ACL American Pioneer

The 2025-built MS American Pioneer cruise ship is the second PATRIOT Class newbuild in the ACL-American Cruise Lines fleet, and the 6th vessel in the Project Blue series.

American Pioneer is currently scheduled for launch/inauguration in November 2025. From this new for ACL series (redesigned MODERN RIVERBOAT class) are the sisterships American Patriot (June 2025) and the 2026-built American Maverick and American Ranger.

All ACL cruise ships are USA-flagged and built by the company-owned Chesapeake Shipbuilding Yard in Salisbury MD (Maryland USA).

History - construction and ownership

The shipowner American Cruise Lines/ACL is the USA's largest river cruise company (headquarters in Guilford Connecticut) operational since 1991. The company specializes in cruise shipping on the USA's largest navigable inland waterways (rivers and lakes) as well as in voyages along the East Coast USA/New England, West Coast USA, and Florida.

All ACL vessels feature some of the industry's largest passenger cabins with private step-out balconies, spacious lounges and outdoor deck spaces, gourmet cuisine, top-quality enrichment program with many complimentary land tours and excursions, highly-personalized service by all-American staff and crew.

In March 2024, ACL announced the introduction of the new "coastal ship" design called "Patriot Class". The announcement mentioned that the vessels from this series are designed specifically for coastal navigation (along the East Coast USA/New England and the Florida Keys), featuring enhanced capabilities for smoother near-coast navigation. The redesigned Modern Riverboat class is based on a traditional hull with a non-opening bow (without a bow door) and a slightly deeper draft. ACL's PATRIOT ship design incorporates Rolls Royce marine stabilisers allowing a stable and comfortable cruising in varying sea conditions. It also allows for bigger staterooms and more upper-deck Suites (4x Grand and 9x Sky) all of which are 2-room accommodations.

Each of the ACL's PATRIOT class boats has max capacity 125 passengers who are accommodated in 56 balcony staterooms.

Decks and Cabins

ACL American Pioneer has 5 passenger decks, all of which (including the Sundeck) are accessible via two midship elevators.

All of the 56 staterooms are with private step-out balconies, each fitted with a table and two chairs, and with a glass railing. A floor-ceiling sliding door opens onto the veranda.

The number of cabin categories is 5. Except for the Single cabins, all staterooms have King-size double beds (convertible to twins), large bathrooms (most with single vanities, suites have double vanities), wardrobes, ample drawer storage and under-bed storage (for suitcases), 54-inch TV, electronic safe box (in the closet), indoor seating (armchair, writing desk with a chair). Wi-Fi is shipwide and complimentary.

The boat has 4 single cabins (2x on Deck 3, 2x on Deck 2). The ship is without handicapped cabins (wheelchair-accessible ADA staterooms designed for passengers with disabilities) and without interconnecting rooms.

The smallest staterooms (category Single) are sized 280 ft2 (26 m2) including the veranda.

Standard balcony cabins (category AAM and Vista) are sized 310 ft2 (29 m2) including the veranda.

The largest accommodations are on Deck 4 - Sky Suites (470 ft2 / 44 m2) and Grand Suites (620 ft2 / 58 m2), with sizes including their terraces. The 4x Grand Suites and 9x Sky Suites are two-room accommodations with separate living rooms and bedrooms (both with direct balcony access, 2x TVs), dining areas, marble bathrooms (double-sink vanities), bigger balconies (length 7 m / 35 ft) with sun loungers.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

The ship's interior design is marked by a 4-story Vestibule (glass-walled Atrium positioned midship on four decks) that allows unobstructed portside and starboard views. Despite the boat's dimensions, all indoor and outdoor areas are spacious, very well-designed, and with floor-ceiling windows.

The Vestibule is the ship's 4-deck-high Atrium (Deck 1 is the lobby level) with an open-floor design. In the Vestibule area are also the two elevators (lifts accessing all decks) and the self-service Guest Laundry room. The Vestibule/Atrium features large windows (portside and starboard on each level), small terraces (on decks 1-2-3-4), as well as a SkyLight cover over Deck 4 (transparent glass roof that allows natural light into the interior).

Two Lifts (passenger elevators in the Vestibule/midship) and indoor stairs (midship) interconnect all decks (1 through 5). Aft outdoor staircases interconnect decks 2-3-4-5.

Venues on 5th Floor

Deck 5's SkyLight is a transparent glass roof that allows natural light into the Vestibule/Atrium.

The Sky Walk (aft) is a walking track circumnavigating the entire Deck 5.

The fore-located/bow-facing Sky Lounge is an indoor venue featuring premium furniture, large windows, and direct access to an open-air Terrace Cafe (for relaxation and alfresco dining). Throughout the day, at the Sky Lounge are served beverages (water, soda, cocktails, beer), light snacks, fresh-baked cookies and pastries. Sky Lounge's glass doors open to the Terrace. A complimentary Afternoon Tea service is offered between 3:30-4:30 pm. In the evening, there is a complimentary cocktail hour.

The Sun Deck is all-teak and fitted with two sunbathing areas (padded sun loungers, low tables), a shaded seating area (hard roof-covered), a walking lane/track, open-air relaxation areas (furnished with 2-seat tables, padded deckchairs, garden sofas), live plants for decoration. Also aft are the funnels (the boat's four smokestacks).

