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• 3 min de lectura
(1:30 p.m. EDT) – American Cruise Lines welcomed American Maverick to its fleet, holding a christening ceremony during the ship's nine-night inaugural sailing last week. The christening took place at Rhode Island's Newport Harbor in front of employees, crew, passengers and community members.
Maverick is the second cruise ship ACL has added this year, joining fleetmate American Encore, which debuted in May.
The cruise line is the fastest-growing in the U.S., building ships at a rapid pace at its shipyard in Maryland. It plans to launch American Ranger, American Mariner and American Navigator within the next year.
"We set the bar high for ourselves with American Maverick and were surprised to see that we set the bar for the rest of the river cruise industry in the process," American Cruise Lines President and CEO Charles B. Robertson said. "The American Maverick is the new standard by which others should follow, and with eight more ships under construction, shows that the U.S. river cruise market will lead the way."
American Maverick's godmother Susan Renner, board chair and treasurer for ACL and Chesapeake Shipbuilding, christened the vessel during the ship's blessing, which was punctuated by a ceremonial bottle smash. Afterward, attendees headed to nearby Fort Adams StatePark, steps from where the ship was docked, for a New England-style lobster bake.
The new ship holds up to 130 passengers across all-private balcony staterooms — including singles and suites — on four decks. It has a top deck lounge, walking track, chart room, main restaurant, casual cafe and fitness center.
In May, the line christened American Encore, the first riverboat ever christened in Idaho. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who represented Eastern Washington and the Snake River in Congress for more than 20 years, is the ship's godmother. She was on hand for the christening in Lewiston.
American Encore has five decks accommodating 180 passengers. It includes a four-story glass atrium at its center.
American Encore also offers a 1,500-square-foot Signature Suite, which American Cruise Lines says is the largest riverboat suite in the world. It has a wraparound balcony, separate living and sleeping spaces, and a bathroom with a soaking tub and heated floors.
Sister ship American Anthem will set sail in 2027 and American Grace in 2028.
American Cruise Lines' 28 small ships sail year-round itineraries on the Great Lakes, Mississippi River and the Columbia and Snake rivers as well as protected waterways across America, such as Alaska's Inside Passage and the Florida Keys.
Fuente: Cruise Critic
