ACL American Maverick

The 2026-built MS American Maverick cruise ship is the third PATRIOT Class newbuild in the ACL-American Cruise Lines fleet and the seventh vessel in the Project Blue series.

American Maverick is currently scheduled for launch and inauguration in June 2026. The sisterships in this new series for ACL (the redesigned MODERN RIVERBOAT class) include American Patriot (June 2025), American Pioneer (November 2025), and American Ranger (2026).

All ACL ships are USA-flagged and built by the company-owned Chesapeake Shipbuilding Yard in Salisbury, MD (Maryland, USA).

History - Construction and Ownership

The shipowner American Cruise Lines/ACL is the USA's largest river cruise company (headquartered in Guilford, Connecticut), operational since 1991. The company specializes in cruise shipping along the USA's largest navigable inland waterways (rivers and lakes), as well as voyages along the East Coast USA/New England, West Coast USA, and Florida.

All ACL vessels feature some of the industry's largest passenger cabins with private step-out balconies, spacious lounges, and outdoor deck spaces, gourmet cuisine, a top-quality enrichment program with many complimentary land tours and excursions, and highly personalized service by all-American staff and crew.

In March 2024, ACL announced the introduction of a new "coastal ship" design called "Patriot Class". The announcement revealed that vessels from this series are specifically designed for coastal navigation (along the East Coast USA/New England and the Florida Keys), featuring enhanced capabilities for smoother near-coast navigation. The redesigned Modern Riverboat class is based on a traditional hull with a non-opening bow (without a bow door) and a slightly deeper draft. ACL's PATRIOT ship design incorporates Rolls-Royce marine stabilizers, ensuring stable and comfortable cruising in varying sea conditions. It also allows for larger staterooms and more upper-deck Suites (4x Grand and 9x Sky), all of which are two-room accommodations.

Each of ACL's PATRIOT class vessels has a maximum capacity of 125 passengers, accommodated in 56 balcony staterooms.

Decks and Cabins

ACL American Maverick has 5 passenger decks, all of which (including the Sundeck) are accessible via two midship elevators.

All of the 56 staterooms have private step-out balconies, each fitted with a table and two chairs, and a glass railing. A floor-to-ceiling sliding door opens onto the veranda.

The ship has 5 cabin categories. Except for the Single cabins, all staterooms have King-size double beds (convertible to twins), large bathrooms (most with single vanities; suites have double vanities), wardrobes, ample drawer storage, under-bed storage (for suitcases), a 54-inch TV, and an electronic safe (in the closet). Indoor seating includes an armchair and writing desk with a chair. Wi-Fi is shipwide and complimentary.

The ship has 4 single cabins (2x on Deck 3, 2x on Deck 2). There are no handicapped cabins (wheelchair-accessible ADA staterooms designed for passengers with disabilities) and no interconnecting rooms.

The smallest staterooms (Single category) are 280 ft² (26 m²), including the veranda.

Standard balcony cabins (categories AAM and Vista) are 310 ft² (29 m²), including the veranda.

The largest accommodations are on Deck 4 - Sky Suites (470 ft² / 44 m²) and Grand Suites (620 ft² / 58 m²), including their terraces. The 4x Grand Suites and 9x Sky Suites are two-room accommodations with separate living rooms and bedrooms (both with direct balcony access, 2x TVs), dining areas, marble bathrooms (double-sink vanities), larger balconies (7 m / 35 ft) with sun loungers.

Shipboard Facilities and Amenities

The ship's interior design features a 4-story Vestibule (glass-walled Atrium positioned midship on four decks) that offers unobstructed portside and starboard views. Despite the boat's size, all indoor and outdoor areas are spacious, well-designed, and feature floor-to-ceiling windows.

The Vestibule is the ship's 4-deck-high Atrium (Deck 1 is the lobby level) with an open-floor design. It also houses the two elevators (lifts accessing all decks) and the self-service Guest Laundry room. The Vestibule/Atrium features large windows (portside and starboard on each level), small terraces (on decks 1-2-3-4), and a Skylight above Deck 4 (a transparent glass roof that allows natural light into the interior).

Two lifts (passenger elevators in the Vestibule/midship) and indoor stairs (midship) interconnect all decks (1 through 5). Aft outdoor staircases connect decks 2-3-4-5.

Venues on the 5th Floor

Deck 5's Skylight is a transparent glass roof that allows natural light into the Vestibule/Atrium.

The Sky Walk (aft) is a walking track circumnavigating the entire Deck 5.

The forward-facing Sky Lounge is an indoor venue featuring premium furniture, large windows, and direct access to an open-air Terrace Cafe (for relaxation and alfresco dining). Throughout the day, beverages (water, soda, cocktails, beer), light snacks, fresh-baked cookies, and pastries are served at the Sky Lounge. The lounge's glass doors open to the Terrace. A complimentary Afternoon Tea service is offered between 3:30-4:30 pm. In the evening, a complimentary cocktail hour is also available.

