Our custom Portland Pre-Cruise Package provides you with a seamless way to experience the city and easily board the ship. Arrive the day before your cruise and Pearl Seas Cruises will handle the rest. The package includes a 1 night stay at the Marriott Residence Inn, located in the heart of downtown and steps away from the dock.
On the morning of your cruise enjoy breakfast and a guided exploration of Portland. Immerse yourself in the maritime heritage of Maine’s largest city-by-the-sea, as you view Longfellow’s boyhood home and the elegant Victorian Mansions that overlook the islands of Casco Bay. Stop at the famous Portland Head Light, a historic landmark and the most photographed lighthouse in America.
The excursion concludes at the ship, where your luggage will be waiting for you in your stateroom. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon cruise out of Portland Harbor as you begin your amazing journey with us. Pre-Cruise Packages must be reserved at least 30 days before your cruise date. Please call (800) 981-9146 for pricing and availability.
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Begin your adventure with a calm afternoon on the sun deck looking for whales and enjoying the stunning natural beauty of Maine’s rugged coast. Overlooking Casco Bay, Portland is home to a wealth of historic and architectural treasures with a rich nautical heritage which has been preserved for centuries. Big city excitement blends delightfully with small-town charm, as fishing vessels bustle in the harbor and Victorian-era buildings still line cobblestone streets.
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Famous for its mountainous and rugged shore, Rockland is one of Maine's unique treasures. A lively town, Rockland has a vibrant art culture and thriving lobster industry. Spend your time touring one of Rockland's unique museums, including the Owls Head Transportation Museum and the Farnsworth Art Museum. Explore downtown Rockland which features an eclectic collection of art galleries, or relax on a park bench and watch classic schooners sail through the harbor.
Rockland City Museum Exploration
Visit the famous Farnsworth Art Museum and explore the museum’s permanent collection entitled, “Maine in America,” which showcases area artists. The Farnsworth Art Museum is one of only two centers in the country dedicated to the three generations of Wyeths: Andrew, N.C., and James Wyeth.
The Owls Head Transportation Museum has one of the finest collections of pioneer-era aircraft and automobiles in the world. More than 100 historic aircraft, automobiles, bicycles, carriages and engines are on permanent display. Explore the museum’s outstanding collection and discover why this is truly a favorite Maine destination.
Lobsterbake Luncheon
Take a short ride to Sharp’s Point South Marina, situated on the grounds of the historic Snow Shipyard, where before the turn of the last century, more schooners were built than anywhere else in New England. Upon arrival, watch the unveiling of a traditional, old-fashioned lobster bake luncheon. Enjoy music performed by a local band while you dine.
The Sail Power & Steam Museum Guided Exploration
Just before enjoying the Lobsterbake Luncheon at Sharp’s Point South, enjoy a guided exploration of the Sail Power & Steam Museum, a working “hands on” museum with sail making and rigging rooms. Enjoy “make ‘n break” gas stationery and steam engines, old ship building tools, hand tools, and architectural builder’s half models. The museum has a complete boat shop with caulking tools, a working sail maker’s bench, and a navigation room with two working radars. Also in the museum is a shipwreck room featuring wrecks of 1898, a real working lime kiln, and an extensive model display of schooners and steamboats of Penobscot.
Camden Historical Walking Exploration
Join a local guide for a walking exploration of Camden, the prettiest harbor on the Maine Coast. The excursion will cover the history of Camden with its industrial beginnings through its current status as the hub for yachting in Maine. Enjoy the beautiful architecture and landscaping designs as you weave through the streets of this quaint port. Following the excursion, you will have time to explore Camden on your own.
Lobstering & Lighthouse Cruise
Take a cruise from Camden Harbor with Captain Dominic aboard Lively Lady. Watch a live lobster fishing demonstration and enjoy scenic views of Curtis Island Lighthouse, idyllic landscapes, and abundant wildlife.
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Eastport, ME / Campobello Island, NB
An island located between Cobscook Bay and Passamaquoddy Bay, Eastport is a scenic and largely undiscovered treasure with a population of less than 2,000. Though small in size, Eastport has the deepest port on the East Coast and was once the center of the Atlantic Seaboard sardine-canning industry. Today, Eastport is home to an eclectic creative community of artists, writers, and filmmakers who live and work there. Continue on to Campobello Island, a scenic island off the Coast of Maine, located in New Brunswick on the Bay of Fundy. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his family spent more than fifty years vacationing at this enchanting island retreat, known for its breathtaking views and unspoiled natural beauty.
