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 a chance 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.
From the moment I stepped aboard the J & E Riggin, with its two tall masts and crisp sails, I felt like I was in another world. The language and customs of sailing ruled, and I had much to learn.
My windjammer cruise in Penobscot Bay, Maine, was more than just a pleasure ride-it was a chance to connect with nature, history, wildlife, and a community of like-minded travelers. From the thrill of hoisting the sails to the serenity of anchoring in secluded coves, I'll take you through life's daily joys on a nearly 100-year-old sailboat.
You'll discover the unique charm of a schooner like the J & E Riggin (a National Historic Landmark), the crew's camaraderie, and the culinary delights prepared in the ship's galley. So grab your sea legs and come aboard as we sail on a windjammer cruise in Maine that will inspire your next adventure!
Intro to Windjamming
But wait, what's windjamming? I wondered the same thing when I received a generous invitation from the Maine Windjammer Association.
Windjammers are sailboats designed for leisure travelers to take multi-day cruises. Some are older vessels initially built for other uses. For example, the J & E Riggin is a two-masted schooner built in 1927 to function as an oyster dredger. It was named after its first Captain, Charles Riggin, and his two sons, Jacob and Edward.
As sailing gave way to more efficient ways to power cargo vessels, the J & E Riggin was rebuilt to accommodate overnight guests. However, the 120-foot-long, 61-ton J & E Riggin still has no inboard engine and relies on wind power, as originally intended.
When there's no wind, a 16-foot yawl boat with a diesel-powered engine pushes and navigates the schooner in and out of harbors. This small but mighty motorboat transports guests to and from land as needed.
Maine Windjammer Association
The Maine Windjammer Association represents "the largest fleet of traditional tall ships in the Americas." While each ship is "independently owned and operated," all owners work together to promote windjamming in Maine.
The fleet features nine windjammers operating cruises out of two home ports (Rockland Harbor and Camden Harbor) in Midcoast Maine:
- Schooner American Eagle (Rockland)
- Schooner Grace Bailey (Rockland)
- Schooner Heritage (Rockland)
- Schooner J & E Riggin (Rockland)
- Schooner Ladona (Rockland)
- Schooner Stephen Taber (Rockland)
- Windjammer Angelique (Camden)
- Schooner Lewis R. French (Camden)
- Schooner Mary Day (Camden)
A 10th, the three-masted Victory Chimes, was decommissioned in 2022 and sold at auction in 2023. Two brothers in New York City acquired it. They have built a business of turning old boats into floating restaurants.
Arriving in Rockland
Thanks to the Maine Office of Tourism, I stayed a comfortable night 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. on the first day. The night before we left, I had a fantastic farm-to-table dinner at Primo.
On departure day, I used my free time to explore Rockland's museums and harbor. I also picked up last-minute items at Maine Sport Outfitters, including binoculars and rain gear.
Downtown Rockland is walkable, which is helpful because rideshare services don't operate there. However, two local taxi companies are available if you need help.
Maine Sip & Sail Cruise
Most windjammer cruises in Maine offer themed tours. I'd join the J & E Riggin for their first Sip & Sail Cruise, which features Maine craft beers. Throughout the cruise, we'd sample craft beers and ciders made in the state and stop at two local breweries.
Day 1: Boarding the J & E Riggin
A few minutes before 5 p.m., I rolled my luggage from the B&B to Windjammer Wharf. Given the small cabins, a duffel bag or backpack is the preferred choice for sailing. But I had to pack for a wedding in Boston, so they weren't an option. Having a carry-on-size piece of luggage was manageable, but I'd avoid it.
Soon after I arrived, Captain Justin Schaefer pulled into the parking lot. We'd met a few months earlier in Portland at AdventureELEVATE, a travel conference I attended.
He introduced me to Captain Jocelyn Schmidt, his wife, and the J & E Riggin co-owner. Each has a 100-ton captain's license. However, Jocelyn's primary role now is the chef. Captain Justin carried my luggage down the dock, and I boarded my first windjammer cruise in Maine.
My Cabin
They showed me to cabin #3 in the front third of the boat. I had to step down a near-vertical ladder to reach the cabins. Luggage is best passed down from one person to another.
