American Maverick Christened in Newport During First Cruise
Susan Renner, American's board chair and treasurer, served as godmother, breaking the bottle on the top deck before a lobster bake at Fort Adams State Park.
American Cruise Lines christened American Maverick in Newport, Rhode Island, on June 22 during the 130-passenger ship’s inaugural nine-day New England Islands cruise, sailing roundtrip from Providence. Susan Renner, American’s board chair and treasurer, served as godmother and broke the bottle on the top deck before a shoreside lobster bake at Fort Adams State Park.
The naming adds another U.S.-flag small ship to American’s domestic cruise program; the line operates 28 vessels and has eight more under construction. It also follows American Encore’s May inaugural at Lewiston’s new cruise dock, which American described as the first riverboat christening in Idaho.
“We set the bar high for ourselves with American Maverick,” said Charles B. Robertson, president and CEO of American Cruise Lines. Robertson called the ship “the new standard.” He said the company’s construction program shows the U.S. river cruise market “will lead the way.”
Passengers on the inaugural sailing were joined in Newport by community partners and more than 50 employees from American’s headquarters in Guilford, Connecticut.
Patriot-class vessel built for U.S. coastal routes
American Maverick is a 243-foot, 3,660-gross-ton Patriot-class coastal cruise ship built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding, American’s affiliated shipyard in Salisbury, Maryland. The vessel carries 130 passengers and 50 crew and has passenger areas across four decks, with all-private balcony staterooms, including single cabins and suites.
Public spaces include multiple lounges, a chart room, main dining room, casual cafe, fitness center and a top-deck lounge with a walking track. American Maverick is the third Patriot Class vessel and the seventh ship in American’s Project Blue series, a group designed for U.S. coastal operations in New England’s bays, rivers and coastline.
More newbuilds and July 4 programming
American said the sister ships American Ranger, American Mariner and American Navigator are scheduled for delivery over the next year.
American is also running dedicated activities on every sailing for the United States’ July 4, 2026, 250th anniversary. Shipboard programming includes patriotic videos, ceremonies honoring veterans, a themed game show, daily U.S. history trivia, and red, white and blue cocktail parties and desserts.
Some destinations are scheduled to add shoreside activities and fireworks viewing for the holiday.
