| Well, we're back from our New England Coast Sailing & Whale Watching
cruise and I must say this was by far the most adventurous cruise
we've ever done.
We spent one week on board the 95 ft. schooner Harvey Gamage out of
Boston, and spent just about each day sailing and whale watching about
15 miles off the coast of Rockport, MA in an area named Stellwagen
Bank. Although we've seen whales, dolphin, seals...etc. from the decks
of some of the largest cruise ships afloat, those sightings pale into
insignificance compared to being only several feet away from a pair of
20 ton humpbacks spewing whale snorts all over you as they exhale
through the ol' blow holes. Now that's REAL whale watching!
Anyway, life aboard a schooner is very different than life aboard a
large cruise ship. Our cabin was about 9 x 6 feet, pump hand washer,
shared bathroom and shower. The food was 'down home New England'
style, good and plenty of it. Each evening, instead of a big show and
dancing the two biologists/ecologists/environmentalist showed slides,
videos, and gave instructional presentations regarding what we saw and
did that day, what was coming up the next day, and answered any
questions regarding a host of subjects. One night the captain and crew
led us all in a 'sing along' of songs of the sea. We spent time in the
ports of Rockport, Gloucester, Marblehead and Boston. Hoisted sails,
slept on deck under beautiful star filled skies, swam 13 miles out at
sea in 65 degree water diving from the deck of the ship, and made some
real good friends.
I would recommend this cruise to anyone looking for a bit of adventure,
a learning experience, and just an all around magnificent time. Keep
in mind this is not a party barefoot windjammer cruise. Oceanic Society
offers a variety of expeditions to participate in. We're looking
forward to another sometime in the not to distant future.
Joe
(Will post telephone/address of OSE in next reply.)
|