Inside my cabin, typical of windjammer cruises in Maine, two single beds had mattresses, clean sheets, blankets, quilts, and towels. One ceiling fixture provided light, and a small window could be opened a few inches.
Every cabin has a sink with fresh water. The cabins in the front of the boat have plumbing that requires guests to tap on a plastic pedal on the floor to drain water.
It's a bit laborious, though it encouraged me to use the clean water efficiently to brush my teeth and wash my face. A shelf provides space for toiletries, and a small mirror is on the wall.
Each bunk has a reading light and a storage shelf. Since Kel couldn't join me for the cruise, I used the extra bed to lay out my clothes.
Two USB ports are available to charge electronic devices like cell phones, and a 12V outlet is helpful for CPAP machines (for guests with sleep apnea).
If you're a CPAP user like me, you'll need to buy a 12V adapter to use the outlet. I paid $40 for one on Amazon.com, and it worked fine. Each cabin also includes a small LED flashlight and a padded, stadium-style seat for use on the main deck.
The tight quarters are a part of the windjamming experience. The schooner is anchored in the evenings, so you're not trying to sleep while moving. Now that you've seen where I slept for four nights, you might wonder about the bathroom situation on windjammer cruises in Maine.
Bathrooms
The J & E Riggin has two toilets or "heads" in sailing speak. Both heads are on the main deck, side by side. These small bathrooms feature toilets that require a little manual labor.
First, you do your business. Then close the lid and pump the lever 10-12 times until it hisses. Lift the top; if everything is gone, you're done. If not, repeat the process.
If, after multiple tries, it's still not clear, you're encouraged to notify a crew member (who, much to their credit, will take care of it). Additionally, staff cleans the heads three times a day.
The toilet paper is thin since these sailboat toilets are a bit sensitive. To reduce the odds of clogging, you're asked to use only 6-8 squares. One of the heads also features a handheld shower.
Showers can only be taken while the boat is anchored, which is to say after breakfast but before setting sail or after it's anchored (up until 10 p.m.). Crew members made hot water available for those wanting a shower.
I didn't bother, choosing to wash my face regularly and double up on deodorant instead. Chalk it up to this unique travel experience. You won't be alone, and nobody on windjammer cruises in Maine will judge you.
Dinette and Galley
Weather permitting, most meals are served on the main deck. But there's also a galley and dining area below deck. Thankfully, we only had one meal in this room (lunch on the first day, as it was drizzling). It was a tight squeeze, and you immediately missed the views and breeze.
Old photos of the J & E Riggin and recent plaques from friendly races with the other Maine windjammers decorate the space. Some books about sailing and Maine are available as well.
Anchoring the kitchen is a large, black wood-burning stove named Lucy. It looks formidable, and I was surprised to learn there's always a fire burning, even while sailing and sometimes overnight.
For safety reasons, a crew member is always awake on the boat, including in the wee hours of the morning. As you'll soon see, the galley crew can create some epic meals here.
Captain's Call
After all the guests loaded their luggage on the schooner, there was a captain's call at 6 p.m.
He introduced himself, Jocelyn, and their experienced crew, which included:
- Alex, the First Mate (a supervisory role)
- Elias, the Deckhand (who does what Alex asks)
- Keegan, the Galley Hand (who assists Jocelyn with the cooking)
- Nancy, an Apprentice (who was a passenger the previous year)
- Jenny, the Social Media Manager (who helps with other tasks as needed)
We learned how to use the heads and when we could shower. Guests were asked to keep noise levels down from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Then, Justin set us free to grab dinner in Rockland. We returned afterward and spent our first night aboard the J & E Riggin at Windjammer Wharf.
Day 2: Sailing to New Haven
Breakfast
The next day, I was up at 6:30 a.m. The coffee, hot water for tea, and hot chocolate were set out for guests on the main deck. It was 63 F and chilly, with light rain and heavy fog blanketing the harbor. At 8:15 a.m., a bell on the main deck rang, indicating that breakfast was ready.
Buttermilk pancakes with Maine maple syrup, blueberry syrup, whipped cream, lemon curd, and fruit toppings were available, as were bacon, homemade granola, Greek yogurt, and fresh fruits.
As this first breakfast would attest, we wouldn't go hungry on this windjammer cruise. Delicious meals were always available, and usually enough for guests to get seconds.
