This week’s blog posting will be the first in what will hopefully be a series of exposes about the various trips, excursions and activities available to our guests when they come to Boothbay Harbor. I hope to pay a visit to this different venues, experience them as a traveler would, and post, complete with photos, about the experience. This week’s posting will be about the Reggae Cruise with the Boothbay Whale Watch. In the name of full disclosure, your faithful scribe has gone on more than one Reggae Cruise- in fact, I have been going on these fun filled excursions since shortly after my twenty-first birthday. Locally, it has become a weekly summer tradition for people; come Monday morning, the phone in the ticket booth is ringing off the hook. Various “cruise organizers” make their lists, and book accordingly- usually during its peak operation, the Harbor Princess sells out in short order- so book early and often if you want to check out this unique excursion in the Boothbay Harbor area.
Your night will begin with the short trek from land, down the gangway, into the awaiting arms of the Harbor Princess. You will be greeted before you board, by one of the friendly, dependable crew members. They are there to ensure the safety and enjoyment of the passengers- veterans all, they are sure to greet you with a smile. The next step, for those of the cocktail set, will be to venture to into the bowels of the galley, to stand in line for one of large selection of tasty beverages. Now, if you are in the know and know someone amidst the crew, your wait time might be shorter, but the line does not move until you leave the dock, so if you are not in hurry, wander around the ship and get your bearings first. The bottom deck affords passengers a 360 degree view of the surroundings, a fact that comes in quite handy in the vessels other role as the premier whale watching vessel in Boothbay Harbor. 
As you familiarize yourself with the layout of the Princess, you will probably here the first dulcet chords emanating from of the centerpiece of the Reggae Cruise- the Dani Tribesman- a group of extremely talented, down to earth friendly musicians. Lead by the irrepressible Dave Gagne, the Tribesman have been playing together for years-this shows in their comfortable playing style, voluminous song selection, and the overall character of the band as a whole. Though primarily focused on reggae music, you should not be surprised to hear a little Buffet mixed in, with a swirl of John Denver or Blind Melon for flavoring. Overall, the music is the highlight of the cruise- by the end, on a good night, with the weather cooperating, the music brings everyone together; though the sun may have set, the night is usually full of happy folks, singing and dancing together, under the stars, on the top deck.
Drink prices are reasonable, the food is appropriately greasy and delicious, and the bartenders are quick with both drinks and humor. The first trip of the season in 2010 was on Memorial Day Weekend, a full two to three weeks earlier than normal. And what a fabulous trip it was- lots of familiar faces, eager for the first trip of the season. The weather could not have been more perfect, the band was in mid-season form, and the seas were calm and blue. We here at the Fisherman’s Wharf Inn are always eager to work with our local partners, and in that spirit, we offer special room rates for reggae cruisers on Sunday nights (and Thursday nights for the Cahoots cruise)- $95 + tax will put your head in a bed for the night. No need to worry about driving- the Harbor Princess leaves right for our dock- convenience and fun, all in one package. Please note, this special is for ticketed passengers of the Reggae Cruise and does not include tickets for the boat. I would encourage one and all to come down to Boothbay Harbor and experience this cruise. You will not be disappointed- just remember, book early- tickets go on sale each Monday for the following Sunday. Check this and other available trips on the Harbor Princess at www.whaleme.com.
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