Our cruise stopped in Eastport, Maine, on Friday, June 19, the day before we disembarked from our…read more11-night cruise aboard the Volendam. This time, the ship was able to dock directly at the pier, and the weather was beautiful--sunny, pleasant, and in the 70s. Last year, when we visited Eastport aboard the Zuiderdam, we had to tender ashore instead.
Once ashore, everything was within easy walking distance of the pier. The town is charming, scenic, and incredibly welcoming.
One of the highlights of my visit was spending some time at the waterfront, where local residents were displaying live lobsters, starfish, sea urchins, and other marine life native to the area in a large seawater tank. Several people staffed the exhibit and interacted with visitors throughout the day. They allowed guests to hold live lobsters, explained how to tell the difference between male and female lobsters, discussed how water temperature can influence the color of a lobster's shell, explained how lobsters feed, and allowed people to pick up live starfish and take photos with them. I walked by several times and enjoyed watching visitors engage with the locals and learn about the region's marine environment.
During one of my stops, I spoke with a gentleman who was kind, knowledgeable, and happy to share information about the region's marine life. During our conversation, I learned that his brother owns Look Lobster at Quoddy Bay, a local lobster restaurant in Eastport. If I return to the area, I would definitely make a point of visiting and trying some of their lobster dishes.
I spent the afternoon wandering through this beautiful waterfront town, browsing local art galleries, museums, and shops, and picking up a few souvenirs. One of my favorite purchases was a hand-painted shell night light featuring a lobster design, created by a local artisan.
At one of my stops, I learned about the Quoddy Tidal Power Project, which was championed by Franklin D. Roosevelt, as well as his summer cottage on Campobello Island in New Brunswick. The island is easily accessible through the Eastport and Lubec area of Maine. It was another fascinating glimpse into the rich history of the region.
I am so glad I decided to step off the ship. I got in over 10,000 steps, enjoyed the sunshine, picked up a few unique souvenirs, and came away with a wonderful impression of this beautiful coastal Maine town.