New Cruise Line To Dock in Pensacola in 2026
By Dale Hines
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
September 25, 2025
PENSACOLA, Fla. A cruise line will soon be docking in Pensacola and offering a unique cruise along the Gulf Coast.
American Cruise Lines’ new “Gulf Coast Cruise” will dock in Pensacola this March.
Businesses in the area are excited about the travelers that will pass through the area and happy about more business opportunities for the area.
Alexa Paolella, the public relations manager for the company, says the cruise is less about being on board and more about exploring the destinations.
“The Gulf Coast Cruise, just like our 50 other itineraries, are more about where you’re going, what is offered on shore, what is there for local culture, sites, museums, customs, and our guests sail with us to explore,” she said.
The itinerary will take passengers from Pensacola to New Orleans, or vice-versa.
It’ll cost about $5,000 per person for an eight-day, seven-night excursion.
The ship makes four other stops between Pensacola and New Orleans — Mobile, Biloxi, Ocean Springs and Gulfport.
“The first dates in March of 2026 are all sold out,” Paolella said.
The cruise line plans to use its “American Symphony” boat in March. It holds up to 180 passengers at a time.
Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves said it’ll be great for the city.
The city hasn’t been able to reap the benefits of a cruise line until now.
“The fact that this smaller vessel allows us to use Plaza de Luna and not need the major infrastructure that obviously a Mobile, if you’re talking about a large cruise line, that’s not something we would be able to handle,” Reeves said. “So I think any type of engagement like this that exposes the city of Pensacola to new visitors is always a great thing.”
It will make stops in Pensacola only two months out of the year, beginning in March and December of 2026. Trips will be scheduled once a week.
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