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Sea Hear Now 2024 Springsteen concert review: Inside the historic set on N.J. beach

Sea Hear Now Day 1 recap: Noah Kahan brings mammoth N.J. fest into new era

The story of Sea Hear Now 2024 is not a tale of Jersey rock god homecomings, more specifically the deafening spectacle that was Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band’s first proper Asbury Park concert in 21 years, soaring over the sand and 35,000 fans.

No, it’s a story of patience, progress and power — specifically the power of art to revitalize a shorefront city that suffered more than three decades of crime, poverty and disrepair, and spurred Springsteen’s 2000 dirge “My City of Ruins.”

That song, now a fan favorite, was written for a Christmas benefit concert to assist a town left crumbling after riots in 1970 delivered a devastating blow. But it was local artists who’ve picked up the pieces these last 20 or so years — songwriters and painters and poets who began moving to Asbury Park in the 2000s and slowly reignited its soul. The LGBTQ+ community also embraced the resort-turned-ramshackle town and forged its reputation as a place for love, tolerance and creativity.

Moreover, these people made Asbury Park cool again, and when a place is deemed “cool,” investors come knocking — as do mammoth destination music festivals.

Few will ever understand the city’s fall and rise quite like Springsteen, who has, of course, been a global ambassador for his musical proving ground since his debut album “Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J.” was released in 1973.

“I feel f---ing old tonight, in a good way,” Springsteen said Sunday night, just before he and his 17-piece band began their encore. “I never thought I’d live to see this sight in my lifetime. The band, we were here on that little street corner when nobody was here, and I didn’t know when I’d see folks in this good town again.”

He went on to thank “all the people that have invested themselves in Asbury Park and brought the city back to life. On the east side, the west side, I want to thank the LGBTQ+ community for all they’ve done for Asbury Park in the last 25 years.”

It was the ultimate full-circle moment, to see the weathered face of Asbury Park, a week before his 75th birthday, so humbled by what had been laid before him, as he performed songs written in, around and about this odd little slice of the Jersey Shore.

“I wrote this song about 500 yards north, on Loch Arbour beach,” Springsteen quipped earlier in his three-hour, 15-minute set, which closed sprawling Sea Hear Now’s sixth year. The song in question was “Blinded By the Light,” released in 1973 — a theme for the first hour of music, as only two songs performed (2002′s “Lonesome Day” and 1978′s “The Promised Land”) were released or written later than ‘73. This was a welcome deviation from the standard setlist of Springsteen’s ongoing international tour, and a nostalgia bomb intended to melt his most devout fans into puddles of undying fervor.

Such was the reaction to “Thundercrack,” the eight-minute beach party jammer and rarity (appearing on “Tracks”) Springsteen said he wrote in nearby Wanamassa, at a surf shop when he was 20 years old. Similar elation swept the sand for the “Greetings” deep cut “Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street” and the all-too-apt “Sandy (4th of July, Asbury Park),” where fans could literally point to locales mentioned in the tune (I may or may not have done so for Madame Marie).

Springsteen, who has ostensibly recovered from the peptic ulcer disease that halted his tour last year and likely affected his preceding MetLife Stadium performances, was in top shape this night, balancing his patented Americana conviction with more playful moments: howling at the moon before “Spirit in the Night,” or telling tales of driving through Freehold in the mid-’80s, stopping at a J.J. Newberry’s five and dime and spotting a black velvet portrait of himself, prefacing the tune “Local Hero.”

The Boss was dressed for the special occasion, donning a vest, dress shirt and tie as he led his small army of musicians, whose collective sound was loud enough to be easily heard from Asbury Park High School, a full mile from the stage. This night seemed designed for pianist Roy Bittan and trumpeter Curt Ramm to shine, as both unleashed terrific solos on “82nd Street,” set the seedy mood for “Meeting Across the River” and Bittan’s extension on “Racing in the Street” elevated the fan favorite. Springsteen’s wife and bandmate Patti Scialfa , who has not been seen much on this tour and was revealed last week (via a new upcoming documentary) to have been diagnosed with blood cancer in 2018, emerged to sing a tender duet of “Tougher than the Rest” with Bruce, sharing a microphone.

The band’s swath of fans stretched a quarter-mile down the beach, belting along to “Badlands,” “Because the Night” and “The Rising” before entering the championship rounds with “Thunder Road” into “Meeting” into the cinematic rock mastery of “Jungleland” — Jake Clemons’ sax solo crested over the ocean, past the onlooking boats and toward the horizon — into the fist-pumping glee of “Born to Run.”