After breakfast, guests made last-minute purchases in town. Then, those with cars paid $20 each for parking passes. The First Mate, Alex, gave a safety presentation at 10:45 a.m., pointing out where to find life preservers, life rings for anyone who falls overboard, and fire extinguishers.
Leaving Rockland Harbor
Windjammer cruises in Rockland, Maine, depart the harbor as they're ready. Captains communicate when they're heading out, but there are no specific departure times for each ship.
They slipped away from the dock one by one: first, the Stephen Taber, then Grace Bailey. The white-hulled Ladona followed, and it had a motor.
Around 11 a.m., the J & E Riggin departed, too. Our yawl boat served as a mini-tugboat, pulling the traditional schooner away from the dock, turning it around, and then pushing it out of Rockland Harbor.
Given the low visibility, I was amazed at our Captain's ability to steer the 61-ton schooner out of the harbor. Dozens of anchored sailboats were barely visible amid the thick haze.
When we passed the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, we could scarcely see it. The mile-long breakwater, built to connect it to land, disappeared in the mist.
Raising the Sails
When we passed the lighthouse at 11:30 a.m., volunteers were called to help raise the mainsail. Guests of all ages lined up on the schooner's port (left) and starboard (right) sides. The crew members called commands as each side pulled the rope to raise the 1.5-ton (3,000-pound) mainsail and top beam.
The number of people helping and the built-in mechanical advantages make it doable. Helping out is voluntary, but often, guests enjoy this aspect of their windjammer cruises in Maine. I did.
Once the mainsail was raised, the crew and guests raised the three other sails. Each subsequent sail required fewer people and less effort than the last. Although I played a small part in raising those sails, I felt proud every time I looked at them.
As we began sailing, I asked the Captain about the gear he used to navigate. He walked me through it all, pointing out the radar and radios. One device I found interesting notifies him of the closest vessel and how long it would take for the J & E Riggin to intersect with it if both boats remained at the same speed and heading.
Lunch
Not long after we raised the sails, we went below deck to the dinette for our first lunch together. Jocelyn and her Galley Hand, Keegan, had prepared New England clam chowder and strawberry and goat cheese salads.
Fresh-baked biscuits were served with salted butter and honey from Jocelyn's apiary (beehives). For dessert, we had delicious candied ginger shortbread.
Given the theme of our windjammer cruise was Maine craft beers, everyone could try two beers with every lunch and dinner for the entire trip. On a few occasions, they offered cider instead of beer.
For our first tasting, we tried Salad Days, a pale, dry lager by Bunker Brewing Company, and a darker Bar Harbor Real Ale by Atlantic Brewing Company. Between the two, I preferred the latter.
After lunch, I returned to the main deck and caught a glimpse of the dark red sails of the Windjammer Angelique off the port side. By 2:30 p.m., we were passing along the north coast of Vinalhaven Island, where we could see Browns Head Light Station and lobster boats at work.
Fifteen minutes later, the crew dropped the iron anchor off the port side. We were told the one on the starboard side was a "storm anchor" and is not routinely used.
North Haven Brewing Co.
Captain Justin ferried us to North Haven Island on the yawl boat. It was only a minute's walk from the dock to Calderwood Hall, a community center home to North Haven Brewing Co.
The Maine microbrewery opened in 2017 after friends Ben Lovell and Jesse Davisson took their homebrewing hobby to the next level. Ben's sister, Elizabeth, is a co-owner. Ben and Jesse are fishermen, and their interest in beermaking grew during their downtime every winter off-season.
As part of our Sips and Sails-themed cruise, each guest on the J & E Riggin got a beer flight. The brewers invited us to pick three of the four beers we wanted to sample, with the fourth being their signature Keeper IPA.
I liked Keeper and Swell. The Spark Plug had strong coffee and chocolate flavors, and the Barrel Stove was my least favorite.
North Haven Brewing Co.'s beers are only available at the brewery, which they said provides enough demand to keep them busy. A ferry from Rockland offers regular service to the island.
Dinner
Back on the J & E Riggin, we were welcomed with iced oysters from Johns River. They provided four salt options: a mignonette, a sliced French baguette from Atlantic Baking Company (Rockland), and three kinds of compound butter.
