Our days aboard would take us down the coast of New England to make our way into interior rivers, historic canals and the enormity of the Great Lakes, our final destination one of America’s most fabulous cities – Chicago. Inevitably, when docked along the way, curious passers-by would ask: “Where did you start? Where are you going?” and then exclaim, “Chicago! How do you do that?” But now, on day one, there was the ship to explore. My cabin on Sun Deck featured twin beds with comfy red coverlets faced in blue. Curtains at the large sliding window were patterned with sailing-flags. Abundant drawers, cub- byholes and an open closet promised sufficient storage for two. Shower and toilet/basin were separately compartmented in my room; in some Main Deck and Lower Deck cabins, the two are combined, with a curtain eliminating unwanted splashing. Wall décor featured a large, black-and-white photo of the 1895 yacht Verena in full sail.
outside deck, which also houses a spa- cious lounge with wide windows, comfort- able seating and state-of-the-art audio/ visual system. Main Deck and Lower Deck accommo- dations are smaller, with a variety of berth options, including a cabin suitable for a single traveller. Main Deck configuration includes the large window-surrounded Dining Room and adjacent galley. Above Sun Deck, there’s yet another
A
fully unsung cities; the America that made its way West courtesy of watery pathways, natural and man-made. Appropriately for such a journey, the 96-passenger Grande Mariner is an all- American vessel, built by a US boat-build- ing family, completely staffed by American crew, proudly flying the Stars and Stripes.
F
ew think of touring the vast expanses of the US by ship but Blount’s four nimble vessels are ideal for the task. Our journey began in Warren, Rhode Island, where the Blount story originated 80 years ago when the family segued from caring for oyster beds to building vessels designed as dinner boats and sight- seeing cruisers. With a blast of the horn, we pulled away from the dock to find ourselves in the company of sail-boats and floating lobster traps on Narragansett Bay.
deck, large and open, partly canopy-shaded. Outfitted with plentiful furniture for relaxing and lounging, it’s the perfect place to watch America drift by. While there is no eleva- tor to transport guests from deck to deck, a chair lift stands ready at each set of stairs. Ambiance aboard is friendly and family-like. Guests expecting luxurious trappings are not among the many who sail over and over again with Blount Small Ship Adventures.
Some examples: those stopping for early-morning coffee in the lounge pour theirs into a cardboard cup; with the exception of welcome-aboard and farewell evenings with complimentary beverages and wine with dinner, no alcohol is avail- able on board; passengers are free to bring their own or are directed to the nearest liquor store at ports of call; plastic cups are provided for happy hour imbibing. Meals offer no choice, with each day’s menu posted on a board next to the galley. The clanging of a bell carried about the
s for the other staterooms on Sun Deck, four claim door access to both the interior corridor and the
ship by one of the stewardesses announces meal times. On my sailing, breakfast, buffet-style, featured a different hot speciality item each morning. Lunch usually consisted of a soup, salad and sandwich, served family- style at each table. Dinner arrived, plated and served, beginning with a salad fol- lowed by an entrée featuring, most usually, meat or fish. Dessert completed the meal. That said, the quality of preparation and presentation were excellent. The freshest of ingredients were used, often local, with each dish showcasing the chef’s consider- able culinary expertise. Passengers who had made dietary restrictions known in advance of the sailing were all accom- modated. With no TV, radios or phones (wi-fi
available throughout, however), conversa- tion with fellow passengers was the focus of on-ship entertainment. On several evenings, local musicians came aboard to provide a show in the lounge. On others, a movie was presented.
On a Blount cruise, the itinerary IS the show, a show that even for me, a person
who calls the US home, provided insights into my country and highlights galore. On a blue sky, puffy-white-cloud morning, we entered New York’s East River to cruise slowly past the city’s magnificent skyline, with the captain providing excellent com- mentary from the bridge. At Manhattan’s tip, Ellis Island came
into view, where hundreds of thousands of immigrants first set foot into a new life. We paused at the foot of the Statue of Liberty – “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to be free” – while listening to a 1940s recording of
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