windjammer cruise camden

In everything we do, we strive to provide an authentic Maine sailing vacation that inspires and nurtures our guests.

The best way to recharge is to unplug

Refresh Your Soul on a Maine Sailing Vacation

Join the adventure of a windjammer cruise in Maine aboard the Schooner Mary Day to reawaken your inner spirit.

Sail away on a Windjammer Cruise in Maine

YOUR SPIRIT

Tired of the noise? Time for your escape? ​ Plan on feeling the wind and the sun.

Come along on a unique maine sailing vacation.

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Life on a legendary schooner in maine.

Reflections from

 “Mary Day gave me time from everyday stress and time to forget my current job. No phones, no  distractions, just the beauty of the Maine Coast, new friends, etc. It put things in perspective for  me and provided me the strength to find a new job, one that I was finally interested in.”

Cory,  Mystic, CT.

Life is busy.

We understand you need a break., so why not sail, stay and play.

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It’s not only the scenery you miss by going too fast...you also miss  the sense of where you are going and why... ​ Plan. Simplify. Feel the Wind.

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Camden Windjammer Cruises - embark on the "Vacation of a Lifetime" and set sail on a tall ship

A Maine Windjammer cruise offers many sightseeing attractions and activities. With thousands of islands in the cruising grounds of Penobscot Bay, every sailing vacation is unique. Lighthouses, seabirds, puffins, seals, whales and porpoises abound. You can enjoy picturesque coves and hidden inlets along the Maine coast, as well as participate in activities on the ship like steering the wheel and controlling the sails by raising and lowering them. In the evenings, enjoy delicious, bountiful meals, including a traditional Maine lobster feast, spend time gazing at the stars, or spend quiet time by playing board games on deck. Windjammers will typicaly anchor in a protected cove or safe harbor where you can go ashore and embark on an exploration of your own of a quaint coastal village, for example, or an uninhabited island. In short, a Maine Windjammer adventure packs both relaxation and excitement all in one sailing trip. We have included listings for all the Windjammer cruises in the Camden, Maine area, including Rockport and Rockland.

Camden Maine Windjammers

Camden maine windjammer cruises:.

PO Box 736-C Camden, ME 04843 TF: 800-282-9989 Fax: 207-785-6036 Email: click here

Grace Bailey

PO Box 617 Camden ME 04843 TF: 800-736-7981 PH: 207-236-2938 Email: click here

PO Box 482 5 Achorn St. Rockland, ME 04841 TF: 800-648-4544 PH: 207-594-8007 Fax: 207-594-1001 Email: click here

Isaac H Evans

Front St., North End Shipyard PO Box 791 Rockland ME 04841 TF: 877-238-1325 PH: 207-594-7956 Cell: 207-691-1662 Email: click here

J&E Riggin

136 Holmes St. Rockland, ME 04841 TF: 800-869-0604 PH: 207-594-1875 Fax: 207-594-1875 Email: click here

Lewis R French

PO Box 992C Camden, ME 04843 TF: 800-469-4635 PH: 207-236-9411 Email: click here

PO Box 798 Camden, ME 04843 TF: 800-992-2218 PH: 207-785-5670 Fax: 207-785-5541 Email: click here

Nathaniel Bowditch

256 Old County Rd. Rockland ME 04841 TF: 800-288-4098 PH: 207-691-4748 Email: click here

Stephen Taber

PO Box 1050 Rockland ME 04841 TF: 800-999-7352 PH: 207-594-4723 Fax: 207-596-2758 Email: click here

115A S. Main St. Rockland, ME 04841 TF: 800-562-8290 PH: 207-563-1605 Email: click here

PO Box 247 Rockport, ME 04856 TF: 800-759-9250 PH: 207236-0801 Fax: 207236-8990 Email: click here

Victory Chimes

PO Box 1401 Rockland ME 04841 TF: 800-745-5651 PH: 207-594-0755 Email: click here

Camden Area Windjammers Map

Click on map to open a new browser window with a Google Interactive Map of Windjammers in the Camden Maine region.

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TakeMe2 Communications | 2 Main Street | Building 17 - Suite 301H | Biddeford, ME 04005 | 207-712-8595

Reserve Your Spot 207-542-1241 Schedule & Rates

• Reserve Your Spot 1-800-469-4635
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• Private Charter and Weddings

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Sail Away...

