American Cruise Lines Plans 13 Muscatine Riverboat Calls in 2026

American Cruise Lines will bring American Melody and American Serenade to Muscatine, Iowa, for 13 Mississippi River calls between June and October 2026. The vessels will dock at the Muscatine Riverfront, adding a scheduled series of overnight arrivals and daytime port calls to the city’s summer and fall calendar.

The two riverboats each carry about 175 passengers in 91 staterooms. The schedule sends cruise guests to local museums, cultural sites and outdoor attractions over five months.

Local tours tied to riverfront calls

Muscatine City Administrator Matt Mardesen called the calls “an exciting opportunity to showcase Muscatine’s history, culture, and hospitality.” He said the city expects to welcome visitors from across the country and present the riverfront community to new guests.

Mayor Brad Bark said hosting American Cruise Lines gives Muscatine another chance to “share our story, support our local businesses, and welcome new visitors.”

Local tour guides will accompany passengers on motor coaches between stops. Scheduled points of interest include the National Pearl Button Museum, the Muscatine Art Center and the Environmental Learning Center. Premium excursions are set to include Geneva Golf and Country Club, the Stanley Center for Peace and Security and Pine Creek Grist Mill.

The vessels are scheduled to arrive the evening before each listed port date and depart at 1 p.m. on the port date. Public tours of the ships will not be offered. Residents and visitors may view the boats from Riverside Park and join departure sendoffs. The parking lot in front of the main dock and Pearl City Station will be closed, with parking available between the Mississippi Harvest and the upper boat dock.

Riverside Park sits within Muscatine’s Mississippi riverfront area, which includes public river views, boat access and trail connections near downtown.

Call schedule runs into October

American Melody is scheduled for six Muscatine calls: June 8, Aug. 18, Sept. 1, Sept. 15, Sept. 29 and Oct. 13. American Serenade is scheduled for seven calls: June 29, July 14, July 28, Aug. 11, Aug. 25, Sept. 8 and Sept. 22.