Rates & Dates
Days/Nights: 8 days / 7 nights
Prices: From $3,395 pp
Sale: Early Bird Specials on 2010 Cruises
$500 off per cabin on all cruises before 07/31/10!
2010 Departures:
Jun 13, 19, 26Jul 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Aug 7, 14, 21, 28
Sep 4, 11, 18, 25
Ships: American Glory American Star
Maine Coast & Harbors
Explore the best of Maine on this 8 day/ 7 night small ship cruise
There's an undeniable magic found along the coast of Maine, a panorama of astonishing beauty and lasting allure. The state's license plate proudly proclaims it to be "Vacationland" and a summer cruise on these uniquely designed ships is the ideal way to experience its quaint fishing villages, secluded coves and spectacular scenery. Cruise with us through the Penobscot Bay, breathing in the fragrance of pine forests and wildflowers, relaxing as we meander through the sparkling blue waters on an itinerary full of hidden gems. When we dock each day you'll find pristine nature preserves and sophisticated antique shops, industrious lobstermen unloading their catch and classic wooden yachts gliding along the protected waters of charming harbors. Days are filled with discovery and exploration, or the restorative calm of a sunny afternoon in a deck chair on the observation deck.
American Cruise Lines small ships are built specifically to cruise the intricate waterways of New England, easily navigating the narrow Eggemoggin Reach and Fox Island Thorofare under the guidance of a veteran Captain. Let us please your palate with incomparable Maine lobster, regional specialties and local fruits and vegetables; let us take you on shore excursions to Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island or the Owl's Head Transportation Museum; let us show you why so many prominent families chose Bar Harbor as their summer playground during the Gilded Age. You'll visit historic and prehistoric sites, a multitude of lighthouses and a wealth of wildlife as we make our way to your ports of call: Bangor, Belfast, Rockland, Camden, Bar Habor and Castine.
By week's end you'll be completely enchanted by the warmth of the welcome you've received both on land and on board American Cruise Lines. We think you'll agree that your small ship cruise provides the perfect glimpse of what makes Maine magical.
Day 1 - Bangor, ME / Bucksport, ME
Following an afternoon departure from Bangor, a sparkling harbor greets visitors to Bucksport - long a seafaring port at the upper end of Penobscot Bay, founded by the legendary Jonathan Buck in 1763. Though burned by the British in 1779, Bucksport was rebuilt as a shipbuilding center. Today, Bucksport is a perfect place to stroll the charming waterfront, relax in the seaside park and enjoy views from Maine's coast. Visits to historic Fort Knox and the Bucksport Historical Society Museum are also available. .
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Day 2 - Cruising to Bar Harbor, ME
Day 3 - Bar Harbor, ME
Nestled on the east side of Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor has welcomed visitors for over a hundred years. Explore Mount Desert Street, a national historic district, and be amazed by the sheer number and beauty of the homes of the once rich and famous. Join a shore excursion to surrounding Acadia National Park and witness breathtaking vistas and abundant wildlife in an unspoiled habitat. Later, admire the working waterfront which marks the beginning of the Shore Path, an enticing stroll along the front lawns of some of Bar Harbor's biggest "cottages".
Day 4 - Rockland, ME
Before arriving in Rockland, you'll have the pleasure of experiencing Maine's most beautiful cruising areas. Your ship will pass through the gorgeous 6-mile passage lined with beautiful evergreens known as Merchants Row. On to Eggemoggin Reach, view majestic stone cliffs lining the shore with playful wildlife frolicking about. In Rockland, passengers can follow the Rockland Harbor Walk, visit the Shore Village Museum or take an interesting narrated tour of the area. The town's Maine Street Historic District is especially fascinating and has been recorded in the National Register of Historic Places for its many fine examples of Italianate, Mansard, Greek Revival and Colonial Revival architecture.
Day 5 - Castine, ME
Home to the Maine Maritime Academy and located at the head of East Penobscot Bay, Castine offers both spectacular harbor views and an area rife with history. During its highly contested days, Castine had the flags of English, French, Dutch, Spanish and America claiming its land. This intriguing seashore town is now rich with reminders of its exciting past.
Day 6 - Camden, ME
Full of classic schooners, this charming village is considered the "tall ship capital of Maine," and is admired for scenic beauty and a host of historic and cultural attractions. Enjoy the warm summer sunshine and refreshing sea breezes as you relax on a park bench and watch beautiful ships sail into the harbor, or browse the shops and interesting galleries. Bring your camera to capture sweeping ocean vistas, placid coastlines and panoramic views of Camden, Penobscot Bay and surrounding islands from atop Mount Battie.
Day 7 - Belfast, ME
The 1800's were a time of great prosperity in Belfast with shipbuilders and merchants building beautiful Greek Revival mansions and adorning them with treasures carried home from the China Trade. Spend the day exploring historic Belfast with some of the best examples of nineteenth-century architecture in Maine. Shore excursions offer glimpses of stunning military architecture and master granite craftsmanship in Fort Knox State Park, and seafaring legacies at Penobscot Marine Museum.
Day 8 - Bangor, ME
From shipbuilding to steamships and lumberyards, this picturesque port has proven its resiliency and flourished in the last century into a city once described by Henry David Thoreau as a "shining light on the edge of wilderness." Today Bangor proudly displays a touch of modern culture with museums and revival architecture forever encapsulating a fascinating history. Begin your cruise on one of Maine's most cherished and beautiful rivers - the Penobscot. Winding its way to the Bay, you'll discover Maine's unparalleled scenery of towering mountains rolling down to the river's edge.
Itinerary Subject to Change
