Imagine this: You’re on the deck of a magnificent 157-foot yacht, the Arabella, cruising the crystal-clear waters of New England. The wind whispers through the sails, the sun warms your skin, and the breathtaking coastline unfolds before you.
This isn’t a dream; it’s your reality with the American Sailing’s Grand Tour of New England aboard Arabella.
From the moment you board Arabella in Newport, Rhode Island, the tone is set for a sailing adventure. The teak decks welcome your bare feet, and the captain’s welcome cocktail quenches your thirst for a celebratory toast while the crew begins pampering. Your week aboard Arabella will be filled with full sails on the way to Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and Cuttyhunk. You’ll have dinner with a view of Chappaquiddick, lunch on the beach in Nantucket, and a clam bake in Cuttyhunk. You’ll meet new friends while watching the sunset from the deck of Arabella as you cruise into Newport. You’ll stroll the streets of the islands of New England. You will indulge in New England’s cuisine and atmosphere in a way you never have before. After all, you arrive on a 157-foot sailing Yacht, and everyone wants to know who YOU are!
Here’s a taste of what awaits you:
This is more than a sailing vacation; it’s an adventure for the soul.
*Please Note. Arrival and departure transfers, soft drinks, Nespresso capsules, alcoholic beverages, water sports, shore excursions (including meals and drinks on shore), and gratuities are not included in the total price.
*Please Note. Deluxe Staterooms #3 and #4 have an over/under single/double bed configuration.
Guests will begin boarding the Arabella at 4pm in historic downtown Newport harbor. Newport is the sailing capital of our country and this is where the America’s Cup Races were held for over 50 years until 1983. The Captain will invite all guests for a “Welcome Aboard Cocktail” on the deck, afterwards guests may go ashore for a night on the town with dinner at one of the many amazing Newport restaurants.
Morning begins with a splendid departure from Newport. We then shake out our canvas and sail over to Martha’s Vineyard. On the “Vineyard,” we will anchor off Edgartown. You can spend the afternoon on the beach or take an island tour. You can also taxi over to Oak Bluffs which is a quaint Victorian village known for its gingerbread houses, eclectic restaurants and Presidential visits. Dinghy back to the Arabella early evening for cocktails and gourmet dinner aboard.
This morning begins with an exhilarating sail to Nantucket, the historic island 30 miles out to sea. Nantucket was once the world’s center of the whaling industry and is still largely undeveloped and true to its roots. You can take the launch to a pristine secluded beach or explore in one of our kayaks. There is a Whaling Museum on Broad Street. It originally was a factory for refining whale oil and exhibits all the tools of the trade including a full sized whale skeleton and an incredible collection of scrimshaw. You can also enjoy the fine shopping along the cobblestoned streets of Nantucket’s 19th century downtown.
We will sail back to Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard. Be sure to pay your respects at the Edgartown Yacht Club which hosts prestigious regattas every summer. You can explore more, go to the beach or visit Chappaquiddick Island and the Cape Pogue Wildlife Refuge. It`s a great place for an invigorating hike. You can also visit the Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, a 200 acre tract owned and operated by the Massachusetts Audubon Society. In the summer nature trails are ripe with blueberry, blackberry and beach plums.
After rising to a beautiful sunrise and hearty breakfast, we will weigh anchor and set sail for the enchanting island of Cuttyhunk. This jewel of the Elizabethan Islands has one of the most picturesque harbors in all of New England. The evening will find us on the beach for a real New England lobster bake, complete with all the trimmings included in your fare.
We set sail in the morning and return to Newport late morning/early afternoon. Enjoy breakfast with your shipmates on your final day under Arabella’s billowing sails. After your grand entrance to Newport Harbor, you can choose to disembark that same day or, if your schedule permits, you can spend another night onboard in Newport.
Disembark by 11 am. Use your extra time in Newport to visit the mansions, sail on an America’s Cup 12 Meter, ride the Rum Runner at sunset and party like a sailor.
Please Note. This itinerary is only an example. All stops are subject to the captain’s discretion and may vary due to weather or unforeseen circumstances.
Everything! It was the trip of a lifetime!
This was one of the best sailing trips I’ve been on. The crew were amazing ! I would do it again in a heartbeat. Keep Arabella as an option for future ASA sailing trips!
Everything! It was the trip od a lifetime!