AIDA Cruises’ 183,200gt AIDAnova had her cruising debut pushed back again in November to 19th December due to delays in completing the ship. Sea trials commenced on 16th November and Meyer Werft hoped to have concluded the process on or before 30th November. The debut had previously been delayed to 2nd December.

The American Queen Steamboat Company (AQS) revealed on 12th November that it had signed an agreement to acquire the Victory I and sister ship Victory II from Sunstone Ships Inc., as well as the Victory Cruise Lines brand as from January 2019. The 5,000gt and 202 passenger capacity duo are identical and will join the AQS fleet under the Victory Cruise name, alongside the flagship American Queen and 166 guest paddle wheeler American Duchess sailing the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, plus the American Empress in the Pacific Northwest. The American Harmony was declared as being four weeks ahead of schedule on 20th November and was launched exactly one year to the day after her sister ship American Song at Chesapeake Shipbuilding. The 6 deck vessel will embark upon her inaugural season in Summer 2019 on the Mississippi River. The company also has the American Countess under construction in Louisiana and she will debut in 2020.