Castine ME (Maine)

Castine ME is a small port town in Hancock County (eastern Maine, USA) with population around 1,500. The deepwater harbor has piers for smaller ships and tie-ups for boats, allowing safe mooring beyond the strong current of Bagaduce and Penobscot rivers.

In the period 1670-74, Castine served as the capital of Acadia - a New France's colony that included parts of eastern Quebec, Canadian Maritimes and Maine USA (to Kennebec River). The town was named after the French military officer Jean-Vincent d'Abbadie de Saint-Castin (1652–1707). During 17th-early-18th centuries, Kennebec River was defined by New France as Acadia's southern boundary, which put the town within the colony.

A key element of Castine's revival was the expansion of Maine Maritime Academy (established in 1941). This is a 4-year institution which graduates engineers and officers for the US Merchant Marine and marine-related industries. Around 1000 students are enrolled. By the 1980s, the Academy provided a range of courses in management, engineering, transportation, ocean- and nautical sciences. Its campus is the former Eastern State Normal School.

The town features nature parks, historic sites (including the ruins of British earthworks at Fort George), four churches (Congregational, Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Unitarian Universalist), non-exclusive club resort (with restaurants, tennis, golf and yachting facilities), public library, Castine Historical Society and Museum, Wilson Museum (exhibits of anthropological, local and natural artifacts), antique style houses shaded by large elm trees. Castine Post Office (1817-built) is among USA's oldest Post Office buildings still in operation.

As cruise port, Castine ME is included in the regular schedule of USA's largest river cruise company - American Cruise Lines. Next table shows American Independence ship's 7-day "Maine Coast and Harbors" itinerary as ports sequence.

Prices started from ~USD 3100 per person with double occupancy.