Potomac River & Chesapeake Bay Cruise

Board your small ship in Washington, D.C., a rare port of call for cruise vessels. Start your trip in the U.S. capital, surrounded by landmarks that define the nation’s past and present. Walk the National Mall, stretching from the Lincoln Memorial to the Washington Monument. Stand beneath the U.S. Capitol dome at the center of Capitol Hill. Visit key sites like the World War II Memorial and the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Explore national museums and government buildings that outline the country’s founding, growth, and values.

Welcome Aboard
Kick off your journey at the Welcome Aboard Reception. Enjoy light fare, drinks, and entertainment. Meet the crew and onboard guides. Get familiar with the itinerary and what to expect in the days ahead as you prepare to explore the Chesapeake Bay region.

Visit Virginia’s Historic Triangle—Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown—and explore key sites from early American history. Walk through Yorktown, where the last major Revolutionary War battle forced the British surrender. Step into Jamestown Settlement, a museum that reconstructs the lives of early colonists and Native peoples from the 1600s. See full-scale replicas of ships, a fort, and a Powhatan village. Each location shows how the United States began, from its first permanent English settlement to its fight for independence.

American Revolution Museum at Yorktown - Complimentary Excursion
Trace the formation of the United States at the American Revolution Museum in Yorktown. View original objects from the 1700s, walk through detailed exhibits, and watch “The Siege of Yorktown” on a wide-format screen with surround sound and special effects. Gain insight into the events that led to independence and the drafting of the Constitution.

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA Accessible: Yes

Historic Yorktown Trolley - Complimentary Excursion
Board the Yorktown trolley at River Walk Landing for a self-paced visit to key Revolutionary War sites. Stop at the Yorktown Battlefield, where American and French forces secured victory over the British. Visit the Yorktown Visitor Center for interactive displays. Walk past restored 18th-century homes, browse local galleries, and shop for handmade items and souvenirs.

Activity Level: Moderate | ADA Accessible: Yes

Spend your day navigating the stunning waters of the Chesapeake Bay, North America's most illustrious cruising grounds. Known as the largest estuary in the United States, its name, "Chesapeake," derives from the Algonquian 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, alongside other abundant natural resources. Enjoy cruising the Chesapeake Bay and ride past the picturesque landscapes, and explore the charming, historic ports and towns scattered along the shoreline.

A Day of Cruising
There are a variety of activities scheduled on board when the ship is underway, which vary depending on the itinerary and scheduled date. Enjoy destination-focused enrichment programs with special guest speakers who present topics related to the region and ports of call, including Art Classes, App-titude Classes (Tech Made Easy), Cooking Demonstrations, Mixology (practice of making great cocktails,) Trivia, Game Shows, and more.

Explore Cambridge, a lively Chesapeake town celebrated for its historical significance and stunning architecture. Participate in a sailing adventure 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, a vital habitat for migrating waterfowl and resident bald eagles, offering extensive trails for wildlife viewing. Stroll through Cambridge’s cobblestoned streets, dotted with unique art galleries and boutique shops, capturing the essence of its colonial and maritime past. Cap off your visit with a meal at one of the waterfront restaurants, where you can savor local delicacies while enjoying views of the Choptank River.

Take a leisurely walk along the waterfront of St. Michaels or explore the delightful gift shops and chic boutiques on the tree-shaded Talbot Street. Upon docking at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, once a bustling shipbuilding village, you’ll be transported back to the 1800s. Experience a vivid slice of maritime history that brings to life the era's robust shipbuilding legacy. As you wander through the museum's exhibits, you'll encounter antique boats, restored artifacts, and engaging stories of the people who shaped this coastal community. This immersive visit not only educates but also captivates, leaving you with a deep appreciation for Chesapeake Bay's storied past.

This 18th-century port beautifully maintains its Colonial American allure. Annapolis, with its city streets lined with thousands of historic buildings showcasing a variety of architectural styles, is frequently described as a "museum without walls." The city's layout, with brick-lined sidewalks and period gas lamps, adds to the authentic historic ambiance, inviting you to step back in time. Verdant squares offer scenic views, enhancing the city’s charm and making it a visual delight. This lively city is also the proud home of the United States Naval Academy, a distinguished National Historic Landmark, adding a layer of prestigious military heritage to this famous port city.

At the heart of this vibrant city on the Chesapeake Bay lies the iconic Inner Harbor, a bustling waterfront area filled with restaurants, shops, and historic sites. Home to a thriving culinary scene, delight in everything from fresh seafood to innovative farm-to-table dining. For art enthusiasts, the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Walters Art Museum showcase an impressive range of artworks, from classical to modern.

Just a short distance away, Fort McHenry stands as a symbol of American resilience. Its successful defense during the War of 1812 inspired Francis Scott Key to pen The Star-Spangled Banner, which would eventually become the national anthem. Explore the fort's well-preserved structures, walk the ramparts for stunning views of the harbor, and learn about its history through interactive exhibits and living history programs.

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- the 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

Baltimore Industry Museum – Complimentary Excursion
Located in an 1860s oyster cannery on a five-acre waterfront campus, the Baltimore Museum of Industry interprets the diverse and significant human stories behind the city’s labor and industrial innovation. Baltimore is home to the nation’s first passenger railway, oldest gas company, first traffic light, first telegraph message received, the Linotype machine, and many other “firsts” in industry. Explore exhibitions and artifacts that document the contribution of the workers and entrepreneurs who built Baltimore into a manufacturing powerhouse and thriving industrial center.  

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 history 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. If you choose to linger, Baltimore offers an array of attractions, from vibrant cultural districts and historic sites to eclectic dining and shopping opportunities. Take your time to wander through the renowned Inner Harbor, visit world-class museums, and enjoy the local cuisine. You can’t leave without covering something in Old Bay Seasoning, which pairs perfectly with fried potatoes or fresh seafood.