RedheadedWanderer
Jun 2021
What a delightful excursion! We booked tickets to set sail on this vessel around Salem Sound for a weekend in May 2021. It was before Memorial Day, so they were still easing into the season and the newly painted ship looked glorious. The captain and the crew were incredibly friendly and competent. They allowed volunteers to help them raise the sail and do a few other things on board, but you're also able to just sit back and enjoy some of the refreshments that they sell on board. We lucked out with the perfect weather for sailing. Just remember to bring your sunscreen and keep ahold of your hats if you think they might fly away in the breeze. During the sail, the captain set off a small cannon so you get a sense of the noise when privateering ships like the Fame would attack other ships.
The captain publishes a magazine about tall ships and has written a number of books on privateering and historic vessels, so he's a fascinating fellow to speak with. Another member of the crew told us about his experience sailing for a year with his family.
With the pandemic still ongoing, I felt that the captain and crew took appropriate measures to ensure the safety of those aboard, requiring masks to be on as you embarked and disembarked, as well as whenever you were walking around the ship. As long as you were seated with your own group, you could take off your mask and enjoy the refreshments for sale. There wasn't readily available hand sanitizer that I saw, but I also didn't go down below deck to use the restroom. The captain and crew wore masks throughout the journey except when the captain took his off to address the group and set off the cannon.
We really had a marvelous time and if you have any interest on getting out on the water while you're in Salem or its surrounding towns on the North Shore, I'd absolutely recommend setting sail on this schooner with Captain Michael.