Compare Locks, Legends & Canals of the Northeast (on the Grande Mariner) by Blount Small Ship Adventures vs Hawaii: Ocean and Islands Adventure by Discover Corps

Day 1:

Spectacular natural scenery and postcard-perfect photo opportunities abound on this northeastern adventure! Sail the most renowned waters of New York State and southeastern Canada, including surging rivers, peaceful lakes, and majestic fjords. Embark in New York City and transit famed New York Harbor, and behold the iconic Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty.

Day 2:

Greet the morning with a scenic sail through the breathtaking Hudson River Valley! Enjoy a visit to West Point, NY*, where an optional tour takes you to the campus of the prestigious West Point Military Academy and its awe-inspiring Gothic Revival style chapel. Later, sail toward picturesque Poughkeepsie, NY. An optional tour will take you to one of two locations (subject to availability): Vanderbilt Mansion, an opulent monument to America’s Gilded Age, or the Springwood estate, the former home of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and current site of his presidential library and museum.

Day 3:

This morning arrive in Troy, NY known for its unparalleled Victorian architecture and magnificent Tiffany windows seen in such films as Martin Scorsese’s Age of Innocence. Here, witness the unique feat of lowering the ship’s pilot house as we prepare to travel under the low bridges of the Erie Canal. This engineering design was the brainchild of founder Luther H. Blount and is still a trademark of the Blount Small Ship Adventures experience today. Enjoy an optional walking tour of this eclectic town and discover its vibrant downtown, lively arts community, and historic river-front where Henry Hudson first landed more than 400 years ago.

Day 4:

Enjoy a full day on the Erie Canal’s calm water. Today you may choose to visit quaint Cooperstown, NY and meet the ship later in the day. Located in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, Cooperstown is home to the Baseball Hall of Fame, the Farmers Museum, and the Fenimore Art Museum. Tonight in Sylvan Beach, NY, on the shores of Oneida Lake, a local performer will entertain with the history and period music of the Erie Canal.

Day 5:

Cruise along the Oswego Canal to Oswego, NY nestled on the shoreline of magnificent Lake Ontario. You may choose to take a local shuttle on a panoramic loop around this charming area and view some of the highlights such as the H. Lee White Marine Museum, the Richardson-Bates House Museum, or Fort Ontario. As the ship exits the Canal, witness the marvel of the pilot house being raised back up to its full position.

Day 6:

Today cruise to Clayton, NY in the gorgeous Thousand Islands region. You will visit the notable Antique Boat Museum for a glimpse of the world’s largest showcase of classic recreational boats. Dock overnight in scenic Alexandria Bay, NY with views of the famed Boldt Castle.

Day 7:

Continuing through the scenic Thousand Islands, visit tiny Dark Island, NY in Chippewa Bay and tour elegant Singer Castle. Built as a private home in 1905, the mansion was used for rum-running during Prohibition. Continue on to Ogdensburg, NY where you may opt to visit the Frederic Remington Art Museum to admire the original works of this American painter.

Day 8:

Crossing into Canada, cruise the magnificent St. Lawrence Seaway, the gateway from the Atlantic Ocean to the North American Great Lakes. The Seaway is a system of locks, canals, and channels dotted with waterfront communities, scenic islands, and amazing wildlife habitats.

Day 9:

Welcome to Montreal, QC, a fun-filled city vibrant with culture, history and artistic wonders, from its charming riverside locale to its diverse, big-city attractions. Choose an optional city tour including Old Montreal, Notre Dame Basilica (subject to availability), Olympic Park, Mount Royal Park, and St. Joseph’s Oratory. This afternoon you may choose to partake in an optional walking tour of historic Old Montréal.** Walk the cobblestones as did the first settlers, and admire architecture dating back to the 17th century. Your walking tour culminates with a delicious local treat while taking in the sights and sounds of new and old Montreal. This evening enjoy a musical performance of the flute and guitar by local entertainers.

Day 10:

Cruise north along the St. Lawrence River to the mouth of the beautiful Saguenay River. This swift waterway is bordered by dramatic cliffs, which create some of Canada’s most stunning natural scenery.

Day 11:

The Saguenay is noted to be one of the world’s best locales for whale watching, attracting Belugas, Right whales, and even the elusive Blue whale. A naturalist and fjord expert will join you and introduce the area’s majestic fjords and phenomenal wildlife, including seals, birds, and whales.

Day 12:

Welcome to charming and historic Quebec City, QC. With its distinctly French culture it is considered by many to be the most romantic city in North America. This morning an optional tour introduces the charms of Quebec City and the stunning view from Observation Towers before visiting the impressive Montmorency Falls. During your free time, be sure to visit the impressive Chateau Frontenac Hotel and browse the shops and restaurants along the cobblestone streets of Old Quebec City; or perhaps take a stroll through the must-see Petit Champlain Quarter and Place-Royal, where you will discover treasures including art galleries, quaint and unique boutique shops, the Musée de la Civilisation, and the Quebec City Farmer’s Market. Tonight, a local pianist entertains you onboard.

Day 13:

Spend the day cruising south, as you make a return to Montreal. This evening celebrate with a festive farewell dinner and cocktail party.

Day 14:

Disembark in Montreal, QC.

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.