Happy Thanksgiving!
MEMORABLE SEASON JUST CONCLUDED
This past season provided many memorable moments, including several trips to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, honeymoons and more. Schooner Mercantile hosted Old and New Salts for her 37th year under our flag.
Seasoned sailors and first-timers did not let the rainy month of June dampen their enthusiasm to try their hand with chores and make new friends. Weather during the rest of the summer was pretty much Maine perfect – clear skies, clean air and sparking water for our passengers and crew!
Our crew hailed from MA, ME, NH, NY, TN and TX, some of whom have been with us for several years. Passengers from around the world and around our country chose to share part of their U.S. vacations with us. Our Captains and crew love trading stories with them!
Schooner Swift‘s long-awaited maiden voyage took place over the July 4th holiday. Passengers were treated to 5 days of smooth sailing, glorious weather, spectacular scenery and fireworks. Many of our Old Salts who opted to sail on her this year were thrilled with the spacious deck, cabins with private heads and the amazing array of sails.
If you took photos but haven’t yet shared them with us, please email some or post them to our Old Salts page. Not yet an Old Salt? Joining is easy…simply click Join on the Old Salts Club page, answer two questions and we’ll do the rest!
MWC UPDATE
Requests for our 2024 sailing schedules are coming in at a fast clip, and we are taking telephone reservations now. (Our online reservations program will not be updated until late December.)
Multiple-day cruises and charters commence on June 2 and run through October 2. Current prices will remain in effect through January for both of our vessels.
The approaching holidays provide a great opportunity to find that perfect gift for a sailor or would-be sailor in your family. Gift Certificates for our cruises are available year-round, but have been especially popular around the holidays. You can purchase a certificate in any amount, and it has no expiration date.
Just call to let us know the name(s) of your recipient, and we will send it out to you or directly to the recipient.
FALL CULINARY FAVORITE
Cooler temperatures and shorter days call for comfort food! Classic fish chowder has long been a favorite among our passengers, and Ann is happy to share it here with you. It’s just one of many easy-to-prepare and mouth-watering recipes from her Maine Windjammer Cruises Cookbook, available at a special price of $20 plus shipping!
Fish Chowder
Ingredients:
2-3 slices bacon 3 cloves garlic 1 large onion, chopped 5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed 1-1/2 lbs. haddock or cod filets 1/2 cup celery, chopped 1 t Worcestershire sauce 1/2 t dill weed 1/2 t basil 1/4 t parsley 1/4 t black pepper 1 can evaporated milk
Saute bacon, garlic and onion in a little water until soft. Do not burn! Discard bacon.
Add potatoes; cover with water and boil. When potatoes are almost done, lay whole fish filets on top, and lower heat to a simnmer. Filets will break up while cooking. Add seasonings and cover.
When fish starts to break apart, add evaporated milk and stir gently. Keep on low heat until ready to serve.