Compare Islands of New England (on the Grande Mariner) by Blount Small Ship Adventures

Day 1:

The tranquil beauty of maritime New England awaits! Embark in Warren, RI, a friendly port community and Blount Small Ship Adventures’ hometown. Settle in and relax as an afternoon sail carries the ship through Narragansett Bay, offering postcard-perfect views of rugged cliffs, classic lighthouses, and gentle cobalt waves so lovely that National Geographic named it one of the Best Adventure Destinations of 2012 Later this afternoon, admire the scenery of the Sakonnet River en route to Cuttyhunk, MA, a quiet island outpost at the tip of Elizabeth Islands off the coast of Cape Cod. This idyllic oasis is home to less than 100 year-round residents, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere to enjoy Mother Nature’s majesty.

Day 2:

Nantucket Island, MA welcomes you this morning with iconic Cape Cod charm. Begin your day with an optional guided tour of Nantucket’s attractions – pristine beaches, fishing ports, old-style lighthouses, elegant mansions with manicured gardens, bogs bearing brilliant red cranberries, the Old Mill, and Siasconset, also known as “Sconset Village,” a fishing village dating back to the 17th century. Later this afternoon, enjoy leisure time to explore the Nantucket Whaling Museum, or stroll through the brick-lined streets of downtown Nantucket to admire the historic clapboard homes and browse the local shops. This evening, a short cruise carries you to Martha’s Vineyard, MA.

Day 3:

Enjoy a full day in Martha’s Vineyard, a laidback summer getaway. Discover all the island has to offer during an optional tour with a local expert as your guide. Visit Edgartown, a historic whaling port and home to the Vineyard’s most famous lighthouse; West Tisbury, a “typical New England village”; Oak Bluffs, featuring colorful gingerbread cottages; Vineyard Haven; and the Gay Head cliffs, where red clay and green grass complement the navy blue waters in striking contrast. This afternoon, an optional walking tour offers a more intimate exploration of this beloved resort community. After dinner, enjoy evening entertainment onboard the ship by a local musical storyteller.

Day 4:

Discover New Bedford, MA, known as “the Whaling City” for its role as one of the 19th century’s most important whaling and fishing ports. Herman Melville, author of Moby-Dick, once worked as a whaler in New Bedford, and the city is featured as the initial setting of the 1851 classic novel. Learn about the city’s rich history during an optional walking tour, beginning at the New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park. This afternoon enjoy free time to stroll the cobblestone streets and peruse the many galleries and shops. This evening, an onboard entertainer introduces you to “A Fisherman’s Life.”

Day 5:

Beautiful Block Island, RI has been named one of The Nature Conservancy’s “12 Last Great Places in the Western Hemisphere.” With more than 40% of its land dedicated to conservation, this tranquil island offers endless beaches, supreme sailing opportunities, and a quiet peacefulness that echoes the pace of daily life. An optional tour with a lifetime resident and local expert as your guide introduces you to breathtaking Mohegan Bluffs, where green hills plunge toward crashing waves, and the landmark Block Island Southeast Lighthouse.

Day 6:

Arrive this morning in Newport, RI, a posh resort community with deep historic roots. An optional tour takes you through famed Ocean Drive, offering breathtaking vistas of the rocky Rhode Island Coast and the Atlantic Ocean, and Bellevue Avenue, home to opulent Gilded Age Mansions built between 1865-1914. These extravagant homes were the summer residences of the social and financial elite of the era. Visit the most renowned of these “summer cottages, The Breakers,” a 70-room Italian Renaissance-style palazzo with sprawling grounds and gardens, once owned by the influential Vanderbilt family. This afternoon, explore this seaside village at your leisure. Tonight reminisce with your fellow travelers over cocktails while enjoying the tunes of a local musical trio.

Day 7:

Today before disembarking in Warren, RI, pass scenic Prudence Island, RI, home to a thriving oyster regeneration project created by Captain Luther H. Blount, which is still funded by his foundation.