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SUGGESTED PACKING LIST

Life Aboard Mary Day
 Casual, relaxed, easy-going and informal

As a reminder, packing in soft-sided luggage will help in stowing gear on board Mary Day. As each cabin is different in shape and size, space is a commodity. Packing to go on a windjammer should be simple, just the bare essentials. No fancy dress-ware, no hairdryers, or curlers needed. Let the wind and salt air be your friend and leave all the extras behind. Below are suggested items to pack.  As you are packing, take into consideration the time of year - June and September tend to be cooler in temperature with a crisp fresh breeze, making a jacket, hat, and gloves practical to have along.  July and August tend to be the warmer months so a swimsuit and sunhat are definite must-haves. Who could resist the chance to dip your toes into the cool waters of Maine?? And but of course, there are those "must-have" items to make your vacation complete. 

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Clothes that you can layer work best.

  • warm jacket or windbreaker

  • sweater (wool works great)

  • hat, gloves, neck-up, or scarf

  • rain gear 

  • swimsuit & beach towel

  • shirts, sweatshirt

  • socks & undergarments

  • jammies or sweats

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Soft-soled shoes are key. One pair will get wet so pack accordingly.  Options include;

  • sneakers

  • sandals

  • rain boots

  • hiking or walking shoes/boots

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Simplify and don't forget your toothbrush.

  • toiletries

  • sunglasses

  • sunhat

  • sunblock for lips and face

  • prescription medicine

  • water bottle (for refilling)

  • camera

  • cell phone & charger

  • CPAP machine (if needed)

  • earplugs 

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Take the time to do the things you've been waiting to do. ​Pack a few extra items.

  • sleeping bag & pad for sleeping on deck

  • favorite board or card game

  • a good book or two

  • musical instrument

  • craft materials (knitting, drawing, painting)

  • adult beverage or soft drink 

  • lanyard or string for your hat

  • flashlight or headlamp

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Available in every guest cabin;​

  • fresh bed linens, comforter & wool blankets (beds made prior to guest arrival

  • bath towel, hand towel, wash cloth

  • hand soap

  • drinking cup

Available on board for guest use;​

  • deck chairs & Captain's rocking chair

  • binoculars

  • paddleboards, kayaks

  • pea pod row boats 

  • catspaw sailing dingy 

  • ship's library and games

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Just in case you forget something there's time before you depart to replenish your wares.​

  • Walgreen's Drug Store

  • French & Brawn Grocery

  • Hannaford Grocery

  • Maine Sport Outfitters

  • Reny's Department Store

  • Will I get seasick?
    There is relatively little likelihood that you will experience seasickness. Mary Day is a big schooner steadied by the wind in the sails. The boat will heel when there is wind in the sails but she stays at a fairly constant angle of incline and even that doesn’t exceed 15 degrees or so. Because we sail inside the islands that make Penobscot Bay so interesting there are no ocean swells. That said, if you are one of those people who get seasick looking at a picture of a boat, this is probably not the vacation for you. If you sometimes get motion sickness in a car that is probably a sign that you will want to bring your favorite motion sickness remedy. Take that remedy an hour before we leave the dock so it has time to kick in. During our Nature and Photography Cruise at the end of June we head out to the offshore to see pelagic birds including Atlantic puffins. Out beyond the islands you will experience ocean swells. Check with your family doctor to see what remedy works best for you. A couple tips if you’re concerned: 1) take your remedy before we get underway for the day 2) don’t spend time below decks where you can’t see the horizon, 3) Take a turn at the wheel where your attention will be focused on steering.
  • What if I don’t know how to sail?
    You’re not alone. Neither does the captain…. just kidding…. kinda, sorta. You don’t need to be a hardened salt to enjoy sailing along the Maine coast. We have a professional crew who are more than willing to teach you how to participate safely. Take a turn at the wheel, haul on lines, learn about charts and navigation, learn how the sails on a boat actually make it move. Every boat is different so even if you are a hardened salt we might well do things differently than other boats you have been aboard. Each season we also have a sail training cruise where you get to be a part of the crew. We’ll touch on a whole bunch of topics during the course of our sailing and seamanship course, all of which give you a great introduction into being crew aboard a large sailing vessel.
  • What if I don’t know anybody?
    That is fine. Most guests don’t know each other when they climb aboard. The magic of a windjammer cruise is getting to know people from all over the place. Because we strictly forbid talking about politics, religion and professional sports, we tend to find we have more things in common than we thought. We are constantly amazed at how quickly people get to know each other. We have had several couples who met aboard Mary Day many years ago, fell in love and were married. Not during the cruise, mind you. While the captain can perform weddings at sea, unless you have the official paperwork before you come aboard, any last second weddings are good only for the duration of the voyage.
  • Are young children allowed to sail on Mary Day?
    We love kids! We even had two of our own. But the “excitement” of sailing doesn’t always engage a young sailor’s mind. That is why we have an age limit for young ‘uns under 15. We know, yours are different. We have met some 15-year-olds who are more mature than some 50-year-olds. Call us, before you reserve, if you have any questions.
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