Went on another cruise and his past week on the Stephen Taber. The fog finally cut on our second day. The winds and sun decided to bless this beautiful schooner with great sailing winds ! The food by Chef Juice, they call him was absolutely 5 stars ! From the best cheeses from around the world hand picked by Capt. Noah and his wife Jane were absolutely fantastic ! They take pride in their appetizers before a wonderful meal ! All the meals are hand made and out of this world ! The trip was almost fog free and we went around many of the Maine islands and had the wonderful lobster bake on Russ island, a favorite of Captain Noah's ! The crew on this trip was absolutely amazing ! They were absolutely spit on with detail and did everything they could to make you feel welcome on such a special schooner cruise. If you haven't taken a schooner cruise, I highly recommend that you give it a try! 3/4 of my sons have gone and they loved it ! Once again, I give this trip a 5 star review ! read more

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Wonderful trip. Still talking about it. Food was amazing. Staff were wonderful and knew what they were doing. It doesn't have the comfort of a cruise, but if you're someone who likes camping spaces, this is your next adventure. read more

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It has been about a month since I boarded the Taber with my wife and two friends for the Captain's Choice sail (6 nights), which includes Captain Noah's birthday. I have not been able to stop thinking about our experience! We were blessed to have the coolest shipments and some EPIC sailing that was utterly exhilarating!!! Thank you, Captain Noah!! Chef Randy kept us well fed. Will, Stark, Thea and Oscar were a joy to be around. I was in awe daily at the work it takes to keep the Taber running smoothly. We were treated to some of the most gorgeous scenery, remarkably delicious food, music by Captain Noah and Oscar and a lobster bake on the beach with a very special dessert. I highly recommend joining them for an adventure. I can't wait for my next one!!! read more

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Truly an amazing one of a kind experience. Read this review and go book your vacation. You won't be sorry. Captain Noah and crew are spectacular and amazing to watch handle such a majestic vessel. read more

Schooner Stephen Taber - Sunset perfection - Boating Near Me - Rockland, Maine

Just back from a wonderful sail on this great 151 year old wooden schooner. The boat is maintained in excellent condition, the Captain and crew are focused on making sure passengers have a great time and the food is unbelievable. You would never expect such great fare could come from a wood stove in a schooner galley but it does. Guests are welcome to pitch in, raising and trimming sail and even manning the anchor windless...or just sit back and watch. If you have a sense of adventure this is a great way to enjoy the beauty of the Maine coast. read more

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Celine on the Tabor and her sister ship Ladona is one of the best vacations you will ever take!! The crew will take care of you like it's a five-star restaurant and the food is incredibly delicious. Stunning days sailing and wonderful evenings anchored in a secluded cove somewhere, complete with a lobster bake on shore one night, will make this one of your repeat destinations. read more

Schooner Stephen Taber - Boating Near Me - Rockland, Maine

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My husband and I enjoyed the Stephen Taber Schooner adventure on the summer solstice trip this June. Music by Jenn Schott, Captain Noah, Jack, Art, & Buddy was an awesome addition!!! Chef Jason's culinary cuisine was simply delectable! (He accommodated my gluten free dietary restictions as well) Top ratings go to the fabulous Captain, crew and shipmates!!! The lobster bake on the island and skiff ride with the Captain were highlights along with the sunrises and sunsets!!! Don't wait!!! Do it now!!!! read more

We just returned from a four night cruise. It was truly amazing. The Captain and crew were all very competent, informative, and just great people! The boat was very clean and comfortable. I was nervous about so many sharing two bathrooms, but it was absolutely no issue. The scenery was incredible. The food cooked on a wood burning stove was beyond words. Special diets were accommodated without compromising the taste. Lots of fresh salads, fruits, and vegetables, delicious baked goods, and various stews, soups and mains were beautifully presented everyday. The lobster bake was so much fun. Fresh lobster from the sea, need I say more? Did I mention the wine and cheese?! read more

Don't miss this chance to LIVE OUT floating history on the oldest documented continuously operating sailing vessel. Sailed on a 5-night cruise with friends on their second Stephen Taber trip because they chose to get married onboard this time! Captain Noah and crew offered an adventure we will remember forever. Amazing food, lobster feast on the beach, harbors and lighthouses, musica Americana, and the ability to hoist and rig with the crew. They were all first rate. We can't wait to return. read more

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Amazing trip!! Doesn't matter if you have never sailed or you are a pro. The captain and crew were phenomenal. The food was next level! I can't wait to go back!! read more

