Sunday, April 14, 2024

Sailing on a Maine Windjammer Cruise: Everything you Need to Know

windjammers cruise

The meeting of the sea and sky, interrupted only by the gentle waves and the occasional porpoise or seal surfacing, is a hypnotic and peaceful sight. When Nicki offered to bring me with her on a “Lobsters and Lighthouses” cruise, I agreed immediately. Would I like to go sailing on an authentic schooner off the coast of Maine?

10 of 154 Island Windjammers Caribbean Cruise Reviews

They laze away the days with their biggest decision being the choice between snorkeling, swimming and reading. At its best, Diamant provides laid-back passengers with a chance to visit small ports and secluded beaches, where a larger ship could never dream of berthing -- and that's a dream well worth encouraging. When passengers arrive, they find red and blue plastic water bottles placed in their cabins -- welcome and often-used freebies that come in handy in the hot Caribbean sun. Equally thoughtful is a map of the Grenadines, signed by the crewmembers and given to passengers at the end of the cruise. Many passengers signed each others' maps with yearbook-style messages, contributing to the cruise's "summer camp at sea" feel.

Welcome aboard!

It’s amazing how quickly a person can adjust to a new environment and a new routine. With a comfortable bed, a warm light to keep you company while you read under the covers, and the sound of the sea outside your window, you sleep like a baby. In this guide, we’re going to tell you all about what to expect on this fabulous Maine sailing trip. Sunny days and smooth sailing call for hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

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Wake up each day ready and hoping for an adventure and I’m pretty sure you’ll get your wish. We sailed on the J&E Riggin, a 3-masted schooner built in 1927. The excitement begins even as you board the boat, because it’s unlike anything you’ve traveled on before.

When I say local, I mean just-plucked lobster from Stonington, Maine. On our second day, we stopped off in the charming coastal town. Passengers got off the boat to explore while the crew purchased our dinner for later that evening.

ISLAND STYLE

windjammers cruise

The cruise is BYOB, so bring along your favorite beverages to enjoy while onboard. There are lots of great Maine beers, ciders, and wines you could choose from if you want something local. One of the highlights is the traditional lobster bake.

All cabins have 110v outlets, blow dryers, shampoo/soap, portholes, and all but two solo rooms, cabins have private bathrooms with showers. A pair of Compass Cabins at the aft of the ship has a queen size bed (and no upper bunk) and the one and only Topsail Cabin has a queen bed and larger bathroom. All cabins have 110v outlets, blow dryers, shampoo/soap, portholes and private bathrooms with separate shower stall. She got a facelift in fall 2016 that reduced her capacity to 10 passengers in five cabins and created an overall spiffier look (“sophisticated not stuffy” the line’s website points out). In the British Virgin Islands, most 6-night cruises embark at Road Town on Tortola.

BOARDING TIME

One of the most memorable summer vacations we took was a sailing trip along the coast of Maine. I also really enjoyed interacting with the crew, and most of all with Captains Jon & Annie. These two are the owners of the vessel and the creators of the wonderful schooner experience aboard the Riggin.

Island Windjammers is committed to providing you with the vacation of a lifetime! We welcome our past and future guests' feedback as we continue to expand our company. Future plans include fleet expansion and new itineraries. You can request a mailed or digital packet of brochures, or you can find individual ships’ brochures under each listing on the fleet page.

windjammers cruise

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. Also referred to as tall ships, windjammers are commercial sailing ships with multiple masts. They have no engines and are powered by the wind and tides.

Road Trip | We rented a car for our 10 day road trip. It ended up being a great and cost-effective way to explore Maine, as our hybrid Volvo XC 60 really maximized every mile of the 800 mile route. Even if camping or the outdoors aren’t your favorite things (full disclosure, they aren’t mine), sailing with the Riggin can be an amazingly unique experience. To successfully manage cabin expectations, consider the cruise tantamount to a backpacking trip.

Rocky coasts, pine-covered hills, and even treeless islands where the seabirds gather. The Riggin was built in 1927 as an oyster dredger in the Delaware Bay. She was built by Charles Riggin in Dorchester, New Jersey and named for his sons Jacob and Edward. The Riggin finished first ahead of all the other oyster-schooners in the only formal race ever held in 1929.

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