American Cruise Lines · All American Cruise Lines ships · Patriot Class (Project Blue coastal ship)

American Maverick: ship guide

Christened in Newport in June 2026: 130 guests, New England summers, Florida winters.

Best for: Couples and solo travelers who want a 2026-built small ship with all-balcony staterooms for a New England summer or a Florida Keys winter, with everything from drinks to excursions included. Sails from St. Petersburg, Tampa, Amelia Island, Key West, Boston, Portland, Maine, New York in 2026 and 2027.

American Maverick
American Maverick
130guests at double occupancy
5decks
2026entered service
69staterooms

About American Maverick

American Maverick is the third Patriot Class ship from American Cruise Lines and the second new ship the company launched in 2026, after the riverboat American Encore. It began sailing in June 2026 with a nine-day New England Islands cruise round trip from Providence and was christened in Newport, Rhode Island, during that inaugural voyage by godmother Susan Renner, the company’s board chair, followed by a lobster bake at Fort Adams. Like its sisters it carries 130 guests in 69 balcony staterooms built at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Maryland.

The ship has a traditional bow, a slightly deeper draft and full stabilization for the open bays and coasts it is designed for, and a calm color palette throughout. The reimagined Sky Lounge on the top deck gives panoramas unusual on a small ship, beside a 360-degree Sky Walk track, lounge chairs and the Back Porch Café. The Chesapeake Lounge hosts nightly entertainment, the Chart Room at the bow displays the route, and the glass-enclosed Restaurant seats all guests in open seating. Meals, drinks, a daily cocktail hour, an excursion in every port, gratuities and Wi-Fi are included.

From late October 2026 American Maverick sails a 16-day Grand Florida Coast & Keys cruise, then nine-day Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruises round trip from St. Petersburg through April 2027. Its 2027 summer is in New England: Cape Codder and 12-day New England Explorer cruises from Boston, Maine Coast & Harbors cruises round trip from Portland, Maine, a 16-day New England Fall Foliage cruise from Portland to New York, and Northeast Harbors between Boston and New York, before Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruises between Tampa and Key West for the 2027 to 2028 winter.

  • Christened in Newport, Rhode Island, in June 2026 on its inaugural New England Islands cruise
  • Patriot Class hull with a traditional bow, deeper draft and full stabilization for coastal sailing
  • All 69 staterooms have private balconies, with eight Single Balcony staterooms priced for one
  • Deck 4 is all suites, topped by two 500-square-foot Grand Suites with separate bedrooms
  • Reimagined top-deck Sky Lounge, 360-degree Sky Walk walking track and Sun Deck
  • Open seating Restaurant with regional New England and Florida menus, plus the Back Porch Café
  • Daily cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres and all drinks included around the clock
  • Florida Gulf Coast & Keys winters from St. Petersburg and Tampa, New England and Maine summers from Boston and Portland

Staterooms and suites

Single Balcony

250 square feet on decks 2, 3 and 4 with a full-size bed, desk and chair, sitting area and a private balcony with table and chair; eight on board, sold for one guest without a single supplement.

Premium Balcony

300 square feet on deck 2 with full-size furniture, open floor space, a large shower and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors onto a furnished private balcony.

Vista Balcony

300 square feet on deck 3, the sought-after middle deck close to the Chart Room and Bow Terrace, with an open layout and a private balcony with table and chairs.

Veranda Suite

320 square feet on deck 4 with a king-size bed, seating area, stocked refrigerator, closet and full-size dresser, and sliding glass doors to a furnished balcony.

Sky Suite

400 square feet on deck 4 with a triple-panel floor-to-ceiling glass wall, separate sitting and sleeping areas, lounge chairs, a desk and a bathroom with double vanity and large shower.

Grand Suite

500 square feet on deck 4 with a dedicated bedroom and a separate living room, both opening onto a 25-foot private balcony with table, chairs and chaise; dining area, breakfast bar, daily-restocked refrigerator and two TVs; two on board.

American Maverick deck plans

Deck by deck, straight from our booking engine: the plan, the stateroom categories on that deck and the public rooms. Pick a deck.

Deck 5 plan

Deck 5

Sky Lounge, Back Porch Cafe, Sun Deck, Sky Walk.

  • Sky LoungeLocated at the aft of the ship, this elegantly designed lounge provides the perfect ambiance for socializing and admiring the scenery while enjoying a refreshing cocktail. The sizable skylight overhead and large windows surrounding the room brings the outdoors in
  • SundeckTake a deep breath of fresh air and immerse yourself in the breathtaking 360-degree view of the passing scenery from this ideal setting. Savor the gentle breeze and scenic views while reclining on a comfortable lounge chair. Unwind with your favorite book, socialize with fellow travelers, play shuffleboard, or simply bask in the serenity of your surroundings
  • Sky WalkFor those seeking a bit of exercise while cruising, the Sky Walk on the sun deck is an ideal location for scenic strides. Offering a unique perspective high above the water, this walking track allows you to fully appreciate the beauty of the landscapes that unfold before you

Plans are the cruise line’s current drawings as supplied to our booking engine. Layouts change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the exact stateroom when you book.

