Cruise ship tours: American Cruise Line's American Eagle

The American Eagle was christened by New Orleans' First Lady Cheryl Landrieu, wife of Mayor Mitch Landrieu on April 25, 2015. Flanking the godmother and mayor are American Cruise Lines CEO Charles Robertson (left) and American Eagle's Captain Max Taber (right).

With its fluted funnels, gingerbread filigrees and red sternwheel, the American Eagle evokes the great steam-powered paddlewheel boats of yore. By international standards, the ship measures 3,506 gross tons.

The American Eagle was built by the Chesapeake Shipbuilding Corporation of Salisbury, Maryland.

The American Eagle's paddlewheel is hydraulically powered and when used in tandem with three diesel-powered Z drives, helps propel the ship.

Guests often board the ship via a long bow ramp that can be hoisted to shore in traditional steamboat fashion.

All but six of the American Eagle's 84 staterooms have a 60-square-foot balcony accessed by a sliding glass door.

The American Eagle is manned an all American crew of 57.

The ship is powered by a trio of fuel-efficient, diesel-powered Z-drives that give it a service speed of 15 miles per hour.

Guests can visit the ship's modern pilot house on guided tours on select days when the ship is in port.

At the top of the ship on 5th Deck, there is a sheltered open air space with cushioned wicker chairs and settees.

A putting green is at the aft end of 5th Deck.

On aft 4th Deck, there is a sunning terrace with a lineup of rocking chairs that overlook the ship's wake.

This is a starboard-facing view of aft 4th Deck.

2nd, 3rd and 4th Deck have open terraces overlooking the bow.

A fitness area with cardio and weight machines is located on aft 3rd Deck, overlooking the paddlewheel.

This is a view of the paddlewheel from aft 3rd Deck.

Central and aft stairs as well as a wheelchair-accessible elevator link 1st through 5th Decks.

Located on midships 4th Deck, the Chart Room can accommodate up to ten guests.

Navigational charts of the regions the ship plies are displayed atop an antique table in the Chart Room.

Located on aft 4th Deck, and evoking the winter gardens of liners and paddle boats of the Victorian era with its wicker furnishings and floral soft fittings, the Sky Lounge seats 100.

A line up of wicker rockers looks out onto the open deck from the aft portion of the Sky Lounge.

Curated by the ship's owners from antique shops in New Orleans, the American Eagle has some authentic, whimsical decorative touches, including this vintage “rocking pig” in the Sky Lounge.

Coffee, tea, soft drinks and snacks are available in the Sky Lounge.

The Library is located on midships 3rd Deck and seats up to eight guests. It is stocked with books and DVDs about the places the American Eagle visits.

The 160-seat Magnolia Lounge is located on forward 2nd Deck. It is the ship's main showroom and features windows on either side and forward.

The 6-seat Club Room is another small midships hideaway, located on 2nd Deck.

On aft 2nd Deck, the 50-seat Paddlewheel Lounge has windows that overlook the ship's sternwheel.

Dark wood paneling, plush seating and fresh flowers give the Paddlewheel Lounge a club-like ambiance.

A large flatscreen TV and DVD player occupy the starboard corner of the Paddlewheel Lounge.

Coffee, tea, snacks, soft drinks and home made cookies are available in the Paddlewheel Lounge.

Located on aft 1st Deck with near-river-level picture windows, the 160-seat Dining Room can accommodate all of the American Eagle's guests in one leisurely sitting.

The Dining Room has Victorian-influenced fittings and fixtures.

Cuisine aboard American Eagle utilizes fresh, locally sourced ingredients with a Cajun and Creole flair. This is one of the welcome aboard buffet brunch dessert stations.

Complimentary wifi is provided in all staterooms and public areas aboard the American Eagle. There are also three nooks with computers available at no charge.

Each of the American Eagle's central stairtower vestibules have intimate nooks of seating. On 5th Deck, there is even a piano.

This is the seating area in the 4th Deck vestibule.

There is a complimentary self-service launderette with two washers and dryers on 5th Deck.

A wide central passageway links the accommodation on each deck.

The American Eagle has six 350-square-foot Owner's Suites on 3rd and 4th Decks.

Owner's Suite 401 can be interconnected with the neighboring stateroom. Together, with balconies included, they measure a total of 600-square-feet.

This is the balcony of Owner's Suite 401.

This is the bathroom of Owner's Suite 401. Some staterooms have modular shower compartments with sliding glass doors.

Balcony Cabin 502 is one of six Category AAM Category Staterooms located on 5th Deck. Including the balcony, it measures 300-square-feet.

Category AAC Stateroom 406 is one of 28 staterooms that measure 300-square-feet (including balcony).

Located on port 3rd Deck, stateroom 325 is one of 17 Single Balcony staterooms that measure 210-square-feet (including balcony).

This is the bathroom of Single Balcony stateroom 325.

There are 36 Category AAL Balcony Staterooms that measure 300-square-feet (including balcony). Stateroom 315 is located on port 3rd Deck.

This is another view of Balcony Stateroom 315 showing the writing desk and closet area.

This is the balcony for Stateroom 315.

This is the bathroom of Stateroom 315.

204 is an AAL Category Balcony Stateroom on starboard 2nd Deck measuring 300-square-feet (including balcony).

Stateroom 115 is one of 5 Category A Riverview Staterooms with picture windows in lieu of balconies on 1st Deck that measure 280-square-feet.

All staterooms on the American Eagle have Keurig coffee makers in addition to king twin bed configuration, air conditioning, an open closet,night stand, dresser, writing desk, 110 volt power outlets, HD flatscreen TV with DVD player, phone, digital clock and seating area.