• Mainecoast of maine image by Cathy Kovarik from Fotolia.com
  
  The Maine coastline is full of wildlife and adventure. While Caribbean cruise lines focus on tropical beach destinations, Maine cruises are far more geared toward the journey itself. Cruises that hug the Maine coastline and travel inland take customers to picturesque locations. Other Maine cruises that sail the open seas travel alongside remote islands with few or no human inhabitants. A Maine cruise is a breathtaking experience, and one that will leave travelers with many photographs and memories.
  
  

American Cruise Lines

• American Cruise Lines features a eight-day, seven-night cruise along the coast of Maine and its harbors. The cruise departs from Portland weekly from June through September. Each day the harbor cruise stops at a different location along the coast of Maine, many of which are prime shopping locations. From Portland, the cruise travels to Boothbay Harbor, a historic town filled with shops and boutiques. After Boothbay, the cruise heads to Bar Harbor, home to historic Mount Desert Street. From the ship, passengers can marvel at the mansions and elegant homes located along the ocean banks. The next stop on the cruise line is the city of Camden, home to many classic schooners. These tall ships wow passengers with their beauty and size. Camden also features many inland cultural activities and shopping areas.
  
  The fifth day of the harbor cruise takes passengers to Belfast, a town once filled with shipbuilders and merchants. Today the mansions of the 1800s still stand, making the town a prime photograph location. From Belfast, the cruise ship travels to the military town of Castine, home to the Maine Maritime Academy. In addition to the military sights, the town is filled with historic attractions. The final stop before returning to Portland is the city of Rockland. On the journey to Rockland, passengers will cruise through the natural beauty of extraordinary sea cliffs, standing high above the water. While in Rockland, passengers can visit the historic district, travel the harbor historic walking trail, or visit one of Rockland's famous lighthouses.
  
  American Cruise Lines
  (800) 814-6880
  Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-8 p.m. ET
  http://www.americancruiselines.com/destination.php?crn=16
  
  

Maine Windjammer Cruises

• Maine Windjammer Cruises provides an alternative cruise ship experience by taking passengers on one of their schooner sail boats. The company owns three schooners named the Grace Bailey, Mercantile and a smaller version called the Mistress. The larger ships hold 29 guest passengers each, while the Mistress holds only six for an intimate sailing experience. Cruises are offered in a variety of packages, ranging from weekend cruises to six day excursions. Peak-season cruises run from June through September, but Maine Windjammer Cruises also offers pre-season specials in May through early June, and late-season fall foliage adventures.
  
  A special event held on some of the longer excursions is the Windjammer Lobster Bake. Located on a deserted island, the crew and passengers participate in a lobster bake cooked over a large driftwood campfire. The evening meal is concluded with a special dessert of roasted marshmallows and s'mores.
  
  Maine Windjammer Cruises
  P.O. Box 617
  Camden, ME 04843
  (800) 736-7981
  www.mainewindjammercruises.com
  
  

Wanderbird Expedition Cruises

• Wanderbird Expedition Cruises specialize in adventure cruises along the coast of Maine, Canada and the far north. The Maine cruise offerings include a kayaking adventure cruise, a Newfoundland port cruise, a lighthouse cruise, hiking cruise and fall foliage cruise. Each cruise is specifically designed around activities at each port destination. For example, the kayaking adventure cruise allows for passengers to travel the inland waters of the Maine coast by departing from kayaks unloaded from the cruise ship.
  
  One of the highlights on-board the cruise ship is the homemade cuisine that is offered for breakfast, lunch and dinner by ship crew members. The ship even offers to accommodate vegetarians by preparing special meals upon request. Cruises range between four and 10 days and feature a number of activities at each port location. If you play a musical instrument, the Wanderbird crew invites you to bring your music aboard to take part in the festivities and entertainment while at sea.
  
  Wanderbird Expedition Cruises
  P.O. Box 272
  Belfast, ME 04915
  (866) 732-2472
  http://www.wanderbirdcruises.com/cruises-maine.html