Travel Agent recently sailed on American Cruise Lines’ (ACL) 100-passenger American Eagle, the first in a new series of 241-foot-long coastal catamarans. Our article last week focused on the ship’s dining, public spaces and accommodations, including our Sky Suite, No. 404. Now, here’s our on-site look at the clientele, onboard activities, enrichment and entertainment.
Given the intimate size of this ship, we were pleasantly surprised at the activity offerings. Certainly, travelers shouldn't expect any thrill rides or even pool play on such a small vessel. Frankly, it's unrealistic to even expect all the same types of spaces and activities that one might find on a small—but still larger—ship carrying 200 to 300 passengers. But we felt that ACL did a good job in creating onboard programming that fit both the ship's size and the line's targeted clientele.
American Eagle Clientele
On our sailing, most guests were in their 60s, 70s and 80s. A few were amazingly active in their 90s. Plus, one multi-generational family was aboard with a seven-year-old child and her young mother expecting another child. We observed that the crew was exceptionally good with the young child.
Upon our return, we chatted with ACL about what they typically see in the way of clientele. They told Travel Agent that the 60-and-up guests are the norm. But, of course, there are guests in other age categories, too, often varying by specific itinerary and season. Most guests we met were repeat ACL cruisers—members of the line’s Eagle Society loyalty program; some had taken one or two cruises, but most many more. A few had sailed nine previous ACL voyages!
How did they get to this Florida cruise? We learned that many guests were drive-market guests from the southeastern U.S. and, interestingly, many "Sunshine State" residents. Some told us they’d driven I-95 north and south multiple times but hadn’t ever taken much time to explore the northeast corner of their own state. Air travelers arrived from Arizona, Minnesota, California, Illinois, the northeastern U.S. and beyond.
Cruise Director and Onboard Activities
Our excursion and cruise director, Wyatt Wells, a 2023 graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, was energetic, friendly and a great fit for his role. This was only his second ACL “contract” but guests absolutely loved him. Every morning, he’d do the P.A. system announcements about shore trip departures, activities planned and cheerily say, “Good morning river guests, it’s Wyatt, the voice from above.” He always had a smile, always showed a willingness to chat with guests, smoothly handled shore excursion arrangements for guests, and also accompanied some of the shore tours.
Onboard, in the Chesapeake and Sky lounges as well as atop the ship, he led such activities as “Craft with the Cruise Director” to decorate wooden dragonflies; an “Afternoon Stretch on the Sun Deck;" “Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?” as guests put their math, science and English skills to the test; “Name That Tune;" “I Spy on the ICW" (Intracoastal Waterway) as guests set off on a shipboard scavenger hunt to find missing objects; “Lights, Camera, Ice Cream” on the top deck with guests enjoying ice cream and having their photo taken as memento of their voyage; trivia; and “Ice Breaker Bingo," among other fun stuff.
Guests could, alternatively, watch a chef’s demonstration, take a salsa dance lesson, listen to an officer Q&A session while sipping mimosas, enjoy line dancing, play bridge and cribbage, or grab a Soduku puzzle. In addition, on embarkation day there was a solo traveler’s get-together, while a humongous chess board on the exterior Sun Deck provided fun entertainment and a chance to soak up some sunshine.
In addition, just after dinner each night, typically at 8:20 p.m. or so, Wells would offer his “Chart Your Course” talk in the Chesapeake Lounge. Those daily talks—just prior to the evening's live entertainment—outlined all the next day’s activities, events and shore excursions. That said, it proved a bit late for some guests, who told us they’d have preferred an earlier timing.
Enrichment Lectures and Activities
As this was a “Great Rivers of Florida” cruise, the ship’s guest speaker Joe Condrill, a Native American, offered many enrichment activities and lectures focused on the "Sunshine State’s" history. For instance, the lectures included:
- “Native Americans of Florida,” a fascinating discussion of the various tribes—not simply the well-known Seminoles, but also the Muskogees, Paleoindians and Timucuans.
- "European/American Involvement in Florida,” providing insight into the roles of Spain, France, England and the U.S. in the founding/discovery of Florida.
- “Port Preview of Amelia Island,” one of the ship’s Florida ports of call. Guests learned that between 1870 to 1910, the isle’s “Golden Age,” many Victorian homes were constructed.
- “The Civil War in Florida,” which revealed that while there were some battles or events, Florida itself was considered a “backwater” country by both sides who were more focused on the action in other states.
In addition, Condrill also talked about “Amazing Dates That Shook the World” in a game show-type format, plus “Fascinating Tales about U.S. Presidents, First Ladies and Veeps,” among other enrichment activities.
Onboard Nightly Entertainment
If there was a surprise on this cruise, it was the quality of the live nightly entertainment. No, there aren’t production shows, but you will find a mix of talented entertainers, including some local residents in the area of sailing.
Most popular on two nights—and we absolutely would have returned another night to hear them if that had been on the schedule—were Kenny and Kat. These two talented songwriters, singers and guitarists have been ACL favorite performers for seven years on the line’s sister brand, Pearl Seas Cruises. Dancing and singing along by guests was encouraged as Kenny and Kat belted out toe-tapping standards. One evening their repertoire was themed, “Best of the 50s and 60s,” while another night they played “Best of the 70s and the British Invasion.”
In addition, we enjoyed the performance on another night by Annie Atkins, a red-headed fireball of a singer with a sultry voice. She tapped into an extensive repertoire of jazz, pop, rock and R&B standards, primarily from the 50s through 80s.
While we didn’t attend Gary Strickland’s “Swingin’ Southern Charm" nightly entertainment, some guests later told us they enjoyed his performance. Another group also performed live on two other nights. All in all, the live entertainment was very good for the line's target clientele.
Coming Soon! Itinerary Insight
This story is the second in a three-part series with intel from our February 2024 sailing on American Eagle, the first of ACL's new coastal catamarans. Our first story last week focused on the ship's dining, public spaces and accommodations, including our Sky Suite, No. 404.
The final article in this series—a day-by-day look at American Eagle’s “Great Rivers of Florida” itinerary and ACL's shore excursions—is coming soon. Stay tuned!
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