Privateer Schooner Sailing Tour in Salem Sound

Overview

FAME is annually the #1-rated boat in Salem and one of the top-rated activities in the entire town, per TripAdvisor. Don't miss the very best of what Salem has to offer! There's more to our town than witches!

FAME is a full-scale replica of a privateer schooner from the War of 1812 that captured over 20 prizes! We sail up to five times a day between May and October from Pickering Wharf Marina in downtown Salem.

On board our traditional gaff-rigged schooner, you'll get a chance to raise the sails and even steer the boat as we sail Salem Sound and talk about the fisherman, traders, and privateers that played such a central role in the saga of Salem, of Massachusetts, and of the young United States.

This is a great hands-on adventure for all ages — but you can also just sit back and enjoy a beverage and take it all in as we cruise past the historic forts and lighthouses of Salem, Beverly, and Marblehead.

City: Salem

Fri 27 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $49.00

Make a reservation

Fri 27 Dec

Starting at $49.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Restroom on board

Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons

What To Expect

Salem

Historic Salem Sound — the waters around Salem, Marblehead, and Beverly, Massachusetts — where pirates, privateers, East Indiamen and men of war have been making history for 400 years.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (393)

GrandPrixGuy

Jun 2017

I recently had the pleasure of taking my daughter and niece out for an afternoon on the Fame. Our first impression of the staff came when I walked up to the ticketing booth. Much to my surprise, Melissa, who was manning the booth, knew my name and said hello. I'm sure it was because she was engaged with the list of reservations but, to me, it was a true bit of Salem Magic. I was stunned and I called her The Magic Lady for the rest of the time we were with her. She couldn't have been sweeter or more welcoming. Once we boarded The Fame, Captain Mike and his crew (John and Parker), got us involved with getting the ship underway. We had a chance to furl the sails and to use the tiller to steer her. It was a lot of fun and had us calling each other 'Captain'. All three crew members were very informative and engaging, telling us about the history of the ship as well as the history of the harbor. 'Nice' doesn't go far enough to compliment all three men. The ship itself was beautiful, seventy feet long and probably fifteen feet wide. It was very comfortable and, although you knew you were on a boat, it never felt rough or unsafe. Overall, the tour took about 90 minutes and we enjoyed every one of them. Even my fifteen-year-old niece, who expected to be bored, came away from the ship with a huge smile and a remark that she was wrong about the tour. For us, it was a five-star trip.

Response from Host

Jun 2017

We will all call Melissa "The Magic Lady" from this point on :) Thanks for the great review!

Shawn M

Oct 2016

Who needs to be packed onto a boat with 100 other people and have no space to move. My father and I spent two hours cruising with Captain Mike and enjoyed every moment of it. While we were able to enjoy booze, we were also able to enjoy steering the ship and learning what a nineteenth-century privateer could actually do. Captain Mike was friendly, outgoing and was able to answer all of our questions. This is the highlight of our trip to Salem and I would recommend it to anyone over any other attraction.

Sue B

Sep 2016

We took our staff out for an evening cruise and it was PERFECT, the skipper and his crew were outstanding. They helped get all the catering onto the ship and ensured everyone understood the safety guidelines, and then we were underway. We learned some interesting history about the Fame and Salem as well, and the skipper fired one of the small canons on board! The ship is super clean and has plenty of places to sit and relax. I was worried a late September evening cruise would be cold, but it was a breezy 70 degrees, we toured the outer Salem harbor islands and then returned to port in time to see a beautiful sunset. We really enjoyed it and will hopefully be back for another trip. If you are looking for a fun trip for a group of 40 or less this is a great idea! While parking isn't ideal if you park in the garage down the street you will have only a short 2 minute walk to the dock. Located behind Victoria Station in Salem Harbor.