DESTINATIONS UNCOVERED:

Memorable Martha’s Vineyard
This edition of Royal Caribbean's  Destinations Uncovered brings you salty sea dogs, budding artists, and earthy naturalists. As different as they seem, they’re all inspired by the island of Martha’s Vineyard. With scenic bike trails, emblematic lighthouses and so many stories of restoration and reawakening, finding out what draws so many here will only have you coming back for more.


Thousands of people visit this small island off the coast of Massachusetts every year. Some come for the invigorating, salty sea air. Some come for the picturesque landscapes or the majestic lighthouses. And more than a few come for the fresh Atlantic seafood. Whatever draws you to Martha's Vineyard, you'll find plenty to discover. In this edition of Destinations Uncovered, we've singled out some activities you're sure to enjoy, whether you're a history buff, a nature lover or just an explorer looking for adventure.

 
THE NATURE OF THINGS
From lazy farmlands dotted with fluffy white sheep to the colorful Clay Cliffs of Aquinnah, Martha's Vineyard offers a variety of picturesque landscapes, botanical gardens and protected parks and forests.

Don't Miss: Peaked Hill and Prospect Hill, the island's highest points, offer amazing views of the Vineyard. Which hill is taller has been a point of contention for years: the owner of Prospect Hill added a 5-foot pile of stones to make his hill three feet taller than Peaked Hill. Should that count? You'll have to decide for yourself
.

 
HISTORY IN THE MAKING
Wampanoag Indians, English settlers, wealthy whalers, even Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The Vineyard's history is colored by a wealth of interesting characters. While much of the island has kept up with the times, there are many areas where customs and appearances seem unaffected by the outside world.

Don't Miss: The Vineyard is home to five historic lighthouses, standing sentinel on its rocky shores since the 1800s. The largest, the Gay Head lighthouse, flashes a pattern of red and white. On a clear night, it's said you can see this light from over 20 miles away.

 
THE EXCITEMENT IS BUILDING
If architecture is your game, Martha's Vineyard has many fine examples of structural excellence. You'll find the grand mansions of the wealthy whaling captains, the elaborately decorated "gingerbread houses" of Oak Bluffs, and the Dr. Daniel Fisher House, a well-maintained 1840s Federal-style home.

Don't Miss: The Vincent House Museum in Edgartown boasts three rooms preserved to appear as they would have in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.

 
MOVE THOSE LEGS
With all these exciting things to do, you're going to need to get around. While there are plenty of transportation options, some prefer the power of their own two feet. So for all you fitness fans, there's no shortage of well-kept biking and hiking trails.

Don't Miss: Rent a bike and hop on the "down-Island" route. It's a fairly flat, visually stunning trail through Vineyard Haven, Oak Bluffs, Edgartown and back again, if you're up for it.

 
ART IMITATING LIFE
When you lay eyes on Martha's Vineyard, you too will be inspired by its unique character, scenic wonder, and pleasant year-round residents. To see how the Vineyard motivates a variety of artists to paint, dance, weld and more, visit the many boutiques, galleries and theaters of the island's major towns.

Don't Miss: While art abounds all over the island, in Vineyard Haven there's everything from swanky boutiques to renowned galleries.
MORE About Martha's Vineyard.

Cruises that sail to this or nearby ports of call.

4 Night Short Canada Cruise starting from *$499.00 USD
Jewel of the Seas
   
Ship Name: Jewel Of The Seas
Departure Port: Boston, Massachusetts 
Ports of Call: Boston, Massachusetts; Bar Harbor, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Boston, Massachusetts
2008 Date(s): Oct 27
 
 
Stateroom:
Prices From*:
Interior Oceanview Balcony Deluxe & Suite
$499.00 $599.00 $749.00 $949.00
 
*Prices are per person, shown in U. S. Dollars, based on double occupancy and subject to change. Government taxes and fees are additional.
     More Information. Request A Price Quote
  6 Night Canada/New England Cruise starting from *$799.00 USD
Jewel of the Seas
   
Ship Name: Jewel Of The Seas
Departure Port: Boston, Massachusetts 
Ports of Call: Boston, Massachusetts; Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts; Portland, Maine; Bar Harbor, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Boston, Massachusetts
2008 Date(s): Oct 21
 
 
Stateroom:
Prices From*:
Interior Oceanview Balcony Deluxe & Suite
$799.00 $949.00 $1,099.00 $1,399.00
 
*Prices are per person, shown in U. S. Dollars, based on double occupancy and subject to change. Government taxes and fees are additional.
     More Information. Request A Price Quote
  7 Night Canada/New England Cruise starting from *$999.00 USD
Jewel of the Seas
   
Ship Name: Jewel Of The Seas
Departure Port: Boston, Massachusetts 
Ports of Call: Boston, Massachusetts; Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts; Portland, Maine; Bar Harbor, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; Boston, Massachusetts
2008 Date(s): Sep 23 , Sep 30 , Oct 07 , Oct 14
 
