My wife and I did a windjammer cruise in the Caribbean. I agree that
the sailing isn't what it is all about. I'm pretty sure that we
motorsailed all the time. We did get to pull on ropes but it was mostly
for show 'cause when we were not topside, the sails went up and down
without our help. 8). It was a fun cruise, but sailing it wasn't. I
noticed the captain would not let anyone other than himself and the crew
near the helm. The accomodations as someone else mentioned were
sparse. A couple of bunks, sink and a shower. There wasn't even a
porthole to look out of. No bouncy. It was a very stable platform. The
food was good. Lots of liquid refreshments. Sometimes we would anchor
during the day and sail to the next island at night and sometimes we
would sail a bit in the day. In each port they had arranged for us to
partake of various activities. Mostly for an additional charge, of
course. We had hermit crab races one night with lots of wagering going
on. I don't know if there is enough to do in Maine n September to
justify a 7 day cruise, but I would say the windjammer line is an
enjoyable one overall.

Jim.

Mark Borgerson wrote:

In the past, I've always dragged the family along on
cruises aboard chartered boats in the San Juans
and Gulf Islands. It's getting harder to talk them
into that as various interests diverge. I'm considering
a 4 or 7 day Maine windjammer cruise in September to
get my sailing fix after the kids get back into school.
This would be a side trip from a business trip from
Oregon back to New England (which makes for tax deductible
travel, since I'm self employed---the air travel would
be deductible, but not the windjammer cruise.)

Does anyone have any experience with these cruises? Will
I enjoy the sailing, or will it be just a bouncy motel room
with a really small window?

Is mid September a good time for sailing in the area
around Mt. Desert Island?

Secondary question: Does anyone have any recent experience
with the Mystic Seaport museum in Connecticut? A few days
there are a second choice if the windjammer cruise doesn't
work out.

Mark Borgerson