Hosts: Rick & Karen Miles When: Summers make the most sense Length of stay: We can arrange just about anything, but keep in mind that it's best to arrange your trips far in advance -- like a year... Number of guests: 4 to 12 Languages: English Fee: Depends on the tour and size of group. For example, the six-day "Coastal Island Whale and Birdwatching Cruise" would cost 4 people $10,800. The same tour for 12 people would cost $14,400, so clearly the price per person for larger groups is considerably less. You may want to join others on regularly scheduled tours. If so, check out the schedule of our upcoming tours. Background We offer eco-tourism cruises that reflect our great reverence for the natural world and its creatures. You are invited to participate in informal education and interactive wildlife research projects. Join us in photographing and logging the position of whales and seabirds; -and listening to and recording whale songs! We share the wildlife information we gather with several conservation and research organizations. All of our projects are carried out with the well being of the wildlife and environment as our first and foremost consideration. A portion of our proceeds are donated to local animal shelters and wildlife rehabilitation facilities! Our Vessel WANDERBIRD is a combination of several elements: a traditional ketch auxillary sailing rig, interiors with classic yacht design, a gourmet galley, the strength and integrity of a working fishing vessel and capabilities for off-shore adventure. If offers the following amenities: Intimate Setting - 12 Passengers Aboard Our 90 Foot Vessel Varnished Woodwork in Galley, Library, Dining Area & Deck Salon Large Spacious Decks Spacious, Bright & Open Galley 6 Cosy and comfortable double cabins Private Head & Shower in Each Cabin Shipboard Laundry Service Observation Deck & Teak Steamer Chairs Two Small Boats for Shore Side Adventures One of the favorite shipboard places for relaxation is the deck house. The deck house is completely protected from the weather, with lots of windows, beautiful varnished wood panels, a reading library, comfortable couches and even a traditional shipmate stove. At night, the salon is filled with lantern light, song and stories. Musical instruments are always welcome! The below-deck salon is laid out in the typical style of a 19th century pilot schooner, with a warm comfortable wood interior. It was designed for educational films and natural history demonstrations, and can double as an informal classroom. We carry three boats that take us on our shore-side adventures. For navigation we have 2 VHF radios, 2 Radar Sets, 2 GPS, wind instruments, Satellite Communications, depth sounder, SSB Radio Telephone, gyro-compass, compass, auto-pilot, weather fax, computer, and a cellular phone. Wanderbird meets or exceeds all safety requirements for her class of transportation, and Lloyd's specifications for vessels carrying passengers, 6 water-tight compartments, Mechanical: powerful Industrie 510hp diesel engine, hydraulic crane, three generators, desalinater for converting sea water to fresh, and fuel capacity to carry her 3,000 nautical miles. Six double cabins are available. In each cabin you will find: Private Head (Marine Composting Toilet) Sink with Hot & Cold Running Water Private Shower Reading Lights & Stocked Book Case 110 Volt AC Power & Heat Linens, Soft Wool Blankets, Towels Provided Hand Made Soaps Large Drawers & Hanging Stowage Local Arts & Crafts Hand Made Quilts & Rugs Small Writing Desk Your Own Wanderbird Journal Your Own Wanderbird Coffee Mug Great Food Our breads and pastries are homemade from scratch & baked fresh daily. All of our meals are prepared with fresh natural ingredients (some from our own gardens). Our goal is to present delicious, healthy, high quality cuisine and all meals are served with a heaping helping of down home hospitality! Vegetarians are welcome! We Can Accommodate Special Diets with Advance Notice: I enjoy accommodating the vegetarian palate, and will be glad to prepare special menus if you have a food allergy- Please let us know your needs when booking your cruise. Ideas For Cruises: Hiking Cruise, Bird Watching, Whale Watching, Folk Music, schooner races & windjammer watching... On a Sailing & Hiking Cruise we would do everything that we would do on a "regular" cruise, but there would be a little more emphasis on the shore time. We might hike in a tiny village, on a mile long lighthouse jetty or in an island bird sanctuary or a number of other beautiful spots. On a Whale Watching excursion we concentrate on the places and times where whales congregate, in their historic areas of the Maritimes and off Nova Scotia. We aim to balance observation, underwater listening, and photography with a supreme respect for and noninterference with these amazing creatures. All excursions take part in our Interactive Research Program: On-board library and sensing instruments available, onboard wildlife education, wildlife surveys reported to conservation organizations. Of course, there's also the option of pure relaxation & comfort. Feel free to relax and enjoy the space & splendor of life at sea… catch up on reading or needlework, take pictures, write… The below-deck salon is laid out in the typical style of a 19th century pilot schooner, with a warm comfortable wood interior. It was designed for educational films and natural history demonstrations, and can double as an informal classroom. At night, the salon is filled with lantern light, song and stories. Musical instruments are always welcome! Cabins are cozy and comfortable - public areas are spacious! The topside observation decks provides amazing views for birdwatching or stargazing. Relax in one of our classic teak steamer chairs. Everyone enjoys fine meals together in our large open bright wood galley. Some of Our Destinations: Hebron Bay in Northern Labrador The Fjord at Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland Anticosti Island at the Mouth of the Mighty St. Lawrence River The French Owned Islands of St. Pierre & Miquelon Cape Breton Island Prince Edward Island Lunenburg & Halifax, Nova Scotia Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick Penobscot Bay, Maine - Over 6000 Beautiful Islands! Stellwagen Bank, Off Cape Cod, Massachusetts Here are some of our regular cruises. Remember that the cost is considerably less per person if larger groups (up to 12) are carried. Type of Cruise: # Days: *Price for group of 4 Lighthouses, Islands and Windjammers on the Coast of Maine 6 Day $10,800 Island Hiking Cruise 4 Day $7,200 Coastal Islands, Whale & Bird Watching 6 Day $10,800 Expedition Cruise: Canadian Maritimes & Lunenburg Folk Festival (Depart Down East Maine & Visit Bay of Fundy, Lunenburg and Halifax) 14 Day $21,600 Bay of Fundy Puffin and Whale Watch 6 Day $13,500 Expedition Cruise: Gloucester Schooner Races & Stellwagen Bank Whale Watch 10 Day $18,000 Lighthouses of the Maine Coast 6 Day $10,800 Fall Colors 6 Day $9,000 * For larger groups, up to 12, the fee is 25% more per group, thus less per person What To Bring The expression "If you don't like Maine weather wait a minute" is true, so pack a warm jacket and sweater as well as shorts and a bathing suit. Rubber-soled deck shoes are a must, as are sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat that won't blow off. Don't forget your rain gear just in case. You might also like to bring binoculars, camera, musical instrument, wildlife guides, needlework, or a notebook. Please remember that the WANDERBIRD is a traditional, informal vessel where comfort is the order of the day. Pack like you would for a camping trip, no ties or gowns required. Most people find they can pack all they need in one duffel bag. Soft "Duffel Bag" Type Luggage Comfortable, Casual Clothing (Layers Work Very Well) Simply Plan Accordingly for the Time of Year... Rubber Soled Shoes or Sneakers (For Beach Coming, Hiking, Relaxing) Shorts & Bathing Suit Warm Hat & Sweater Rain Gear (Just In Case) A Sun Hat - That Won't Blow Off Sun Screen & SPF Lip Balm Cameras, Batteries & Film Binoculars & Wildlife Guides Musical Instruments & Song Books Knitting, Needlework, Or A Sketch Book The Book That You Have Been Trying to Find Time to Read! Some stargazers enjoy sleeping on deck- they bring a sleeping bag. Bring A Hungry Sailor's Appetite!