Availability on Maine Windjammer Association fleet cruises – August – October 2019
Some may think you have to book your Maine Windjammer Association cruise in the springtime to get on one of the beautiful eight boats in the fleet. While you’ll always find the best availability for the cabins and dates you want by booking early, there’s still plenty of room for you to join us for a cruise this summer.
Imagine watching meteor showers from the deck of a boat in a sky unencumbered by city lights or taking in a beautiful sunset with hills that meet the sea. And how about knuckling down on a delicious lobster cooked over seaweed on one of Maine’s thousands of island beaches? All of this and more is awaiting this summer with your Maine Windjammer Association cruise.
While you can always use the handy cruise search tool found on the home page of SailMaineCoast.com, we’ve compiled this list of trips with availability for upcoming summer weeks to make it even easier to find a cruise. Pull out your calendar and consider any of these cruises with cabins left for you and your travel mates.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Availability changes daily as passengers book cabins. This is the availability as of July 13, 2019…
Later in the August there are still a few cabins available on the August 20th three-night trip (Tuesday-Friday) for those people who want time to fit in other activities while visiting Maine.
And hot on the tail of the August 20th trip is the August 24th three-night (Saturday-Tuesday) trip Start your vacation off with three nights aboard this National Historic Landmark windjammer, sailing the coast of Maine.
September shows some availability on nearly all of the American Eagle’s cruises. Call for availability as cabins very.
You’ll recognize Angelique from across the water by her signature tanbark sails. Fall foliage cruises are ideal on Angelique. With it’s raised pilothouse, heated by the warm ovens in the adjacent galley, guests love to enjoy September cruises on board Angelique. There’s still availability on the Sept. 8-14 6-night cruise to the final fleet gathering at WoodenBoat School. Additionally, the longer you wait, the better the foliage views from sea. Consider these fall foliage cruises on board Angelique: Sept. 29. – Oct. 3, 4-night cruise Foliage Cruise or Oct. 4-7, 3-night cruise Weekend end-of-the-season Cruise
Don’t hesitate to contact the Windjammer Angelique for other trips too. As we mentioned earlier, availability changes all the time.
Heritage’s August trips have some space available. If you couldn’t make it to the July Acadia trip, the August 12th trip—six-night
– Acadia National Park trip also includes the bus tour, plus you’ll be treated to a full moon and the possibility to view meteor showers on this trip.
Finally, the August 25th six-night trip includes the Camden Windjammer Festival, where you’ll get the chance to view other windjammers from throughout Midcoast Maine, explore the festival in Camden, take part in the Schooner Talent Show if you wish and end the night with fireworks over Camden Harbor. Book your cabin now before it fills up. This is a popular trip.
There’s still plenty of availability for late summer cruising in September. Many believe September is the best month to cruise. The September 1 and September 8th six-night cruises still have room. Enjoy a gathering of the fleet at WoodenBoat School and a huge mussel feed and steel drum band entertainment on the September 8th cruise.
Looking for a more intimate boat? While it may be the smallest in the fleet, the Schooner Ladona’s gourmet getaways are as mighty as they get. Food and wine lovers are hooked on Chef Anna’s fresh fare, and all the guests adore the bathrobes in each cabin. 
In August, the August 14th – 18th four-day cruise and the August 24th through 27th three-day cruise both have no set itinerary, which allows the captain to take you to his favorite spots. Plan on some great swimming and island exploring, for sure.
In September, the Sept 2nd -5th three-day cruise still has some availability on it. Also, the Sept 9th-15th five day cruise will include the Maine Windjammer Association’s final fleet gathering at WoodenBoat School. Feast on mussels cooked over a wood stove and enjoy the tunes of Flash in the Pans Steel Drum Band.
Finally, on Sept 27th – Oct 1st, finish off the sailing season with a four day cruise combining the art of cocktail making with beautiful fall colors. Come aboard and enjoy lessons in bar craft — taking fresh, handmade ingredients and creating an experience worth imbibing. With equally delicious cocktails and mocktails being served, and everyone is welcome and there’s still some availability.
