The 84-passenger Grande Mariner is a nimble small ship that takes its guests to destinations unreachable by larger cruise ships.
Commissioned in 1998 and built by Blount in 1998, the Grande Mariner starts most years in the Caribbean before making her way up to Montreal, just in time for fall foliage season. She was completely refurbished in 2010, with totally new cabin configurations, including new décor, washrooms, furniture in the staterooms and a renovated lounge. So if you want to take in a few rays on the sun deck, relax and enjoy the vista-view lounge, or just have a few quiet moments in your cabin as the sea drifts past your open picture window, the Grande Mariner is ready.
One dinner, one shared sunset and one great conversation at a time. This small ship was built with the destination in mind — she features a retractable pilot, a 6 ½ foot draft to cruise shallow waterways and a bow ramp that allows for easy disembarkation on beaches and remote locations.
Thanks to the retractable pilot house invented by Blount Small Ship Adventures founder and shipbuilder Luther Blount, Blount’s cruise ships slip under the famous low bridges of the Erie Canal, past small towns and historic port villages, deep into the heart of America’s past.
Grande Mariner Details
When it comes to a good night’s sleep, Blount ships offer four categories of small-ship cruising cabins. Classic yacht-style cabins each with private facilities are located throughout the ship. Facilities are the same for all categories and include a head, sink, and continental type show. All cabins have individually climate controlled air conditioning systems that continuously feed in fresh air into your room, day and night. Smoking is allowed on outside deck only so all are cabins are smoke-free.
The average cabin size is approximately 100 square feet. Fresh towels daily, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and a hairdryer are available in each cabin. There’s plenty of storage underneath the beds as well as closet space to hang or store clothing.
Perfect for the solo traveler, in recent years Blount has created designated single cabins. The 60’s single cabins are located on the sun deck with doors that open to the exterior of the ship with sliding windows. Each singles cabin has a twin bed, private shower and toilet. These cabins book quickly, single travelers are recommended to reserve their cabin well in advance or take advantage of other options for solo travelers.
| Category | Description | Photos |
|---|---|---|
| IV | These cabins are the most spacious out of the four categories with large windows that open to allow a natural breeze. All Category IV cabins are located on the Sun deck. You may select whether you like a cabin that opens to an interior hallway or Sun deck. Features two lower berths sliding window and private facilities. |  |
| III (Permanent Singles) | Most Category III cabins are located on the main deck with large fixed windows (unable to open but let in lots of light). The cabin size is slightly larger than Category I & II. |  |
| III | Most Category III cabins are located on the main deck with large fixed windows (unable to open but let in lots of light). The cabin size is slightly larger than Category I & II. | |
| II | All cabins in Category II are located in the bow of the ship on the Main deck. These cabins all have porthole window and doors that open to an interior hallway. |  |
| I | These are the lowest-priced cabins located main and lower deck. Restricted to either. porthole or no window with doors to an interior hallway. Select Category I cabins have a marine shower which means that the toiler area and shower are in a shared space. |  |
| Specification | Information |
|---|---|
| Built | 1998 at Blount Boats Inc shipyard (Warren RI, USA) |
| Last Refurbished | 2010 |
| Former Names | N/A |
| Guests | 84 |
| Cabins | 44 |
| Crew | 22 |
| Tonnage (gross tons) | 829 |
| Length (feet) | 184 |
| Width (Beam) (feet) | 40 |
| Depth (Draft) (feet) | 6.5 |
| Speed (knots) | 11 |
| Registry | United States |
| Elevator | No |
| Accessible Cabins | No |
