ACL-American Cruise Lines has formally inaugurated its latest small ship, American Patriot, in Newport, Rhode Island, aligning the ceremony with the Fourth of July and setting the stage for the nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4, 2025.
As the inaugural vessel of the Patriot Class, American Patriot leads a quartet of 130-passenger coastal ships tailored for domestic voyages, with sister ships American Pioneer, American Maverick, and American Ranger scheduled for deployment between late 2025 and 2026.
Christening ceremonies onboard gathered a blend of cruise passengers, local residents, Sail Newport officials, and members of ACL’s leadership and crew.
Speeches were delivered by company president and CEO Charles B. Robertson, godmother Susan Daly of Sail Newport, and co‑founder Carol Robertson; the ritual concluded with the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle on the ship’s top deck, followed by a New England lobster bake at Fort Adams State Park.
The vessel, with LOA length 243 ft (74 m) was built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding and offers 56 staterooms for 130 guests across four decks. All passenger accommodations have private step-out balconies.
The public spaces include a chart room, multiple lounges—including an upper-deck lounge with a walking track—alongside dining venues and fitness facilities.
Propelled at approximately 18 knots, the ship marks a US$40 million investment into American‑built, domestically‑flagged vessels.
The christening doubles as a prelude to the expanded Extended Cruises initiative, specially curated for America’s semiquincentennial. These itineraries, some exceeding 50 days in duration, will trace historic and scenic waterways from Alaskan glaciers to Florida’s Keys. Both American Patriot and American Pioneer are projected to anchor a selection of these signature voyages throughout 2026.
Thus, with American Patriot now christened, American Cruise Lines advances its mission of offering coastal and river cruising experiences that emphasize national heritage. The new Patriot Class upholds intimate, all-American voyages, forging a path for future ships and embedding maritime tradition in service to the country’s evolving narrative.