Wednesday, April 3, 2024

7 Things To Know Before Taking A Windjammer Cruise

windjammer cruise

When you sail aboard a Maine Windjammer Association vessel, you can be sure that your hosts hold themselves to the highest standards of safety and quality. As your captain and guide they will treat you to honest, heartfelt Maine hospitality and personalized attention. Explore our fleet and offerings to find your perfect cruise.

Maine Windjammer Association

Please plan early to reserve your special date, even if the season is already underway. Rates vary with the number of passengers, length of cruise, and time of year. WE’LL PUT THE WONDERS OF THE MAINE COAST AT YOUR FINGER TIPS! Our windjammers are available for weddings, reunions, family celebrations, team building and other activities.

Maine Windjammer Cruises®

The fine whale(s) we watched surfaced a dozen times before we continued east past Large Green Island. For about 45 minutes, we seemed to see all the wildlife at once. There was a seal spotting and enough fin whales that we were getting used to their presence.

You’ll Get Used to Everything Very Quickly

Remember sensible shoes, sunblock, hat and something to block the wind or rain. You will be comfortable no matter what Mother Nature has in store. Thank you to the Maine Windjammer Association and J & E Riggin for inviting me to experience one of their cruises at no cost. My night at the LimeRock Inn was organized in partnership with the Maine Office of Tourism. As appetizers were brought to the main deck, the Captain took a few passengers out on the Savannah for a sunset sail.

The Food Is Ultra-Local

Thankfully, we only had one meal in this room (lunch on the first day as it was drizzling). It was a tight squeeze, and you immediately missed the views and breeze. Old photos of the J & E Riggin and recent plaques from friendly races with the other Maine windjammers decorate the space. Some books about sailing and Maine are available as well. Inside my cabin, typical of windjammer cruises in Maine, there were two single beds with mattresses, clean sheets, blankets, quilts, and towels.

Sailing the Coast of Maine on a Historic Windjammer - AFAR Media

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Portland Tall Ship Cruise on Casco Bay

I enjoyed the perspective it gave us of the schooner and that it was a quieter ride than the yawl we'd used to visit the breweries. Then, the crew, with the help of some volunteers, worked together to pull up the 500-pound iron anchor, a strenuous task. For example, one person's job was to lay the heavy iron chain back in the storage box in an organized fashion. Once the anchor was up, the J & E Riggin glided forward as the crew secured the anchor to the boat's port side and raised the smaller sails.

All about the Best Maine Windjammer Cruise: The Schooner J&E Riggin

This makes Heritage the perfect choice when choosing a windjammer to sail on. Simply put, I could sail on every schooner throughout the Eastern seaboard and not enjoy food as delicious as that served by Captain Annie. While 3, 4, or 6 day cruises are the most widely available, there are certain schooners that also offer cruises lasting 2, 5, 7, and 11 days.

Hour Windjammer Sailing Trip in Maine with Licensed Captain

Since we sailed out of the channel separating North Haven and Vinalhaven islands the same way we'd entered the day before, we got a better look at the scenery. Anchoring the kitchen is a large, black wood-burning stove named Lucy. It looks formidable, and I was surprised to learn there's always a fire burning, even while sailing and sometimes overnight. For safety reasons, a crew member is always awake on the boat, including in the wee hours of the morning. As you'll soon see, the galley crew can create some epic meals here.

windjammer cruise

Schooner vacations are all about community, serenity, and simple enjoyment. It’s also wise to bring sunscreen and other toiletry items, but the boat also has plenty of these on board, so if you forget about an item, don’t worry. Maine is a great place to spot some of God’s most amazing creatures (moose, to name just one), and the coast is no different. We saw porpoises, eagles, osprey, and my personal favorite, seals.

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After 23 Royal Caribbean Cruises, Here Are My Top Dining Tips.

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The schooner is anchored in the evenings, so you're not trying to sleep while on the move. Now that you've seen where I slept for four nights, you might wonder about the bathroom situation on windjammer cruises in Maine. You'll feel like you've stepped into another time and place aboard Heritage. Each day is filled with a little adventure and plenty of relaxation. We leave Rockland headed for parts unknown; wherever the wind, weather, and tides take us. The coast of Maine is spotted with over 3,000 islands topped with lush evergreen forests and lined with rugged granite shores.

Even if you don’t have enough people to fill a boat, discounts are available for  groups of ten or more. With little light pollution the stars pop and the full moon becomes a beacon sparkling across the water. The annual Perseid Meteor Showers provide a spectacular light show producing up to 30 shooting stars an hour. Cancellations made less than 8 weeks ahead of your trip can not be refunded unless we are able to rebook your cabin(s). We do have a wait list, or you are welcome to find someone to take your place.

There was one ceiling light and a small window that could be opened a few inches. I'd be joining the J & E Riggin for their first Sip & Sail Cruise, which features Maine craft beers. Throughout the cruise, we'd sample craft beers and ciders made in the state and stop at two local breweries. Windjammers are sailboats designed for leisure travelers to take multi-day cruises.

If your dates are flexible, or you just want to learn more, visit our fleet page and each vessel’s website. Reservations can be made directly with the Windjammer of your choice. Whichever vessel you choose, you are sure to have the sailing adventure of a lifetime. On our small ship cruises, we have complete liberty to explore secret anchorages, remote fishing villages, and charming gallery towns. Schooners have been an intrinsic part of the Maine Coast for centuries, and there is something very special about rounding the point and arriving at anchorage under sail. Come touch this culturally distinct, pristine and physically breathtaking part of America.

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