Charles B. Robertson

Charles B. Robertson is President & CEO of American Cruise Lines, the largest U.S. flag cruise operator. American Cruise Lines is part of a closely held group of maritime companies, including Pearl Seas Cruises and Chesapeake Shipbuilding, led by Charles and his brothers, Clark and Carter Robertson.

Robertson succeeded his father and American Cruise Lines founder, Charles A. Robertson, who passed away on February 9, 2020.

He grew up in the business, working in the shipyard and aboard American Cruise Lines’ ships. He became a Vice President in 2014 and has led much of the line’s growth through market development and new ship introductions.

As the company grew, his focus shifted to ship innovation, personalized experiences, and partnerships with local communities throughout the country. He was instrumental in developing and launching the first modern riverboats in the U.S., a significant departure from the paddlewheelers that had historically been predominate on the U.S. rivers.

American Cruise Lines is the largest cruise line operating on U.S. waters, with the newest fleet of coastal cruise ships and riverboats in the U.S. All ships accommodate 100 to 200 passengers, and are built, crewed, and registered in the USA. With over 35 itineraries, American operates on the waterways of New England, Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, the Mississippi River system, and the Southeast.

Robertson is a member of the Global Executive Committee of the Cruise Lines International Association. He earned his MBA from Columbia University and holds a U.S. Coast Guard Master’s License.