Compare Great American Waterways (on the Grande Mariner) by Blount Small Ship Adventures vs Hawaii: Ocean and Islands Adventure by Discover Corps

Day 1:

Your adventure across many of our country’s most iconic waterways begins at Chicago, IL’s bustling Navy Pier. This afternoon, explore the many attractions of Pier Park, including shops, restaurants, the famous ferris wheel, and spectacular photo opportunities of Lake Michigan.

Day 2:

Step back in time to a bygone era in tranquil Manistee, MI.* Famed for its elegant Victorian architecture, enjoy an optional trolley tour of Manistee beginning at the historic Ramsdell Theater, dating back to 1903 and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Your optional excursion concludes at the scenic Douglas Valley Vineyards, where rolling hills surround the grapevines and orchards, for a tasting of the local wine and cider (available eastbound only; westbound cruises visit Manitowoc, WI*).

Day 3:

Mackinac Island, MI is as idyllic as it is historic. Horse-drawn carriages – the island’s sole mode of transportation – fill the streets, paying homage to the island’s Victorian heritage. Admire the perfectly-preserved homes and architecture during an optional carriage tour of the island, including entrance to the Wings of Mackinac Butterfly Conservatory and Surrey Hill Square Carriage Museum. This afternoon, a second optional excursion invites you to the stately Grand Hotel for a traditional Afternoon Tea, including scones, finger sandwiches, and champagne. After dinner, enjoy local musical entertainment.

Day 4:

Relax on the sunny top deck and admire the beautiful views of Lake Huron during a day of cruising en route to Wyandotte, MI.

Day 5:

Spend a full day in lovely Wyandotte, MI, nestled on the Detroit River. An optional tour in nearby Dearborn, MI begins at the Henry Ford Museum, home to 12 acres of historical artifacts, including President John F. Kennedy’s limousine and the Rosa Parks bus. Continue your optional adventure to Greenfield Village, where nearly 100 historical buildings have been relocated to create a remarkable demonstration of American life from the founding of the country through modern times. Highlights include the Wright Brothers’ bicycle shop and Thomas Edison’s lab. This evening, local musicians perform onboard the ship.

Day 6:

Welcome to Cleveland, OH, known locally as “the North Coast” due to its proximity to Lake Erie. Explore this Great Lakes metropolis during an optional panoramic city tour via trolley, including a visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! This evening, enjoy a cooking demonstration of pierogies, a regional favorite, during cocktail hour. Later, enjoy an onboard musical performance.

Day 7:

In Erie, PA**, named for the Native American tribe that once lived along its shores, an onboard discussion focuses on the area’s rich history. An optional tour takes you to beautiful Presque Isle Park and the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, with plentiful photo stops along the way to capture memories of this magnificent peninsula (available eastbound only; westbound cruises do not visit Erie**).

Day 8:

Located at the head of the Niagara River, Buffalo, NY is known for its sports, snow, and special sauce. Admire breathtaking views of world-famous Niagara Falls during an optional tour, including visits to the Whirpool Overlook, the Table Rock area, and a boat ride on Maid of the Mist (passport required). Tonight, local musicians entertain onboard the ship.

Day 9:

Today, transit the Welland Canal and scenic Lake Ontario. Consisting of eight locks over 27 miles, the Canal has allowed large vessels to travel between the U.S. and Canada since 1829.

Day 10:

The hidden gems of Rochester, NY are yours to discover on an optional tour, beginning with stunning views of towering High Falls on the Genesee River, and the Browns Race Historic District, celebrating Rochester’s industrial roots in the flour industry. Continue to the International Museum of Photography and Film, located in the former home of George Eastman, the founder of Kodak. Later, in Oswego, NY, approach the gateway to the Oswego and Erie Canals and watch as the ship’s retractable pilot house is lowered, allowing the ship to slip gently beneath the Erie Canal’s lowest bridges.

Day 11:

Admire the historic Oswego and Erie Canals during a full day of sailing. The New York State Canal System – which includes the Oswego Canal, East and West portions of the Erie Canal, the Champlain Canal, and the Cayuga-Seneca Canal – is considered one of the most important engineering accomplishments in American history.

Day 12:

Spend a second full day on the Erie Canal, sailing where no other overnight cruise line can go! An optional excursion takes you to picturesque Cooperstown, NY, located in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains and home to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Day 13:

As you enjoy a leisurely sail to Troy, NY, transit the Mohawk River and Waterford Flight Lock, then watch as the retractable pilot house is raised back to its full height. Tonight, delight in the local culture during an onboard musical performance.

Day 14:

In Kingston, NY, dock on the Hudson River in Rondout Creek and visit the Hudson River Maritime Museum. Then choose an optional visit to Hyde Park or Vanderbilt Mansion (based on availability). The Hyde Park excursion includes a visit to “Springwood,” the estate of Franklin D. Roosevelt, now home to his presidential library and museum (tour available eastbound only).

