Aboard the Victory Chimes

It is the most relaxing, restorative vacation you could imagine. Pack up your day-to-day cares and leave them on the dock--you won't miss them at all. You'll be much too busy savoring the simple pleasures of shipboard life: the time to read a good book, the tranquility to snooze in the warmth of the afternoon sun, the freedom to go wherever the wind takes us, the adventure of discovering a new harbor every evening. You'll find special places ashore, too, whether we're lying off an unspoiled island beach or a salty seafaring port.

On the Victory Chimes, passengers seem to get to know each other more easily than they might at a land-based resort. We think it's because the atmosphere is so restful, so conductive to chatting over breakfast or sharing the thrill of seeing a porpoise trace crescents above the waves. But there's also plenty of time and space for being quietly alone, simply gazing at the sea.

Don't worry about getting lax with your exercise regimen--unless you want to! Before or after the day's sail, you can swim, give your biceps a workout in the rowboat, go for a run, or take an energetic walk along the shore. If you're a sailing buff, or are eager to become one, the captain and crew will invite your help hoisting and lowering the sails. To hone your navigational skills, you can practice plotting our course with the compass and chart laid out just for passengers, or practice marlinspike seamanship with a crew member.

Once the anchor is down in the evening, we enjoy gathering on the main deck to toast the day. We provide the hors d'oeuvres, and you're welcome to bring soft drinks or spirits for your personal consumption (for safety and in consideration of other passengers, we of course cannot tolerate excessive drinking). We always look forward to dinner with great eagerness--what with the marvelous aromas coming from the galley, it's all we can do to wait until the brass bell is rung! You will feast on lobster and other unique hardy New England fare that our Chef prepares daily. All meals are included from fresh blueberry pancakes in the morning to homemade breads and desserts at lunch and dinner. After sharing in an informal sing-along or slipping away for a final look at the stars, it's time for a good night's sleep. You'll find you sleep like a baby and awaken refreshed, ready for a big breakfast! Both breakfast and dinner are served in the main saloon. Lunches are usually served on deck as we sail along.

Accommodations

The Victory Chimes size makes her a very comfortable vessel. Her 132 feet of deck space offers plenty of room for you to grab one of our over stuffed deck mats and stretch out, or you can find a secluded spot to catch some rays or to snuggle up with a good book. Two full size on-deck showers are available for your convenience in the forward house. Down below, the large saloon where meals are served offers a great spot as a respite from the sun or weather, or a place to play cribbage or other games available on board. We also have a large selection of books for your reading pleasure.

Aft of the main saloon, the passenger accommodations open off the airy companionway. All are outside cabins with opening portholes, and all are at least six feet by eight feet, with nine feet of headroom. All have hot and cold running water, good reading lights, and large berths with comfortable mattresses, pillows, sheets, and warm blankets. Some cabins accommodate two, while larger ones have multiple berths just right for families. Single cabins are also available. Each cabin is comfortably spacious with storage areas for your belongings.

We have three special suites that are ideal for the honeymoon couple or those who require a little more in the way of creature comforts. Each of these cabins has a double bed, hot and cold running water and it's own head (toilet). The decor is a little more "yacht like" with a stocked library. They are available on a first come first serve basis at a slightly higher cost than our regular cabin and based on double occupancy. If interested please inquire.

Captain's Log

What can you expect on a Victory Chimes cruise? Following are some of the Captain's thoughts and observations during a recent season.

June 1: First sail with Sound School, will have these sail training students aboard for two weeks. Had a great night sail this week. Great to see the kids enjoying the Maine coast and this historic vessel. -Capt Files

June 8-11 First sight of whales this season off Swans Island! -Capt Files

June 13 -15 Had a great weekend Files family reunion on board. Found out 2nd Mate Robert, is a talented guitar player serenading the guests -Capt Files

June 17-20 Great to be back on Penobscot Bay for another season. Fog finally lifted. A spectacular sight seeing all the Windjammers, sailing like they did on the bay a hundred years ago. -Capt Files

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