The Cafe is a Lido-type alfresco dining venue with premium wicker furniture (4-seat tables with cushioned armchairs and sofas with low tables). The Cafe serves the sundeck area with drinks and snacks.

Venues on 4th Floor

The fore-located Navigation Bridge (called "Pilothouse" or "Wheelhouse" on small ships and riverboats) is passenger-accessible. Adjacent to the Pilothouse is the Captain's Suite and officers' quarters.

The aft Fitness Center is a small Gym equipped with free weights, workout benches, Kinesis One station, treadmills, exercise bikes.

Deck 4 also houses passenger cabins from 402 to 414, all of which are private balcony staterooms in categories GS-Grand Suite and SS-Sky Suite.

Venues on 3rd Floor

The fore-located Bow Terrace is a small viewing lounge (with outdoor seating) directly accessed from the Horizon Lounge.

The fore-located/bow-facing Horizon Lounge is a small indoor lounge with large wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows providing unobstructed 270-degree views. The Horizon Lounge has direct access to the Bow Terrace with limited seating (several 4-seat tables).

Deck 3 houses passenger cabins from 301 to 326, all of which are private balcony staterooms in categories VS-Vista Suite and two SB-Single Balcony cabins (rooms #312/midship and #323/aft).

Venues on 2nd Floor

Midship on Deck 2 are the two ship entrances (portside and starboard). These boarding areas allow passengers to disembark and go ashore or embark the boat. During the voyage, these areas can be accessed as balconies (via doors from the Vestibule).

Deck 2 also houses passenger cabins from 204 to 229, all of which are private balcony staterooms in categories AAM plus two SB-Single Balcony cabins (rooms #214/midship and #227/aft).

Venues on 1st Floor

Midship is the Lobby Hall (Vestibule, Reception Desk, Ship's Office, Public Restrooms).

The Main Lounge is the ship's show lounge with large wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows (providing unobstructed 270-degree views), ample comfortable seating (comfy armchairs, plush sofas, 4-seat round tables, glass-top coffee tables), and full Bar service. Here are served warm cookies (starting at 10 am) and the complimentary Afternoon Tea service with fresh pastries (starting at 3:30 pm). The free-drinks cocktail hour is at 5:30 pm. Root beer and ice cream are served complimentary during the evening shows (solo performances, music tribute, themed music, movie trivia, bingo). The Lounge's furniture is daily rearranged to suit the themed entertainment. This is also the venue for the American Cruise Lines' onboard enrichment program, consisting of differently-themed lectures (history, food and wine, literature, etc), media presentations and port talks (about the current ACL cruise itinerary and tours-related information).

The glass-enclosed Dining Room Restaurant (midship and aft location) is complimentary, with an open-seating arrangement, single-seating capacity (accommodates all passengers), resort-casual dress code. The Restaurant features stylish furniture and luxury dining amenities. Dining menus are itinerary-inspired, with local specialties. Food is prepared by highly trained chefs using the freshest ingredients (many are locally sourced). Breakfast (7:30-9 am) is buffet-style and includes made-to-order items. Lunch (12:30-1:30 pm) includes soup, a choice of 3 dishes (often BBQ pork sandwich, pasta), Chef's Salad. Dinner (6:30-7:30 pm) includes soup, salad, 3 entrees (including fish, meat, vegetarian). The wine list has a selection of domestic wines (available by the bottle or by the glass). Complimentary beer and wine are served with all lunches and dinners. Water and soda are complimentary during meal service.

Breakfast can be also delivered to your stateroom if an order form is put on the doorknob the night before. Lunch and dinner are both ordered at breakfast time. The next-day menu is posted the night before. Any dietary needs will be catered to. If you don't like the menu items, you can always ask for something different. Two desserts (pie or cake) are always available, also sherbets and a variety of ice creams. Sweets are complimentary and available all day long. Refrigeration is available for storing insulin or other medications that require protection.

Adjacent to the Restaurant is the Galley (kitchen and storage rooms).

At the stern/aft is mounted a motorized rescue boat, that can be launched (lowered and raised) via two davits/cranes.

Itineraries

ACL American Pioneer itinerary program starts with the Maiden Voyage on November 1, 2025 ("Grand Florida Coast and Keys Cruise" departing roundtrip from St Petersburg FL.

For American Pioneer's inaugural season (2025-2026) ACL didn't list other Itineraries except the Florida Keys (northern Caribbean Sea).

The 7-night/8-day "Florida Gulf Coast & Keys Cruise" itinerary (roundtrip from St Petersburg, 8 call ports) visits Marco Island (DAY2), Key West (DAY3-4/overnight), sea cruising (DAY5), Punta Gorda (DAY6) and ends in St Petersburg FL (DAY7-8/overnight).

ACL cruise deals are inclusive of a pre-cruise hotel package, all shore excursions (organized daily), cocktail hour (each evening), stateroom, gourmet meals, Afternoon Tea service, room service (Breakfast only), onboard enrichment and live entertainment programs, Wi-Fi (shipwide coverage).