Dinner followed an hour later, at 6:30 p.m. Lemon- and white-wine-poached Atlantic salmon was served with lemon risotto, butternut squash, tomatoes, and roasted garlic scapes. The fish was excellent. But wait, there's more!
For dessert, they brought homemade strawberry rhubarb pie with hand-whipped cream. What's a little rain and fog when you're fed like royalty?
Day 3: Sailing to Waterman Point
I awoke several times on my second night aboard the J & E Riggin. However, I was always able to drift off quickly again. At 7:30 a.m., it was time to rise and shine. I got dressed and climbed up to the main deck.
I made hot chocolate and indulged in a second serving of strawberry rhubarb pie. Jocelyn told me guests are more likely to eat leftover dessert when it's put out the next day. And she was right!
For breakfast, a North African tomato-based dish called shakshuka was served with avocados, olives, capers, and Greek yogurt. They also served tasty rosemary focaccia and lemon poppy seed muffins.
Raising the Anchor
At 9 a.m., the crew began removing the tarp over the main deck. A guest pointed out a harbor seal swimming through the calm waters. Soon, the fog would clear, and visibility would increase.
We raised the mainsail and the second one as well. Then, the crew, with the help of some volunteers, worked together to pull up the 500-pound iron anchor, a strenuous task. For example, one person's job was to organize the heavy iron chain back in the storage box.
Once the anchor was up, the J & E Riggin glided forward as the crew secured the anchor to the boat's port side and raised the smaller sails.
Sailing
We saw blue skies for the first time since boarding the J & E Riggin, and everyone was appreciative. My priorities changed from staying warm and dry to wearing enough sunblock.
Since we sailed out of the channel separating North Haven and Vinalhaven islands the same way we'd entered the day before, we got a better look at the scenery.
This included Browns Head Light Station, many beautiful vacation homes, and Fiddler's Ledge, a pillar marking the end of an underwater ledge that juts out from North Haven Island.
Here, sailing at a leisurely 3 knots, we could hear the ringing of a red buoy that marks the entrance to New Haven harbor.
When I asked Captain Justin about top speeds, he said the Riggin hit 10 knots (11.5 miles per hour) during the Great Schooner Race the week before. He said they began to take the sails down at 12 knots (13.8 miles per hour).
As we cruised west across West Penobscot Bay toward a brewery on the mainland, the wind died, and we began using the yawl boat to push the mighty schooner. Without the help, we wouldn't move.
Around noon, we passed Owls Head Lighthouse and began cruising south down the Eastern Seaboard. This 30-foot lighthouse, built in 1825, can be visited on foot via Owls Head State Park.
Lunch was pulled pork shoulder cooked overnight on scratch-made brioche buns with housemade BBQ sauce. Gouda and cheddar cheese were available as toppings. The sandwiches came with sweet potato hash and coleslaw. For dessert, carrot cake cupcakes. Yum!
The Tumbledown Red, an Irish Red Ale by Tumbledown Brewing, was one of my favorites from the windjammer cruise in Maine. I also enjoyed Freedom's Edge Cider with lunch.
Waterman's Beach Brewery
At 2:30 p.m., the crew dropped anchor off Waterman Point, and the Captain began ferrying us to shore for our second brewery visit. Waterman's Beach Brewery is a true Maine original. Before the building housed brewing equipment, it was a family-owned lobster shack for 30 years.
In 2001, Waterman's Beach Lobster Shack won the James Beard Foundation's America's Classic Award. By 2016, the owners were ready to retire.
That's when scallop fisherman Heath Curtis came up with the idea to turn his mom's lobster shack into a craft brewery. Three years later, with help from Brad Frost, co-owner and head brewer, and Brad's wife, Anna, the brewery opened.
Everyone had the chance to try four beers, so I chose:
- Crown to Coast Kolsch Style Ale
- Loowit Session Ale
- Sonic Temple Pale Ale
- Polka Party (a smoky beer)
My favorite was Sonic Temple, followed by Crown to Coast. Captain Justin announced we could order not one but two pints of our favorite beer.
As my fellow passengers and I sampled the beers and enjoyed the beautiful ocean view, the J & E Riggin's crew prepared a lobster bake on the beach. I'm not a huge beer drinker, but it wasn't hard to keep up, given the weather and scenery.
