American Cruise Lines, the USA’s largest coastal and river cruise operator, has decided to give the name American Jazz for the third ship for its Modern Riverboat Series, the company said in a statement.

“The American Jazz will join sister-ships, American Song and American Harmony, in sporting elegant modern design, state-of-the-art technical features and enhanced environmental credentials,” the company stated.

The American Jazz is currently under construction at Chesapeake Shipbuilding and is scheduled to begin cruising the Mississippi in 2020, visiting iconic destinations such as Memphis, New Orleans and St Louis.

Slightly larger than both the first and second ships in the Modern Riverboat Series, the American Jazz will share features including multi-story glass atriums, private furnished balconies - a rarity on U.S. rivers - and a unique opening bow and retractable gangway, designed to enable “bow landings” direct to a river bank or dock wherever needed.

This patent-pending feature will enable the American Jazz to offer an array of options for its itineraries unmatched by other ships, the company said.