American Cruise Lines has christened its latest ship, American Patriot – with the ceremony taking place in Newport, Rhode Island on US Independence Day, July 4.
American Patriot is the first ship in the company’s new Patriot Class – a fleet of 130-passenger ships designed exclusively for cruising the USA.
Patriot Class sister ships, American Pioneer, American Maverick and American Ranger will launch later this year and into 2026.
American Patriot’s christening was attended by cruise guests, community members, officials from Sail Newport and a small group of American’s executives and crew members.
Charles B. Robertson, president & CEO of American Cruise Lines, spoke at the event along with American Patriot’s Godmother and president of Sail Newport, Susan Daily, and Carol Robertson, co-founder of American Cruise Lines. 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 US ship and celebrating the 4th of July with our guests,” said Charles B. Robertson, president & CEO of American Cruise Lines. “We are especially honoured to be joined by American Patriot’s godmother, Susan Daly, 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.”
American Patriot accommodates just 130 guests. It features four decks, private balcony staterooms and suites, a chart room, spacious lounges (including a top deck lounge with a walking track), plus a main restaurant, casual café and fitness centre. 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.
American Patriot is the newest cruise ship in the USA and the latest in a long line of new innovative small ships introduced by American Cruise Lines. Sister ship American Pioneer launches later this year in Florida.
The company’s rapid fleet expansion is also well-timed to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday.
In addition to numerous new ships launching in 2025 and 2026, American has also introduced an array of extended cruises celebrating the anniversary – 50-Day+ itineraries highlighting the grandeur and history of the USA and small ship adventures that explore America’s great rivers and waterways, from the glaciers in Alaska to the beaches in the Florida Keys.
American Patriot and American Pioneer will sail several of the line’s new extended cruises throughout 2026, as well as other itineraries dedicated to exploring the US.