Lobster Bake
First, they set a fire and began grilling corn on the cob. They wrapped potatoes in aluminum foil before placing them near the fire. Then they added live Maine lobsters to a metal bucket with one inch of salt water.
They covered them with kelp found along the beach and steamed them for about 20 minutes. As if that wasn't enough, they also grilled two steaks! We were in for an authentic surf 'n turf dinner.
I experienced my first lobster bake in Portland the week before. However, this one was much more intimate. The brewery opened on their day off for us and gave their permission to have the lobster bake in their front yard.
It demonstrated a sense of community among Mainers. To cap off our fantastic sunset dinner at an oceanside brewery, the Captain and crew made ooey-gooey s'mores tacos over the campfire.
Once we packed up, we left the beach and brewery as we'd found them. Justin shuttled us back to the J & E Riggin, its mainsail glowing in the fading sun. It would be hard to beat our third day of the windjammer cruise in Maine, but Mother Nature had a few surprises in store.
Day 4: Sailing to Vinalhaven
After a few days at sea, I became accustomed to the schooner's schedule and routines. Morning coffee, a delicious breakfast, raising the anchor, raising the sails. It all felt more comfortable.
Before we set sail from Waterman's Point, the crew set up the ship's chandlery, aka the gift shop. Since several couples on the windjammer cruise had sailed with the Riggin before, they could attest to the quality of the clothing.
Impressed by the pricing, I bought a magenta hat for $22 and a green embroidered T-shirt for $25. I began wearing the cap immediately.
Raising the Anchor
At 9:50 a.m., after packing the shop and cleaning the breakfast dishes, I helped Nancy and Keegan pull up the anchor. Using the proper technique and throwing your body weight into the movements makes a huge difference.
I learned that you don't have to be super muscular to do this stuff. Proper technique, teamwork, and the rigging's mechanical advantages go a long way.
Gloves aren't worn as they can get caught in the ropes. You also don't want to rely on putting gloves on in an emergency. I was told using your bare hands and building calluses is better.
Cruising South
Ten minutes later, we cruised with a cool breeze, looking for lighthouses and marine life. The Captain planned to sail south along the rugged Maine coast and east toward Matinicus Island. We'd then head north to anchor in a secluded cove on Vinalhaven Island.
First, we passed Sprucehead Island and several large, attractive waterfront homes. I helped raise the mainsail as we passed Whitehead Island Lighthouse. We spotted a harbor seal popping its head up.
Further south, we could see Tenants Harbor Lighthouse and Jamie Wyeth's home on Southern Island. The island is private property, and Jamie Wyeth, an artist like his renowned father, the painter Andrew Wyeth, lives there full time.
Minutes later, I spotted a porpoise coming up for air off the starboard side. An hour later, I saw three porpoises off the port side. A group of porpoises is known as a pod.
Lunch on this lovely day consisted of lobster bisque made with leftover lobster from the previous night, rolls, salad, and luscious lemon bars. I drank a Decadent Decapod by Belleflower Brewing Co. in Portland. And I enjoyed an unfiltered Downeast Cider enough to pour a second glass.
Whale Watching
During lunch, as we cruised east past Little Green Island, we spotted the first of several fin whales, the second-largest whale species on Earth.
Their small dorsal fin belies their massive size. Fin whales can weigh between 40 and 80 tons (80,000 and 160,000 pounds) and grow to 85 feet in length. To put that in perspective, an average 60-ton fin whale would weigh as much as Schooner J & E Riggin.
The fin whale population suffered greatly during mid-19th-century whale hunting. Today, they are endangered. Their average lifespan is 80 to 90 years.
The spotting excited everyone on board the J & E Riggin, including Justin, Jocelyn, and the crew. The Captain immediately called the team to make adjustments and slow us down.
I had asked Justin about the potential for us to see whales before we got underway on Day 1. My expectations were low after hearing whale sightings were possible but not routine. Luke, a passenger with 30 years of experience on windjammer cruises in Maine, said he'd only seen whales three times.
The fine whale(s) we watched surfaced a dozen times before we continued east past Large Green Island. For about 45 minutes, we seemed to see all the wildlife at once. We spotted a seal, and there were so many fin whales that we were getting used to their presence.
