The Maine adventure of your dreams awaits…

Sailing Schedule 2024

  • This 4-day, 4-night adventure will be full of toe-tapping music and contra dancing!

    Joining your trip will be the legendary Gawler Family Band & Company for concerts, contra dancing, and an all-around good time. Whether the Gawler Family Band is crooning a poignant ballad or delivering a rollicking fiddle tune, their unique arrangements are especially engaging and often go along with anecdotes of historical or humorous content. John and Ellen Gawler and their daughters Molly, Edith, and Elsie bring you an assortment of old and new sounds from many folk traditions. They accompany interweaving family harmonies with fiddles, banjo, wooden banjo, cello, guitar, ukulele and piano as well as a few surprises.

    Don’t forget to pack your dancing shoes!

    Book This Trip>

  • On this classic J. & E. Riggin adventure, we honor Maine’s most iconic imagery with the two things that have become synonymous with the Maine experience.

    The Lighthouses

    With over 20 lighthouses in our cruising ground of Penobscot Bay, seeing them all would be a feat, but we will see as many as possible during our cruise. Some of the lighthouses we might see are: Rockland Breakwater Light, Owls Head Light, Hockamock Head Light, Curtis Island, Marshall Point, Fort Point, Brown’s Head, Pumpkin Island, Saddleback Ledge Light, Goose Rocks Light, Grindle Point Light, Two Bush Island Light.

    The Lobsters

    One evening we will go ashore and enjoy a traditional Maine lobster bake with all you can eat fresh caught lobster, corn, and grilled steak from our local butcher. Chef Jocelyn will also feature lobster in other meals during your trip which could include Lobster Bisque; Lobster, Scallion & Alfredo Pizza; Maine Lobster Rangoon; Chilled Lobster Dip with Garlic Crostini; or Lobster Benedict.

    So grab your camera and join us for a spectacular Maine Lighthouse & Lobster Cruise!

    Book This Trip>

  • Booking Closed for Private Charter

    The trip you have selected has been chartered privately this season and is no longer available for booking. Please consider choosing another available cruise or give our office a call to inquire about other availabilities.

    Interested in chartering the boat for an event or group of your own?

    Visit our charter page for pricing and details>

  • Celebrate the Maine Windjammer Fleet and tour Maine’s other historic ships!

    Explore the coast of Maine under early summer skies. One night of the cruise, we will join the rest of the Maine Windjammer Fleet for a raft-up that features live music, fabulous food, and a grog toast. The festivities will take place in a harbor determined by the wind and tide and will include opportunities to walk from one ship to another enjoying music & tapas along the way!

    Book This Trip>

  • Knitters & crocheters of all levels are invited to join us for an early summer adventure with Kim Hamlin of Fiber & Vine.

    A native Mainer, Kim is a fiber artist, designer, and dancer who has been knitting for over 25 years. She loves to knit, talk about “gauge,” sew, embroider, quilt, crochet, macrame, needle felt, nuno felt, spin, eco-print, make clothes, and teach these skills to others. Kim is also the owner of Fiber & Vine, a fun fiber arts and wine shop located in historic downtown Norway, Maine that boasts a wide selection of yarn, felting and spinning fibers, tools and notions for knitting/crochet/felting, buttons, handmade gift items and also…wine!

    In 2024, our 4-day/night adventure in June is all about troubleshooting, and problem-solving. Stumped by a current project? Struggling to get out of a rut? If you have a project that has you scratching your head, Kim is happy to help get you unstuck.

    As always, you can follow along with the planned itinerary, or choose your own adventure. Bring whatever projects you’d like to work on, or anything you need help with. Kim is up to the task and she hasn’t been stumped yet!

    Book This Trip>

  • Sawmill Creek Fiber Events is back aboard the Schooner J. & E. Riggin and this year they are joined by our friends at The Cashmere Goat in Camden!

    Non-knitting friends and spouses are welcome to join in on the fun. There is plenty to eat, do, and see for anyone to enjoy this adventure!

    For more information and to register for the adventure visit their website at the link below!

    Learn More & Register >

  • Enjoy craft beers from local brewers and cider houses paired expertly with fabulous meals you have come to expect from the Riggin galley.

    Your very own Captain Justin & Chef Jocelyn will be your guides on this adventure! Taste and choose a beer to pair with your lunch from a selection Jocelyn has chosen, and at the end of a long sailing day, head ashore with Captain Justin for a tasting and tour at one of the many small breweries along the coast. One night of the trip, we will head to Waterman’s Beach Brewery to enjoy a lobster feast on the beach.

