Rates & Dates:
Trip Length: 8 Days/ 7 Nights
Prices from: $3,595 pp/do*
Single Price: $4,485 pp
Sale: $1000 off per stateroom select departures
Book by: 05/20/2012
2011 Dates: Nov 5
2012 Dates: May 12, 19, 26 June 2, 9 July 15, 21, 28 Aug 4, 11, 18, 25 Sept 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Oct 6, 13, 20, 21, 27, 28 Nov 3
2013 Dates: May 11 Jun 1, 8, 15, 22 Oct 20, 27
Ships: American Eagle
American Star
American Spirit
American Glory
Notes: Port charges are $250.00 per person. We offer some Chesapeake Bay cruises on six-night itineraries, ask about our lower, six-night rate.
This 8-day small ship cruise will immerse you in history along the Eastern Shore of Maryland
Departing from the heart of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, you’ll wend your way to the mouth of the James River where you can immerse yourself in centuries of history with a visit to the Jamestown Settlement, a recreation of Virginia’s first permanent colony, to the renowned Williamsburg living history museum, or to the Yorktown Victory Center which celebrates Washington’s defeat of the British in 1781. Then set sail for Solomons Island and the Calvert Marine Museum, for Crisfield and Tangier Island, weaving along the Eastern Shore of Maryland in the company of the skipjacks, schooners, and bugeyes, the traditional sailing craft that ply these waters. Along the shore you’ll pass shipwrights, marinas and scenic lighthouses, gliding into ports accessible only to your American Cruises Lines small ship.
Perhaps you’ll choose to tour the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Cambridge, or follow James Michener’s wanderings in Oxford, the setting for his novel Chesapeake. You’ll certainly want to investigate the fascinating exhibits at the Chesapeake Maritime Museum in St. Michael’s, and the shops that line its charming streets. These serene, historic villages are steeped in five centuries of history, having played crucial roles in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and the War Between the States.
With your stop in Annapolis you’ve reached the state Capital, and the hallowed campus of the U.S. Naval Academy, a National Historic Landmark. Here too is the Banneker-Douglass Museum which contains exhibits relating the story of the Underground Railroad and the route followed by escaped slaves making their way through the state with the help of Maryland’s dedicated Abolitionists. Your journey ends back to Baltimore, passing Fort McHenry, site of the inspiration for Francis Scott Key’s anthem “The Star Spangled Banner.” Memories of your Chesapeake Bay cruise will follow you home, from the sound of the wind in the rigging or the church bells at St. Michaels, to the scents of a fresh sea breeze and tempting regional cuisine served each evening. You’ve discovered a part of America that truly represents `the land of the free, and the home of the brave.’
Itinerary
Day 1 - Baltimore, MD
Baltimore is truly a great American city, bustling with excitement, colonial history and a rejuvenated maritime spirit. Explore this history aboard the decks of celebrated ships and on the cobbled streets of the charming waterfront Inner Harbor, or visit Fort McHenry, where Francis Scott Key was inspired to pen "The Star-Spangled Banner".
Day 2 - Yorktown / Williamsburg, VA
Step back in time to the American Revolution in a town that transformed the history of a nation. Yorktown is known for its monumental battlefields, authentic colonial homes, and storied past. Discover museum exhibits, recreated Continental Army encampments and restored homes from the 1700's. Or you may choose to visit Colonial Williamsburg - once the political and economic center of the Virginia Colony, today the world's premier living history site.
Day 3 - Crisfield/Tangier Island, VA/Solomons Is., MD
Settled in 1608 by Capt. John Smith, the charming island of Tangier retains many customs and much of the appearance of an earlier era, thanks in part to the remarkably recent introduction of modern amenities and technology. Stroll through the delightful village, abundant with crab shanties, shops and charming homes.
Day 4 - Cambridge, MD
The richly restored port of Cambridge boasts a charming historic district, where buildings dating from the mid-1700's represent a variety of architectural styles - a perfect port to enjoy a leisurely walking tour! Nearby Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, one of the largest conservation areas in the state of Maryland, is recognized as the most spectacular location for viewing wildlife in the entire Chesapeake Bay region.
Day 5 - Oxford, MD
Founded in 1683, Oxford gained its prominence as a thriving seaport in colonial days by being mandated in 1694 as the first and only port of entry on the Eastern Shore. Today the town invites guests to discover a rich maritime history of shipbuilding and oystering, with houses dating back to the late 1600s, historically fascinating museums, and the original Oxford-Bellevue Ferry.
Day 6 - St. Michaels, MD
Stroll along the waterfront of scenic St. Michaels, or peruse through charming gift shops and boutiques on tree-lined Talbot Street. Docking right at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, once a famed shipbuilding village, the quiet enchantment, exciting past and romantic atmosphere of this lovingly restored town will take you back in time to the 1800's.
Day 7 - Annapolis, MD
This 18th century port pleasingly preserves its colonial American charm, boasting magnificent architecture and the United States Naval Academy, a national historic landmark. With city streets boasting 1,300 pre-1900 buildings from 15 different architectural styles, Annapolis is often called a "museum without walls".
Day 8 - Baltimore, MD
Your onboard experience is as important as your onshore experience, so we take special care in providing the best in service, accommodations, entertainment, dining, all in an elegant yet comfortable environment. The all-American crew is there to see to all your needs, with the goal of providing you with the most memorable adventure possible.
Onboard Activities
Not only do we provide unique ports on our cruises, but unique entertainment as well. Activities are designed to highlight the areas in which we visit, including guest lecturers, local musicians, demonstrations, minor theatrical performances and games. From a performance by a fife and drum corps on Chesapeake Bay to a visit from a local lobsterman in Maine or a visit from costumed antebellum characters in the historic south, activities are as rich in history and culture as the ports themselves. Unlike the mega ships, you won’t find glitzy shows or casinos; instead we offer a refreshingly casual atmosphere, with an intimate ambience that is perfect for congenial camaraderie with fellow passengers and quiet relaxation. Open decks and glassed-in observation lounges allow for the watching of passing scenery and wildlife, while a well-stocked library provides reading material and videos focusing on the areas to be visited.
Onboard Experts
In order to enhance your cruise experience we invite carefully selected experts to join us on board. Through informal lectures, open discussions and activities, they bring local history, nature and culture alive with their knowledge and passion for American heritage. These enlighteners, naturalists and historians also lead shore excursions while in port, to give our guests behind the scenes tours of some of American’s best-kept secrets and favorite treasures. Not only will you find knowledge in these experts, but a friend as well. Onboard activities and entertainment are included in your cruise fare.
Dining Experience
We make it a top priority to offer a first-class dining experience at every meal. Expect exceptional cuisine prepared by chefs who have extensive culinary credentials and training from some of the most prestigious culinary institutes. The all-American crew offers an outstanding level of service to make the most discerning passenger’s journey memorable and relaxing. Dining onboard is informal, dress is resort casual, and seating is unassigned and served in the glass-enclosed dining room, where every seat offers a panoramic view. Using only the freshest ingredients, menus are inspired by regional and local specialties. Each evening before dinner, passengers are invited to mingle and share their day’s adventures over complimentary cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
