(GUILFORD, Conn.) — American Cruise Lines (ACL) will be adding two more new small ships in 2025, American Patriot and American Pioneer. These 125-passenger sister ships represent the fifth and sixth ships in the company’s Project Blue series of 12 new small ships for the U.S. market. The ships will be built at the company’s affiliated shipyard, Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Maryland.
American Patriot will begin sailing in June 2025 and American Pioneer in November 2025. Both new ships will operate a host of American’s exclusive U.S. itineraries up and down the East Coast, including all-new 15-day Florida Coast and Keys cruises beginning in 2025. This new longer Florida itinerary follows the successful 2024 launch of American’s eight-day Florida Gulf Coast and Keys cruises, which are offered on several of the line’s first four Project Blue 100-passenger Coastal Cats: American Eagle and American Glory (2023), and American Liberty and American Legend (2024).
American Patriot and American Pioneer will feature five decks and 56 staterooms. They will offer a more traditional bow construction and slightly deeper draft with full stabilization, enhancing coastwise capabilities for smooth sailing.
American Cruise Lines remains the only company with a fleet of 100 percent U.S.-flagged riverboats and small ships, enabling the line to offer domestic cruises no one else sails across the U.S. – exploring both rivers and coasts.
American Patriot and American Pioneer will showcase elegant interior design and spacious 100 percent 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 to 620 square feet.
Both new ships will feature an expansive main lounge and restaurant on deck one, offering guests water views from every seat. On the fifth deck, American Patriot and American Pioneer will offer sitting, dining and fitness areas including a 360-degree skywalk walking track, an indoor sky lounge, outside sun deck, and casual cafe. The new ships also offer a bow terrace and horizon lounge on deck three, as well as indoor fitness center on deck four.
When American Patriot and American Pioneer begin sailing in 2025, American Cruise Lines will operate 21 small ships across the country.
– American Cruise Lines
