New riverboat for Gulf waterway?

Two years after announcing plans to develop a fleet of modern riverboats for U.S. rivers, American Cruise Lines (ACL) on March 1 revealed details, and a rendering, of the first vessel in its new series, which is slated to begin passenger service in 2018. The 200-passenger vessel will be the first of a new class of five modern riverboats, and will feature "the modern styling of a European riverboat." The 345-foot vessel is said to have largest staterooms in the United States, private balconies, and hotel-size bathrooms. ACL has not said where the first of the modern riverboats will sail, but in 2015, it was eyeing several inland waterways for potential development. Among the list of inland waterways were Apalachicola (Fla.) River and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. (Source: Travel Weekly 03/01/17)