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!

From Memorial Day through mid-October , we sail from Camden Harbor along Maine’s pristine coast, sharing the Lewis R. French with only 20 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.

Launched in April 1871, the French is a National Historic Landmark and the oldest commercial sailing vessel in the U.S. She has been comfortably refitted with both single and double cabins , modern navigation equipment, and a full galley where our professional crew prepares delicious homemade meals, desserts and hors d'oeuvres all day long.

We look forward to sharing the Lewis R. French with you!

- Captain Becky Wright and Nathan Sigouin

Sailing Aboard the Lewis R. French

The Lewis R. French has 6 double bed cabins, 2 bunkbed cabins, and 4 single cabins. The cabins are cozy and comfortable. 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.

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. 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.

The French was proudly named a National Historic Landmark and has a large following. From folks that have sailed on her as a windjammer to old-timers who remember her when she carried freight, the French has touched many people. It is a truly unique experience to sail on a vessel that has been active since shortly after the death of Abraham Lincoln!

"The ship – beautiful, the crew – warm and friendly, the food – absolutely fabulous, the weather – perfect. To sum it up in one word – Glorious." Sue and George C. West Boyleston, MA

The French in the Press

Our sailing cruise on a maine windjammer, the lewis r french, a sturdy maine schooner, maine magazine spent 3 days aboard in september of 2019.  read about their experiences..

More Lewis R. French Press Links

Dump out your bucket list.

This is the adventure you’ve been looking for..

Windjamming is, quite literally, like nothing else on Earth. By turns exhilarating, relaxing, surprising, and nurturing, it’s like no other vacation you’ve ever experienced.

Wake up to the quiet solitude of Maine’s coast, find renewal in the wind and sun, and surprise yourself as you help steer the ship. Aboard our vessels, with itineraries tossed to the wind, our guests find both a spark of adventure and time to reflect.

Is there a sailor in your soul?

Welcome to the Maine Windjammer Association – the largest fleet of traditional tall ships in the Americas. Our iconic windjammers offer multi-day, all-inclusive, sailing adventure cruises in one of the most acclaimed cruising grounds in the world.

When you sail aboard a Maine Windjammer Association vessel, you can be sure that your hosts hold themselves to the highest standards of safety and quality. As your captain and guide they will treat you to honest, heartfelt Maine hospitality and personalized attention.  Explore our fleet and offerings to find your perfect cruise.

The Windjamming Experience

Simply put, windjamming is about reconnecting with our essential enjoyment of life. It’s about gorgeous scenery, human connection, soul-nourishing meals, and taking time for both adventure and reflection. Our playground is the sparkling sea and the spruce-clad granite islands that rise from it.

Whether you join us for a three-night cruise or a week, we promise you a total escape from the ordinary. Be prepared to get closer than you ever have before to breathtaking wildlife like eagles, seals and porpoises, to visit some of North America’s most spectacular coastal scenery, charming villages and unspoiled islands, and to savor the freshest, fire-cooked Downeast fare. With only 16-31 guests on our ships, you’ll experience the kind of honest, heartfelt hospitality that keeps our guests coming back year after year.

Welcome to the only place in the world where schooners play in abundance. Where steady breezes, glittering bays, and literally thousands of islands make Penobscot Bay one of the most revered cruising grounds on earth.

On our small ship cruises, we have complete liberty to explore secret anchorages, remote fishing villages, and charming gallery towns. Schooners have been an intrinsic part of the Maine Coast for centuries, and there is something very special about rounding the point and arriving at anchorage under sail. Come touch this culturally distinct, pristine and physically breathtaking part of America.

Explore by Schedule

Use our cruise finder below to explore sailing options that fit your schedule. If your dates are flexible, or you just want to learn more, visit our fleet page and each vessel’s website. Reservations can be made directly with the Windjammer of your choice. Have fun exploring! Whichever vessel you choose, you are sure to have the sailing adventure of a lifetime.

Find My Trip

Wonderful food, great crew, and of course amazing scenery off the coast of Maine. Spectacular - three meals a day!

Stay in the Know

With our monthly newsletter, you’ll receive tips and hints from folks who have sailed as well as information about the best dining and attractions the area has to offer, special packages, windjammer history, events, and more!

