Northeast Harbors Cruise

Arrive in New York City and begin your cruise with a hotel stay before embarkation. Use your time to explore the city at your own pace, from Central Park and museums to neighborhoods known for their culture, cuisine, and history. You can also visit Broadway, take a waterfront walk, or see major landmarks before your coastal journey begins.

Board the ship in Manhattan and begin your New England journey as you cruise away from the city. Enjoy views of New York Harbor and its landmarks as the ship leaves the city and heads north along the coast.

Meet the crew, settle into your stateroom, and take part in welcome aboard activities. Enjoy onboard dining and time to relax as the ship continues northward.

Discover Sag Harbor, a historic whaling port on Long Island where maritime history meets small-town charm. Stroll the narrow streets lined with whalers' cottages, art galleries, and antique shops, each offering a glimpse into the town’s past and creative present. 

Learn about Sag Harbor’s whaling history at the Whaling Museum and the Annie Cooper Boyd House, where local historians share stories of the industry and the people who built the village. For a more leisurely pace, explore Main Street at your own speed, enjoying boutique shops, waterfront cafés, and local wine bars.

Sag Harbor at Your Leisure – Complimentary Excursion
Sag Harbor is truly one of Long Island’s hidden gems. Stroll down Main Street and discover the many unique boutiques and mouthwatering restaurants. Art enthusiasts enjoy perusing the variety of galleries around the village. Wine connoisseurs can sip away happily at one of the local wine bars.

Kidd Squid Brewing Company - Complimentary Excursion
Enjoy an intimate beer tasting at Kidd Squid Brewing Company with beer named after many local icons. This unique brewery is located in the Historic Sag Harbor Train Depot. During your visit, the owner provides interesting details about the history of the building, the creation of Kidd Squid, and the reason behind the name. The tasting consists of four beers.
Activity Level: Low | ADA ACCESSIBLE: Yes

Sag Harbor Historical Exploration – Complimentary Excursion
Explore Sag Harbor history with a personalized guided experience at the Annie Cooper Boyd House and a self-guided experience at the Sag Harbor Whaling Museum. Learn about the industry and people who established Sag Harbor from local historians.
Activity Level: Moderate | ADA Accessible: Partial

Visit Old Saybrook, one of Connecticut’s earliest settlements where the Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound. The town is known for its maritime roots and as the longtime home of silver screen icon Katharine Hepburn, with the Katharine Hepburn Museum offering a look at her life, film costumes, personal letters, and artwork, along with a screening in the historic theater. 

Just a short trip away, Essex invites walking exploration along its waterfront streets, where colonial and Federal-era buildings reflect the town’s history. The Connecticut River Museum provides insight into regional maritime heritage, including the historic Turtle Submarine. Afterward, visitors can enjoy lunch at the Griswold Inn and spend time browsing local shops or strolling the charming streets.

A Taste of Essex – Complimentary Excursion
Take a short drive to Downtown Essex for an afternoon exploring. Visit the Connecticut River Museum, which features various exhibits that highlight artifacts with regional and historical significance. One collection found on the first floor of the museum is the "Turtle Submarine,” the first submarine used in combat which was successfully launched in the early morning of September 7, 1776. After the museum, spend time exploring the picturesque Main Street with its many shops and cafés. Or, choose to spend your whole afternoon strolling Essex. 
Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Yes

Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center – Complimentary Excursion
Enjoy a guided exploration of The Kate, the only museum of its kind dedicated to preserving the legacy of Connecticut's own Katharine Hepburn. Presenting an authentic view of the cultural and historical impact of Miss Hepburn and her family, exhibits feature costumes from her films, personal letters to family and friends, her 1975 Primetime Emmy Award, personal wardrobe clothing, framed artwork, and a special exhibits case.
Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Yes

Explore the charm of Connecticut’s coastal towns with a visit to New London and Mystic. Mystic is a scenic village with a harbor lined with historic tall ships and a lively waterfront area. The town supports a rich arts scene, from local galleries like Russ Kramer’s, known for his realistic maritime paintings, to the nation’s leading maritime museum, Mystic Seaport, where visitors can explore a recreated 19th-century seafaring village and step aboard the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan. 