Roosevelt Campobello International Park
Explore the island where Franklin D. Roosevelt and his family spent more than fifty years vacationing. A partnership between Canada and the United States, the park is jointly administered, staffed, and funded by both governments. Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt’s magnificent summer home has been preserved and transformed into a combination museum and outdoor nature park. Enjoy your time on the island touring the Visitor Centre, Roosevelt Cottage, the beautiful flower gardens, and admiring the 2,800 acres of Natural Area preserve.
Galleries & Historic Downtown Walking Exploration
Enjoy, at your leisure, a self-guided walking exploration of the Historic Downtown District where local blue vested guides will be posted throughout the town to share knowledge of the area and its history. Departing directly from the Port Welcome Center at the head of the pier, guests will be given information and a sheet titled, “Things to Do Today in Eastport Maine.” Learn about Eastport’s “great fire,” tidal power past and present, and the interesting fishing and shipping history. Eastport’s Ambassadors will provide additional guidance and assistance as needed.
Lobster Boat Experience
Cruise on a genuine Maine working lobster boat, where we will stop and explore Maine’s number one commercial fishery, Lobstering! Pull an actual lobster trap in the waters of Passamaquoddy Bay with a licensed lobster fisherman. View porpoise, bald eagles, osprey, seals, and other wildlife which makes the bay their home. Experience 26+ foot tides and travel through the “Old Sow,” the hemisphere’s largest whirlpool. Listen to the tales of the sea from our experienced captain. Witness working salmon farming pens, part of the local aquaculture industry, and enjoy a narrated tour of the pens and farming process.
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St. John is the oldest incorporated city in Canada and the only city on the Bay of Fundy. Here, the urban beauty of this historic city complements the natural splendor of the world famous-bay. Spend time at the Saint John City Market, the oldest continuing farmers’ market in North America with rafters that resemble the inverted hull of a ship. Market Square on the waterfront features fine restaurants, art galleries, and boutiques. View the famous Reversing Rapids as the tides of the Bay of Fundy force the waters to reverse their flow at the mouth of the St. John River.
St. Martin's & The Bay of Fundy Adventure
Travel to the shores of the Bay of Fundy and explore the picturesque fishing village of St. Martins, with a chance to visit a working harbor and stroll on a rocky Bay of Fundy Beach! Pass through the city of Saint John and the scenic countryside, enjoying views of the coastline on your way to St. Martins. Learn about the village’s unique history, including the thriving shipbuilding era. If the tide is low, visit the St. Martin’s sea caves and beach to view the caves under the cliffs carved out by the pounding tides. Visit the harbor area, which is a favorite of photographers and painters, with its lighthouse, lobster traps, and fishing boats, as well as two covered bridges creating a charming scene. Enjoy time to shop for locally handmade country crafts at the harbor area.
Saint John City Highlights
Discover nearly four hundred years of history in Canada’s oldest incorporated city and one of the friendliest cities you’ll ever visit. Your local guide will introduce you to the personalities, places, and events that have made Saint John “the greatest little city in the East.” Witness the famous Reversing Falls Rapids where some of the highest tides in the world meet twice a day and the Mighty Saint John River reverses its direction. View the Old City Market, where locals have been buying fresh produce in the old-fashioned setting since 1876, and the Martello Tower National Historic Site. Explore and admire the beauty of the Bay of Fundy from Fort Howe which overlooks this charming old port city. Learn about the history of the United Empire Loyalists who founded the Saint John in 1783 and the story of General Benedict Arnold from American Revolutionary War fame.
A Stroll Through Old Saint John
The most memorable way to experience Saint John is to explore it at the leisurely pace of this guided walking exploration. Follow the footsteps of history, as you stroll past classic 19th-century architecture, adorned with ornate carvings, stained glass windows, and gothic gargoyles. View the finely crafted wrought iron gates of the Saint John City Market, then continue through King’s Square, where the guide will tell stories of the brave Loyalists laid to rest in the town’s Old Burial Ground.
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Also known as “St. Andrews by-the-Sea,” Saint Andrews is one of the oldest towns in the Canadian Maritimes and is recognized as a National Historic District. Stroll along the streets of this charming seaside town, steeped in turn-of-the-century charm. Admire the beautiful period homes and historic sites such as the Algonquin Hotel, a War of 1812 Blockhouse, and the Charlotte County Courthouse. Visit the picturesque downtown area and peruse the unique art galleries and boutiques which offer locally handcrafted products.