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If your looking for a truly unique experience, look no further! Sailing on the Stephan Taber with Noah, Jocelyn, Sean, Adam and Alex is a bucketlister not to be missed. I am from Maine, am very well travelled, and have worked in beautiful tourism industries around the world. My career, for 20 years, has been to show savvy travelers, remarkable experiences. Every other year I fly to Maine, with a goal to visit family, enjoy the fall weather, and embrace a new experience. New England climate, this time of year, is a welcome change from the Hawaiian Islands. During this visit I was set on sailing off the coast of Maine on a multi day trip. After viewing these incredible tall ships from shore for years, I decided to join a six day cruise. Having no real expectations, I also invited a childhood friend to join me. This trip was WICKED awesome! The crew was fantastic. Highly capable, entertaining, and motivated to make the trip special for each of us. Once again, I have been in their position, trained countless people on boats, owned multiple successful tourism businesses. If you have a bad experience on this trip, maybe Disneyland was a better option for your needs:) To each is own, when it comes to traveling. The best part about Maine is there is something for everyone. If you have ever thought about learning to sail, and want to meet real mariners who fit in with society. If you love glamping, with 5 star food, top notch service and a daily hot shower. If you want a worldly experience, that is unmatched in the modern day. This is the trip for you. Reserve your space today!!! My friend and I seemed to be of the handful of non repeat guests. Most of the people on board knew someone or knew someone from another vessel we linked up with. Over 60% of people who take a sail on the Taber, do it again. Honestly, Captain Noah knew guests from multiple vessels as he has been sailing on the Taber since his family bought it when he was 7. I believe he is now in his 40's. His son joined us on board in a small Maine fishing village. Noah, another captain, other crew, our crew, and his son all played stringed instruments and sang like it was their job. Too cool! In effort to keep this review within your attention span, I'll wrap it up. WOW. I will definitely be back on the Taber soon. Actually, my fiancé and I are currently in discussion about having our wedding on the Stephan Taber and Ladona tied up together off shore. Noah and Jane(wife) bought and restored Ladonna a few years ago. This is not to be missed!!!! read more

My wife and I decided to sail a windjammer to celebrate our 50th anniversary, and chose the Schooner Stephen Taber. It was a 4-day cruise Aug 19-23. All we can say is, WOW we loved it! The ship is a treasure, and was a joy to experience when the wind was up. The food was out of this world, and incredibly was prepared on a wood stove (no generator - this is "old school"). The evening wine and cheese tastings were like nothing we've experienced before. Capt. Noah Barnes, wife Jane, and their crew were wonderful. We hope to return someday for a longer cruise with June or September winds, or maybe to experience their recently refit Schooner Ladona. read more

My partner and I just did the three-night trip on the Stephen Taber. It was wonderful. We had two full days of sailing on the open sea, passing island after island largely untouched by humans, eating amazing food prepared by the on-board chef (Randy), meeting kind and friendly passengers, and being treated with the utmost respect, friendliness, and professionalism by the staff. It was a great experience. I would classify this experience as adventure travel. It is wonderful, clean, and professional. The cabins are very small so you will spend most of your time on the deck (which is very, very large). If you love nature, especially the ocean and sailing, I strongly recommend it. :) read more

An amazing vacation! Sailing aboard the Stephen Taber strikes the perfect balance between adventure and luxury. The Captain is capable, caring and irreverent while his crew are devoted, polite and accommodating. Every day we explored the beautiful coastline of Maine, ate 4 nourishing, delicious meals (the fourth meal is the not-to-be-missed appetizer course of fine wines, exotic cheeses, nuts and delicious canapés), and got just enough exercise hauling sails, hoisting the anchor (optional responsibilities) and walking around stunning uninhabited islands and quaint little villages. Paddle boarding was a fun option for some time to oneself (most days) while the Taber was at anchor. Accommodations on the boat are simple (cabins are small) but comfortable and every one of us felt fond of our cozy berth by the end of the weeklong trip. One of the highlights of the day was listening to Captain Barnes play his guitar or his mandolin in the evening or the ship's boy, Oscar, play the ukulele. All in all, a very relaxing and a healthy time. read more

A unicorn experience, truly one-of-a-kind. Glamping on the sea! Mix banquets of five-star gourmet fare 4 times daily (from a wood-burning stove) breathtaking vistas, salty sea air, an irrepressibly funny, erudite and skilled captain and crew (who also happen to be fine musicians) with a National Registered historic schooner built in 1871 and this is a trip like no other. Hoist sails. Make friends. Drink wine. Count stars. Paddleboard. Feast. Repeat. Should be on every rustic foodie's bucket list. Captain Noah, you know we'll be back! read more

Absolutely a fantastic experience! Took a 6-night cruise and we had a great time. Got to help sail, ate the most delicious food, drank wine, late Ed to live music and enjoyed the company of like minded people. This as a one of a kind experience; there's nothing else like it. The Captain Crew were outstanding and Chef Bethany made the most delicious meals, all on a early 1900 vintage wood burning stove in the galley. The cabins are small but more than adequate as you only go down there to sleep or maybe nap a little. Berths were cozy and get comfortable. Well worth the money as you get everything included, even the all you can eat lobster dinner. I enjoyed it so much I'll be back again and again. read more

