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Aerial view of the iconic Gay Head Cliffs on Martha’s Vineyard, featuring colorful clay bluffs, a sandy beach, and clear coastal New England waters.
Rhode Island/Massachusetts

Coastal New England Gems: Islands, Mansions & Maritime Heritage

Program No. 25480RJ
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Itinerary
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All itineraries and excursions are subject to change. Weather and water conditions may affect the progress of the ship, and we may miss ports if it is not safe to dock. The operators reserve the right to change the content and duration of excursions without prior notice and so the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. Whenever possible, Road Scholar’s published daily schedule will indicate port arrival and departure times. Prior to departure, if there is a major change, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
10 days
9 nights
What's Included
25 meals ( 9B, 7L, 9D )
2 expert-led lectures
14 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:30 p.m; Group Orientation: 5:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, check in with the Road Scholar program staff. You will get any updated information. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from a series of local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Ground travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please be aware that all routes and excursions are subject to change – weather sea conditions may affect the itinerary. Sea conditions affect the progress of the ship, making it run late and sometimes miss ports because it is not safe to dock. Because of this, the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. The operators reserve the right to change the content of excursions without prior notice. The time available in each port is set by the cruise line. Whenever possible, the Road Scholar daily schedule indicates port arrival and departure times (subject to change by the cruise line). This may mean that free time in port is limited. Regardless of the time in port, Road Scholar delivers a robust educational program. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking and standing during field trip; city streets and sidewalks.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will begin our day with an exploration of Old Slater Mill which highlights part of the story Providence's history in the American Industrial Revolution. At Slater Mill we will tour the first successful water-powered cotton spinning mill in the United States and the first property to be added to the National Register of Historic Places, in 1966. Next, we will dive into post-colonial history with a visit to Hearthside Mansion and the surrounding historically preserved property, a highlight of the Great Road District. We will board our motorcoach and visit the Hearthside House Museum and campus, an award-winning historic house museum just north of Providence. The Hearthside campus preserves and reflects life in New England from the 19th and early 20th centuries. The Great Road District is a unique, living museum, preserving an unparalleled density of historic buildings that earned it a place on the National Register of Historic Places. The Town of Lincoln’s commitment to this heritage, recognized by its designation as a Preserve America community, has kept this rural landscape intact. Known as Rhode Island’s first Scenic Byway, the Moshassuck River Valley provides a stunning backdrop for historical education. Ensuring this legacy continues, the Friends of Hearthside serve as stewards of not only Hearthside, but also the neighboring town-owned treasures—Moffett Mill, Chase Farm Park, and the Hannaway Blacksmith Shop—working hand-in-hand with the Town to protect this, a vital area for preservation and tourism.
Lunch:
We will enjoy boxed lunches at the Hearthside property.
Afternoon:
We will continue our exploration of Providence's early history with a tour at the Museum of Work and Culture in Woonsocket. The Museum chronicles the migration of French-Canadian and European immigrants to the Blackstone River mill towns. A narrative journey and immersive exhibits detail the socioeconomic realities of the working class, highlighting their struggles and triumphs across domestic, industrial, and civic spaces at the dawn of the 20th century. After our tour we will return to our hotel for time to freshen up before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
Returning to the hotel, the evening is at leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning. Have luggage ready for pick-up and transport to the boat.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking and standing during field trip; city streets and sidewalks.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Have luggage ready for pick-up and transport to the American Cruise Line - Liberty before leaving for our morning activity. We will board the motorcoach for the waterfront to explore Providence’s waterways and Green Jacket Shoal at Bold Point on a guided boat tour. We’ll discover the history of the Providence Dry Dock & Marine Railway Company, which once repaired vessels here in the late 1800s and early 1900s. We will learn about the abandoned ships left at Green Jacket Shoal, stripped of their valuable parts before being laid to rest in these waters. Next, we will walk several blocks to the RISD Museum for a guided tour of their collection. Co-founded with the school in 1877, the Rhode Island School of Design Museum is the 20th largest art museum in the country and serves as teaching facility for RISD students as well as a dynamic space for community engagement. Rhode Island's post-Civil War industrial boom fueled a demand for better product design, driving manufacturers to seek employees with blended artistic and technical expertise. Although an effort to establish a local art museum and gallery began in 1854, it lacked financial support for over two decades. In 1877, the Rhode Island Women's Centennial Commission finally provided the necessary funding, granting $1,675 to establish the school and its affiliated museum. Today, the RISD Museum's collection of about 100,000 objects contains a broad range of works from around the world, including ancient Egypt, Asia, Africa, ancient Greece and Rome, Europe, and the Americas. After our morning field trip, we will reboard the motorcoach and ride to the port where we will board the Liberty.
Lunch:
Aboard the Liberty.
