Potomac River & Chesapeake Bay Cruise

Stay at your hotel in Washington, D.C., an ideal starting point for exploration. Walk the National Mall, a wide open area stretching from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument.

Visit Capitol Hill and the U.S. Capitol Building, the center of the nation’s legislative activity and a key symbol of American democracy. Explore the city’s museums, memorials, and historic architecture, including the World War II Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, which highlight the region’s role in U.S. history along the Potomac River.

Board the ship and start your Chesapeake Bay journey. Sail along the wide, twisting waterways while observing the estuary’s historic landscapes, shaped by fishermen, sailors, and local culture. Relax on the sun deck, watch the shoreline, or connect with fellow travelers as you enjoy a day of calm cruising and sightseeing.

Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown collectively comprise the renowned "Historic Triangle," each site echoing pivotal moments in American history across Virginia’s colonial coastal region.

Led by an expert guide, explore Colonial Williamsburg. Stroll through the narrow, time-worn streets that have preserved their colonial character. Engage with blacksmiths, cobblers, and other artisans practicing their crafts just as the first English colonists did.

Step back in time at the Jamestown Settlement, a comprehensive museum that brings 17th-century America to life. Here, you can uncover the story of America's first permanent English colony, founded in 1607, through meticulously recreated environments and detailed exhibits.  Board the Yorktown Trolley, making convenient stops at Yorktown’s most significant sites, including the Yorktown Battlefield, where the final major conflict of the American Revolution unfolded.

Visit the American Revolution Museum, which tells the story of the nation’s founding, from the twilight of the colonial period to the dawn of the Constitution and beyond.

Historic Yorktown Walk - Complimentary Excursion
Enjoy a walking and trolley exploration of Historic Yorktown. Led by our knowledgeable guide, visit the Yorktown Victory Monument. Walk down Main Street and learn about the history and significance of Yorktown during the American Revolutionary War. Continue to the Gallery at York Hall where local artisans display their work, before boarding the Trolley for the return to the ship.
Activity Level: Moderate | ADA Accessible: Yes

American Revolution Museum at Yorktown - Complimentary Excursion
The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown tells the story of the nation’s founding, from the twilight of the colonial period to the dawn of the Constitution and beyond. Exciting indoor galleries feature period artifacts, immersive environments and films, including “The Siege of Yorktown,” with a 180-degree surround screen and dramatic special effects.
Activity Level: Moderate | ADA Accessible: Yes

Historic Yorktown Trolley - Complimentary Excursion
Beginning at the River Walk Landing, this trolley makes convenient stops at Yorktown’s most significant sites, allowing you to explore at your own pace and comfort. Travel back in time at the Yorktown Battlefield, where the final major conflict of the American Revolution unfolded. Visit the Yorktown Visitor Center to see fascinating exhibits and learn about the pivotal events that shaped our nation. Stroll along historic buildings, where the stories of 18th-century life are brought to life through well-preserved architecture and cobblestone streets. Take time to browse boutique shops and galleries offering locally crafted goods, art, and souvenirs.
Activity Level: Moderate | ADA Accessible: Yes

Spend your day navigating the stunning waters of Chesapeake Bay, North America's most illustrious cruising grounds. Known as the largest estuary in the United States, it is named "Chesapeake" from the Algonquian word for "at a big river."

The Bay encompasses over 22 miles of diverse aquatic environments, including waterways, canals, lakes, and rivers. This remarkable mix of saltwater and freshwater has cultivated a vibrant ecosystem, thriving with fish and the famed blue crabs, reflecting the ecological richness of Maryland and Virginia’s shared Chesapeake estuary region.

Cambridge is one of the oldest colonial cities in the state, located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, along the scenic Choptank River. It played a key role in the Underground Railroad and is home to the Harriet Tubman Museum and Educational Center, which you can explore led by our guides.

If you’re feeling adventurous, sail aboard a traditional skipjack to delve into the area's robust nautical culture or opt for a kayak trip along the serene shores. Venture to the nearby Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge on the Chesapeake Bay’s tidal lowlands, a vital habitat for migrating waterfowl and resident bald eagles, offering extensive trails for wildlife viewing.

Cap off the day with a visit to a local artisan brewery to sample a curated selection of their finest creations.