    All tastings & excursions are included in the cost of the cruise.

    Book This Trip>

  • Race aboard the winner of the only Oyster Schooner Race ever held on the Delaware Bay!

    Join us on this 6-day, 6-night adventure for stunning visuals of historic schooners sailing along Maine’s iconic rocky coast. Every summer since 1977, the Maine Windjammer Association has hosted the Great Schooner Race, providing an opportunity for captains, crews and guests aboard traditional vessels from all over the Eastern Seaboard to rendezvous for a day of racing.

    The evening before the Great Schooner Race, crew and guests from participating boats can indulge in a zany, character-filled race complete with costumes and themes. It’s a time-honored tradition – and if you’re lucky enough to be sailing on one of the nine vessels of the Maine Windjammer Association – it’s an absolute riot!

    Celebrate Independence Day from the deck of the Schooner J. & E. Riggin!

    Book This Trip>

  • On this classic J. & E. Riggin adventure, we honor Maine’s most iconic imagery with the two things that have become synonymous with the Maine experience.

    The Lighthouses

    With over 20 lighthouses in our cruising ground of Penobscot Bay, seeing them all would be a feat, but we will see as many as possible during our cruise. Some of the lighthouses we might see are: Rockland Breakwater Light, Owls Head Light, Hockamock Head Light, Curtis Island, Marshall Point, Fort Point, Brown’s Head, Pumpkin Island, Saddleback Ledge Light, Goose Rocks Light, Grindle Point Light, Two Bush Island Light.

    The Lobsters

    One evening we will go ashore and enjoy a traditional Maine lobster bake with all you can eat fresh caught lobster, corn, and grilled steak from our local butcher. Chef Jocelyn will also feature lobster in other meals during your trip which could include Lobster Bisque; Lobster, Scallion & Alfredo Pizza; Maine Lobster Rangoon; Chilled Lobster Dip with Garlic Crostini; or Lobster Benedict.

    So grab your camera and join us for a spectacular Maine Lighthouse & Lobster Cruise!

    Book This Trip>

  • Enjoy craft cocktails paired expertly with fabulous meals you have come to expect from the Riggin galley.

    Each cocktail is crafted with the intention to combine unique flavors from around the world with fresh local ingredients from our community and our own backyard. Learn how to create delightful combinations of your own from our knowledgeable host, Lara Nixon, or sit back and enjoy a cocktail pairing with hors d'oeuvres, dinner, or with brunch. Mocktails are also available for those who do not wish to indulge in the available cocktail.

    Lara Nixon is an award-winning bartender and a graduate of the Santa Rosa School of Bartending who has been practicing & teaching bar craft for over a decade. She is a bar craft professional focusing on private and public events, signature cocktail development, & commercial bar & beverage program consultation. She started Bad Dog Barcraft in 2010 to make bitters like Sarsaparilla, Fire & Damnation, and Bloody Mary and co-founded a Spirits Education program called Tipsy Tech in Austin, TX.

    Windjamming brought Lara to Maine where she has been collaborating with captains on cocktail craft since 2017. Her work with the international association of culinary professionals means that bar craft for her is the marriage of culinary traditions and imbibing whether through alcoholic or non-alcoholic cocktails.

    Book This Trip>

  • On this classic J. & E. Riggin adventure, we honor Maine’s most iconic imagery with the two things that have become synonymous with the Maine experience.

    The Lighthouses

    With over 20 lighthouses in our cruising ground of Penobscot Bay, seeing them all would be a feat, but we will see as many as possible during our cruise. Some of the lighthouses we might see are: Rockland Breakwater Light, Owls Head Light, Hockamock Head Light, Curtis Island, Marshall Point, Fort Point, Brown’s Head, Pumpkin Island, Saddleback Ledge Light, Goose Rocks Light, Grindle Point Light, Two Bush Island Light.

    The Lobsters

    One evening we will go ashore and enjoy a traditional Maine lobster bake with all you can eat fresh caught lobster, corn, and grilled steak from our local butcher. Chef Jocelyn will also feature lobster in other meals during your trip which could include Lobster Bisque; Lobster, Scallion & Alfredo Pizza; Maine Lobster Rangoon; Chilled Lobster Dip with Garlic Crostini; or Lobster Benedict.

    So grab your camera and join us for a spectacular Maine Lighthouse & Lobster Cruise!

    Book This Trip>

  • Lift your voice and join the fun with Geoff Kaufman singing songs that make raising the sails a breeze!

