ACL American Ranger

The 2026-built MS American Ranger cruise ship is the fourth PATRIOT Class newbuild in the ACL-American Cruise Lines fleet and the 8th vessel in the Project Blue series.

The American Ranger is currently scheduled for launch in June 2026. This new series for ACL (the redesigned MODERN RIVERBOAT class) includes the sister ships American Patriot (June 2025), American Pioneer (November 2025), and American Maverick (2026).

All ACL ships are USA-flagged and built at 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) and has been 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, 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 the new "coastal ship" design called "Patriot Class." The announcement mentioned that vessels from 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. The design also includes 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 Ranger has 5 passenger decks, all of which (including the Sundeck) are accessible via two midship elevators.

All 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 offers 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 with double vanities), wardrobes, ample drawer storage, and under-bed storage (for suitcases), a 54-inch TV, electronic safe box (in the closet), and indoor seating (armchair, writing desk with a chair). Wi-Fi is available shipwide and is complimentary.

The ship has 4 single cabins (2x on Deck 3, 2x on Deck 2). There are no handicapped (wheelchair-accessible ADA) cabins or interconnecting rooms.

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

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

The largest accommodations are located on Deck 4 – Sky Suites (470 ft² / 44 m²) and Grand Suites (620 ft² / 58 m²), with sizes 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 in length) 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), providing unobstructed portside and starboard views. Despite the ship's dimensions, 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. The Vestibule area also includes 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 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 that circumnavigates the entire Deck 5.

The fore-located Sky Lounge is an indoor venue with premium furniture, large windows, and direct access to an open-air Terrace Cafe (for relaxation and alfresco dining). Beverages (water, soda, cocktails, beer), light snacks, fresh-baked cookies, and pastries are served throughout the day. The Sky Lounge's glass doors open to the Terrace. A complimentary Afternoon Tea service is offered from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. In the evening, there is a complimentary cocktail hour.

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

The Back Porch Cafe is a Lido-type 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 fore-located Navigation Bridge (also called "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, 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 fore-located Bow Terrace is a small viewing lounge (with outdoor seating) directly accessed from the Horizon Lounge.

The fore-located 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 or embark the ship. During the voyage, these areas can also 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. Warm cookies are served starting at 10 am, and the complimentary Afternoon Tea service with fresh pastries is offered 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 American Cruise Lines' onboard enrichment program, consisting of themed lectures (history, food and wine, literature, etc.), media presentations, and port talks (covering the current ACL cruise itinerary and tour-related information).

The glass-enclosed Dining Room Restaurant (midship and aft location) is complimentary, with an open-seating arrangement, single-seating capacity (accommodates 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 locally sourced). Breakfast (7:30-9 am) is buffet-style with 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 options). The wine list includes 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 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 is a motorized rescue boat that can be launched (lowered and raised) via two davits/cranes.

Itineraries

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

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).