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

American Mariner: ship guide

New for June 2027: a 130-guest Patriot Class ship for the Maine coast and East Coast.

Best for: Travelers who want to sail a brand-new all-balcony small ship in its first season on the Maine coast, the Hudson in fall or the Florida Gulf Coast in winter. Sails from Portland, Maine, New York, Albany, Tampa, Key West in 2026 and 2027.

See every American Mariner sailingDeck plansAmerican Cruise Lines policies
American Mariner
American Mariner
130guests at double occupancy
5decks
2027entered service
69staterooms

About American Mariner

American Mariner is an upcoming Patriot Class ship from American Cruise Lines, announced in October 2025 as one of ten new U.S.-built ships through 2028 and due to begin sailing in June 2027. It is an exact sister to American Patriot, American Pioneer, American Maverick and American Ranger, under construction at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland, and will carry 130 guests in 69 staterooms, all with private balconies. The company describes it as purpose-built for the Eastern Seaboard, from New England to the Chesapeake Bay.

Expect the Patriot Class layout: a traditional bow, slightly deeper draft and full stabilization for coastal waters, a soft color palette inside, and on the top deck the reimagined Sky Lounge, a 360-degree Sky Walk walking track, an outdoor café and lounge seating. The Chesapeake Lounge hosts nightly entertainment and enrichment, the Chart Room at the bow is for tracing the route on nautical charts, and the glass-enclosed Restaurant serves open seating meals. Fares include meals, drinks, a daily cocktail hour, an excursion in every port, gratuities, Starlink Wi-Fi and a pre-cruise hotel night.

American Mariner’s first season is a Maine summer: nine-day Maine Coast & Harbors cruises round trip from Portland, Maine, run from June 1 through September 2027, followed by a 16-day New England Fall Foliage cruise from Portland to New York, Hudson River Fall Foliage cruises round trip from Albany in October 2027, and nine-day Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruises between Tampa and Key West from November 2027 into February 2028. It will suit travelers who want to be among the first aboard a new ship on the lobster-and-lighthouse coast.

  • Brand-new Patriot Class ship due in June 2027, an exact sister to American Patriot, Pioneer, Maverick and Ranger
  • Inaugural season of Maine Coast & Harbors cruises round trip from Portland, Maine, June to September 2027
  • All 69 staterooms have private balconies, including eight Single Balcony staterooms priced for one
  • Two 500-square-foot Grand Suites and an all-suite deck 4
  • Reimagined Sky Lounge, 360-degree Sky Walk track and outdoor café on the top deck
  • Chesapeake Lounge for nightly entertainment and the Chart Room at the bow for following the route
  • Open seating Restaurant with Maine lobster, scallops and other New England menus in summer
  • Daily cocktail hour, all drinks, an excursion in every port, gratuities and Wi-Fi included

Staterooms and suites

Single Balcony

250 square feet on decks 2, 3 and 4 with a full-size bed, desk, sitting area and a private balcony with table and chair; eight on board, priced for one guest.

Premium Balcony

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

Vista Balcony

300 square feet on deck 3, the central deck near the Chart Room and Bow Terrace, with an open floor plan 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 a furnished balcony.

Sky Suite

400 square feet on deck 4 behind a triple-panel floor-to-ceiling glass wall, with lounge chairs, desk, stocked refrigerator and a bathroom with double vanity and large shower.

Grand Suite

500 square feet on deck 4 with a dedicated bedroom and 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 Mariner 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 LoungeSituated on the top deck of the ship, this elegantly appointed lounge offers an inviting atmosphere for socializing and soaking in the stunning views.
  • Back Porch CafeFrom sandwiches and burgers to salads and more, there's something to satisfy every palate as you dine al fresco amidst the beauty of the surrounding landscapes.
  • Sun DeckTake a deep breath of fresh air and immerse yourself in the breathtaking 360-degree view of the passing scenery from this ideal setting.
  • Sky WalkOffering 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 Mariner

Sun Deck
Sun Deck
Sky Walk
Sky Walk
Sky Lounge
Sky Lounge
Restaurant
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Fitness Center
Chesapeake Lounge
Chesapeake Lounge
Chart Room
Chart Room
Bow Terrace
Bow Terrace
Back Porch Cafe
Back Porch Cafe
Bow Terrace
Bow Terrace
Sun Deck
Sun Deck
Sky Walk
Sky Walk

Dining on American Mariner

RestaurantIncluded

Glass-enclosed main dining room on deck 1 with open seating and water views from every table; regional menus cooked to order from locally sourced ingredients.