It was a night of triumph and exaltation for the band and fans alike, as the magnitude of Springsteen playing Asbury Park was mutually understood, respected and capitalized on for maximum Jersey-to-the-core impact.

It was a best-case scenario and the best Springsteen show I’ve seen since those record-breaking MetLife shows in 2016.

Not to mention this was his fourth performance in less than 24 hours.

Bruce has been busy: Saturday night, he surprised fans at The Stone Pony , taking the stage with Danny Clinch’s (his photographer and one of the festival’s organizer’s) Tangiers Blues Band, running through a handful of covers including a sizzling rendition of Will Bradley Trio’s “Down the Road Apiece.”

Then, Sunday evening, he hopped on the SHN main stage to jam an epic version of his own “Kitty’s Back” with the Trey Anastasio Band, as an overjoyed Anastasio — who grew up in Princeton — noted how his first concert was, of course, The Boss in 1978.

About 45 minutes later, Springsteen popped up yet again, out on the Park Stage in neighboring Bradley Park, where he made his live debut of “History Books,” his new duet with Jersey alt-rock favorites The Gaslight Anthem , and stuck around to play the band’s older single “American Slang,” which he’d also joined them for at Convention Hall in 2011.

So yes, it would appear this was Springsteen’s weekend, a veritable takeover of a festival that also happened to showcase two-dozen other bands and artists — Noah Kahan, 311, The Black Crowes, Kool and the Gang and Norah Jones all performed as well.

But again, Sea Hear Now was, is and will continue to be about the city in which it is housed, and what is the most demonstrative transformation any New Jersey town has undergone this century. The fact that Asbury Park can support this enormous, multi-day, multi-stage event each year (since 2018) is a culmination of its cultural revolution. It is a bold, booming thing to behold.

Let Springsteen sum it up once more: “There I was, driving down Kingsley, streets were empty, buildings were empty, nobody on Ocean Avenue, nobody anywhere. And then, I fell into a dreamy sleep, and when I woke up, I said ‘where did all these f---ing people come from?’”

More music stories

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• Jon Bon Jovi stops woman attempting jump off bridge
• Songwriting legend who wrote for Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, dead at 80
• Patti Scialfa, Bruce Springsteen’s wife and bandmate, reveals cancer diagnosis
• Legendary rock band finally settle ugly legal battle over group’s name

Bobby Olivier may be reached at [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter @BobbyOlivier and Facebook .

©2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit nj.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Bruce Springsteen Lights Up the Jersey Shore With Four Different Performances at Asbury Park’s Sea. Hear. Now. Festival

By Michele Amabile Angermiller

Michele Amabile Angermiller

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For decades around the seaside city that he made famous, Asbury Park locals have said regularly, “Bruce might show up.” Last weekend at the sixth annual Sea. Hear. Now Festival, he certainly did: Four separate times.

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The surprises continued during Springsteen’s headlining set: After the band kicked off with “Lonesome Day” from the 2002 album, “The Rising,” he said, “I wrote this song about 500 yards north of here on Loch Arbor Beach. We haven’t played it in a long fucking time. We got a lot of stuff we haven’t played in a long fucking time. Let’s see how we do.”

With that, the band roared though a three-song stretch of tracks from his debut album, “Greetings From Asbury Park”: “Blinded by the Light,” “Does this Bus Stop at 82nd Street?”, and “Growin’ Up,” complete with a comic interlude about driving through empty streets of Asbury Park during its desolate years not so long ago, and wondering now, after its resurgence, “Where did all these people fucking come from?”

The playful banter continued during “Spirit in the Night,” where Springsteen amped the theatrics to summon a Jersey shore “wolf howl” at the moon.

The surprises didn’t stop there. The band dusted off a randy “Thundercrack,” a song he said he wrote “when I was 20 up at the surfboard factory in Wanamassa.”

Other highlights included “4th of July, Asbury Park (Sandy), with a dedication to the band’s late, longtime organist Danny Federici.

Springsteen’s wife and E Street Bandmember Patti Scialfa — who recently revealed that she is battling multiple myeloma — made a surprise appearance as well, joining Bruce for their familiar duet on “Tougher Than the Rest,” from 1987’s Tunnel of Love.

Springsteen peppered his stage banter with plenty of local flavor: He introduced “Local Hero” with a funny story about seeing a black velvet painting of himself at the five-and-dime store J.J. Newberry’s in his nearby hometown of Freehold.

“I look in the window and I see this black velvet painting of a Doberman Pinscher, and I look on the other side, and I see this black velvet painting of Bruce Lee,” he said. “And I look in the middle, and I see a black velvet painting of myself with the headband and the muscles,” he laughed at the classic image of himself in his 1980s “Born in the U.S.A.” getup. “And I went home and wrote this song.”