    For over 30 years, Geoff Kaufman has been leading audiences to find truth, humor, and beauty in folk music. Geoff has entertained and touched audiences near and far singing songs of the sea, the earth, the heart and the spirit.

    Ancient ballads, work songs, and songs of love; poignant songs of people in struggle, humorous glimpses of human foibles, and insights into history—all of these are likely to be woven into Geoff's performance on the Schooner J. & E. Riggin.

    You can learn more about Geoff Kaufman at his website.

    Check out Geoff’s CDs in the Ship’s Store.

    Book This Trip>

  • Taking a vacation together is one of the most memorable ways to spend time together as a family; whether it’s just parents and children or a multigenerational adventure. The Schooner J. & E. Riggin Kids & Family cruises offer something truly magical – a place to reconnect without the distractions of life ashore.

    While aboard, sailors of all ages can learn to tie knots, help prepare meals in the galley, take a turn at the helm, help crew haul the anchor and sails or chart, navigate, and identify names of islands & lighthouses just like a 19th century captain. When we anchor for the evening you can explore uninhabited islands, comb the beach for shells and sea glass, participate in the annual scavenger hunt, and take in the saltiness of fishing villages and quaint coastal harbors.

    The deck of the J. & E. Riggin is the perfect place for parents to unwind, and these formative experiences for children can be life-altering and inspiring. How do we know? Captain Justin Schaefer himself first set foot aboard this very boat as a 12-year-old boy with his parents in the summer of 2005. Now, he invites you to come and enjoy the magic of the sea with us!

    Book This Trip>

  • This 5-day, 5-night adventure will be full of music and dancing!

    Joining your trip will be Bennett Konesni & a few of his closest and most talented friends, who will sing and share stories as you sail along the Maine coast. Each night we will anchor in a harbor for live music and an all-around good time. One night of the trip we will make our way to Swan's Island to enjoy the Sweet Chariot Music Festival. Don’t forget to pack your dancing shoes!

    Shantyman/Farmer Bennett Konesni was raised in Maine and was naturally drawn into the strong communities of traditional music, art, and farming in the area. At thirteen he shipped as a deckhand aboard local schooners, spending five summers sailing Penobscot Bay and learning the work songs of the tall ships as he raised sails and hauled anchors. Today he is the founder/director of The Worksong Project whose mission is to encourage a world where people sing boldly while getting work done.

    Book This Trip>

  • Set your eyes to the skies!

    This adventure takes us off the beaten path to some of the darkest and most serene harbors for the best views of the nighttime sky. This trip is scheduled over the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower to give us the best chance of seeing a truly spectacular show.

    Don’t forget to bring your sleeping bag & pad along if you wish to camp out beneath the stars!

    Book This Trip>

  • Booking Closed for Private Charter

    The trip you have selected has been chartered privately this season and is no longer available for booking. Please consider choosing another available cruise or give our office a call to inquire about other availabilities.

    Interested in chartering the boat for an event or group of your own?

    Visit our charter page for pricing and details>

  • 207 Creatives is back aboard for the annual Get Hooked at Sea adventure and this year they are joined by Diane Learmonth!

    Diane will be taking us through an exciting and creative journey in mini landscapes and driftwood art. This class is chock full of choices; you’ll get to decide if you want to hook a little 8” x 8” landscape from an original sketch you make at sea or hook a little piece of driftwood art. Or both!

    Diane says:

    “I consider the 8” x 8” landscape a practice piece or a little study in color and form. I’ll be teaching you what makes a good landscape and how to use color, shadow and light. You’ll bring a photocopy of a photo you’ve taken, and you’ll transfer that onto backing, simplifying along the way.

    I invented driftwood art 3 years ago. Through trial and error, I’ve come up with the method I’ll show you. You’ll each get to choose a small piece of driftwood I’ve found on local beaches, your yarns plus a variety of rocks, shells, sticks etc. to embellish with. The rocks and shells will be sewn on the backing then you’ll hook your design following the driftwoods shape. Mine usually feature water, sand and grasses (blue, tan and green yarns) although some are fields or just water and sand with rocks and shells. This is where your imagination comes in. They will be small (less than 10” hooked) pieces that will be hooked on linen then stapled on the driftwood. I’ll bring a piece that is hooked to show you how to finish it and staple it to the driftwood.

    You’re going to have a lot of fun in this class and laugh a lot! I think this wonderful art of rug hooking should be fun and not stressful. I do not have “rules” for you to follow, just suggestions. So, gear up for a good time both in my class and on the magnificent J. & E. Riggin. I’m looking forward to creating with all of you.”

    We are so looking forward to this years’ experience and hope you will join us!