Nearby New London sits at the meeting point of the Thames River and Long Island Sound, offering a mix of coastal and urban scenery. Its cultural highlights include the Lyman Allyn Art Museum, which houses more than 17,000 objects spanning ancient to contemporary art, and landmarks such as the United States Coast Guard Academy.

Submarine Force Library & Museum - Complimentary Excursion
Enjoy a self-guided exploration of the 33,000 artifacts found at the Submarine Force Library & Museum. Discover various exhibits featuring photographs and models that illustrate the history of submarine development. There are docents available on site.
Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Partial

Harkness Memorial State Park - Eolia Mansion & Gardens – Complimentary Excursion
Step into the elegance of Eolia Mansion, the seaside summer home of philanthropists Mary Stillman Harkness and Edward Harkness, set within Harkness Memorial State Park. Your guide shares the story of their family and legacy during the Gilded Age, bringing this remarkable estate to life. Explore the 42-room Roman-style mansion, redesigned by architect James Gamble Rogers, along with the tranquil Oriental Garden, vibrant Italian Garden, formal Boxwood Parterre, and charming Alpine Rock Garden, influenced by landscape architect Beatrix Farrand. Together, the mansion and gardens offer a captivating glimpse into the refined lifestyle and enduring generosity of this extraordinary couple.
Activity Level: Moderate | ADA Accessible: Partial

Custom House Maritime Museum– Complimentary Excursion
Visit this engaging museum, just a short walk from the dock, and uncover the rich history of New London’s waterfront. Explore changing exhibits that bring the city’s maritime heritage to life, highlighting the people, vessels, and businesses that shaped the harbor. Enjoy time to browse at your own pace and stop by the Museum Shop for books and unique gifts before returning to the ship.
Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Partial

Visit Newport, RI, a coastal town known for its historic districts and Gilded Age mansions. Take a stroll along the famous Cliff Walk, where rocky shores meet grand estates like The Breakers and Marble House, offering a glimpse into the Vanderbilt family’s influence at the turn of the century. 

Local exploration continues in the downtown area, where colonial-era buildings house shops and cafés along the bustling waterfront, and stop at Fort Adams for an authentic New England Lobsterbake featuring fresh lobster, steamed clams, and a scenic harbor view.

Fort Adams Exploration - Complimentary Excursion
Visit Fort Adams, the well-known fort used to protect the harbor, and puts you just a short ride away from Newport’s bustling riverfront. View the “Officer’s Quarters” and ascend to the scenic overlook for a breathtaking view of Newport Harbor. Learn about past and future plans for the restoration of the Fort and enter the restored casemates to visit the latest historical exhibit. The listening tunnels beneath the walls of the Fort are a marvel of architecture and engineering and represent 180 years of American military history and culture.
Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Yes

Lobsterbake Luncheon – Complimentary Excursion
Watch the unveiling of a traditional, old-fashioned lobsterbake, followed by a delicious lunch. Be treated to fresh lobster, steamed clams and mussels, warm corn on the cob, and baked rolls – a true New England experience.
Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Yes

Newport Local Loop - Complimentary Excursion
Enjoy a complimentary shuttle into the center of town to enjoy stops in Newport at your leisure. Stops include:

International Tennis Hall of Fame - Set in The Newport Casino, it’s a National Historic Landmark that was first opened on July 26, 1880, as a social club for Newport’s turn of the century summer elite. Its mission is to preserve and promote the history of tennis and celebrate its champions.

Audrain Auto Museum - Founded in 2014 in Newport, Rhode Island with a mission of "Preserving, Celebrating & Sharing Automotive History," the Audrain Automobile Museum and historic Audrain Building was transformed into a captivating exhibition space, fit specifically for your cultural needs. The museum welcomes visitors with access to collections containing over 400 cars and motorcycles ranging from brass era Veteran cars to Supercars of today.

The Red Parrot Restaurant - In the heart of downtown Newport where streets lined with shopping boutiques, visitor information, local favorites, and gift shops await.

