Table Of Content
- Many Windjammers Are National Historic Landmarks
- All about the Best Maine Windjammer Cruise: The Schooner J&E Riggin
- Maine Magazine spent 3 days aboard in September of 2019. Read about their experiences.
- Sail Away...
- Day 1: Boarding the J & E Riggin
- 10 of 154 Island Windjammers Caribbean Cruise Reviews
- How Much Does a Maine Windjammer Cruise Cost?

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.
Many Windjammers Are National Historic Landmarks
Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas Dining: Restaurants & Food on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas Dining: Restaurants & Food on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Wed, 12 Jul 2023 17:07:23 GMT [source]
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.
All about the Best Maine Windjammer Cruise: The Schooner J&E Riggin
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.
Maine Magazine spent 3 days aboard in September of 2019. Read about their experiences.
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.
Maine's Classic Windjammers Set Sail - Forbes
Maine's Classic Windjammers Set Sail.
Posted: Fri, 17 Jul 2020 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Sail Away...

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.
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.
Maine Windjammer Cruises®
On our cruise, we stopped at Warren Island State Park, where we had our traditional lobster bake, as well as the town of Castine, which we were able to explore for a few hours. 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. Use our cruise finder below to explore sailing options that fit your schedule.
10 of 154 Island Windjammers Caribbean Cruise Reviews
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.
How Much Does a Maine Windjammer Cruise Cost?
Two beautifully-appointed luxury suites feature king beds, while two equally comfortable staterooms offer queen beds. All accommodations include en-suite bathrooms, plenty of storage, portholes, and air conditioning. I felt grateful to have such a beautiful setting to myself, if only for a few minutes. The morning dew coated the seating areas, so I stayed on my feet, gingerly walking around the main deck and shooting photos.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Our iconic windjammers offer multi-day, all-inclusive, sailing adventure cruises in one of the most acclaimed cruising grounds in the world. In June, crew and passengers are anxious to get started on a new season, and the windjammers are often the only vessels on the bay. Rise early, perhaps in time for an exhilarating sunrise. Relax on deck with a hot cup of coffee and baked goods still warm from the galley, as you take in the splendor of a new day and the fresh sea air.
Wake up each day ready and hoping for an adventure and I’m pretty sure you’ll get your wish. Each day, when the crew of the Riggin raised the sails or heaved the anchor, they asked for volunteers. I never volunteered for the anchor raising…grown men seemed to quiver in their boots after that arduous task. But I did help out with raising the mainsail a few times. You’ll also have to share a single shower with all other passengers aboard.
No comments:
Post a Comment