American Cruise Lines (ACL) Guilford, Ct., christened the 243'x56' passenger vessel American Patriot in Newport, R.I., last week. American Patriot is the first ship in the company’s new Patriot class — a fleet of new 130-passenger ships designed for exclusively cruising the U.S. Patriot Class sisterships American Pioneer, American Maverick, and American Ranger are soon to launch later this year and into 2026.
American Patriot accommodates just 130 guests, features four decks, private balcony staterooms and suites, a chart room, lounges (including a top deck lounge with a walking track), plus a main restaurant, casual café, and fitness center. The company’s new Patriot Class ships and all 25 small ships in the fleet offer world-class amenities, unusual for ships of their size, ACL officials said in a public statement announcing the christening.
Built at Chesapeake Shipbuilding, Salisbury, Md., some Patriot-class vessels are powered by Caterpillar diesels and some by Cummins. (WorkBoat has reached out to ACL for more details on more than one occasion, but specifics have been closely guarded by ACL officials.)
American Patriot and American Pioneer will showcase upgraded interior design and 100% private balcony accommodations — including a range of large standard staterooms, suites, and singles. The ships’ fourth decks will offer all-suite accommodations ranging from 420 sq. ft. to 620 sq. ft.
American Patriot’s christening festivities included cruise guests, community members, officials from Sail Newport — Newport’s public sailing center — and a small group of American’s executives and crewmembers.
Charles B. Robertson, ACL’s president and CEO, delivered remarks as did American Patriot’s Godmother, Susan Daly, president of Sail Newport, along with other notables, including Carol Robertson, co-founder of ACL.
Cruise guests and christening attendees gathered on the ship’s top deck for the official blessing and ceremonial bottle smash, followed by a traditional New England lobster bake at Fort Adams State Park just steps from where the ship was docked.
“We are so pleased to be back in Newport this summer, christening yet another new U.S. ship and celebrating the 4th of July with our guests,” Robertson said in his remarks. “We are especially honored to be joined by American Patriot's godmother, Susan Daly, president of Sail Newport, and so many of our Eagle Society members, who cruise with us again and again, whole-heartedly supporting our mission to offer the finest cruise explorations for discovering and re-discovering America.”
The company’s rapid fleet expansion is also well-timed to honor the country’s 250th birthday, ACL officials said.
