Key West’s Mallory Square recently hosted the American Cruise Lines’ newest small ship, American Legend, which was officially christened in the island city last week.
American Legend was visiting Key West during one of the company’s eight-day Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruises, which sails from St. Petersburg.
American Cruise Lines’ Florida itineraries explore the Sunshine State while remaining fully domestic, much like the cruise line’s river cruises that explore the Mississippi, Hudson and Potomac rivers.
The christening ceremony included speeches, plaque exchanges and local musical performances. Surrounded by cruise passengers, the ship’s official godmother, Key West Mayor DeeDee Henriquez, joined American Cruise Lines’ president & CEO Charles B. Robertson, for the traditional bottle smash on the top deck. Additional city and port officials, local excursion partners, cruise line executives and American Legend’s captain and crew also participated.
“I am humbled and honored to be the godmother of American Legend,” Henriquez said. “To American Legend, may your sails be filled with the winds of prosperity, your decks be graced with the laughter of travelers, and your journey be marked by endless wonders.”
“American Cruise Lines looks forward to furthering our commitment to sustainable cruising — sharing America’s stories aboard state-of-the art small ships,” Robertson said.
The ceremony noted the cruise line’s commitment to environmentally friendly cruising and continued introduction of new, modern small ships into its fleet of 21 ships.
For the next few weeks, American Legend will continue its Florida Gulf Coast & Keys cruises, then in March it begins sailing American Revolution cruises on Chesapeake Bay, which also cruise the Potomac River, and operate round-trip from Washington, D.C. Throughout the summer, American Legend will sail a mix of coastal New England itineraries from cities like Boston and New York. The new ship will conclude the year with Hudson River cruises in September and October, before returning to Florida in November and December.
The company’s small ships offer private balcony accommodations, a top deck for photographic views, lounges inside and out, a main restaurant and casual café, plus a walking track and fitness center.
More information is at americancruiselines.com.
