East Coast Inland Passage Cruise

Day 1: Baltimore, MD

Begin your voyage with a night at the Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore

Arrive a day early and settle into the refined comfort of the Four Seasons, the perfect prelude to your journey. A pre-cruise stay gives you time to unwind and discover one of America’s most storied harbor cities at your own pace.

Baltimore helped shape the nation. During the War of 1812, the defense of Fort McHenry inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and the city’s patriotic spirit still echoes along its waterfront.

Savor the flavors of the Chesapeake
Treat yourself to Baltimore’s famous crab cakes, then wander the lively local markets, where regional specialties and culinary discoveries are around every corner.

Wander historic neighborhoods
Stroll through Mount Vernon and Federal Hill, two of the most celebrated areas in Baltimore’s National Register Historic Districts. Here, graceful 19th-century architecture sits alongside a thriving arts and cultural scene.

See the city from the water
For a different view of Baltimore, hop aboard a water taxi and glide across the harbor, with the skyline rising beyond the water.

When evening comes, you’ll be perfectly placed to step aboard and begin your journey south.

Day 2: Day of Cruising

Step aboard, and let the Chesapeake work its quiet magic. As your ship slips into the Bay’s broad, meandering waters, you’ll see the same timeless landscapes that have drawn fishermen, sailors, artists, and storytellers for centuries.

Today is yours to savor. Linger on deck with a favorite drink in hand, trade stories with new friends, or simply watch the shoreline drift past. There’s nothing to rush toward and no schedule to keep, only the gentle rhythm of the water and the spirit of the Bay.

Sailing south, you’ll pass classic Chesapeake scenery, including stretches of the Eastern Shore, where historic fishing villages and protected coastal habitats have stayed much as they have for generations. Keep your camera and binoculars close. The Bay rewards those who look.

Day 2: St. Michaels, MD

Long celebrated as a hub of shipbuilding and seafood, St. Michaels is the kind of Chesapeake town you can only reach properly by water. Your ship docks right at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, once a thriving shipbuilding village, so you step ashore directly into daily life as it was in the 1800s.

Join a guided tour to uncover the maritime traditions that built this town. Wander among lovingly restored vessels and historic buildings, then climb into the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse. Its exhibits tell the story of the keepers who once lived here, and its sweeping views of the bay show why this waterway shaped so many lives.

Then add a little spirit to your day at one of Maryland’s most acclaimed craft distilleries. Go behind the scenes to see the care and craftsmanship that goes into each premium small-batch spirit, and finish with a tasting.

Spend the rest of your time at your own pace. Stroll the waterfront as boats drift in and out of the harbor, or wander tree-lined Talbot Street, where charming boutiques and gift shops make it easy to find a keepsake from your Chesapeake adventure.

Day 4: Norfolk, VA

Step ashore in Norfolk, a vibrant coastal city that is home to the world’s largest naval base. Your day begins at Nauticus, where the mighty Battleship Wisconsin looms over the harbor, a towering symbol of American strength at sea. Climb aboard and explore the decks of this legendary vessel, then see how Norfolk’s naval story continues today.

Choose your adventure ashore:

• Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Museum: Journey through Virginia’s diverse marine world, where hands-on exhibits and remarkable sea life bring the ocean within reach.
• Norfolk Botanical Garden: Take a guided tour through vibrant landscapes, wooded trails, and tranquil waterways, a peaceful contrast to the city’s maritime muscle.
• Chrysler Museum of Art: Visit the heart of Norfolk’s cultural scene and admire its celebrated glass collection, a dazzling showcase of artistry.

Evening on the waterfront

As dusk settles, the harbor lights up and the waterfront comes alive. Linger over dinner ashore or return to your ship for a cocktail on deck, and watch a city that has shaped America’s story as a defining port of the Mid-Atlantic coast.

Day 5: Kitty Hawk, NC

Stand on the windswept dunes of the Outer Banks, where two bicycle makers from Ohio dared to imagine a world with wings. Here, on a cold December morning in 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright turned a bold idea into reality, and the course of human history shifted.

At the Wright Brothers National Memorial, a National Park Ranger brings that moment to life. Walk the very ground where the first powered flight lifted off, and trace the short distance that opened the skies to the world. The same steady winds that drew the brothers to this stretch of coast still sweep across the broad sands, and it’s easy to feel the spirit of those pioneers in every step.

Day 6: Beaufort, NC / Morehead City, NC

Beaufort and Morehead City each have their own character, and together they define this lively stretch of coast. Maritime heritage is part of daily life here. Stroll the old waterfront, past historic homes and working docks, and you’ll hear the stories that still linger: tales of pirate encounters, bold sea traders, and the ships that shaped the town.

Day 7: Wilmington, NC

Wilmington blends grace and modern energy along the Cape Fear River in coastal southeastern North Carolina. Brick-lined streets and beautifully preserved homes hint at a distinguished past. The lively Riverwalk, with its boutiques and cafés, is the heart of the city, and the river views and welcoming atmosphere make it a pleasure to explore at your own pace.

Day 8: Day of Cruising

Let the pace slow and the scenery do the work. Today there are no ports and no schedule, only the quiet pleasure of gliding along one of America’s most storied waterways. Long a vital route for vessels traveling north and south along the Atlantic seaboard, and for those following its course along the edge of the Gulf, this protected passage reveals the coast from a vantage few ever see.

Settle into a deck chair with a coffee in hand, or linger on your balcony as marshes, historic waterfronts, and wide southern skies drift past. Watch for dolphins and wading birds, and enjoy the gentle rhythm of the water beneath you. With each mile comes a new view and a deeper appreciation for the Southern Atlantic coastline.

