Blount Small Ship Adventures

Blount Small Ship Adventures began in Rhode Island when entrepreneur Luther Blount started the Blount Marine Corporation in 1949. He liked to personally deliver his completed vessels to clients, and by 1964 he’d built over 100 vessels for people all throughout the Americas. During the deliveries, the explorer inside him came alive and he founded the American Canadian Caribbean Line in 1966 with the motto “Go where the big ships cannot.” Since, the name has changed and Luther’s three daughters run the line and shipyard, continuing the hard-working legacy of their father.

Ships: 2

How Many Passengers:  Up to 84

Personality: Simple, small American-built coastal vessels with friendly, all-American crew. The atmosphere is as though you were joining a friend aboard their own private yacht.

Fellow Passengers: Guests are well-traveled and are mostly retired Canadians and Americans. They tend to stay loyal to the brand and return for various voyages.

Cabins: There are four cabin categories, with both interior and exterior options available. They are small and feature deep colors with homey accents.

Dining Experience: The open-seating dining room has room for all of the ship’s guests at once, with mostly round tables that can hold six or eight guests. Cuisine is regionally inspired, and guests can enjoy the view through the large windows as they eat their meal. Snacks and pastries are available around the clock.

Amenities: Guest lecturers and local experts come onboard to teach guests about wildlife, culture, and history pertaining to the areas they’re visiting. There are also photography workshops, kayaks and bikes, and local bands that come onboard in some ports. Shore excursions are optional and an additional price, but they are available.

Best For:  Older couples, travelers who are more relaxed and destination-focused, and English-speaking guests. Kids must be 14 years or older to sail.

Included Alcohol: Wine and beer is offered during lunch and dinner, but the cruise line encourages guests to bring their own alcohol onboard as well. Mixers, barware, refrigeration, and bottle storage is provided.

Gratuities: Not included. It’s at the complete discretion of the guest to decide the amount they would like to give to the crew. Cash and checks are accepted.

Where They Go:  New England, the Great Lakes, Erie Canal, Charleston to Warren, Canals of the Northeast, the Saguenay River, and in the future, Cuba.

Sarah Bretz, Contributor