    Learn More & Register>

  • Join us for the Camden Windjammer Festival, an annual maritime celebration where the largest gathering of windjammers in the northeast takes place!

    On Friday afternoon, we arrive with the rest of the fleet in Camden Harbor. The harbor will be filled with the sails and masts of nearly two dozen windjammers, schooners, and even a ketch. On shore, and in the harbor, there will be a variety of activities, games, and displays of maritime traditions and crafts. We will stay in Camden Harbor for the night.

    As we will be dockside, you will be able to go ashore and enjoy the festivities including the Schooner Talent Show and fireworks over the harbor later in the evening. This is a great opportunity to see a variety of windjammers up close.

    Before we arrive in Camden, we will spend the first part of this trip sailing along the coast and weaving our way around islands. One of these evenings we will anchor a little early for a traditional lobster bake.

    Book This Trip>

  • Knitters of all levels are invited to join us for a 6-day, 6-night retreat with Margaret Radcliffe.

    A knitter for almost 60 years, a designer for more years than she cares to remember, and a teacher for more than 30, Maggie is the author of four popular knitting books: The Knitting Answer Book, The Essential Guide to Color Knitting Techniques, Circular Knitting Workshop, and The Knowledgeable Knitter.

    Bring your current knitting projects and questions and enjoy wide-ranging knitting discussions geared to all levels of knitters and relaxed lessons tailored to your individual interests. Our theme this year will be color knitting—putting together colors you love, designing and working stripes, getting the best from your hand painted yarns, vertical brioche stripes, stranded knitting, and other color topics as they come up. Come prepared to have fun, explore new techniques and pick up tips to improve your knitting from cast on to bind off.

    As always, you can follow along on the planned knitting journey or take any side trips that entice you. Bring whatever projects you’d like to work on, or anything you need help with. Maggie is happy to help get projects over the rough patches!

    For more information on Margaret Radcliffe, her books & patterns visit her website.

    Book This Trip>

  • You won’t want to miss this historic occasion to celebrate boatbuilding and seamanship!

    On one set night we will sail into the harbor in Brooklin, Maine, home of the WoodenBoat School, store, and magazine. This fall gathering of the Maine Windjammers marks the last of the sailing season and includes refreshments from local sponsors, live music & dancing, and tours of the WoodenBoat grounds.

    Nowhere else in the world can you see this many historic schooners under sail together.

    Book This Trip>

  • Enjoy craft cocktails paired expertly with fabulous meals you have come to expect from the Riggin galley.

    Each cocktail is crafted with the intention to combine unique flavors from around the world with fresh local ingredients from our community and our own backyard. Learn how to create delightful combinations of your own from our knowledgeable host, Lara Nixon, or sit back and enjoy a cocktail pairing with hors d'oeuvres, dinner, or with brunch. Mocktails are also available for those who do not wish to indulge in the available cocktail.

    Lara Nixon is an award-winning bartender and a graduate of the Santa Rosa School of Bartending who has been practicing & teaching bar craft for over a decade. She is a bar craft professional focusing on private and public events, signature cocktail development, & commercial bar & beverage program consultation. She started Bad Dog Barcraft in 2010 to make bitters like Sarsaparilla, Fire & Damnation, and Bloody Mary and co-founded a Spirits Education program called Tipsy Tech in Austin, TX.

    Windjamming brought Lara to Maine where she has been collaborating with captains on cocktail craft since 2017. Her work with the international association of culinary professionals means that bar craft for her is the marriage of culinary traditions and imbibing whether through alcoholic or non-alcoholic cocktails.

    Book This Trip>

  • Booking Closed for Private Charter

    The trip you have selected has been chartered privately this season and is no longer available for booking. Please consider choosing another available cruise or give our office a call to inquire about other availabilities.

    Interested in chartering the boat for an event or group of your own?

    Visit our charter page for pricing and details>

  • Capture all the beauty of Penobscot Bay with the support of Sean & Tracy Sheppard!

    Sean & Tracy Sheppard are a husband and wife team of professional photographers who also have a passion for Maine Windjammers. Both accomplished photographers, they are looking forward to sharing their passions for photography & this fantastic coastline with you! The Sheppards will help you improve your photography skills whether you are working from a phone camera, point and shoot, or a DSLR.

    Sean is more of a technical photographer, focused on getting everything right from the get-go. He has a passion for landscape and nature photography and loves to incorporate his love of the environment and natural light into every photography he creates. Tracy on the other hand finds ways of capturing the emotion of the moments. She is a natural light photographer and prefers photographing outside versus in a studio and loves to photograph small, forgotten details in the world that tend to be overlooked.

