Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race Cruise...

Tall Ship Race on the Chesapeake Bay

You'll board the ship between 12:00 noon and 3pm October 13th to kick off this annual Windjammer Race event! The Liberty Clipper will participate in the Parade of Sail at 5:00pm and sail Baltimore Harbor in the company of a fleet of tall ships! Be sure to have your camera ready as over 50 ships participate in this event. As a guest aboard the Liberty Clipper you will be eligible to join the party ashore later that evening at the Schooner Party held in the Latin Room. The festivities will continue will Sailors' Evening in Fells Point.

You may decide to arrive a night early and stay at a number of wonderful Inner Harbor Hotels.  The Liberty Clipper recommends the Admiral Fell Inn if you prefer to stay shore-side.  A limited number of our guests may opt to board one-night early on the 12th and stay on the ship that night for a small additional charge.  On the evening of the 12th there is a free concernt, Schooners & Crooners, that starts at 7:00pm on the Broadway Pier in Fells Point! No matter how you choose to spend your evening, it will be one of merriment and anticipation for the big race.

On the morning of Thursday the14th, you will feel the excitement in the harbor as the Fleet stands out into the Chesapeake Bay and heads towards the starting line of the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race with a starting gun at 1:00pm. The Liberty Clipper is the 2005 Champion - we'll be out there this year to win back the title!

This itinerary of this cruise is determined by the winds. The fastest race time to date is 11 hours 18 minutes, set in 2007. If the winds are light, unusual at this time of year, the race can be significantly longer and may last up to 20 hours. In either event, you will enjoy sunset under full sail in the Chesapeake Bay and some night-time sailing. Our Chef will prepare wonderful food to keep you going during the excitement of the race.

Once we arrive at the finish line 127-miles south in Portsmouth, Virginia, we will stay for the award ceremonies and give you a chance to explore the town. We disembark on Sunday morning, October 17th at 10:00am in Portsmouth.  The Norfolk airport is very close or you may take an easy train ride back to Baltimore for a round-trip flight.

This cruise is a favorite and space is limited so book your spot now for this historic race down the Chesapeake. You'll experience the thrill of racing amidst a fleet of tall-ships!

For more information about the Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race, please visit the Race's official website.