NATCHEZ — The American Song, a new riverboat member of American Cruise Lines, docked Tuesday morning at Natchez Under-the-Hill for the first time.

American Song arrived in Natchez on day three of its eight-day inaugural venture, which is carrying passengers from New Orleans to Memphis while stopping at select ports along the Mississippi River.

The ship is marketed by American Cruise Lines as “the first of the new modern riverboats,” as a second ship, the American Harmony, prepares to cruise the Mississippi in early 2019.

Eugenie Cates, president of the Natchez Pilgrimage Tours, said she noticed the ship docked at Natchez Under-the-Hill early Tuesday and was thrilled.

“I did see it this morning, and I was so excited,” Cates said Tuesday. “This is the first time they’ve stopped here (in Natchez) and folks are kind of scrambling around to greet them.”

The American Song can house 184 passengers and features a unique bow with a retractable gangway as well as a modern-designed interior with a five-story glass atrium and spacious lounges 40 feet above water.

Cates said the ship’s passengers had the opportunity to participate in a few guided tours during their short excursion in Natchez, including Longwood and Frogmore Cotton Plantation and Gin as well as a piano concert at the Joseph Stone House.

Luke Cockerham of Natchez Pilgrimage Tours said 131 passengers signed up to visit Longwood and Frogmore while Natchez tour guides highlight other points of interest downtown from a tour bus.

“They do a downtown city bus tour, where they point out a lot of points of interest and give an overview of the history of Natchez as they ride at each location,” Cockerham said. “It’s great to see a lot of people visit Natchez for the first time. … We’ve noticed that a lot of people who’ve visited in the past come back again. It’s great exposure for the city.”

American Song prepares to make its next stop at Vicksburg before arriving in Memphis on Oct. 12.