    To see more of Sean & Tracy Sheppard’s work continue exploring our website! They contribute new images to our effort to document the Maine Windjammer experience every time they sail. You can also find them on Instagram: Sean Sheppard Photography & Tracy Sheppard Photography

    Book This Trip>

  • On this classic J. & E. Riggin adventure, we honor Maine’s most iconic imagery with the two things that have become synonymous with the Maine experience.

    The Lighthouses

    With over 20 lighthouses in our cruising ground of Penobscot Bay, seeing them all would be a feat, but we will see as many as possible during our cruise. Some of the lighthouses we might see are: Rockland Breakwater Light, Owls Head Light, Hockamock Head Light, Curtis Island, Marshall Point, Fort Point, Brown’s Head, Pumpkin Island, Saddleback Ledge Light, Goose Rocks Light, Grindle Point Light, Two Bush Island Light.

    The Lobsters

    One evening we will go ashore and enjoy a traditional Maine lobster bake with all you can eat fresh caught lobster, corn, and grilled steak from our local butcher. Chef Jocelyn will also feature lobster in other meals during your trip which could include Lobster Bisque; Lobster, Scallion & Alfredo Pizza; Maine Lobster Rangoon; Chilled Lobster Dip with Garlic Crostini; or Lobster Benedict.

    So grab your camera and join us for a spectacular Maine Lighthouse & Lobster Cruise!

    Book This Trip>

  • Fall in Maine is synonymous with stunning landscapes in fiery hues as the leaves change colors and cool crisp breezes that make for some outstanding sailing!

    Join us for our final trip of the season with fantastic sailing days, and cozy evenings in the warmth of the galley. Participate in fall activities like carving pumpkins and enjoy mulled cider aboard.

    After our return to the dock, stick around for one final meal and join the crew to help us to take the sails off of the boat for the winter!

    Book This Trip>

Discounts are Available for Early Booking & Our Loyal Returners

5% off all cruises* for first-time guests booking before February 1, 2024.
10% off all cruises* for returning guests booking before February 1, 2024.
Discounts and promotions are available for new reservations only. Only one offer can be applied to your reservation. Promotions may not be combined with any other offer, discount, or charter rate. Cancellation of trip and re-booking with a new discount or promotion is prohibited.

*Schooner discounts do not apply to the Sawmill Creek Fiber Events Knitting Cruises or the 207 Creatives Rug Hooking Getaway. Please visit their websites for details, pricing, incentives, and discounts.

Deposits & Payments

A deposit of $350/bunk reserved  is due at the time of booking for any cruise.

The balance is due 6 weeks before the start of your cruise.

Payment plans are available – call to make arrangements.

Cancellation Policy 

Due to our small size, cancellations or rescheduling of dates affect us significantly. We limit the number of guests to a maximum 24 passengers each trip to keep our guests’ experience personal and customized. As a small, family-owned and operated business, this means that every booking is important to ensure an exclusive, authentic experience, and excellent service.

All cancellations made 8 weeks before your arrival are eligible for a refund less a $150 per person cancellation fee*. For cancellations made on or inside 8 weeks before your boarding date any and all payments are non-refundable unless we are able to rebook the entire space. If we are able to fill the entire space, any payments will be refunded less a $150 per person cancellation fee. If your space is not completely filled, any payments are forfeited.

If you need to change your trip date and do so before your final payment is made 6 weeks before sailing, any payments made can be applied to a future visit. If the date change happens on or inside of 6 weeks there is a $150 per person change fee. Trip dates may be changed once. Following a change in trip date, the funds become non-refundable.

*In the case of natural disaster or pandemic, please understand that we are a micro-small business, and we are unable to issue a refund.

Trip Cancellation Insurance Recommended 

Because the Schooner J. & E. Riggin serves a limited number of guests, we strongly suggest that you purchase trip cancellation insurance. If you choose not to purchase trip insurance and an unforeseen event keeps you from being able to travel to us, we will be unable to refund your deposit and/or paid balance as set forth in our cancellation policy. We do not offer insurance directly but do recommend Allianz Travel Insurance at 1-866-884-3556. Of course, you may use any travel insurance company you prefer.

Not ready to sail this year? 

Check out our schedule for next year to give yourself more time to plan!

Interested in chartering the whole boat?

We would love to host your group or event here! Visit our charter information page for more information about availability, pricing, and special events.

Give the Gift of Adventure!

We are happy to help you find a gift card of an appropriate value for the intrepid travelers in your life.