Known as the "Heart of the Chesapeake," St. Michaels has long been known as a vibrant shipbuilding and seafood hub, living up to the title of “Crab Capital of the World.” As your ship docks at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, once a prominent shipbuilding village, you get a glimpse into the daily life of the 1800s in this historic Talbot County waterfront town. 

Explore the museum with a dedicated guide, discovering the maritime traditions of the past aboard restored ships and in historic buildings. Also notable is the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse, a significant landmark, offering educational exhibits and sweeping views that deepen your connection to this celebrated town.

Add some flavor to your experience as you uncover the artistry behind one of Maryland’s most celebrated craft distilleries. Gain insight into the meticulous craftsmanship of their premium spirits and be treated to a tasting. Later, stroll along the waterfront of St. Michaels or explore the quaint gift shops and boutiques on the tree-lined Talbot Street.

Annapolis, Maryland's dynamic heart and state capital, founded in 1649, claimed its moment as the nation's heart in 1783. It proudly showcases an unmatched collection of 18th-century brick marvels more than any other city across the nation.

Let your Colonial-attired guide lead you through a vivid narrative spanning 350 exhilarating years, revealing Annapolis' stories and captivating tales. Walk in the footsteps of George Washington, where, in 1783, inside the State House, he resigned as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. Continuing through downtown, pass many 18th-century mansions and learn about the significance of their beautiful architecture in this historic Chesapeake capital on the Severn River.  

Later, visit the U.S. Naval Academy. Experience “Life on the Yard” as you explore the Academy campus with a professional, certified guide who highlights its past and present. Or, view the Academy from the water aboard the classic Harbor Queen for a narrated cruise along Annapolis Harbor.

From the cobblestone streets of Fells Point to landmarks like Fort McHenry, where the national anthem was born, Baltimore offers something for everyone. 
Take a narrated cruise through the Inner Harbor, learning about the renaissance of Baltimore's waterfront and its fascinating maritime history, shaped by the Patapsco River and its historic port channels.

Visit The National Aquarium, home to thousands of marine species, including sharks, dolphins, and sea turtles. Learn about animals from all over the planet, from the depths of the ocean to the canopy of the rainforest, and discover the connection they all share with water.

For a deeper understanding of Maryland’s history, explore the city’s History & Culture Center, which houses a vast collection of artifacts and artworks.  A visit to Baltimore wouldn’t be complete without indulging in its famous seafood, especially the famous Maryland crab cakes.

Baltimore City Exploration - Complimentary Excursion
Enjoy a narrated ride through the many scenic and historic treasures of Baltimore. Along the way, you will view the Inner Harbor, Fells Point - the oldest neighborhood in Baltimore, Little Italy, Lexington Market- world’s largest continuously running market, the USS Constellation, the Hippodrome which opened as a vaudeville theatre in 1914, the grave of Edgar Allen Poe, and much more. Stop to stretch your legs and explore the grounds at Ft. McHenry, where in 1814 the heroic defense of the fort from attack by the British inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words to our U.S. national anthem. Also visit the Maryland Center for History & Culture which boasts a collection of artifacts, documents, and artworks that chronicle Maryland's past, from its early colonial days to the present.
Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Yes

The National Aquarium - Complimentary Excursion
One of the largest attractions in Maryland, The National Aquarium boasts several exhibits including the Upland Tropical Rain Forest, a multi-story Atlantic Coral Reef, an open-ocean shark tank, and many more. Learn about animals from all over the planet, from the depths of the ocean to the canopy of the rain forest, and discover the connection they all share with water.
Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Partial

Maryland Center for History & Culture - Complimentary Excursion
Visit this center, which offers a wide array of exhibits that showcase Maryland’s past and cultural legacy. Enjoy a guided tour of The Unfinished Revolution exhibition, which explores the chaos, confusion, and conflicts of the early United States as it fought to defend its newly attained freedoms. Learn about impact the French and Indian War, the American Revolutionary War, the Quasi-War, and the War of 1812 had on Maryland, and the political and economic growth of the state and the nation thereafter. Take time to explore the center’s extensive collection on your own, including artifacts, documents, and artworks that provide a deeper understanding of Maryland’s history.
Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessible: Yes

Your captivating Chesapeake Bay cruise through time wraps up in the lively city of Baltimore, where it all started. Have one last breakfast aboard the ship before you disembark to either start your journey home or to extend your stay for further exploration in this memorable Mid-Atlantic port city.