You can request a mailed or digital packet of brochures, or you can find individual ships’ brochures under each listing on the fleet page.

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Maine Windjammer Cruises -Sally Harbor

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Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Maine Windjammer Cruises -Sally Harbor - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Reserve Your Spot 207-542-1241 Schedule & Rates

• Reserve Your Spot 1-800-469-4635
• Make a Reservation / Request a Brochure
• Private Charter and Weddings
• Accommodations
• Life Aboard
• In the News
• Photo Album
• History of The French
• Captain and Crew
• Employment Opportunities
• Getting to Camden, Maine
• Extending Your Stay in Maine
• Ship's Store
• Get in Touch

2024 Schedule and Rates

All trips spend the first night at the dock in Camden. Explore the town that evening and enjoy dinner in one of the many fine restaurants. We set sail the following morning. Guests may board anytime after 6 PM on boarding night.

Returning guests always receive 10% off the listed price!

The Lewis R. French is a 100% non-smoking vessel.

2024 Schedule Download (PDF)

Online Brochure (via SimpleBooklet)

Is the trip you want not available? Ask to be added to our waitlist!

We do get cancellations and are frequently contacting people on the waitlist. Click on the "Join Waitlist" link for the trips you’re interested in and we’ll get back to you if space becomes available. Please feel free to  email us with any questions you have! Thank you!

Note: Plans often change, so when a cancellation occurs, our policy is to notify everyone on a given waitlist at the same time. We will grant the vacancy to the first person to respond and affirm that they would still like to sail on that trip.

Looking for 2025 trips?

Visit the 2025 Schedule & Rates page.

**Aug 30th trip returns to Camden Harbor Friday afternoon to participate in the Festival. Guests stay aboard Friday night to enjoy the festivities and fireworks and disembark Saturday morning after breakfast.

Themed Sailing Adventures

Sailing and hiking.

These trips are a wonderful combination of sailing and exploring. Guests will get to explore some of the great hiking trails we have discovered. After sailing each day, we'll take advantage of the long June days and head ashore for a hike. Hikes of different lengths and levels can be arranged. All hiking is optional.

Schooner Gam

One evening we'll raft up with other Maine Windjammers for an evening of music and sea time camaraderie. This is a unique opportunity to tour and photograph these vessels up close.

Lighthouse Cruises

We'll make an effort to sail close up to some of midcoast Maine's beautiful lighthouses offering guests great photo opportunities. We will try to visit a few ashore as well.

Windjamming and Kayaking

Maine's Windjammers and other tall ships meet to participate in an exciting day of racing. Get involved in sail handling and strategy, or just sit back and enjoy the sight of these majestic tallships racing under full sail. The Race usually has 12-15 competing schooners and often includes an award ceremony and post race party.

Music Festival Week

Midweek we'll sail to Swan's Island to attend the Sweet Chariot Music Festival, a gathering only accessible by boat! This evening show features performers from all over the U.S. www.sweetchariotmusicfestival.com .

Camden Windjammer Festival

The French participates in a parade of sail as schooners return to Camden Friday evening. You'll have the best seat in town for enjoying the schooner crew talent show, fireworks over Camden Harbor, and other festivities in town. Guests disembark Saturday after breakfast. Festival Website: www.camdenwindjammerfestival.com .

WoodenBoat Sail-In

The French joins other Windjammers for one last gathering in Brooklin, Maine, home to WoodenBoat Magazine and School. This is a great opportunity to photograph these vessels close up under full sail, tour the WoodenBoat school and see some really cool wooden boats.

At the end of our last sail of the season, we invite interested guests to help downrig the schooner for the winter - unbend the sails, remove the running rigging and otherwise prepare the French for the offseason.

Rest and Restore

Four-night and Six-night Lighthouse Cruises

Reservation & cancellation policy:.

For all trips, a $300 deposit is required per guest upon reservation. The balance is due 8 weeks before the sail date. A full refund - less a $30 cancellation fee - will be given if you cancel before 8 weeks of the sail date. A full refund (less $30) will be granted for cancellations within 8 weeks of the sail date if we can fill your space. We strongly suggest you purchase travel insurance, just in case.

View Online Brochure Learn About Package Deals

We have a travel page to assist you with traveling to Camden.

Private Charters

The French is available for private charters. Visit our Windjammer Charters and Weddings page.