Travel

Item Description

Join us aboard the Schooner Lewis R. French and set sail for a truly amazing sailing vacation. Our Windjammer cruises combine the beautiful coast of Maine with tremendous sailing aboard an historic tallship....not to mention the homemade cuisine and all-you-can-eat-lobster! Choose from a 4, 5, or 6 night cruise with us.

Sail from Camden Harbor along Maine’s pristine coast, sharing the Lewis R. French with only 21 guests on each trip. Spend your days relaxing on deck, steering the ship, and enjoying the company of your shipmates. Unplug from daily life, tune into the sounds of the bay, and enjoy the escape of sailing a historic Maine schooner.

Your sailing adventure vacation begins in our beautiful homeport of Camden, Maine. We'll spend the first night of the cruise docked in Camden Harbor and you'll be able to check out the sights, shops, and restaurants all within walking distance of our dock.

The next morning we'll set out into Penobscot Bay and go sailing! The destinations of each trip are dictated by the wind, tide, and mood–for the French is pure sail and has no inboard engine. Once the sails are set and trimmed, perhaps we'll head downeast towards Acadia National Park or towards enchanting Eggemoggin Reach. Our anchorages are mostly deserted islands or small island lobster fishing towns. It is truly escaping to places few folks will ever experience.

Spend the days trimming sails, steering the schooner, learning about the Maine coast and wildlife, or just sit back, read a book, and watch the scenery drift past. We often see bald eagles, seals, porpoises and occasionally whales. The galley crew cooks up delicious meals on our wood cookstove, so those sea going appetites will be satisfied and then some. When the sun begins to set, the French will settle into a cozy harbor and swing silently at anchor.

While at anchor, you can launch one of our rowboats and explore the area. Head ashore for some beachcombing or hike around a small Maine island town, but be sure to be back aboard for a hearty dinner. After dessert, enjoy time with your new shipmates, check out the beautiful night sky, or perhaps just enjoy the quiet and serenity.

One of the afternoons of your trip we will anchor at a deserted island and row ashore for an All-You-Can-Eat Lobster Bake. We'll cook up the freshest lobster you've ever had on a beachside bonfire and you can dig right in.

During your trip we'll sail around the hundreds of islands that dot our cruising grounds. You'll settle into the rhythm of shipboard life and leave that "other world" behind. By trip's end, your new shipmates will have become new friends and you'll understand why so many of our guests come back every year for a sail on the French.

All day long the galley crew will cook up delicious meals, snacks and desserts on our wood cookstove. We'll have coffee and muffins on deck at 6:30 for you early risers up to enjoy the solitude of the morning light. Breakfast at 8 might include Maine blueberry pancakesMaine Windjammer, maple sausage links, real Maine maple syrup and homemade jams, cereals, juice and coffee. After a morning of sailing (and cranking up the anchor if you're feeling strong) you'll be ready for a hearty lunch of homemade soup, salad, bread and fruit. Save room for dessert! Dinner might include coriander pork tenderloin with a side of garlic mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus and hot buttered rolls. Did we mention dessert? We love to serve cakes, pies and crisps and it's a dessert tradition on board to make homemade ice cream once a week. You haven't tasted ice cream this thick and creamy in a long time! Needless to say, you won't go hungry.

We like to serve meals buffet style on deck or family style below in the galley, depending on the weather. There is sitting room for everyone below. The galley is also a great place for playing games, reading, learning a new recipe, or just enjoying the warmth of the woodstove and socializing with your shipmates.

Item Special Note

CHOOSE FROM 1 of 3 TRIPS (value is per person):

June 4th - June 10th Lighthouse Cruise:
6-nights: Sunday PM to Saturday AM. Value: $950 
We will make a special effort to sail by many of Maine's majestic lighthouses. On past lighthouse cruises, we cruised up close to 15-20 lighthouses. We will also aim to anchor in harbors where you'll have the opportunity to visit some lighthouses on shore. Additionally we're including tickets to the Maine Lighthouse Museum in Rockland so you can enjoy the museum before or after your cruise.

June 16th - June 21st Windjamming and Kayaking
5-nights: Friday PM to Wednesday AM. Value $890 
Combine two great ways to experience the Maine coast, kayaking and sailing! One day of this trip we will kayak among the hundreds of protected islands of Merchants Row between Deer Isle and Isle au Haut. Experienced Maine kayaking guides will lead us on this paddle and give lessons to beginner kayakers. If you enjoy kayaking already, you’ll find the paddling phenomenal among these islands. If you want to kayak, add an additional $65 to the cruise fare. No experience necessary and all kayaking gear is included. 

June 23rd - June 27th
4-nights: Friday PM to Tuesday AM. Value $775