More than a few people abandoned hope that their afternoon cruise of Gloucester Harbor would be a peaceful one. A boat trip, no matter how brief, is perhaps the most relaxing of summertime experiences. You don't have to be rich to enjoy the scenic wonders of the New England coastline.
Public cruises abound, and practically every harbor boasts at least one.
It would take a book to list them all. So we set out to provide a small sample of some of the more unusual boat trips. We limited the search to scheduled cruises that capture the local character. The air temperature on the water is typically 10 to 15 degrees cooler than on land, so dress appropriately, ideally in layers. Wear comfortable shoes.