Schooner J & E Riggin

Absolutely one of the best weekends of all my summers in New England. The experience is so unique. The food was unbelievable, 10 times beyond any expectation, and most even James beard restaurants I’ve been to. The captains Jocelyn & Justin are an absolute joy. And the natural surprises along the trip are lifelong. We ran into bioluminescence!!!!! I still can’t believe it. Book the trip.

We did a ton of research before our first trip to ME and first sailing experience and the J&E Riggin did not disappoint! If you decide to sail with Captain Justin and Chef Jocelyn the only downside will be having to go home. Be prepared to spend a few days adjusting your taste buds back to food that pales in comparison to what Jocelyn makes. Every meal was delectable! She and Erik outdid themselves every day and they and Capt. Justin, Max, Sky, and Louisa spent time answering every question we had about the Riggin and sailing in general. We learned so much, and had so much fun helping to raise the sails, and cutting veggie in the cozy galley. We can't wait for our second trip!

This was an experience of a lifetime! The food was exquisite and plentiful, every dish was prepared with the freshest ingredients, and so skillfully, but most of all, with love! The crew were friendly, knowledgeable and above all else so much fun. They made our trip so wonderful! The music was delightful, the group of passengers beyond lovely! My husband and I had the best vacation and made friends from all over the country and from Europe. We will most assuredly join this beautiful ship for another amazing sail! Thank you Captain’s Justin and Jocelyn!

An amazing adventure filled with all of my favorite things, new friends, and warm memories. We’ll be back very soon! Thank you Jocelyn & Justin and to all the crew. You took wonderful care of us…and each other. Much love! ♥️

2025 update: Justin and Jocelyn are still killing it! As mentioned before, this trip isn’t for everyone, but if you’re not the target audience, you’re probably not reading this. Jocelyn’s food is amazing, and she takes good care of me an my food allergies. The crew is amazing and friendly, and you can’t beat the sea air. We just competed our third trip in 2 years and will be back aboard again in a month! —— The cabins are what you would expect on a 100+ year old sailing vessel, but if you’re reading this, you’re already someone who will likely appreciate the authenticity of the experience over the luxury of the big “floating hotel” cruise ships. Captains Justin and Jocelyn couldn’t be nicer, Jocelyn and her kitchen helpers put on some amazing meals given that they’re all cooked on a wood stove and with minimal room to move around! Honestly, if you are the sort of person to whom this sort of adventure appeals, this is the ship for you. It’s obviously not for everyone, and that’s okay. But 5/5 stars for whose of us to whom it appeals!

This was my first time sailing on a schooner, and what an amazing experience Captn Justin and Jocelyn have put together. The crew were fun and professional, the food was outstanding (freshly baked bagels anyone?), and the views and sailing were superb. The accommodations and bathrooms were clean and comfortable. The hot shower onboard was easy to use and beat expectations. There is power to charge your phone and running fresh water in your cabin. The particular cruise I went on was a 5 night voyage centered on going to the Swans Island music festival, so other travelers all shared an interest in folk music. I particularly enjoyed having musicians onboard and everyone singing along to sea shanties. We, of course, had an island lobster bake, visited multiple villages and lighthouses as well as being able to swim in the most beautiful coves. Can't wait to sail again with the Riggins one day soon.

An amazing experience. The crew were fun, friendly, and enthusiastic. They were knowledgeable about the local area and were so chill and fun to hang with. The Captains were so nice. They noticed that we were interested in birding and pointed out local osprey nests and called out any bald eagles they saw. Also, they were very patient with my dumb boat questions. The food was great. Every meal was something unique and delicious. And the lobster bake was fantastic! Where else will you get all you can eat lobster and steak with s’mores tacos for dessert?! Also, even when you’re anchored for the the night, the ship has so many smaller craft to enjoy. This was like a camping trip on the water and I hope do it again soon!

Just returning home from a 4-day cruise on the Riggin, an authentic wooden schooner. We had a wonderful time and there was something for everyone in our group: wonderful photography opportunities, a chance to learn how to sail a large vessel, opportunities to nap under the awning as we cruised along the Maine coast. We also played music and cards and some even did craft projects. The crew is fantastic and the food delicious. Justin and Jocelyn, the owners, lead the crew in such a fun, kind way - it was a pleasure to be there in so many ways!