A baby shark near the schooner led crew members to break out in song and dance. We also saw porpoises and a pair of puffins-my investment in binoculars paid off.
As we approached Matinicus Island, one of Maine's most remote inhabited islands, we turned north toward Vinalhaven. We cruised past Heron Neck Lighthouse at the southern tip of Greens Island and through Hurricane Sound until we arrived at a quiet cove. The Captain said we'd sailed 30 nautical miles during the day.
Sunset Sail
The crew dropped anchor and began prepping the Savannah, a cat ketch rig carried by the J & E Riggin. The cove was empty when we arrived, except for a larger sailboat already anchored there. Within an hour, though, the Schooner Stephen Taber joined us.
As appetizers were brought to the main deck, the Captain took a few passengers out on the Savannah for a sunset sail. I enjoyed the perspective it gave us of the schooner, and that it was a quieter ride than the yawl we'd used to visit the breweries.
At 6 p.m., a passenger spotted a bald eagle in a tree top on Turnip Island. The eagle was close enough to see clearly with binoculars, which was exciting. It was the first adult bald eagle I'd seen in the wild.
The main deck served tender beef brisket with polenta and Brussels sprouts 20 minutes later. As it was our last night, we got to choose what to drink.
I picked the Bar Harbor Blueberry Ale by Atlantic Brewing Company. Dessert was an excellent cheesecake with salted caramel drizzle, which we ate while watching the colorful sunset.
Captain Justin left the mainsail up overnight, so we'd have less work to do on our last morning.
Day 5: Return to Rockland
On the fifth and final day of our windjammer cruise off the coast of Maine, the water was so still that it created a near-flawless reflection of the Stephen Taber.
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.
At 5:45 a.m., Keegan brought out the coffee and tea. Jocelyn and Justin were also already at work. A few people were also awake on our neighbor, Schooner Stephen Taber. Jenny's grandparents previously owned the Stephen Taber, and her uncle now owns it.
Around 6:30 p.m., someone placed a tray of coffee cake on the deck. Soon after, we spotted a bald eagle in a tree in front of us on Hall Island. Using binoculars, I also saw the eagle's nest.
Breakfast was homemade NY-style bagels with lox (smoked salmon) and other toppings. They also provided scrambled eggs, cantaloupe, and kiwi.
Our Final Sail
The Stephen Taber sailed off before us. I didn't mind, as it gave me a sense of what the J & E Riggin looked like when cruising. By 8:30 a.m., we were sailing too.
It was a short and bittersweet ride back to Windjammer Wharf in Rockland Harbor. I'd spent my first Maine cruise making new friends, learning sailing vocabulary, and being fed like a King.
I'd gotten the hang of spending days and nights at sea and been spoiled by fin whales, porpoises, seals, puffins, and bald eagles.
Taking my first (of hopefully many) windjammer cruises in Maine was the at-sea adventure I didn't know I needed. As we entered Rockland Harbor, the Rockland Breakwater Lighthouse, shrouded in fog at the start of our trip, was visible.
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 barely visible sailboats. As we slid along the dock, the crew threw ropes to secure the schooner.
The disembarkation happened quickly, signaling the end of the trip. People, including me, had planes to catch. The crew also had their work cut out for them, as they needed to turn over the sailboat in 24 hours.
The following day, at 5 p.m., the J & E Riggin was due to depart on a 3-night Kids & Family Cruise. Guests were provided envelopes in their cabins for tips, and a 5% to 10% gratuity is recommended.
One hundred percent of the tips go to the working crew (everyone besides the owners, Justin and Jocelyn). From everything I saw during my 4-night windjammer cruise, they deserved it.
Wrapping Up
My experience aboard the J & E Riggin showed me firsthand why these historic ships have many repeat customers. Windjammer cruises in Maine offer a unique chance to sail tall ships amid stunning scenery.
Add friendly, approachable owners like Captains Justin and Jocelyn, an earnest, experienced crew, and lots of good food, and you have the makings of a beautiful vacation. Check out this year's sailing dates aboard the J & E Riggin, or plan for next year.
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Thank you to the Maine Windjammer Association and J & E Riggin for inviting me to experience one of their cruises at no cost. My night at the LimeRock Inn was organized in partnership with the Maine Office of Tourism.
