This spring and summer, American Cruise Lines is returning to Massachusetts Maritime Academy to offer its passengers a unique educational experience. For the second year, ACL’s Cape Codder Cruise will stop at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, Mass., where passengers will have the opportunity to see MMA up close and personal.
ACL’s 170-passenger small ship, American Constitution, is scheduled to visit Mass Maritime on May 18 and 25, June 1 and 8, and Aug. 14, 21 and 28.
“We’re delighted to welcome the passengers of American Cruise Lines’ American Constitution to our campus,” said Rear Adm. Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “We’re pleased to share our campus with people who have a love of the maritime industry or who are interested in learning about it. Our goal is to provide an engaging and educational experience for everyone who joins us.”
During the third day of the Cape Codder Cruise, passengers will have the opportunity to spend two hours on a private tour where they will experience the MMA’s state-of-the-art, 360-degree full bridge simulator, view the Emergency Response Operations Training Center, learn about its renewable energy initiatives and its “Learn Do Learn” curriculum. Passengers will also hear a presentation from consultants with the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center about Cape Cod’s role in the history of global marine navigation and wireless technology.
“American Cruise Lines is glad to partner with Massachusetts Maritime Academy to make this unique experience possible,” said Charles B. Robertson, president and CEO of ACL. “Mass Maritime’s impressive campus and remarkable story will be a memorable feature for our guests. Moreover, our alumni crew members are proud to call on their alma mater. We are all proud to be a part of the shared mission to build on the strength of the American maritime.”
American Constitution passengers that visit Mass Maritime on May 25 will have a special opportunity to witness MMA’s Change of Command ceremony. In concurrence with National Maritime Day, this ceremony symbolizes the transfer of the regiment’s cadet leadership from the graduating senior class to the second-class juniors.
“The Change of Command ceremony is one of our most cherished traditions,” said McDonald. “For the past two years due to Covid restrictions, we’ve held the ceremony in front of a very small audience. We’re looking forward to sharing this tradition with family, friends and the passengers of the American Constitution this year.”