The Sailing Museum – This museum features National Sailing Hall of Fame and America’s Cup Hall of Fame exhibits. In the space once used as the Press Room for the America’s Cup the heritage of sailing is celebrated, the legends of the sport honored, and new sailors and innovators inspired. Interactive educational exhibits provide real-world applications of STEAM concepts that come alive through sailing; and visitors of all ages, non-sailors, and sailors alike, experience the magic that happens when wind and water meet.
Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Yes

Newport City Exploration - Complimentary Excursion
Take a narrated exploration of historic and famous Newport. With the brilliant Atlantic Ocean on one side and some of the country’s most impressive properties on the other, this celebrated trail is an unforgettable one. Drive along the 10-mile, spectacular Ocean View Drive and Bellevue Ave— “Avenue of the Mansions.” The highlight of the excursion is a stop at the Breakers, a seventy-room mansion and National Historic Landmark built for Cornelius Vanderbilt II in 1895. A short stop is made for picture opportunities at a beautiful waterfront lookout at Brenton Point State Park.
Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Yes

Enjoy a relaxing day of cruising along the New England coastline. Take advantage of the ship’s open decks to watch the shoreline pass by or unwind indoors with panoramic views.

Onboard programs offer insight into the region’s maritime history, coastal culture, and natural landscapes. Enjoy leisurely meals, social gatherings, and evening entertainment as you savor a peaceful day at sea before reaching Massachusetts.

Discover the coastal beauty of Plymouth, known as one of the earliest English settlement sites in North America. Stroll along the waterfront where fishing boats still dot the harbor, then explore the streets of downtown Plymouth, lined with colonial-era architecture and locally owned shops that reflect the town’s enduring charm. 

From riding the Plymouth Local Loop shuttle to stops like Plymouth Rock, Brewster Gardens, and Town Square, to visiting Pilgrim Hall Museum, where authentic Pilgrim artifacts and exhibits illuminate the Wampanoag and Pilgrim experience.

Plymouth Local Loop – Complimentary Excursion
This convenient option transports you to one of these local favorites:

Plymouth Rock, Brewster Gardens, Mayflower II - Visit Plymouth Rock, where the Mayflower Pilgrims were said to have stepped in 1620 to land in the New World. A short walk away is Brewster Gardens with beautiful sculptures along Town Brook where the Pilgrims settled in what was then called Patuxet.

Town Square, Burial Hill, Plimoth Grist Mill - At the top of Town Square is the Mayflower Meetinghouse. Behind is Burial Hill and to the left is the 1649 Courthouse, a free museum filled with interesting items from Plymouths history. It is the oldest wooden Court House and the longest used municipal building in America.

Plimoth General Store - Plimoth General Store combines the charm and character of a time gone by. Explore all its nooks and crannies, which feature dining, fine provisions, specialty gifts, unique jewelry, and home goods. Enjoy coffee and baked goods at the café.

Pilgrim Hall Museum - See actual Pilgrim possessions and learn about the Wampanoags and the Pilgrims who participated in the Mayflower story through an exhibit and unique hand-made tapestry project.

National Monument to the Forefathers - Thought to be the largest solid granite monument in the U.S., this 81-foot-tall statue was built to honor the passengers of the Mayflower. Designed by Boston sculptor Hammatt Billings, the monument features allegorical figures depicting the virtues of Faith, Morality, Education, Law, and Liberty.

The Mayflower Society House - The Mayflower Society House was originally constructed in 1754 and enlarged in the 1890’s.The house has a long a grand history, including being the home of the great-grandson of Mayflower passenger Edward Winslow; wedding venue of Ralph Waldo Emerson in the 1830’s; the summer home of the wealthy Willoughby family of retail fame; and was redesigned by famed architect Joseph Everett Chandler.It is now the world headquarters of the Mayflower Society, and shows off a tremendous collection of 19th century architecture and artifacts.
Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Partial

Shoppes on Water Street - Complimentary Excursion
Take a leisure stroll to Water Street, just a short distance from the ship. In 1920, to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the landing of the Mayflower, Water Street was converted from rows of factories to beautiful shops situated across from Plymouth Harbor. Shop for custom-made jewelry, unique gifts, local wines, and more.
Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Yes

Your cruise concludes in Boston, one of the most historically significant cities in the United States. Enjoy a final breakfast on board before disembarkation.

For those extending their stay, Boston offers endless opportunities for exploration, from walking the Freedom Trail and visiting renowned museums to strolling along the Charles River or exploring the vibrant waterfront. As you reflect on your journey through New England’s coastal towns and cities, Boston provides a fitting and memorable finale.