Day 15:

Travel to West Point, NY***, home of the prestigious United States Military Academy, where you may opt to take a tour of its magnificent campus and admire its famed Gothic Revival-style Chapel. Enjoy an evening cruise of New York Harbor, offering stunning views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Battery Park, and the Big Apple’s world-famous skyline.

Day 16:

A morning cruise through Narragansett Bay brings you to the charming New England town of Warren, RI.

Day 1: Arrive in Honolulu and Meet the Group

Meals: Dinner

Upon arrival in Hawaii’s capital, Honolulu, you’ll be be met at the airport and taken to your hotel just steps from the world famous Waikiki beaches. After a relaxing welcome dinner together, we’ll get to know one another and discuss the schedule for the week ahead.

Day 2: Journey to Oahu’s North Shore & Experience the Aloha Spirit

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, we’ll set out for Hawaii’s iconic North Shore, famous for its big waves and stunning landscapes. Spend the morning in the historic Waimea Valley with a local organization helping to preserve the valley’s cultural heritage and rainforests. Assist with a reforestation initiative, swim in waterfalls, and see why the ancient Hawaiians deemed the valley sacred centuries ago. In the afternoon, we’ll continue to Na Mea Kupono, an eco-farm that is home to Hawaii’s staple crop, taro. We’ll be hosted by this local family for a Hawaiin-style paina, or gathering, for our dinner as we learn more about their role in farming on the island.

Day 3: Climb Diamond Head & Sail out to Sea on a Catamaran

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Hawaii’s South Shore is crowned by the now extinct Diamond Head volcano. We’ll take a hike this morning to the top of the rim to get a panoramic view of Waikiki from above. For those who opt not to hike, we’ll have the option to visit the Bishop Museum, home of the royal Kamehameha family and now housing an array of artifacts covering Hawaii’s vast Polynesian heritage. After lunch in Waikiki, we’ll hit the sea on a catamaran ride over the turquoise Pacific waters.

Day 4: Fly to Maui & Explore the Tropical‘Iao Valley State Park

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Enjoy a free morning to explore Waikiki. Head to the beach for a surf lesson with the Waikiki beach boys, check out the area’s cafes and shops or simply relax on white sand beaches only steps from your hotel. We’ll take a short mid-day flight across the Hawaiian archipelago to the Valley Isle of Maui. After landing, we’ll head over to the towering emerald peaks of the ‘Iao Valley on Central Maui for a guided hike of the state park. A location revered by the ancient Hawaiians, the valley also served as the site of one of Hawaii’s most important battles as King Kamehameha I tried to unite the islands in the 1700’s. Later in the evening, unwind at our Kaanapali beachfront hotel.

Day 5: Snorkel off Lana’i & Lend a Hand Protecting Sea Turtles

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

We’ll have an early breakfast before cruising to the scenic coastline of Lana'i island with the Pacific Whale Foundation. Spend the morning with breakfast on the boat (expect large boat with other travelers) and then 1.5 hours of snorkeling. Scout for wild dolphins, including acrobatic spinner dolphins, friendly bottlenose dolphins, and curious spotted dolphins. Conservationists from the Foundation will narrate your journey and take about everything from whale migration to plastics in the ocean to reef health.

We’ll return to Maui and, after lunch, spend our first afternoon volunteering alongside the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute. Home to one of Hawaii’s largest sea turtle rescues and land based coral nurseries, we’ll join their staff on beach and marine debris cleanu , specifically collecting coral fragments. Take these pieces of coral back to the research center and aid in cutting them into smaller pieces to be grown at the center for a period of 8 months - something that would take the reef 20 years to regenerate! This coral is eventually placed back into the reef to bring back areas that are dead or dying.

Day 6: Maui Ocean Center Volunteering & Farewell Luau

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, we’ll spend another morning helping the conservation team at the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute. On Maui and other Hawaiian islands, sea turtles are being threatened as their habitat is increasingly depleted. Green turtle populations are being impacted by events such as the 2018 hurricane that washed out the most important nesting beach for this species in the entire archipelago. We’ll continue to lend a hand on our projects while learning about some of the initiatives in place to preserve the fragile ecosystem both on land and underwater, including going out with the team to find turtles and tag them for research purposes.

Later in the afternoon, we’ll head back to the hotel where you’ll have some free time to enjoy the beach, swim in the ocean or venture into the coastal town of Lahaina. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a special farewell dinner together along with a traditional island luau.

Day 7: Depart Maui or Continue on for the Post-Trip Extension

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check-out of your rooms. The rest of the day is free to relax at the beach or explore nearby Lahaina until your flight home, or continue on to our optional post-trip extension along the gorgeous road to Hana.