The Sun Deck is fully teak and fitted with two sunbathing areas (padded sun loungers, low tables), a shaded seating area (hard roof-covered), a walking lane/track, open-air relaxation areas (furnished with 2-seat tables, padded deckchairs, and garden sofas), and live plants for decoration. Also located aft are the funnels (the boat's four smokestacks).

The Back Porch Cafe is an alfresco dining venue with premium wicker furniture (4-seat tables with cushioned armchairs and sofas with low tables). The Cafe serves the sundeck area with drinks and snacks.

Venues on the 4th Floor

The forward-located Navigation Bridge (also known as the "Pilothouse" or "Wheelhouse" on small ships and riverboats) is passenger-accessible. Adjacent to the Pilothouse are the Captain's Suite and officers' quarters.

The aft Fitness Center is a small gym equipped with free weights, workout benches, a Kinesis One station, treadmills, and exercise bikes.

Deck 4 also houses passenger cabins from 402 to 414, all of which are private balcony staterooms in categories GS-Grand Suite and SS-Sky Suite.

Venues on the 3rd Floor

The forward-located Bow Terrace is a small viewing lounge (with outdoor seating) directly accessed from the Horizon Lounge.

The forward-facing Horizon Lounge is a small indoor lounge with large wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows offering unobstructed 270-degree views. The Horizon Lounge has direct access to the Bow Terrace, which has limited seating (several 4-seat tables).

Deck 3 houses passenger cabins from 301 to 326, all of which are private balcony staterooms in categories VS-Vista Suite and two SB-Single Balcony cabins (rooms #312/midship and #323/aft).

Venues on the 2nd Floor

Midship on Deck 2 are the two ship entrances (portside and starboard). These boarding areas allow passengers to disembark and go ashore or embark the boat. During the voyage, these areas can be accessed as balconies (via doors from the Vestibule).

Deck 2 also houses passenger cabins from 204 to 229, all of which are private balcony staterooms in categories AAM, plus two SB-Single Balcony cabins (rooms #214/midship and #227/aft).

Venues on the 1st Floor

Midship is the Lobby Hall (Vestibule, Reception Desk, Ship's Office, and Public Restrooms).

The Main Lounge is the ship's show lounge with large wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows offering unobstructed 270-degree views, ample comfortable seating (comfy armchairs, plush sofas, 4-seat round tables, and glass-top coffee tables), and full bar service. Here, warm cookies are served starting at 10 am, and the complimentary Afternoon Tea service with fresh pastries begins at 3:30 pm. The free drinks cocktail hour starts at 5:30 pm. Root beer and ice cream are served complimentary during the evening shows (solo performances, music tributes, themed music, movie trivia, bingo). The lounge's furniture is rearranged daily to suit the themed entertainment. This is also the venue for American Cruise Lines' onboard enrichment program, which includes themed lectures (history, food and wine, literature, etc.), media presentations, and port talks (about the current ACL cruise itinerary and tours-related information).

The glass-enclosed Dining Room Restaurant (midship and aft location) is complimentary, with an open-seating arrangement, single-seating capacity (accommodating all passengers), and a resort-casual dress code. The restaurant features stylish furniture and luxury dining amenities. Dining menus are itinerary-inspired, with local specialties. Food is prepared by highly trained chefs using the freshest ingredients (many of which are locally sourced). Breakfast (7:30-9 am) is buffet-style and includes made-to-order items. Lunch (12:30-1:30 pm) includes soup, a choice of 3 dishes (often BBQ pork sandwich, pasta), and Chef's Salad. Dinner (6:30-7:30 pm) includes soup, salad, 3 entrees (including fish, meat, and vegetarian). The wine list features a selection of domestic wines (available by the bottle or by the glass). Complimentary beer and wine are served with all lunches and dinners. Water and soda are complimentary during meal service.

Breakfast can also be delivered to your stateroom if an order form is placed on the doorknob the night before. Lunch and dinner are both ordered at breakfast time. The next-day menu is posted the night before. Any dietary needs will be catered to. If you don't like the menu items, you can always request something different. Two desserts (pie or cake) are always available, along with sherbets and a variety of ice creams. Sweets are complimentary and available all day long. Refrigeration is available for storing insulin or other medications that require protection.

Adjacent to the restaurant is the Galley (kitchen and storage rooms).

At the stern/aft, there is a motorized rescue boat mounted on davits/cranes, which can be lowered and raised.

Itineraries

ACL American Maverick's itinerary program (homeports, itineraries) will be announced in the coming months.

ACL cruise deals are inclusive of a pre-cruise hotel package, all shore excursions (organized daily), cocktail hour (each evening), stateroom, gourmet meals, Afternoon Tea service, room service (Breakfast only), onboard enrichment and live entertainment programs, and Wi-Fi (shipwide coverage).