Maine's most historic seaport overlooks beautiful Casco Bay. Spend your visit exploring its gallant 360-year history or check out its amazing cultural scene. Big-city excitement blends delightfully with small-town charm here as fishing vessels bustle in the harbor and Victorian-era buildings still line cobblestone streets.

Portland City Exploration - Complimentary Excursion
Portland is Maine’s largest city by the sea. The Old Port waterfront features working fishing wharves and converted warehouses with restaurants and shops. The Western Promenade is a public park atop a bluff, offering river and mountain views. Its surrounding district, the West End, is full of Victorian-era homes
Meet your local guide for a narrated exploration. View Longfellow’s boyhood home, sea captains’ houses, and the elegant Victorian Mansion. Travel through historic neighborhoods overlooking the islands of Casco Bay in Portland Harbor. Stop at Portland Head Lighthouse in Fort Williams Park, a historic landmark and the most photographed lighthouse in America.

Long known as the “City of Ships,” Bath finds its identity in shipbuilding. From its architecture and cultural offerings to its urban downtown, Bath’s shipbuilding roots define its character. Walk Bath’s streets and admire the seaport’s tree-lined avenues, graced with classic examples of American architecture. Or explore the nationally acclaimed Maine Maritime Museum, which offers a variety of exhibits about Maine’s nautical history.

Portsmouth is a city where the past and present coexist harmoniously. Admire the colorful 17th-century homes that adorn the streets, many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings. Explore the lush gardens and picturesque walkways Prescott Park, located right along the harbor.

Visit Strawbery Banke Museum, a living museum depicting life in the 1600s through the 1900s with costumed characters who make history come to life. Shop and dine Market Square, filled with great boutiques, restaurants, and cafes, as well as local wineries.

Located a few miles from Boston, Gloucester is the home to America's original seaport and the oldest working art colony in North America. The town’s picturesque waterfront has drawn fishermen, artists, and visitors for over four hundred years. With over 60 miles of coastline, there is a wealth of stunning views to enjoy and plenty of fresh seafood to savor.

Maritime Gloucester - Complimentary Excursion
Maritime Gloucester is a working waterfront, maritime museum, sea pocket aquarium, and so much more all rolled into one exciting destination. Combine your visit with a narrated city exploration and you will see why Gloucester is such a special port of call. Learn about the rich maritime heritage of Gloucester along with its unique marine environment through interactive exhibits, the visitor center and more. After visiting the Maritime Gloucester, board the motor coach for a narrated exploration of Gloucester and East Gloucester, also referred to as Rocky Neck. Highlights will include Stacy Boulevard, where passengers can view the famous statue “Man at the Wheel,” Downtown Gloucester, and Rocky Neck.

Explore Boston, a vibrant city with historic neighborhoods that tell the story of American history. Explore Faneuil Hall, where citizens of Boston first gathered to rally for the cause of independence from Great Britain and where George Washington toasted the nation there on its first birthday. Visit the North End, the oldest neighborhood, home to the famous Old North Church and Little Italy. Take time for shopping at Quincy Market and enjoy the diverse lineup of street performers.

 

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Martha's Vineyard was a hub for merchant ships carrying exotic cargo from the far corners of the world. Today, the island is one of the most popular vacation spots in New England, comprised of six distinct towns. Historic Edgartown is the most genteel town on the island, featuring freshly painted white clapboard colonial homes and manicured gardens.

Nestled within Narragansett Bay is Newport, the yachting capital of the world. As you stroll along the beautiful beaches, historic neighborhoods, bustling wharves, and scenic waterfront, you will find Newport offers something for everyone. Explore Newport's fabled past with glimpses of opulent seaside estates along the "Avenue of the Mansions."

Fort Adams Exploration - Complimentary Excursion
Visit Fort Adams, the well-known fort used to protect the harbor, and puts us 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.

Lobsterbake Luncheon – Complimentary Excursion
Take a short walk to Fort Adams and upon arrival, watch the unveiling of a traditional, old-fashioned lobster bake, followed by a delicious buffet overlooking the Fort and Newport. Be treated to fresh lobster, steamed clams and mussels, warm corn on the cob, and baked rolls. After lunch, feel free to take a guided exploration of Fort Adams or explore Newport at your leisure.  

Enjoy your time sailing from Newport to Sag Harbor on board one of our brand new Coastal Cats. Admire the natural beauty that stretches out before you as you relax on your private balcony. Meet fellow travelers for lunch and attend an afternoon enrichment program presented by our onboard expert.

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.

Described as one of the best-kept-secret small towns on Long Island, Sag Harbor is proud of its history and works hard to preserve, commemorate, and share its past. Settled in the early 1700s, Sag Harbor had the first commercial port in the United States, the first newspaper printed on Long Island, and the first volunteer fire company in New York. Take a leisurely stroll down Main Street, visiting the unique shops and basking in the artsy ambiance of the village.

Sag Harbor On Your Own – 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 will enjoy perusing the variety of galleries around the village. Wine connoisseurs can sip away happily at one of the local wine bars.

Enjoy your time sailing from Sag Harbor to New London on board one of our brand new Coastal Cats. Admire the natural beauty that stretches out before you as you relax on your private balcony. Meet fellow travelers for lunch and attend an afternoon enrichment program presented by our onboard expert.

 

Dating back to the Revolutionary War, New London has been the backdrop of some of the most significant scenes in American History and was once the second largest whaling port in the world. Learn about the city’s storied past, which has been preserved and honored at historical landmarks and museums. Visit nearby Mystic, home to the nation’s leading maritime museum, as well as an amazing aquarium, showcasing thousands of animals, from beluga whales to African penguins.

 

Enjoy your time sailing from New London to New York on board one of our brand new Coastal Cats. Admire the natural beauty that stretches out before you as you relax on your private balcony. Meet fellow travelers for lunch and attend an afternoon enrichment program presented by our onboard expert.

The riverside town of Sleepy Hollow is forever immortalized in the works of one of the country's first great writers, Washington Irving. The author found inspiration in the Hudson Valley, creating legendary stories like Rip Van Winkle. Today, Irving's country home, Sunnyside, is a National Historic Landmark and welcomes visitors with tales of the man himself.

As we approach New York City, admire its famous skyline with buildings that disappear into the clouds. Once you have docked in Manhattan, experience all that this vibrant city has to offer. American Cruise Lines has a variety of shore excursions to suit your preferences, from freestyle exploration to guided excursions.

 

End your journey in the vibrant city of Manhattan. Reflect upon your wonderful adventure as you begin your travels home. Or, stay an extra day or two to explore more.