Great American Waterways (on the Grande Mariner)
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Overview
Highlights
- Visit Manitowoc
- Enjoy beautiful views of Lake Huron ,en route to Wyandotte, MI.
- Explore Lake Erie
- Visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
- Discover on an optional tour, beginning with stunning views of towering High Falls on the Genesee River
- Visit to Hyde Park or Vanderbilt Mansion
- Views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Battery Park, and the Big Apple’s world-famous skyline
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Itinerary
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.
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...
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 carriag...
Relax on the sunny top deck and admire the beautiful views of Lake Huron during a day of cruising en route to Wyandotte, MI.
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 ...
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.
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**).
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.
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.
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 th...
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
A morning cruise through Narragansett Bay brings you to the charming New England town of Warren, RI.
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Blount Small Ship Adventures.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Blount Small Ship Adventures Reviews & Ratings
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exciting experiences
I’ve enjoyed working with Blount for two years now. Passengers on board have nothing but positive feedback and exciting experiences to share. I look forward to cruis...
Unique itinerary and amazing people!
Unique itinerary and amazing people!
Wonderful small ships
Wonderful small ships that go where bigger ones can't. Great crew and staff.
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We take you away from the usual, beyond traditional cruising, and closer to adventure. We bring an area to life with onboard historians and naturalists, wine-tastings, photography workshops and culinary demonstrations. In port, you'll experience the authentic flavors of a region from kayaking to horse-drawn carriage rides.
Our trademark bow ramp can literally take you from ship to shore, but we also dock where private yachts dock making the places you want to see as accessible as possible. And with no more than 96 guests there are never over-crowded spaces or herding in port...making your cruise a casual, relaxing and personal adventure.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- International Flights
- Passport and Visa Charges
- Personal Expenses
Commissioned and built by Blount Boats in 1998, the Grande Mariner makes her way up to Montreal, just in time for fall foliage season. She was refurbished in 2010, with totally new cabin configurations including new décor, new bathrooms, new furniture in the cabins, a renovated lounge, new décor, and brand new furniture. So if you want to take in a few rays on the sun deck, relax and enjoy the vista-view lounge, or just have a few quiet moments in your cabin as the sea drifts past your open picture window, the Grande Mariner is ready.
Length: 184' Beam: 40' Draft: 6'6" Passenger Capacity: 88 Passenger Cabins: 44 Commissioned: 1998 Refurbished: 2010 Flag: United States Built By: Blount Boats, Warren, RI
All reservations are subject to a minimum $75 per person cancellation charge. Passengers may cancel subject to the charges listed below. Cancellations must be confirmed in writing by the passenger or travel agent prior to departure to be considered valid.
Cancellation fees per person from date of departure:
60 days or more = $75
59 days – 45 days = 25% of fare
44 days – 30 days = 50% of fare
29 days – 11 days = 75% of fare
10 days or less = 100% of fare
In addition, passengers will be charged all administration costs incurred by us on behalf of passenger. Administration charges may be levied for ground or air portions or other services associated with voyage or special requests and changes. There shall be no right to any refund except as stated, and we shall have no obligation or liability to passengers for cancellation and/or non-use of all or a portion of a voyage or other services, whether or not due to circumstances beyond passengers’ control. Once purchased trip insurance is non-refundable. We strongly encourage all passengers to purchase trip insurance.
Please note:
All itineraries including ports, activities, and routes are subject to change based on availability, weather, river, water levels and sea conditions
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