 
Stateroom:
Prices From*:
Interior Oceanview Balcony Deluxe & Suite
$999.00 $1,149.00 $1,299.00 $1,599.00
 
*Prices are per person, shown in U. S. Dollars, based on double occupancy and subject to change. Government taxes and fees are additional.
     More Information. Request A Price Quote

Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts

Discover the New England island of Martha's Vineyard. Wander pristine beaches, view the gingerbread-like houses in Oak Bluffs and check out the impressive whaling captains' homes. Bartholomew Gosnold charted Martha's Vineyard for England in 1602. Gosnold was supposed to have named the island after his daughter or his mother-in-law, and the wild grapes growing prolifically about the island. Today, Martha's Vineyard is a bustling vacation Mecca in the summer. Off-season, the island is a peaceful, picturesque part of New England.
The One Thing You Don't Want to Miss  
Step back into history and explore New England landmarks. Playing an essential role in Martha's Vineyard's history are the five lighthouses that line the shores and keep watch over seafarers. They are located on the north side of the island overlooking Edgartown Harbor, Cape Poge, Vineyard Sound and Nantucket Sound. All of the lighthouses were originally built in the 1800s, but due to the unpredictably harsh nature of the sea and its proximity to the water, the Cape Poge Lighthouse has been rebuilt at least five times. And the Edgartown Lighthouse was replaced in 1938. In the summertime, the Cape Poge Lighthouse offers tours during the day; the Gay Head and East Chop lighthouses are open for sunset tours.
Other Fun Things to Do
At the Flying Horses Carousel in Oak Bluffs you can ride the oldest working carousel in the country.
Rent a bicycle and navigate the well-maintained bike paths of the island.
Take a ride out to Aquinnah (formerly Gay Head) for spectacular views of the Elizabeth Islands, the Gay Head Lighthouse and the brilliant colors of the Aquinnah Cliffs.
Looking for more insight into the history and culture of the island? Take one of the Martha's Vineyard Island Tours narrated by a professional guide.
Get a Taste of Local Flavor
You'll find plenty of fresh seafood on the menu in Martha's Vineyard's restaurants. However, you'll also notice an international flair in your dining options, with cuisines such as French, Thai, Brazilian, Japanese and Mexican. Portuguese dishes such as kale soup and linguiça (a garlic-spiced sausage) are also featured in many restaurants. Beer fans should definitely stop by the Off Shore Ale Brewery for a couple of pints. Peanuts are free for brewery and restaurant guests and Off Shore maintains a strict "peanut shells on the floor" policy. Have fun!

While exploring the Vineyard, keep in mind that four of the six towns on the island are "dry towns." Edgartown and Oak Bluffs are the only towns in which you can purchase alcohol. You can BYOB if you're dining at restaurants in the "dry" towns of Vineyard Haven, West Tisbury, Chilmark and Aquinnah.
 
Shopping for Bargains

Throughout the six Vineyard towns there are a multitude of small shops to stroll through. "Scrimshaw," the art of etching/carving on ivory or bone, was taken up by Yankee whalers of the 1800s. Check out Edgartown Scrimshaw Gallery for artwork created by some of the country's best scrimshaw artists. Entertainer Carly Simon is co-owner of Midnight Farm in Vineyard Haven, which carries high-end gift items including children's clothing, rugs, furniture, bath items, and more. Have a canine friend waiting for you at home? Pop into Good Dog Goods. With their unique pet gifts, your dog will quickly forgive you for being left at home while you went on a vacation adventure.

Subject to availability, reservations are open to guests 21yrs. old or higher and are

for residents of the United States and Canada only.

Operating Hours: 9:00AM - 5:00PM Eastern Standard Time Monday-Friday Closed Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.

Travel Direct Corporation's

Family Of "Online" Travel Related Sites:

Family Cruises Online - Cruise Direct Online - Cruise Search Online - Cruise Reviews Online 

- Cruise Connect Online -Travel Direct Online - Princess Cruises Online -

Travel Direct USA - Cruise Direct Express - Alaska Cruise Tours Online - Best Cruise Deals Online - Cruise Hawaii Online

All promotions/pricing and cabin space is subject to availability at the time of booking and the prices shown or quoted at this web site are for reference purposes only. These rates are for new, individual bookings only. The actual price of your cruise may vary. Prices quoted and availability are NOT GUARANTEED until confirmed by the cruise line AND a deposit or full payment if required is made. Discounted savings off cruise fare only. Port charges (NCF), taxes, airfare, air taxes, transfers and any other costs associated with your cruise are not discounted. Discount limited to select cruises including holiday sailings. Not every ship, not every sailing is discounted. Call us to find out about your cruise selection.  Travel Direct Corporation is not responsible for last minute changes of price or itinerary by cruise line, or any errors or omissions in the content of this web site. Some restrictions and cancellation penalties may apply.

Please read Availability and PricesTerms and Conditions, Privacy ,and The Relationship, for a more detailed discussion about these subjects.

Contact Us

Website Design Services Provided By

 The Idea Works.