Afternoon:
After completing boarding procedures and getting your cabin, take some time to freshen up and relax. We’ll kick off our journey with a welcome-aboard reception featuring cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and lively entertainment. Meet the crew and our onboard experts and connect with fellow Road Scholars. We will participate in the mandatory safety briefing with everyone on board when announced. Please note: In addition to Road Scholar exclusive lectures, you are welcome to enjoy activities and events separate from the Road Scholar program during free time aboard the Liberty.
Dinner:
We’ll enjoy our first dinner aboard. Meals will feature cuisine that blends local flavors and fine culinary traditions.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a boat. Walking and standing during field trip; city streets, cobblestones and sidewalks.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We’ll embark on a walking tour of the historic harbor of New Bedford, once the whaling capital of the world. Today, New Bedford is the nation’s most valuable fishing port and we will learn all about the local fishing community on this excursion. A local guide will lead the group through the working waterfront to learn about different types of fishing vessels, shoreside businesses, the old auction, and local fishing families. Our tour will end at the Fishing Heritage Center, where we will enjoy a self-guided exploration exploring the Center's interactive exhibits.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
We’ll gather for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking and standing during field trip; city streets and sidewalks. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will visit the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, where the island’s history, art, and culture come to life, with a docent. Through a wide-ranging collection of artifacts, photographs, and artworks, the museum tells the story of the Vineyard’s diverse heritage—from its Native American origins and maritime traditions to its modern-day community. Engaging exhibits offer visitors a deeper connection to the island’s unique past and evolving identity.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
After lunch we will transport across the island to Oak Bluffs by van for the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association, a National Historic Landmark. Led by a resident docent, we’ll walk through the campground to learn about the “gingerbread” cottages and the residents who carefully maintain and decorate them. What we see today grew out of Methodist camp meetings that began in 1835.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a ferry. Walking and standing during field trip; city streets and sidewalks.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will start the day with a scenic ferry ride from Oak Bluffs to Nantucket. Once on the island, we will enjoy a guided historical walk through neighborhoods on centuries-old cobblestone streets that echo the island’s 18th-century past. We will have time to admire rose-covered cottages, historic churches, and beautifully tended gardens that reflect Nantucket’s New England charm.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to have what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
We’ll continue exploring Nantucket with a docent-led visit to the Nantucket Whaling Museum, which offers a fascinating look into the island’s maritime past. Located in a restored 1847 candle factory, it features captivating exhibits including a 46-foot sperm whale skeleton, historic whaling artifacts, and the dramatic story of the whaleship Essex, which inspired ‘Moby-Dick.’
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a school bus. Walking and standing during field trip; city streets and sidewalks.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We’ll gather for a Road Scholar exclusive lecture. The rest of the morning is free to relax or engage in the activities of your choice.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
We will visit Block Island, located 13 miles off the Rhode Island coast, a beautifully preserved gem known for its natural charm and scenic vistas. Thanks to the efforts of The Nature Conservancy, over 40 percent of the island remains protected from development. We will experience the island with a local expert. The journey takes us along the dramatic Mohegan Bluffs—towering 200 feet above sea level—offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic, the historic Southeast Lighthouse, and the quaint village of Old Harbor.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking and standing during field trip; city streets and sidewalks. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will begin our day learning about the history of sailing in Bristol with a visit to Herreshoff Marine Museum & America’s Cup Hall of Fame. Situated just across from the ship’s dock, this museum is a designated maritime historic site and the birthplace of some of the world’s finest yachts during “The Golden Age of Yachting.” It also houses the America’s Cup Hall of Fame, celebrating the legends of this prestigious 150-year-old sailing competition—one of the most distinguished trophies in international sports.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time to explore Bristol, which offers a perfect slice of culture, coastal beauty, and great dining. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Walking and standing during field trip; city streets and sidewalks. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will begin our day with a guided exploration of Historic Fort Adams, America's Most Complex Coastal Fortification. View the “Officer’s Quarters," ascend to the overlook for a beautiful view of Newport Harbor, then delve beneath the walls of this marvel of architecture and engineering into the underground listening tunnels. You may also enter the restored casemates to see the Newport Naval War College exhibit “Technological, Transformation, and the Defenses of Narragansett Bay and the Nation,” as well as learn about the past and future restoration plans of this one-of-a-kind National Historic Landmark.
Lunch:
We'll experience a traditional old-fashioned lobster bake. Enjoy fresh lobster, steamed clams and mussels, buttery corn on the cob, and warm baked rolls—a true taste of New England!
Afternoon:
We will visit the iconic Breakers mansion, a stunning symbol of the Vanderbilt family’s social and financial prominence at the turn of the century. This seventy-room Italian Renaissance-style palazzo showcases remarkable architecture and opulent design. With the help of audio guides, we’ll enjoy a leisurely exploration of the Vanderbilt family’s history and the inspiration behind their grand summer “cottage.” Afterwards, take time to explore the vibrant Newport waterfront at your own pace.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for disembarkation and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Disembarkation by 8:00 a.m. Getting on/off a motorcoach.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
After disembarking in Providence, RI, we’ll board a motorcoach and transfer to T. F. Green International Airport. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys back home!