Maine Windjammer Cruises set sail from Camden, Maine. The company is "the first and oldest fleet of historic vessels offering sailing vacations in America." Established in 1936 and family-run, it offers three-, four- and five-day cruises in the waters surrounding Maine. Discounted, pre-season cruises are six days. Regularly scheduled cruises leave the harbor weekly beginning at the end of May, while fall foliage cruises are offered through the early part of October. All cruises include meals. Passengers are welcome to bring their own alcoholic beverages.
The Grace Bailey, an authentic 19th-century sailing vessel once used in the fruit trade, makes up part of the Maine Windjammer Cruises' fleet. Restored in 1990, the ship accommodates 29 passengers in 14 private cabins. Two Pullman beds are also available as well as one double cabin with a private head. Shared bathrooms are located below deck.
The Mercantile has sailed the waters of Maine for more than 80 years. With 115 feet of space, the ship accommodates 29 passengers in 14 double cabins and one private, single cabin.
Built in 1960 and restored in 1992, the Mistress offers intimate accommodations for just six passengers. Each of the three private, double cabins contains its own bathroom.
Maine Windjammer Cruises
P.O. Box 617
Camden, Maine 04843
800-736-7981
mainewindjammercruises.com
With more than 100 tall ships in their fleet, destinations as varied as Alaska and the Seychelles, and vessels ranging in size from six to 300 passengers, Sailing Ship Adventures provides something for everyone. The company works with sailing-ship owners around the world and is happy to help you decide on the perfect vacation.
Sailing Ship Adventures, in conjunction with the American Sail Training Association (ASTA), offers the yearly opportunity to take part in a multi-port Tall Ships Challenge. The 2010 challenge takes place on the Great Lakes with stops between Toronto and Chicago. Guests are welcome aboard six different ships, including Europa. Built in 1911 and renovated in 1994, Europa boasts 12 cabins with in-suite showers and toilets, a wood-paneled interior and even a ship's hospital. Three gourmet meals per day, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are included. Europa's 2010 schedule includes a 22-day voyage to Antarctica, a 26-day rounding of Cape Horn, a cruise off the west coast of South America and a trip from Panama to Bermuda.
Mary Anne was built in 1997 to sail the Galapagos Islands. She offers four- to eight-day itineraries that include nature walks, sightseeing tours and wildlife spotting. Ten cabins with 16 berths and a crew of nine means that your voyage on the Mary Anne will be comfortable and intimate. All cabins provide air conditioning and private bathrooms.
Sailing Ship Adventures
33 Dover Road
Dover, MA 02030
877-882-4395
sailingshipadventures.com
The crew of the Arabella might have life all figured out. Summer cruises in New England paired with winter in the Caribbean islands is close to heaven. Either can be yours when you book a cruise with Arabella Cruises. The summer schedule spans late June to the middle of October. A variety of cruises are available including a five-night New England itinerary. The round-trip voyage stops in Martha's Vineyard, Cuttyhunk and Nantucket before arriving back in Newport, Rhode Island. Tours include time to explore port towns, eat at gourmet restaurants and experience sunsets aboard the Arabella. Breakfast and lunch, hors d'oeuvres, an afternoon cocktail and a lobster-bake on the last night of the cruise are included.
Caribbean cruises cover much of the Virgin Islands or can be chartered. A seven-night itinerary may include stops at Caneel Bay in St. John, snorkeling off Norman Island, visits to the Caves, opportunities for kayaking, a massage at The Bitter End Yacht Club and visits to local watering holes. Depending on the cruise, three to five dinners are included as well as all breakfasts, lunches and snacks. Most alcoholic beverages are charged to a tab and paid for at the end of the cruise.
Arabella accommodates 40 passengers in 20 staterooms. Each room has satellite TV, a port hole, in-suite bathroom and individual climate controls. A shared hot tub is on deck. Queen, double or bunks are available.
Atlantic Star Lines
1 Christie's Landing
Newport, RI 02840
800-395-1343
cruisearabella.com