On board American Maverick

Sundeck
Sundeck
Sky Walk
Sky Walk
Sky Lounge
Sky Lounge
Restaurant
Restaurant
Lookout Cafe
Lookout Cafe
Horizon Lounge
Horizon Lounge
Fitness Center
Fitness Center
Chesapeake Lounge
Chesapeake Lounge
Sundeck
Sundeck
Sky Walk
Sky Walk
Sky Lounge
Sky Lounge
Restaurant
Restaurant

Dining on American Maverick

RestaurantIncluded

Glass-enclosed dining room on deck 1 with open seating and water views from every table; menus change with the region, from Maine lobster and scallops in summer to Gulf seafood in winter.

Back Porch CaféIncluded

Casual outdoor café on the top deck serving sandwiches, burgers and salads al fresco.

Daily cocktail hourIncluded

A complimentary evening cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres and top-shelf liquor before dinner every day.

Drinks policyIncluded

All alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are included at any hour, from beer, wine and cocktails to soft drinks, water, coffee and tea; there is no drinks package and no bar tab.

Entertainment and activities

  • Chesapeake Lounge at the bow, the social hub by day and the live entertainment venue each evening
  • Reimagined Sky Lounge on the top deck, plus the Sun Deck and 360-degree Sky Walk track
  • Onboard expert with daily presentations and port briefings, joined by local musicians and historians
  • Guided small-group shore excursions, at least one included in every port, from mansions to kayaking
  • Chart Room and Bow Terrace for morning coffee and following the ship’s route
  • Fitness Center with cardio machines, free weights and resistance equipment
  • Starlink Wi-Fi, self-service guest laundry and an elevator to all decks

Families and who it suits

American Cruise Lines publishes no minimum age and runs no children’s program; there are no kids’ facilities on board, and the enrichment talks, excursions and cocktail hour are built for adults, so families with young children should ask before booking.

Best for: Couples and solo travelers who want a 2026-built small ship with all-balcony staterooms for a New England summer or a Florida Keys winter, with everything from drinks to excursions included.

Sails from: St. Petersburg, Tampa, Amelia Island, Key West, Boston, Portland, Maine, New York · Regions: Florida Gulf Coast and Keys, New England, Maine Coast

American Maverick questions we answer every day

How big is American Maverick?
American Maverick carries 130 guests in 69 staterooms, all with private balconies, served by an elevator across five decks. American Cruise Lines does not publish tonnage or length, though it notes its small ships are nearly 60 feet wide against a typical 39-foot European riverboat, which is why even the entry staterooms are 250 to 300 square feet. The ship was built in 2026 at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland.
Where does American Maverick sail in 2026 and 2027?
After a 16-day Grand Florida Coast & Keys cruise in late October 2026, American Maverick sails nine-day Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruises round trip from St. Petersburg through April 2027. In summer 2027 it is in New England: Cape Codder and 12-day New England Explorer cruises from Boston, Maine Coast & Harbors cruises from Portland, Maine, a 16-day fall foliage cruise from Portland to New York and Northeast Harbors cruises, then Tampa to Key West cruises from November 2027.
What is included in the fare on American Maverick?
Fares are all-inclusive: all meals and snacks, all drinks including alcohol, a daily cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, at least one guided excursion per port, nightly entertainment and an onboard expert, gratuities, port charges, Starlink Wi-Fi, and a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay with luggage service and transfer to the ship. Premium and Signature excursions are extra. SmartCruiser adds bonus onboard credit on sailings where American allows it, not available when you book direct.
Which staterooms are best on American Maverick?
All 69 staterooms have balconies, so pick by deck and size. Premium Balcony on deck 2 and Vista Balcony on deck 3 are both 300 square feet; deck 3 sits between the Restaurant and the suites and is the usual first choice. Deck 4 is suites only: Veranda Suites at 320 square feet, Sky Suites at 400 with a full glass wall, and two Grand Suites at 500 with a separate bedroom. Eight 250-square-foot Single Balcony staterooms are priced for solo guests.
When was American Maverick christened?
American Maverick was christened in Newport, Rhode Island, in June 2026 during its inaugural nine-day New England Islands cruise round trip from Providence. Susan Renner, American Cruise Lines’ board chair and treasurer, served as godmother, and the bottle smash on the top deck was followed by a traditional New England lobster bake at Fort Adams State Park. She is also godmother to sister ship American Ranger, christened on the Hudson River in September 2026.
Is American Maverick a river cruise or a coastal cruise?
Both, in the American Cruise Lines sense. The ship sails protected coastal waters, bays and rivers within sight of land, so the experience feels like a river cruise with daily ports, while the Patriot Class bow, deeper draft and stabilizers handle open stretches such as Cape Cod Bay, the Gulf of Maine and the Florida Gulf Coast. Every itinerary stays entirely within the United States with an all-American crew.

Facts checked against American Cruise Lines: American Maverick, American Cruise Lines press release: American Maverick christened in Newport, American Cruise Lines press release: 10 new U.S.-built ships through 2028, American Cruise Lines: all-inclusive fares on October 14, 2026. Ship details change with refurbishments; your SmartCruiser advisor confirms the current layout when you book.

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