American Constitution Successfully Passes Sea Trials

American Cruise Lines' first new ship of 2018, American Constitution, has passed its Sea Trials.

The procedure took place last week in the Chesapeake Bay, with the U.S. Coast Guard aboard. The ship took part in speed trials, an endurance run, and other safety and maneuverability tests.

Paul Taiclet, vice president of hotel operations was aboard for the Sea Trials.

"The American Constitution passed with flying colors. The ship performed exceptionally well and has a number of enhancements that further American's tradition of innovation in small ship cruising," said Taiclet.

Those new enhancements include advanced acoustical treatments and vibration dampening systems throughout the ship. That makes for an extremely quiet ride, even while operating at full speed.

American Constitution's inaugural cruise from Baltimore departs April 18th. It will be the line's first "American Revolution" Cruise. The ten-night itinerary around the Chesapeake Bay is built around historic sites. Guests will visit Norfolk, VA and Colonial Williamsburg and Yorktown; Washington, D.C. and Mount Vernon, as well as Cambridge, MA, St. Michaels, Annapolis and Chestertown, MD.

For the rest of 2018, American Constitution will remain on the East Coast. She'll make a series of trips in the summer and fall from Boston and New York City.

The Guilford, CT-based American Cruise Lines operates the largest fleet in the US. This year, the line offers sailings on 10 authentic paddlewheelers, small coastal cruise ships, and the only modern riverboat in the country. That vessel, American Song, will debut on the Mississippi River October 6th, 2018 and the second ship in the series will debut in the summer of 2019.

The line's 35 itineraries visit more than 25 states. Ships cruise along the rivers, as well as the coastal and inland waterways of New England, Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, the Mississippi River system, and the Southeast.

The entire American Cruise Lines fleet is built, crewed and flagged in the US.