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Each week from Memorial Day through fall foliage season, we set sail from Rockland Harbor for six days of exploring one of the most beautiful and acclaimed cruising grounds on Earth. Your adventure will be spend exploring spruce-fringed islands, gunkholing amongst secluded coves, visiting remote fishing villages, and reaching across the bay that lap the Maine coast. In the tradition of Maine coasting schooners, the Stephen Taber determines her course according to the winds and the tide. When the prevailing breezes carry us downeast, we head for Stonington and Deer Isle, Mt. Desert Island, or perhaps  Sorrento or Isle au Haut. Another day's forecast may offer ideal conditions for a broad reach to Monhegan, summer haven for acclaimed artists, or we may decide to tack past Pemaquid Point for Boothbay Harbor. We have no set itinerary, but dependable winds ensure stops at many a lovely anchorage.
 As we breeze along, you'll see lobstermen hauling and setting traps, colonies of harbor and fur seals sunning themselves and cavorting in the water, and the multitude of waterfowl that make Maine their home. And we're always pleased by the appearance of whales and porpoises.
Our Itinerary
 Sunday afternoon you will be welcomed aboard the historic Schooner Stephen Taber by a crew member who will help you with your duffel and show you to your cabin. As soon as you have had a chance to stow your gear, a tour of the vessel is in order to complete the feeling that you are at home aboard America's oldest merchant sailing vessel in continuous service. Since 1871, the Taber has been a family vessel and you immediately feel that you are indeed a member of that unique family.
 At 6:00 o'clock Sunday evening the ship's company gathers for Captain's Call. Captain Noah Barnes explains in detail everything from safety procedures to the week's loose-footed schedule, punctuating the delivery with occasional "sea stories."
 Monday: By the dawn's early light, last minute stores are brought aboard. You are caught up in the excitement of the voyage as you succumb to the aroma of coffee wafting up from the galley where wonderful things are happening on the vintage wood burning stove. The sea has already sharpened your appetite as you descend the ladder into the galley to feast on Maine blueberry pancakes smothered in Maine maple syrup, fresh juice, sizzling bacon and more steaming coffee.
 Underway at last, you feel the freedom of slipping the bonds of land and heaving on halyards sending several thousand square feet of canvas aloft to the waiting breeze. You thrill to the Taber's awakening as she puts her broad shoulder to the seas and takes a great bone in her teeth. "What ship and where bound?" The time honored phrase drifts out of your subconscious and seems to ring in your ears as if a voice from your unknown distant past is encouraging you along. As the Taber glides by a surf washed ledge, the basking harbor seals seem to look you over with a haunting familiarity as if to say , "well, it's about time you came." The occasional pod of porpoises reinforce that sentiment. The gull, eider and loon know us well. You wonder when the elusive whale will make his appearance.
 By late afternoon, the call from the Captain is heard to "let go", and the anchor splashes down to snatch a piece of the good old state of Maine. The Taber comes to rest for the night in a quiet cove. You find a chance to reflect on the days events, to take a row about the anchorage, a quick dip over the side, or share a moment with a shipmate. The clock has been turned back 100 years and you find there is more time for those things now. After your third great meal of the day there is still time enough for quiet contemplation, listening to soft guitar music, a star lecture by the captain, or yarning with new friends.
 Mid week will find you anticipating the fresh lobsters to be steamed in seaweed on the beach of a deserted island and served up with butter, corn and all the fixin's. By now, you are one with the schooner. Life has taken on a wholly new rhythm , and it suites you well. As dusk falls, you return to the schooner in "Babe," the ship's yawl boat. Approaching the schooner with her welcoming lanterns glowing warmly, you sense that you are coming home.
 Saturday is bittersweet as the Taber rounds up into the wind, drops her headsails and prepares to take in all sail. You jump to the task, taking pride in the neatness of your furl. As she nudges into her berth at Windjammer Wharf, you secretly look for a place to stowaway. There has been an exchange. You are leaving a part of yourself aboard; you are taking the spirit of the schooner home with you. "I will be back," you say softly, "Maybe one more night at the Captain Lindsey House ... Maybe one more meal at the Water Works...."
You will be back.
COMING SAILING — WHAT TO EXPECT
Above all, the atmosphere on board the Taber is relaxed and unstructured. There is no "cruise director" with a long list of scheduled activities. If you're the gregarious type, you'll find plenty of group doings to join. If you prefer spending you time in quieter pursuits, you'll relish the peacefulness of shipboard life.
As we sail along, there's always plenty of time for stretching out on the broad deck for a snooze, reading that novel you've been meaning to get to since last year, or chatting with fellow passengers. Crew members are ready and eager to teach you about sail handling, steering a course, and navigating. Learn the art of tying knots, or how to navigate the fog by listening for sounds emanating from the islands as we pass them.
Take a turn at the wheel and feel how this handy vessel responds. Bring your camera and binoculars and survey the passing blue-and-green scenery; bring your sketchpad or other handcraft. We always recommend that you bring a journal, too. Even if you've never before kept on, you'll find there's something about sailing along the coast of Maine that makes everyone a little contemplative.
 When the day draws to a close, the Taber drops anchor in some small harbor or cove where we can explore, jog, or swim. You're welcome to use our lovely rowing craft for a quiet harbor tour, too. If we find we're sharing the anchorage with another windjammer, it's fun to row over and enjoy an evening with the other passengers.
Do bring you instrument if you play on. Noah, your Captain, plays guitar, blues harmonica, and sings, and loves to have company. Even if you're not the sort to join a musical gathering in the galley or on deck, you'll find there's something special about hearing the strains of a folksong in the background as you study the stars or drift to sleep in your cabin.
 What to wear
The name of the first New Englander who said "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute" is lost in the haze of times past, but it's as true as ever. Bring layers of clothing, so you'll be prepared for both warm and cool temperatures. Sometimes it seems we change layers more often than we change tacks — it all depends of whether or not the sun is behind the sails, whether we're running with the wind or backing into it, and the time of day. Windbreakers, sweaters, bathing suits, comfortable soft-soled shoes, and casual clothing are the dress of the Taber.
Special Seasons
June and September are two of the most beautiful months to cruise on the Stephen Taber. Nights are cool and wonderful for sleeping under a blanket, and the days are usually clear, bright, and warm. In June, the days are longer, stretching into soft, sun-lit evenings. In September, the hills and islands clad in autumn's palette are a sight you won't soon forget.
 Children
Cruises on the Stephen Taber are not geared to small children. We request that the minimum age be fourteen.
Smoking
There is no smoking aboard our vessel. You may smoke in the skiff, or during our daily trips ashore.
Reservations and Policies
Please call us at 1-800-999-7352 or write to info@stephentaber.com, and then send $350 deposit per person to Captain Noah Barnes, PO Box 1050, Rockland, Maine 04841.
 Because we can only accommodate twenty-two guests each week, we urge you to reserve early. Your deposit will be refunded if we have no space available. The balance is payable in full before sailing. If you should have to cancel, your deposit will be refunded less 10% if we are notified five weeks in advance of the cruise. The rates include everything. There are no extras. We do not serve liquor on board, but beer, wine, liquor, and soft drinks may be brought aboard and stowed in our ice box.
Please leave portable radios and televisions at home.
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