On Schooner Lewis R. French
The Lewis R. French has six double bed cabins, two bunkbed cabins, and five single cabins, making it perfect for all combinations of families, couples and solo travelers. Offering three, four, five and six day cruises throughout the season, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy this intimate and fun boat. The “French” as many call it, is hosting two fall foliage cruises between September 24th and October 5th. Other cruises this summer include three and four day island hopping – some with optional kayaking. For those wondering about availability on upcoming cruises, there are presently cabins available on the Sept 15-19, September 20-24, September 24-28 and September 29-Oct 5th cruises. Please be sure to inquire by phone or email regarding availability on all of the Lewis R. French cruises, as availability changes often.
Many of the August cruises have filled up on the Mary Day but fear not. There’s still one August cruise you can get in on. Mary Day’s three-day August 9-12th trip still has room. There are still bunk cabins available for couples or solo passengers on this cruise with no set itinerary. Wake up in the morning and cruise to where the wind takes you.
September 3- 7th, join the crew of the Mary Day for a unique lighthouse tour under sail. Local lighthouse experts Ted and Jo Panyatoff will be abo
ard to share their passion, knowledge, and dedication to preserving these national treasures. This truly unique lighthouse tour gives you the opportunity to be a part of the sailing adventure or just relax as you experience the protected waters and islands of the Maine coast. Accommodations available for single, double or triple passengers wishing to bunk together.
Don’t miss the chance to sail aboard the Mary Day to the WoodenBoat School as the fleet gathers for a huge mussel feast and steel drum band fun. You’ll also get some great early fall stargazing in on this full moon trip too. Shared cabins for solo passengers or private cabins for couples are still available.
Availability on the Stephen Taber in August opens up on the August 19th – 23rd Wine, Dine and Chocolate four-day cruise. Jane Barrett Barnes, wine expert will be on board to offer some fabulous wine pairings and her expert insight into some of her own favorite wines. Plan on finishing off meals with Black Dinah Chocolates, made nearby in Blue Hill Maine.
If you love wine, but can’t make it to the August cruise, you’re in luck. There’s still some availability on the six-day September 15-21 wine cruise. Sailing in company with sister ship Ladona, each day will culminate in a wine journey led again by the talented Jane Barrett Barnes. You’ll visit a different country each evening with a wine tasting and a discussion of its varietals and viticultural history. The evening’s meal will include wine pairings which perfectly complement the menu that Jane and the chef have created.
On the Victory Chimes
While a few cruises are sold out, the Victory Chimes has space available on all their upcoming August and September cruises. Suite-cabins are almost all booked, but you might find one if you act quickly. Bunk-style cabins are available throughout the rest of the summer. All cabins on board the Victory Chimes offer 6’7” ceilings to accommodate taller passengers, private sinks, and plenty of room to store belongings.
Music lovers may wish to consider the August 10-13th Music Cruise with Dyado, an eclectic indie rock and folk duo from North Carolina. Cousins Matt Lohan and Louisa Stancioff – the creators of this heartfelt duo – are sure to be good company, and as excited as you to enjoy this Maine experience.
And the August 14-19th, five-day Full Moon Yoga Cruise still has space available too. Spend your first night out taking in the glowing full moon rising on the water. To deepen the experience, Mercedes Foster will present yoga and meditation sessions open to all levels, intro to expert. Trained in both Yin Yoga and Meditation, with a focus on body-positive teaching, she will host three sessions per day. Morning will be a meditation before breakfast with an afternoon yoga session and the evening capper will be either a session of Restorative Yoga, Yin or Guided Nidra Yoga. Not only with this cruise provide a great outdoors experience, but we’ll also be offering a valuable inner experience too. None of the sessions are required, but both yoga and meditation are proven to be beneficial and – it’ll never be easier to try than on this cruise.
While availability is here today it could be gone like the wind tomorrow. Thus, be sure to book your summer Maine Windjammer Association cruise soon.
Note: Photos contributed by Ben Magro, Bradley W. Smith, Barry King and Maine Windjammer Association.
Categories: Cruises, Maine Windjammers, Sailing Events