Day 9: Charleston, SC

Few American cities wear their history as beautifully as Charleston. It played a pivotal role in both the Revolution and the Civil War, and its streets still hold the proof: immaculately preserved architecture, colonial-era landmarks, and a heritage that feels alive rather than archived. Today the city is just as celebrated for its inventive food scene, warm Southern hospitality, and glittering harbor views.

Begin your visit on the Battery, the city’s elegant waterfront promenade. From here, the sweeping harbor view takes in Fort Sumter, standing like a silent guardian at the harbor’s entrance.

Day 10: Beaufort, SC

Once celebrated as the “Newport of the South,” Beaufort enchants from the moment you step ashore. Its Historic District, among the largest in the South, is a showcase of Federal, Greek Revival, and Neoclassical mansions. They stand as graceful reminders of the prosperity and deep Southern roots of the 18th and 19th centuries, set against the quiet beauty of South Carolina’s Sea Islands.

Settle into a narrated horse-drawn carriage ride beneath canopies of live oaks, and let the city’s story unfold at an easy pace. Along the way, you’ll pass landmarks that trace Beaufort’s history from its colonial beginnings through the American Revolution and the Civil War to the present day.

Then go deeper with a guided exploration of Gullah Geechee heritage. Meet a community whose culture carries deep African roots, still vivid today in its artistry, handcrafted work, flavorful cuisine, and distinctive Creole language. It is a rare chance to experience living history, shared by the people who keep it alive.

Day 11: Hilton Head, SC

Hilton Head Island is a barrier-island retreat where the pace slows and the wild side of the Lowcountry comes into view. Whether you want to unwind or explore, you’ll find an excursion to match.

Day 12: Savannah, GA

Savannah casts its spell the moment you step ashore. Cobblestone lanes wind beneath centuries-old live oaks draped in silvery Spanish moss, shading buildings that have stood since the colonial era. Few American cities feel so alive with their past, and your small ship brings you right to its heart.

Walk Through Civil War History
Stroll one of Savannah’s celebrated squares with your onboard historian, and hear how these graceful public spaces once hosted passionate secession rallies and the rising tensions that led to war. Uncover the stories behind former military headquarters, wartime hospitals, and tucked-away corners tied to both the Confederacy and the Union occupation that followed.

Step Into a Prohibition-Era Speakeasy
Travel back to the Roaring Twenties at the American Prohibition Museum, where the surprising story of America’s dry spell unfolds. Then raise a glass in the era’s own style with a handcrafted cocktail at the museum’s onsite speakeasy.

Wander Colonial Park Cemetery
Follow your guide through one of Savannah’s earliest burial grounds, where weathered headstones mark the resting places of notable residents, including American heroes. It is a quiet, atmospheric stop that adds depth to everything else you’ve seen in the city.

Day 13: St. Simons Island, GA

Step ashore on St. Simons Island, where well-preserved 18th-century battlefields mark the moments that shaped the future of the Georgia Coast. Stroll beneath ancient live oaks draped in Spanish moss, their canopies casting cool shade over the island’s many walking paths, and take in the expansive estates that reveal the architecture and social order of early American life.

Climb the story of the coast at the St. Simons Lighthouse, a enduring guidepost of maritime heritage. Inside, an extensive museum traces the evolving history of the Georgia Coast, from its seafaring past to the present day.

Cruise the Marshes of Glynn Aboard the Lady Jane

Settle in for a relaxed afternoon aboard the Lady Jane, a fully restored shrimp boat, as she glides through the golden Marshes of Glynn just south of St. Simons Sound. Scan the horizon for gulls, pelicans, and perhaps a playful dolphin while your guide shares the ecology of these protected waters and the traditions of the working waterfront. As you drift past, the St. Simons Lighthouse rises above the shoreline, a lasting symbol of the island’s seafaring legacy.

Day 14: Jekyll Island, GA

At the close of the 19th century, titans of American industry, including J.P. Morgan, William Rockefeller, and Cornelius Vanderbilt, claimed this barrier island off Georgia’s southeastern coast as their own. They transformed it into an exclusive hunting retreat, prized above all for its seclusion. Here, America’s elite escaped the northern winters to enjoy luxury and complete privacy.

Today, you can walk where they once did. Millionaire’s Village, a National Historic Landmark spanning 240 acres, preserves the opulent homes and winter “cottages” built by Gilded Age society. Stroll its quiet streets and step inside a world of extravagance that was once closed to outsiders.

Arriving by small ship is the ideal way to discover the island, with the chance to uncover its stories in an intimate, unhurried setting.

Day 15: Fernandina Beach, FL

Few places in America have changed hands as often as Amelia Island. Eight different flags have flown over its shores, earning it the name “The Isle of Eight Flags.” Set along Florida’s northern barrier island coast, it blends a swashbuckling history with the easy rhythm of seaside life.

Wander the Victorian-lined streets of Fernandina Beach, where beautifully preserved architecture shelters independent boutiques and inviting cafés. Every corner hints at the island’s layered past, while the coastal breeze keeps the pace unhurried.

Day 16: Amelia Island, FL

Your voyage ends on the sunlit shores of historic Amelia Island, where warm Atlantic breezes drift through the oaks and the pace finally slows. Take one last stroll along the shoreline and reflect on the moments you’ve collected along the way. After a leisurely morning, complimentary transportation takes you to the nearest airport for a smooth, effortless journey home.