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

American Ranger: ship guide

Launched on the Hudson in September 2026; Florida now, Puget Sound and Alaska in 2027.

Best for: Travelers who want the newest 130-guest ship on a Florida Keys cruise this winter or, from 2027, an all-balcony small ship for Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands and Alaska’s Inside Passage. Sails from New York, Albany, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Baltimore, St. Petersburg, Seattle, Tacoma, Juneau, Ketchikan, Fairbanks in 2026 and 2027.

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

About American Ranger

American Ranger is the fourth Patriot Class ship and the third new ship American Cruise Lines launched in 2026. Its inaugural nine-day Hudson River Fall Foliage cruise left New York City on September 19, 2026, and the ship was christened on September 24 at Historic Catskill Point in Catskill, New York, with board chair Susan Renner as godmother and a cookout on the top deck. Built at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Maryland, it carries 130 guests in 69 staterooms, every one with a private balcony.

The ship shares the Patriot Class formula of a traditional bow, slightly deeper draft and full stabilization, with one difference in the names: its bow entertainment lounge is the Cascade Lounge, a nod to the Pacific Northwest waters it moves to in 2027. The reimagined Sky Lounge, 360-degree Sky Walk track, Sun Deck and Back Porch Café fill the top deck, the Chart Room and Bow Terrace sit forward on deck 3, and the glass-enclosed Restaurant on deck 1 serves open seating meals. Drinks, a daily cocktail hour, an excursion in each port, gratuities and Wi-Fi are all included.

American Ranger finishes 2026 in the East: Hudson River Fall Foliage cruises between New York and Albany in October, an American Revolution cruise from Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia on November 1, a Potomac River & Chesapeake Bay cruise and then Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruises from St. Petersburg through February 2027. From April 2027 it is based in the Pacific Northwest for Puget Sound & San Juan Islands cruises from Seattle and Tacoma, Alaska Inside Passage, Alaskan Explorer and Grand Alaska National Parks itineraries, and a 15-day Northwest National Parks cruise.

  • Christened at Catskill Point on the Hudson River on September 24, 2026, during its inaugural fall foliage cruise
  • Patriot Class hull with a traditional bow, deeper draft and full stabilization, ready for Puget Sound and Alaska from 2027
  • All 69 staterooms have private balconies, including eight Single Balcony staterooms for solo travelers
  • Deck 4 all-suite level topped by two 500-square-foot Grand Suites with separate bedrooms
  • Cascade Lounge at the bow for nightly entertainment, Sky Lounge and 360-degree Sky Walk on top
  • Open seating Restaurant with menus that follow the region, from Chesapeake crab to Alaska salmon and halibut
  • Daily cocktail hour and all drinks included, plus Starlink Wi-Fi and a pre-cruise hotel night
  • At least one guided shore excursion included in every port

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, a large shower and floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors onto 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 layout and a private balcony with table and chairs; a good perch for Inside Passage scenery.

Veranda Suite

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

Sky Suite

400 square feet on deck 4 with a triple-panel floor-to-ceiling glass wall, lounge chairs and 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, two TVs and a double-vanity bathroom; two on board.

American Ranger 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 Ranger

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 Ranger

RestaurantIncluded

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

Back Porch CaféIncluded

Casual outdoor café on the top deck for sandwiches, burgers and salads in the open air.

Daily cocktail hourIncluded

A complimentary evening cocktail hour every day with hors d’oeuvres and top-shelf liquor, usually in the Cascade Lounge.

Drinks policyIncluded

All drinks are included at any hour: beer, wine, spirits and cocktails as well as soft drinks, water, coffee and tea, with no package to buy.

Entertainment and activities

  • Cascade Lounge at the bow, a daytime gathering place that turns into the live entertainment venue each night
  • Reimagined Sky Lounge on the top deck with the Sun Deck and 360-degree Sky Walk walking track
  • Onboard expert giving daily talks and port briefings, with naturalists on the Alaska and Puget Sound itineraries
  • Guided small-group shore excursions, at least one included in each port, from Hudson Valley estates to Alaska wildlife
  • Chart Room and Bow Terrace for morning coffee and following the route
  • Fitness Center with treadmills, ellipticals, 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 the newest 130-guest ship on a Florida Keys cruise this winter or, from 2027, an all-balcony small ship for Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands and Alaska’s Inside Passage.

Sails from: New York, Albany, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Baltimore, St. Petersburg, Seattle, Tacoma, Juneau, Ketchikan, Fairbanks · Regions: Hudson River, Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River, Florida Gulf Coast and Keys, Puget Sound and San Juan Islands, Alaska Inside Passage

American Ranger questions we answer every day

How big is American Ranger?
American Ranger carries 130 guests in 69 staterooms across five decks with an elevator to every deck. American Cruise Lines does not publish tonnage or length but describes its small ships as nearly 60 feet wide, well beyond a typical 39-foot riverboat, which allows 250 to 500-square-foot staterooms. It was delivered by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland, in September 2026 as the fourth Patriot Class ship.
Where does American Ranger sail in 2026 and 2027?
In fall 2026 American Ranger sails Hudson River Fall Foliage cruises between New York and Albany, an American Revolution cruise from Washington, D.C. to Philadelphia, a Potomac River & Chesapeake Bay cruise, a Grand Florida Coast & Keys cruise and Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruises from St. Petersburg into February 2027. From April 2027 it moves west for Puget Sound & San Juan Islands cruises from Seattle and Tacoma, Alaska Inside Passage, Alaskan Explorer and Grand Alaska National Parks cruises, and a Northwest National Parks cruise in September.
What is included in the fare on American Ranger?
American Cruise Lines fares are all-inclusive: all meals and snacks, all alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, a daily cocktail hour, at least one guided excursion in every port, onboard entertainment and an expert speaker, gratuities, port charges, Starlink Wi-Fi and a one-night pre-cruise hotel stay with luggage service and transfer. Premium and Signature excursions cost extra. SmartCruiser adds bonus onboard credit on sailings where American allows it, not available when you book direct.
Which staterooms are best on American Ranger?
Every stateroom has a 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: Veranda Suites at 320 square feet, Sky Suites at 400 behind a full glass wall, and two 500-square-foot Grand Suites with a separate bedroom and 25-foot balcony. For Alaska and the Inside Passage, a higher deck and the glass-walled Sky Suite make the most of the scenery.
When was American Ranger christened?
American Ranger was christened on September 24, 2026, docked at Historic Catskill Point in Catskill, New York, during its inaugural nine-day Hudson River Fall Foliage cruise from New York City to Albany. Susan Renner, American Cruise Lines’ board chair and treasurer, served as godmother, as she did for sister ship American Maverick in Newport earlier in 2026. The celebration was a top-deck cookout with inaugural guests, executives and crew.
Does American Ranger sail to Alaska?
Yes, from 2027. After its first winter in Florida the ship repositions to the Pacific Northwest, where it alternates Puget Sound & San Juan Islands cruises round trip from Seattle and Tacoma with 16-day Alaska Inside Passage cruises between Tacoma and Juneau, 12-day Alaskan Explorer cruises between Juneau and Ketchikan, and 19-day Grand Alaska National Parks itineraries that start with guided days in Denali and Kenai Fjords before the cruise through Glacier Bay.

Facts checked against American Cruise Lines: American Ranger, American Cruise Lines press release: American Ranger christened on the Hudson River, 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.

Live from the cruise line

Every American Ranger sailing, priced all-in

Every American Ranger 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 Ranger sailing

Stack any filters, then pick a sort
Loading sailings…