ACL American Patriot

The 2025-built MS American Patriot cruise ship is the first PATRIOT Class newbuild in the ACL-American Cruise Lines fleet and the fifth vessel in the Project Blue series.

The American Patriot is scheduled for launch and inauguration in June 2025. The sister ships in this newly designed series (Modern Riverboat class) include American Pioneer (November 2025), followed by the 2026-built American Maverick and American Ranger.

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 cruises on 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 an all-American staff and crew.

In March 2024, ACL announced the introduction of a new "coastal ship" design called "Patriot Class." The vessels in this series are designed specifically 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, allowing for 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

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

All of the 56 staterooms feature 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.

There are five 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, and under-bed storage (for suitcases), a 54-inch TV, an electronic safe box (in the closet), and indoor seating (an armchair and writing desk with a chair). Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship and is complimentary.

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

The smallest staterooms (category Single) 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), with sizes including their terraces. The four Grand Suites and nine 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 in length) with sun loungers.

Shipboard Facilities and Amenities

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

The vestibule is the ship's four-deck-high atrium (Deck 1 is the lobby level) with an open-floor design. In the vestibule area are two elevators (lifts accessing all decks) and a 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), as well as a skylight cover over 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 interconnect 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, the Sky Lounge serves beverages (water, soda, cocktails, beer), light snacks, and freshly baked cookies and pastries. The lounge's glass doors open to the terrace. A complimentary Afternoon Tea service is offered from 3:30-4:30 pm. In the evening, there is a complimentary cocktail hour.

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

The Cafe is a lido-style 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 (referred to as the "Pilothouse" or "Wheelhouse" on small ships and riverboats) is passenger-accessible. Adjacent to the pilothouse is 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 providing unobstructed 270-degree views. The Horizon Lounge has direct access to the Bow Terrace with 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, public restrooms).

The Main Lounge is the ship's show lounge with large wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows (providing unobstructed 270-degree views), ample comfortable seating (comfy armchairs, plush sofas, 4-seat round tables, glass-top coffee tables), and full bar service. Here, warm cookies are served starting at 10 am, along with the complimentary Afternoon Tea service with fresh pastries (starting at 3:30 pm). The free-drinks cocktail hour begins 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 the 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 and a single-seating capacity (accommodating all passengers). 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 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 three dishes (often BBQ pork sandwich, pasta), and a chef's salad. Dinner (6:30-7:30 pm) includes soup, salad, three entrees (including fish, meat, and vegetarian options). The wine list offers 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, and the next day's menu is posted the night before. Dietary needs are catered to, and if you don't like the menu items, you can always ask for something different. Two desserts (pie or cake) are always available, as well as 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 is a motorized rescue boat that can be launched (lowered and raised) via two davits/cranes.

Itineraries

The ACL American Patriot's itinerary program starts with its Maiden Voyage on June 21, 2025 ("Grand New England Cruise"), departing roundtrip from Boston, MA.

Other itineraries for the American Patriot's inaugural season (2025) include:

• The 7-night/8-day "Cape Codder Cruise" itinerary (roundtrip from Boston, visiting 8 ports, navigation on the Cape Cod Canal) that includes stops in Gloucester, MA, Plymouth, MA, Martha's Vineyard Island, MA, Falmouth, MA, New Bedford, MA, and Provincetown, MA.
• The 7-night/8-day "Yankee Seaports Cruise" itinerary, departing from Boston and ending in NYC (with an overnight stay on days 7-8), visiting Plymouth, MA, Newport, RI, New London/Mystic, CT, Sag Harbor, NY, Old Saybrook, CT, and New York City (overnight).
• The 14-night/15-day "Grand New England Cruise" itinerary (roundtrip from Boston) visits Portland, ME (DAY 2), Bath, ME (DAY 3), Boothbay Harbor, ME (DAY 4), Bar Harbor, ME (DAY 5), Bangor, ME (DAY 6), Rockland/Camden, ME (DAY 7), Portsmouth, NH (DAY 8), Gloucester, MA (DAY 9), Provincetown, MA (DAY 10), Newport, RI (DAY 11), Martha's Vineyard, MA (DAY 12), Nantucket Island/Martha's Vineyard, MA (DAY 13), Plymouth, MA (DAY 14), and ends in Boston, MA (DAY 15/debarkation).

ACL cruise deals include 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).