My girlfriend and I made a last minute decision to sail on the Stephen Taber for a three nighter. Prior to selecting this historical schooner out of Rockland, Me. we read every review we could find online... as well as the competition. Returned two days ago on August 3, 2019 and all that can be said is AMAZING. Captain Noah was funny, knowledgeable and made all of us feel secure and comfortable throughout the short journey. We lucked out with perfect weather and good winds. The vessel has a very wide beam so seasickness wasn't an issue. Food, wine and details were top shelf. Wildlife spotting included seals and eagles, and the clearest starry nights. New friends in close quarters came easily and our pics are the best testament to the over the top fun we had each day and night. Our bucket list was fulfilled but we will do this again without any doubt. read more

Sailing aboard the Schooner Stephen Taber is an experience unlike any other. Captain Noah Barnes is a serious sailor with wit, humor, musicality, intelligence and endless charm. Each meal is crafted on a 100-year-old wood burning stove, but tastes as if it emerged from the finest five star restaurant. A trip of a lifetime...and I'll be back to sail with the Taber crew each and every year!!! read more

After our third time cruising on the "good luck" ship I'm long overdue for a review of our trips, as each have been 5 star worthy sojourns on the Maine Coast. In each case we were able to charter the Taber, and enjoy our time on Penobscot Bay with family and friends. Our first time on the Taber was in 2011 during Hurricane Irene, and while we had to stay put in the harbor for one day it was still an amazing trip, helmed by the irrepressible Captain Noah Barnes. He was thoughtful enough to set sail the afternoon before the storm hit so that we only missed a half day of sailing of our 4 day cruise. The crew was exceptionally friendly and the food was divine. Our second trip on the Taber was in 2015, and again the weather gremlins delivered an all day soaking Nor'easter that had us lashed to the mooring in the lovely town of Castine. Again the Captain and the crew kept our spirits high through their upbeat attitude and caring hand (and some fantastic wine.) Fast forward to this year and we accepted Captain Noah's challenge to charter both boats, and we filled both the Taber and her sister ship, the Ladona, with 39 friends and family (I highly recommend this!) And this time, no hurricanes or squalls befell us, just simply 5 magnificent days of magical sailing, filled again with amazing food from both galleys (Anna & Caroline are the culinary magicians!), a spectacular array of cheeses and wine (thanks Noah & Jane), a stalwart and talented crew (shout-outs to Sean, Gus, Abby, Alex, Jen, Tristan and Isabella, all purveyors of music, mirth and magic) and our respective wizards/captains Noah and J.R. So our planning has begun for 2019! Fair winds! read more

My wife and I just finished a three day gourmet trip on the Taber. We had a great time, and it really exceeded our expectations. This was our 3rd trip on a schooner, our 1st on the Taber and it was our best cruise yet. The food was incredible, the crew was energetic and extremely helpful. We definitely will do our next windjammer trip on the Taber. Thanks for a great vacation Capt. Noah! read more

Schooner Stephen Taber - Welcome to Stephen Taber 6/12/2014 - Boating Near Me - Rockland, Maine

Our four-night cruise aboard the Stephen Taber was a different sort of getaway for us, unlike anything we'd done before. And it was wonderful in all respects. Even the tiny cabin space (which we knew in advance would be what it was) seemed to grow more spacious as we became accustomed to what Captain Noah whimsically termed our "stateroom." First, the boat itself, in continuous working service since 1871, is an historically evocative delight, and to be under sail aboard her is a fantasy realized. Second, the people aboard were terrific, from our first family (Noah, his wife Jane, and their "ship's mascot' son Oscar, whose sailing summers as an eight-year-old who quite literally "knows the ropes" could be the basis for an engaging children's book), to the crew, to the other passengers -- on a vessel this size, you do quickly get to know all your sailmates. Third, the surroundings: I mean, we sailed around beautiful Penobscot Bay in great August weather (one storm at night); what's not to love? Fourth, ours was the "wine cruise" put on by Jane, who has significant past experience in the wine industry; our generous nightly tastings were well-conceived highlights, virtual oenological tours of the U.S., Italy, and France, on consecutive evenings. (And the French cheeses selected by Noah to accompany the French wines were perfect matches.) Every cruise, as I understand it, tries to include a lobster bake on an island beach. This was certainly a highlight for me of our trip - as much delicious Maine lobster as I could want, which in my case was, um, a lot! For my wife and I our sail aboard the Taber was a rare "true vacation" - a complete getaway from work or other cares for a time, and our memories of these few (all too few) days will not soon be fading. read more