June 8, 2005 -- Owner/operators Captains Barry King and Jennifer Martin are very optimistic about the upcoming season. "The crew has been working overtime to get this legendary windjammer in shape for her Memorial Day Weekend Cruise and the rest of the summer sailing vacation season," said Captain King. The Mary Day has always had an excellent reputation for her sailing ability and safety record, and Captain King attributes this year's thriving numbers to the windjammer's continually improved guest comforts and its reputation as a wonderful way to get out of your car and see a part of the Maine coast that is off the beaten path. "We are amazed that fully 60% of our business is generated through returning guests and 'word of mouth' bookings," he said of the interest in sailing vacations aboard the Maine tall ship. "Clearly we are doing something right."
“ Clearly we are doing something right. ”
This year, guests on the first sailing vacation of the season took part in donating 15% of the proceeds to the Jason Program, a pediatric hospice located in Maine. Last year, the Mary Day raised $2,000 for the Jason Program and its owners hope to reach that goal again on Memorial Day 2005. Twenty-one sailing vacations on the windjammer will follow from relaxing on deck to joining the crew in helping to sail the schooner through some of the most beautiful sailing grounds in the world. Other unique getaways include Maine lighthouse tours, natural history cruises, photography cruises, a folk festival cruise and a windjammer tall ships celebration cruise.
Characterized as a "soft adventure" similar to camping, this sailing vacation includes creature comforts and mouth-watering traditional New England fare cooked on an antique wood cook stove. Award winning cook Mary Barney is back for her 30th season of cooking and baking on the Maine coast and her 8th season aboard Mary Day. This season will also feature a newly installed heating system on the windjammer to help keep the passenger cabins warm and dry during the early June and late September foliage cruises, ensuring comfortable sails for what promises to be a busy extended season for windjammer sailing vacation enthusiasts, and those who love Maine tall ships.
About Schooner Mary Day
The Schooner Mary Day was launched in 1962 as the first schooner built specifically to be a windjammer. Sailed by Coast Guard licensed masters Barry King and Jennifer Martin, sailing vacations aboard the windjammer range from 3-6 days in length and include coastal Maine sightseeing, Maine lighthouse tours and sailing courses. The windjammer's cozy cabins feature skylights, windows, a sink, reading lights and comforters on each bunk, and the Mary Day's famous "all-you-can-eat" lobster picnic on the beach. A full online tour of this unique tall ship is available at http://www.schoonermaryday.com/tour. [schoonermaryday.com/tour
While a number of windjammer cruises are full, vacationers can still find space available during each month. To learn more about Maine sailing vacations aboard the Schooner Mary Day visit schoonermaryday.com.
