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Swift’s three cabins are double-occupancy, with one that can accommodate 3 twin beds. Singles wishing to sail on the Swift would need to pay the full cabin price unless another single is available to share the cabin. We do have a wait list for persons wishing to travel alone. Windjammer accommodations are rustic by cruise ship standards. The warm glow of varnished wood and unique features of each cabin offer an atmosphere of comfort far different from a luxury liner.
Below is the schedule of our Maine sailing adventures for 2023, All trips depart from Rockland Maine.
Maine Windjammer Cruises offers a glimpse into a bygone era when life and recreation were more leisurely. Our schooner sails the Maine coast as the traditional ships did over 100 years ago. Passengers are welcome to take the wheel or help with other deck duties. The Captain switched to using the yawl boat to guide the J & E Riggin back to its safe harbor. On our first day, we glided past dozens of sailboats that were barely visible.
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Insurance | Lastly, be sure to visit Maine with travel insurance. Whether you get injured and need to be hospitalized, or your phone gets stolen, travel insurance will help when you need it most. Most cabins feature bunked or overlapping beds, a small sink, a few towel hooks, and some helpful (if minimal) shelf space. And when I say the cabins are more alike than different, what I mean is they are all extremely small. You don’t pick your cabin (at least not on the schooner we were on).
Portland Tall Ship Cruise on Casco Bay
To get to all the cabins, I had to step backward down a near-vertical ladder. Luggage is best passed down from one person to another. Thanks to the Maine Office of Tourism, I was afforded a comfortable night's stay at the LimeRock Inn, a lovely B&B within walking distance of the town center. Cruise passengers are asked to arrive at the J & E Riggin, docked at Windjammer Wharf, between 5 and 6 p.m. The night before we left, I had a fantastic farm-to-table dinner at Primo.
Island Windjammers Vela Cruise Reviews (2023 UPDATED): Ratings of Island Windjammers Vela - Cruise Critic
Island Windjammers Vela Cruise Reviews (2023 UPDATED): Ratings of Island Windjammers Vela.
Posted: Sun, 17 Sep 2023 15:13:54 GMT [source]
Her grand salon features spacious seating, along with dining and entertainment areas. Captain Justin left the mainsail up overnight, so we'd have less work to do on our last morning. Tender beef brisket with polenta and Brussels sprouts was served on the main deck twenty minutes later. As it was our last night, we got to choose what to drink.
Our Sailing Cruise on a Maine Windjammer, The Lewis R French
Downtown is a charming blend of commercial, historic and green spaces. Standing at the Public Landing, you can watch the comings and goings of 100-year-old vessels and watch the Megunticook River cascade from beneath the stores into the harbor. We hope you spend some extra time before or after your cruise to enjoy the area’s many scenic, cultural and culinary offerings.
Life Aboard
It truly is an elegant form of camping as the ship is an antique. The berths are cozy and include a small sink and window. The room allows for rest and storage, and you are meant to spend your time up top admiring the gorgeous scenery.
Sail Away...
In the event we are able to re-book your berth, we will refund all but a 10% per person fare price handling fee. Reservations are processed in the order they are received. Please be patient as we take care of all of our eager passengers. Heirloom recipes are tweaked to make them especially healthy and are accompanied by an array of fresh fruits, salads and vegetables. Enjoy an evening of music, laughter, camaraderie and star gazing before turning in for the night.
All about the Best Maine Windjammer Cruise: The Schooner J&E Riggin
Everything is prepared on the Crawford Cottage wood-burning cookstove in a tiny kitchen. Ingredients are farm-to-table, including Captain Jocelyn’s garden. Maine’s blueberries were a highlight on our trip, as well as bespoke oysters from Adam Campbell’s North Haven Oyster Company. Adam came aboard to teach us how to shuck and slurp the fresh, briny oysters he cultivates in the salt ponds in North Haven, Maine. The food was delicious, plentiful, and there were always extra snacks if needed. I’ve traveled to the Pine Tree State before but never spent time on the water.
Since several couples on the windjammer cruise had sailed with the Riggin before, they could attest to the quality of the clothing. After a few days at sea, I became accustomed to the schooner's schedule and routines. Morning coffee, delicious breakfast, raising the anchor, raising the sails—it all felt more comfortable. Weather permitting, most meals are served on the main deck.
There is standing headroom, nooks and hooks to stow all your gear, and a comfortable bed in every one. Each cabin has running fresh water, an opening window, electric reading lights, and a USB charger and comes furnished with linens, blankets, and towels. The highlight was definitely the first night, when we ferried to nearby Warren Island State Park for a traditional lobster bake. The captain plans the cabin layout after all the bookings have been made (you can certainly request a specific bunk). I think this is because schooners and long and narrow, and the crew want to make sure weight is evenly distributed, although I’m not certain. Most surviving windjammers are schooners, which are defined by the presence of multiple masts, the aft-most (furthest rear) of which is the tallest.
Captains Justin and Jocelyn of the Riggin are married with many years of experience sailing and crewing on windjammers and private yachts. There's no better way to take in the breathtaking beauty of coastal Maine than on windjammer cruises. A trip aboard a historic Maine windjammer is to cast aside set itineraries and travel where the wind takes you. You'll cruise by uninhabited islands, lighthouses, and small towns only accessible by boat. Recently, I embarked on a thrilling Maine sailing vacation aboard the Schooner J & E Riggin out of Rockland.
After a hearty breakfast Monday, we get underway for our short adventure exploring the islands of Maine. Often, people who take the first half pre-season 3-day cruise have such a good time, they ask to stay on for the second half. IF SPACE ALLOWS, you can stay for the second half of the cruise, at an additional discounted fee. Check out this year's sailing dates aboard the J & E Riggin, or plan for next year. Before we set sail from Waterman's Point, the crew set up the ship's chandlery, aka the gift shop.
Relaxing pursuits such as reading, sketching, crafting, using binoculars to scope out ospreys or eagles, or watching the waves for porpoises and seals take up the day. We saw a lot of wildlife on our journey, and the sightings never got old. There’s a canvas tarp that allows for shade on the deck. It was up most of the day but removed other times for maximum sailing pleasure. This cruise is an excellent introduction to the world of windjamming.
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