Tall Ship Kalmar Nyckel Offers Fall River Cruises in Wilmington

On Saturdays in October, the Tall Ship of Delaware, Kalmar Nyckel, will offer family-friendly river cruises along Wilmington's Riverfront. Scheduled trips include Saturday, Oct. 4, 11, 18, and 25, including a special Halloween Ghost Ship tour on Oct. 18.

Tickets for public sails are priced at $45 for adults and $25 for children under 12, with a maximum capacity of 49 passengers per cruise. 

Reservations are recommended through the Kalmar Nyckel website or by calling 302-429-7447. All sailings are weather-dependent. Cruises depart from the Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard, 1124 E.  Seventh St. in Wilmington.

The 1.5-hour cruises offer an authentic sailing experience aboard a full-scale replica of the ship that brought European settlers to the Delaware Valley in 1638. During the excursions, guests can participate in sailing activities or relax and enjoy the scenic views, while children can engage in scavenger hunts and participate in pirate storytelling.

On weekdays, the ship serves as a floating classroom, educating over 13,000 students annually in maritime science and sailing.

According to Town Square Live, the Kalmar Nyckel, which launched in 1997, is maintained and sailed by professional officers and more than 200 trained volunteers who interpret the ship's history and seafaring traditions. The nonprofit Kalmar Nyckel Foundation offers educational programs, private charters, and year-round events at the Tatiana and Gerret Copeland Maritime Center in Wilmington.