Maritime Aquarium Offering Variety Of Fun Cruises This Fall

From the Maritime Aquarium: Cruise out onto Long Island Sound with the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk this fall to examine marine creatures brought up out of the water, to see lighthouses, for a champagne toast, to sample craft beers or to just enjoy a fun boat ride.

“From kids holding a spider crab just brought up out of the water to adults holding a glass of beer or flute of champagne, our fall cruise lineup offers opportunities for everyone to have fun and discover out on the water,” aquarium spokesman Dave Sigworth said in a release. “The one thing the cruises all have in common is that we’re getting folks out on Long Island Sound, building on their appreciation for this vital natural resource.”

The following cruises are available this fall aboard the Maritime Aquarium’s R/V Spirit of the Sound, a 64-foot catamaran that is the country’s first research vessel with quiet “green” hybrid-electric propulsion:

Marine Life Encounter Cruises
1:15 p.m. daily through Sept. 3, and then on most Saturdays & Sundays in September (no cruise Sept. 8)

Examine a variety of fish, crabs, mollusks and other creatures brought up right out of the Sound right before your eyes during these fun and memorable 2.5-hour outings – the aquarium’s signature cruises. Participants also help find crabs, worms and other animals hidden in the muddy bottom, and view plankton using a videomicroscope linked to the boat’s giant-screen monitor. Tickets are $29.95 ($24.95 for Aquarium members).

• TGIF Cruises at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 31 and Sept. 7
• Sunset Cruise at 6:30 p.m. on Sat., Sept. 1

Enjoy a fun, relaxing tour out toward the Norwalk islands as twilight paints the western sky, dazzlingly reflected on the water. Aquarium educators will point out sights and wildlife, but these 90-minute cruises mainly stress de-stressing. Tickets for each are $29.95 ($19.95 for members). Food and drink are not available for purchase on the boat. You may bring food and beverages in a small bag or soft-sided cooler. Glass bottles are prohibited.

Central Long Island Sound Lighthouse Cruise
Sat., Sept. 8 at 10 a.m.

This 5.5-hour cruise makes passes by six historic beacons: Peck Ledge, Greens Ledge and Sheffield Island lighthouses in Norwalk, and also Penfield Reef Lighthouse in Fairfield, Black Rock Harbor Light in Bridgeport, and Stratford Shoal (Middle Ground) Light. Aquarium staff will share histories and anecdotes about all the beacons. Tickets are $70 ($60 for members). Food and drink are not available for purchase on the boat. You may bring food and beverages in a small bag or soft-sided cooler. Glass bottles are prohibited.

• Pearl (30th) Anniversary Cruises
Sat., Sept. 8 and Sat., Sept. 22, each at 5:30 p.m.

Help toast the Maritime Aquarium’s 30th anniversary with complimentary champagne out on the Sound. These 90-minute adults-only cruises are timed to include the setting autumn sun reflecting on the water. Get back in time to enjoy dinner or an evening out with friends just steps away in the restaurants and nightspots of SoNo. Tickets are $50 ($45 for Aquarium members). Participants must be at least 21 years old.

Octoberfest Cruises
Each Saturday in October, departing at 5:30 p.m.

Hoist ale on the Sound on Saturday evenings in October during these special cruises featuring tastings from local craft breweries. These 90-minute adults-only cruises will showcase two different breweries each Saturday. Sample and enjoy the breweries’ flagship and seasonal products, while taking in the gorgeous sights on Long Island Sound. The schedule is:

• Oct. 6 – Karmic Daaru Beer Co. of Wallingford and New England Brewery of Woodbridge.
• Oct. 13 – Charter Oak Brewing Co. of Danbury and Thimble Island Brewing Co. of Branford.
• Oct. 20 – Two Roads Brewery Co. in Stratford and Beer’d Brewing Co. of Stonington.
• Oct. 27 – The Owl’s Brew of New York and No Worries Brewing Co. of Hamden.

Representatives from the breweries will be along to pour and discuss their beers. Get back in time to enjoy dinner or an evening out with friends just steps away in the restaurants and nightspots of SoNo. Tickets are $50 ($45 for Aquarium members). Participants must be at least 21 years old.

For all cruises, participants must be at least 42 inches tall to board. For the all-ages cruises, those under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

R/V Spirit of the Sound has a climate-controlled cabin but participants should dress for time outside on deck, where the best viewing occurs.

Capacity is limited so advance reservations are strongly suggested for all aquarium cruises. Reserve your tickets online – and see the full schedule for R/V Spirit of the Sound – at www.maritimeaquarium.org, or call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206.

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