Carillon Cruises

Special Events Aboard M/V Carillon

The Carillon participates in and hosts several special events each year. To keep abreast of these events monitor this page and watch our Reservations Calendar.

Equipped to carry up to 49 passengers, this 60ft Coast Guard licensed luxury vessel offers a smooth and comfortable cruising experience. The cabin design of the Carillon allows for an "open" experience in warm weather or a warm cozy experience in fall foliage conditions with the windows closed and the heat on.

Special Events may depart from our docks at Shoreham, Whitehall, Vergennes, or Crown Point this year. Below are descriptions of the Special Events scheduled to date for 2008.

  • Birding Cruises. We have not scheduled these yet. However, we hope to host one on the very Southern portion of the Lake and another along the Otter Creek from Lake Champlain to Vergennes, VT. Watch for more information on these two events.

  • We have numerous one-way cruises as a result of having to move the Carillon back and forth between numerous docks throughout the season. These include one-way cruises between Shoreham and Whitehall, NY and between Shoreham and Vergennes, VT. Watch the Reservation Calendar for dates that these cruises are available. While there is the hassle of having to get back to where the cruise started to get your car (remember they are one-way), the price will be right since the boat has to make the trip regardless of how many passengers are on-board.

  • French Heritage Days at Vergennes, VT on July 12, 2008. In celebration of the rich French heritage of the City of Vergennes, we will be offering two cruises during that celebration. The Carillon will sail from the municipal docks below the falls in Vergennes. We will sail at 11:00am and again at 1:30pm. Each cruise will be 1 1/2 hours long and will sail down Otter Creek towards Lake Champlain and return. This is an area rich with Osprey, Herons, and Eagles. The captains narrative will share extraordinary characters and stories about the region. We will learn about Mathew Lyon, a little known hero who was the first test of our right to Free Speech and to a Free Press. Or Thomas McDonough who built and commanded the U.S. fleet that defeated the British in the War of 1812. Or Philomene Daniels, the world's first female steamship pilot. Vergennes' dual access to a great source of water power at the falls and access to Lake Champlain by way of Otter Creek made it a major industrial center prior to the coming of the railways.

  • Henry Sheldon Museum of Vermont History is hosting two fundraiser cruises. The first will sail at 5:30pm on July 17 and the second at 5:30pm on July 24. These are always enjoyable and very informative cruises. This years featured guest historian will be Elsa Gilbertson. Elsa is the person in charge of State historic sites at Chimney Point, Mount Independence, and Hubbardton Battlefield. Expect to relive the fascinating history of Southern Lake Champlain. Of course, the Captain will chime in when Elsa needs a break with stories of charachters on the Lake. The museum provides wonderful hors d'oeuvers on this cruise. Call the museum at (802)388-2117 for reservations.
  • Following the Vergennes French Heritage Days, the Shoreham Congregational Church will be hosting a "Church on the Water" cruise. This will be a one-way cruise leaving the Vergennes Dock at 3:30pm on July 12 and arriving at the Larrabee's Point dock in Shoreham at around 8:00pm. Call ahead for info on the number of seats available. And don't worry, the captain will not allow a five hour sermon.

  • On August 23, 2008 the Carillon will be back in Vergennes for the Vergennes Day Celebration. While we do not have the cruise times scheduled yet, they will most likely be at 11:00am and 1:30pm. Each will be 1 1/2 hour long.

  • On September 13, 2008 the Carillon will participate in the Festival of Nations being held at the Crown Point Historical Site in Crown Point, NY. We will be hosting cruises leaving from the dock just below the Crown Point Lighthouse. These cruises will provide an oppurtunity to listen to a narrative sharing the rich history of the Native Americans in our region. Times of these cruises will be posted on this site later.