What more could we have asked for?: Excellent food, great captain and crew, great shipmates, beautiful vessel, opportunities to learn how to sail, no one under 16, no smoking, no power, great for retirees, hands on experience. We were the only first timers on the French......Once you have sailed the French, it's hard to think of sailing with anyone else....This is truly an authentic sailing experience from the 1800s complete with 'cozy' cabins, wood stove cooking, and only the wind to propel you...experience of a lifetime. This particular sailing was during the Windjammer festival. We returned to Camden harbor on the 31st to a town ready for fireworks and fun, as the passengers and crews joined in on a talent show in the park. The night was clear and it was a fitting end to a marvelous experience. The farewell breakfast was bittersweet as we bid good bye to all the new friends we made. Read Less

We stayed on the ship for 4 nights. The trip has fantastic food and plenty of it made by the chef. The mates were very friendly and knowledgeable. It is a fairly primitive, manuel run ship which adds to the draw. It is very cool how the ship has been fitted and changed throughout the years to accommodate guests but everything is still done by hand and many original and old items are still used. There is a wood burning cook stove and oven which heats the water for the shower and sink, and everything you eat is made on it. We got homemade muffins, breads and biscuits every day and everything we ate was made from scratch in the galley. The food was fantastic and eating on deck in the breeze is very relaxing. You can help hoist sails, raise the anchor and drive the ship. Garth, the captain, is very knowledgeable and ready to answer any questions and share his knowledge with you. The cabins have USB charging ports and a sink. The beds are comfortable and while the rooms are tiny, they are cozy. If you think this would be a fun thing to do, absolutely do it. It was really fun and you can do as much or as little as you want. We anchored every night and took row boats out to the shore to hike and sight see, plus one night we had the lobster bake on the beach which was delicious and very cool to experience. I would recommend it to anyone that thinks they are interested. Read Less

This was a wonderful trip. Captain Garth and his crew were excellent and fun to be with. They really made the trip great. The Lewis R French is a great boat and was fun to sail on. We would do it again. The perfect trip to get away from it all and enjoy nature and the fun of sailing. The food was excellent, it's amazing what Jason could do on a wood burning stove. We had a wonderful Lobster bake on an island that was a lot of fun and all the lobster you can eat, really. The weather was perfect and we only had a small amount of rain as we were docking. It is best to bring a jacket and as usual, follow the advice they give you on what to pack. It was a very well run trip and all went very well. We would do it again. Read Less

I have been to many different places and on many vacations and I can safely say this vacation has been my favorite of all. Our initial motivation for seeking out Windjammers was my long held love of old schooners. Being able to experience of sailing on a 130 year old schooner for an extended period was a dream come true for us. That said, many of the other facets of the experience they offer fit us comfortably - The small group setting, the relaxed itinerary, the general informal nature of the experience, beauty of the Maine coast...all call us.Our Captain, Garth Wells was extremely knowledgeable, experienced and cool!! He truly loves the ships and enjoys what he does. He went out of his way to ensure all guests had an excellent time. The crew was amazing as well, we all became fast friends. They work hard, always smiling and know the guests by name. The chef did an excellent job with very delicious meals , all cooked on a wood burning stove. One evening we dropped anchor and had a great lobster bake on an island. We would definitely go again and recommend it to anyone, They accommodate single travelers too at no extra cost. Read Less

My wife and I heard about the beauty of Maine and decided to see it from the water. So, we took a 6 day windjammer cruise on the Lewis R. French, Camden, Maine. We chose this cruise because it was a personable size schooner with the right amount of people ,21. It is a National Historic Landmark, over 140 years old. This itinerary is very laid back - a great chance to really disconnect from the everyday rush - and just relax. Watching birds, seals, the clouds, islands that we passed while sailing created a serene atmosphere. Captain Garth Wells was more than anyone could have hoped for in a captain. Affable, knowledgeable and capable, he and his crew made us feel very welcome on the well-maintained and beautiful Lewis R. French. Captain Wells even let me take over the helm . Just like the olden days ,being a pilot on a 140 year old windjammer. The crew was incredible - they worked to make sure we had everything we needed or wanted. Food was great - I couldn't believe the meals the chef prepared on a wood burning store in the ship's galley. If you are a food and nature lover, you will love this trip. My only complaint is that the cruise ended. Read Less