Highlights of Saint Andrews by-the-Sea
In the company of your knowledgeable guide, discover the charming coastal town of St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, blessed with many architectural marvels dating from the 19th-century. The highlights to see are many, including the beautiful Kingsbrae Garden, a multi-award winning 27-acre garden and the Algonquin Resort, a Tudor-style castle where Princess Diana once stayed. Best of all, you will have time to explore the Old Gaol, dating back to 1832 and designated a Provincial Heritage Place. Explore downtown St. Andrews with its many fine boutiques, local craft shops and galleries. Take a walk on the pier and watch the fishing and tour boats come and go before returning to the ship.
Bay of Fundy Whale Watching Adventure
Stroll along the beautiful St. Andrew’s waterfront as you make your way to embark on this once in a lifetime whale watching adventure. Climb aboard your vessel and travel across Passamaquoddy Bay where you may see seals sunning themselves on rocks or swimming nearby. Continue onwards to reach the playground of the whales in the rich feeding grounds of the Bay of Fundy.
Enroute among the islands, porpoise and sometimes white sided dolphins often approach the boat to enjoy some "boat wake surfing." Throughout the journey view a variety of bird life, three lighthouses, and depending on the season, Minke, Humpback, Right or Finback whales. While stopped, the boat permits standing and walking freely around for 360 degree views and those unforgettable photos. Return to the resort town of St. Andrews-By-the-Sea, with free time for shopping, exploring the town, and/or enjoying a meal at a seaside locational at your leisure.
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Grand Manan Island is a Canadian island and the largest in the Bay of Fundy. Rich in maritime history, the island features vintage lighthouses, working fishing villages, and herring weirs. A haven for bird watchers, the island features over 240 species of birds that make the island their home.
Grand Manan Island Explorer
Join your guide for an incredible discovery of the unspoiled natural beauty of Grand Manan. Learn about the famous Bay of Fundy, which surrounds Grand Manan and is renowned for its tides – the highest in the world. The rich waters of the bay are home to an abundant variety of marine life, which has kept island fisheries thriving for generations. View lobster pounds, fishing weirs, and other indications of a lifestyle built around the sea. Beneath the surface of the water lie many a testament of the ocean’s unforgiving side. Over 300 vessels have been wrecked around the island over the past two centuries. During your journey, hear stories of these tragedies, as well as and other facets of Grand Manan’s incredible history. Enjoy a guided tour of Grand Manan Museum, which features fascinating displays on the history of the island. Tour the breathtaking coastline and view lighthouses that have guided fishermen into Grand Manan’s harbors for decades. Learn how the world-renowned Dark Harbour Dulse is harvested and try some for yourself. Return to your ship, having experienced the warm community, natural wonders, and island life on Grand Manan.
Swallowtail Lighthouse Hike
Meet members of Swallowtail Keepers Society and learn about the restoration and “Keepers in Residence” program of this iconic Grand Manan landmark. Swallowtail is held dear by islanders and visitors alike, not only as an historic lighthouse, but for the majestic marine vista it affords. Still an active aid to navigation, the lighthouse has a distinct history, and was first lit on July 7, 1860 using porpoise oil. It has weathered many storms and has been a welcoming beacon for fishermen, sailors, and visitors. Swallowtail still has its original tower, one of only a handful of remaining wooden light towers in Canada. The wonderful panoramic view of the coastline coupled with this iconic wooden lighthouse make it a perfect setting for photographers, artists, and sightseers. In fact, Swallowtail is one of the most photographed lighthouses in New Brunswick. Explore inside the lighthouse museum, climb the stairs to the top of the lighthouse, and walk between the lighthouse and keepers house, following the footsteps of the keepers over the years.
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Nestled on the east side of Mt. Desert Island, Bar Harbor has enchanted visitors throughout history with its incredible natural beauty as well as its vibrant downtown village. Its majestic mountains and stunning seascapes have long inspired artists and writers and beckoned many others who come for reflection, relaxation, or outdoor exploration. In the early 20th century, wealthy visionaries donated the area now known as Acadia National Park, recognized for its breathtaking vistas and abundant wildlife.
Acadia National Park Exploration
Acadia National Park encompasses 47,633 acres of granite-domed mountains and ocean shoreline. Enjoy an excursion that features two stops inside the Park: The top of Cadillac Mountain (highest point on the eastern seaboard at 1500+ ft.) and Thunder Hole with a spectacular ocean view. This excursion will take you to the must see places of Acadia, all the while providing you with the stories behind the sights.
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After a refreshing and relaxing week of cruising Maine’s coast and Bay of Fundy, explore the city of Portland. This charming area is located in the heart of Casco Bay and offers something for everyone. Visit one of Portland’s many museums and art galleries or peruse the specialty boutiques in the city’s celebrated Old Port.
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