Back Porch CaféIncluded

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

Daily cocktail hourIncluded

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

Drinks policyIncluded

All beverages are included around the clock, from beer, wine and spirits to soft drinks, water, coffee and tea, with no drinks package to buy.

Entertainment and activities

  • Chesapeake Lounge at the bow for daytime socializing and nightly live entertainment and enrichment
  • Reimagined Sky Lounge on the top deck, with lounge seating and the 360-degree Sky Walk track
  • Onboard expert with daily presentations on New England maritime history, the lobster industry and regional ecology
  • Guided small-group shore excursions, at least one included in every port, with local guides
  • Chart Room and Bow Terrace for morning coffee and tracing the route on nautical charts
  • 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: Travelers who want to sail a brand-new all-balcony small ship in its first season on the Maine coast, the Hudson in fall or the Florida Gulf Coast in winter.

Sails from: Portland, Maine, New York, Albany, Tampa, Key West · Regions: Maine Coast, New England, Hudson River, Florida Gulf Coast and Keys

American Mariner questions we answer every day

When does American Mariner start sailing?
American Cruise Lines lists American Mariner as coming in 2027, with the first departures on June 1, 2027. It is being built at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Maryland alongside sister ship American Navigator, which follows later in summer 2027. The company announced both ships in October 2025 as part of an order of ten new U.S.-built ships delivered at roughly one every four months.
How big is American Mariner?
American Mariner will carry 130 guests in 69 staterooms across five decks with an elevator to every deck, matching its Patriot Class sisters. American Cruise Lines does not publish tonnage or length, but says its small ships are nearly 60 feet wide compared with a typical 39-foot European riverboat, which is why staterooms run from 250 to 500 square feet.
Where does American Mariner sail in 2027?
The inaugural season is Maine Coast & Harbors cruises round trip from Portland, Maine, from June through September 2027, followed by a 16-day New England Fall Foliage cruise from Portland to New York, Hudson River Fall Foliage cruises round trip from Albany in October, and Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruises between Tampa and Key West from November 2027 to February 2028. From 2028 it adds American Revolution and Potomac River & Chesapeake Bay cruises.
What is included in the fare on American Mariner?
Fares are all-inclusive: all meals and snacks, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, 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 Mariner?
Every stateroom has a private balcony. Premium Balcony on deck 2 and Vista Balcony on deck 3 are both 300 square feet, with deck 3 the preferred middle deck. Deck 4 is all suites: 320-square-foot Veranda Suites, 400-square-foot Sky Suites with a full glass wall and two 500-square-foot Grand Suites with a separate bedroom and 25-foot balcony. Solo travelers have eight 250-square-foot Single Balcony staterooms priced for one.
Is American Mariner the same as American Maverick and American Ranger?
Yes. American Cruise Lines calls American Mariner and American Navigator exact sister ships to American Patriot, American Pioneer, American Maverick and American Ranger, all Patriot Class ships in the Project Blue series. They share the hull, deck plan, stateroom categories and top-deck Sky Lounge and walking track; the differences are the lounge names, the interior color scheme and the itineraries each ship is assigned.

Facts checked against American Cruise Lines: American Mariner, American Cruise Lines press release: 10 new U.S.-built ships through 2028, American Cruise Lines press release: American Ranger christened on the Hudson River, 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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Every American Mariner sailing, priced all-in

Every American Mariner departure the cruise line is selling, priced live with taxes, fees and port expenses included. SmartCruiser picks at the top are sailings where booking with us gets you something extra. Stack the filters, then sort by lowest price, best value per night or sail date.

Every American Mariner sailing

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Prices are per person, double occupancy, in US dollars, and include cruise fare, taxes, fees and port expenses as published by the cruise line at the moment you load this page. Fares are capacity controlled and change daily; the fare is confirmed when you book. Flights, hotels and transfers are extra unless the line’s offer says otherwise. Onboard credit shown on a sailing is per stateroom and applies to the lowest category offered unless stated otherwise.