American Canadian Caribbean Line, COASTAL SHIP, began service in 1997, the creation of master Rhode Island shipbuilder Luther Blount, who had been building small ships until his death in 2006. At 183 ft, she is the longest (with the
Grande Mariner) and one of the two most sophisticated of this line's long line of shallow-draft vessels, but compared to most coastal vessels, plain and simple remain the operative descriptions. Passengers number up to 100, and the crew of 18 is American.
Luther Blount, a quintessential entrepreneur, restarted the coastal cruise industry as a hobby back in the 1960s, and then he got into the business of building small cruise ships and many other types of craft such as ferries, sightseeing and dinner boats at his Warren, Rhode Island shipyard. His three daughters now run the business that operates two cruise vessels, the other being the almost identical Grande Mariner. Blount patented the bow ramp for landing on beaches and the retractable pilothouse that allows ACCL vessels to slip under low bridges along the Erie Canal.
The Grande Caribe has a loyal following of older travelers, the average age of passengers on ACCL ships being 72, about the highest of any line. They establish a most convivial atmosphere. Tipping is according to a suggested per diem and it is pooled amongst the serving staff.
In spring, she cruises the Intracoastal Waterway and Chesapeake Bay. In summer, she moves north to Cape Cod, Massachusetts and the islands from the home base of Warren, Rhode Island and the coast of Maine from Portland. In fall, she sails along the inland waterways and rivers such as the Hudson, Erie Canal, St. Lawrence Seaway and Saguenay River. On the Erie Canal and Seaway trips, passengers cruise one way and return in one day by bus. The boat usually ties up at night. Local historians come onboard and also travel with the vessel and on fairly priced shore trips.
The lounge, which also serves as the lecture hall, is forward on the higher of two accommodations decks, and the dining room, one deck below, doubles as a card room and reading area. The American food is fresh, well-prepared, and served family-style at one open sitting. Menus are posted in advance. Alcohol is not served except on special occasions, so passengers bring their own supply or purchase it locally. The line provides storage and set ups. The sun deck extends nearly the full length of the ship and has a viewing area covered by an awning, and the vessel's shallow draft and collapsible pilothouse ensure that passengers survey the scenery close up.
The 50 mostly outside cabins are among the smallest on any ship (85 to 120 sq ft) and come with minimal stowage and minuscule shower compartments. A few on the lowest deck are without windows or portholes (and are the talk of unaccustomed first-timers). Most cabins have twin or double beds, but a few lower-priced ones are triples. A stair lift is available for those who need it.
ACCL is practically unique in its Spartan simplicity, at least on the East Coast. And passengers who come prepared for this like it that way. American Cruise Lines operates similar East Coast itineraries but into the Erie Canal or the Great Lakes, and the latter's prices are considerably higher.
