American Cruise Lines christened its newest ship, the American Ranger, on the Hudson River last week. The American Ranger is the company's third new ship this year and the fourth new vessel in the Patriot Class.
The christening ceremony took place on September 24, while the ship was docked at Historic Catskill Point in Catskill, New York. Passengers on the inaugural cruise, company executives, and crew members celebrated the occasion on the upper deck with an al fresco meal and the traditional bottle-breaking ceremony. Susan Renner, longtime treasurer and chair of the board of directors of American Cruise Lines, had the honor of serving as the ship's godmother.
Susan is also the godmother of the American Ranger's sister ship, the American Maverick, christened earlier this year in Newport, Rhode Island.
“We are thrilled to christen the American Ranger together with our passengers and crew, surrounded by the magnificent autumn scenery of the Hudson River Valley,” said Charles B. Robertson, president and CEO of American Cruise Lines.
“Today, American Ranger assumes the title of the nation’s newest cruise ship, though it won’t hold it for long, as three more new ships will quickly follow in 2027.”
Next year, American Cruise Lines will add two more sister ships to the American Ranger, the American Mariner and the American Navigator, as well as another modern American Riverboat™, the American Anthem.
The American Ranger has four decks and can accommodate 130 passengers in cabins with private balconies, including single cabins and suites. The ship also features numerous spacious lounges, including an upper-deck lounge with a walking track, as well as a chart room, main restaurant, casual café, fitness center, and laundry facilities, among other amenities not commonly found on smaller cruise ships of this size.
Last week's christening took place during the inaugural nine-day Hudson River fall foliage viewing itinerary, which began with an included hotel stay in New York City on September 18. The small boat departed the city on September 19, and the cruise concluded in Albany, New York, on the 26th.
American Cruise Lines' Hudson River cruises—both the Fall Foliage Itinerary and the Summer Classic—are the only overnight river cruises currently available that travel this famous waterway.
American Cruise Lines' 2026 Hudson River cruises operate between New York and Albany, with stops in Catskill, West Point, Sleepy Hollow, and Kingston/Hyde Park, New York, and include guided excursions throughout the region. The 2026 cruises are virtually sold out, and the final voyage of the season will depart on October 25.
In 2027, American Cruise Line's Hudson River cruises will depart from and return to Albany, New York, and will also include a stop and excursions in New York City. A highlight will be the spectacular opportunity to see the iconic New York City skyline as the ship sails past the Statue of Liberty. The 2027 Hudson River Summer Classic cruises will begin in June, while the fall Hudson River foliage cruises will resume in September.
Each autumn, the Hudson River Valley dons some of the most breathtaking seasonal foliage in the northeastern United States. The treetops transform into a kaleidoscope of colorful leaves that stretches as far as the eye can see. The river valley is also home to numerous historically significant sites, from West Point and the Vanderbilt Mansion to Hyde Park.
American Cruise Line passengers have the opportunity to visit numerous renowned landmarks, including the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library, the Gilded Age mansions of Olana and Lyndhurst, and Whitecliff Vineyard.
Passengers on fall cruises can also enjoy apple tasting experiences and visits to Sleepy Hollow during the town's celebrated Halloween festivities, which include supernatural-themed events from mid-September to early November.
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