American Cruise Lines christened American Patriot in Newport, Rhode Island last week, celebrating the holiday and marking the countdown to the country’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. American Patriot is the first ship in the company’s new Patriot Class—a fleet of 130-passenger ships designed exclusively for cruising the U.S.A. Sister ships American Pioneer, American Maverick, and American Ranger will launch later this year and into 2026.
The christening festivities included cruise guests, community members, officials from Sail Newport, and a small group of American Cruise Lines executives and crew. Charles B. Robertson, president & CEO of American Cruise Lines; American Patriot’s godmother, Susan Daly, president of Sail Newport; and company co-founder Carol Robertson were all in attendance. Guests and attendees gathered on the ship’s top deck for the official blessing and bottle smash, followed by a traditional New England lobsterbake at Fort Adams State Park.
American Patriot accommodates 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, a main restaurant, casual café, and a fitness center. The new Patriot Class ships, along with the company’s 25 small ships, offer amenities uncommon for vessels of their size.
The company’s rapid fleet expansion aligns with the celebration of the country’s 250th birthday. In addition to new ships launching in 2025 and 2026, American Cruise Lines has introduced Extended Cruises—50-day or longer U.S. itineraries exploring the country’s rivers and waterways, from Alaska to the Florida Keys. American Patriot and American Pioneer will sail several of these new itineraries throughout 2026, along with other routes focused on U.S. destinations.
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