, it was scuttled by a contractor company approximately 17 miles off Indian River Bay.

The scuttling was actually celebrated as the vessel became part of an artificial reef project promoted by the Delaware State's Government. In the future, laying on the bottom, cruise ship will be visited only by scuba divers - welcoming them with its silent decks and crew - and passenger-free cabins and public areas.

https://www.cruisemapper.com/ships/American-Glory-824