Springsteen wrapped the set with “Rosalita,” “Born to Run,” “Dancing in the Dark,” and “Twist and Shout” before closing the night with his cover of Tom Waits’ “Jersey Girl” — because “Down the shore, everything’s all right.”

“Wow, I’m feeling fucking old tonight, but in a good way,” he said. “The band, we were here on that little street corner, when nobody was here. I didn’t know if I would see folks in this good town again. I just want to take a moment to thank all the good people that have invested themselves in Asbury Park and brought the city back.”

Springsteen kicked off the weekend early Saturday night, joining festival co-founder Danny Clinch’s Tangiers Blues Band for a freewheeling jam of blues and garage rock classics that also featured Robert Randolph, Grace Potter and E Street Band member Jake Clemons. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer celebrated the Stone Pony’s 50th Anniversary with a short video filmed in the club, “where it all began.” On stage, he strapped on a guitar for a one-two punch of “Boom, Boom,” followed by the Will Bradley Trio’s “Down the Road Apiece” (after Springsteen gathered all musicians on stage for a discussion of what to play next). The crowd was then treated to Little Richard’s “Lucille” and Van Morrison Them’s “Gloria.”

Other highlights of the festival included Saturday night’s headliner, Noah Kahan, who rocked Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” with Clinch’s band at the Pony, honoring the loss of Cash’s brother, Tommy, who passed at the age of 84 earlier that day. Johnny and June Cash had invested $250,000 in Asbury Park’s Berkeley Carteret hotel in the mid-‘80s. During his main set on Saturday, Kahan set the tone early with his hit, “Dial Drunk,” as well as “Call Your Mom,” “Northern Lights,” “Homesick” and of course “Stick Season.” Kahan cracked many jokes throughout the evening.

The Black Crowes, led by sometimes-feuding brothers Chris and Richard Robinson, took a moment to address Friday’s onstage altercation in Boston between Jane’s Addiction’s singer Perry Farrell and guitarist Dave Navarro.

“We want to do this for Jane’s Addiction,” singer Chris Robinson said before playing “Remedy.” “We hope they find peace.”
 


Other highlights of the festival included Norah Jones, Canadian NSFW electronic artist Peaches, New England rockers Guster and Swedish quintet the Hives, and Jersey City’s Kool & the Gang, bringing an early celebration of their upcoming induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Swedish songwriter Alexandra Jardvall, in town for the festival ahead of her own “Greetings from Sweden: A Springsteen Celebration” concert planned for Sept. 21 in her home country, said, “What a great festival this is. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, seeing Bruce on the beach in Asbury Park.

“This is something we are going to talk about for the rest of our lives.”

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Bruce Springsteen Joins Trey Anastasio, the Gaslight Anthem at Sea.Hear.Now Fest

By Althea Legaspi

Althea Legaspi

Hours before Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band headlined Sea.Hear.Now festival in Asbury Park, New Jersey on Sunday, the frontman surprised fans with appearances at Trey Anastasio Band and the Gaslight Anthem ’s sets earlier in the day.

Springsteen showed up onstage and gave Anastasio a hug before he and the Trey Anastasio Band launched into “Kitty’s Back,” from Springsteen’s sophomore album, 1973’s The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle . The two frontmen traded revved-up, rollicking riffs for the 10-minute-plus jam.  “I never thought I’d have to follow Bruce Springsteen on a beach in Asbury Park,” Anastasio said while sporting a huge grin following their performance together.

On Saturday night, Springsteen performed  with an all-star cast for a Sea.Hear.Now afterparty held at Stone Pony. Noah Kahan, Robert Randolph, E Street Band’s Jake Clemons, Sea.Hear.Now founder and Springsteen collaborator Danny Clinch, and more covered songs by artists such as Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry, John Lee Hooker, and more.

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“So this time around, we were looking for our headliners, and he was going to be on the East Coast, and his tour was going to end on the 13th of September. So we’re like, ‘Oh man, this looks like a good opportunity to hit him up,’” Clinch said. 

“And I happen to be over his place. And I said, ‘Man, I was looking at your schedule, and we would love to have you at our Sea.Hear.Now show,’ and he’s like, ‘Yeah, that’d be cool.’ And I said, ‘Can I have my guy reach out to your guy?’ He just was laughing, and he said yeah.  Then later I was back in the studio, and he just turned to me at one point and he was like, ‘I’m gonna do the thing on the beach. I’m going to Sea.Hear.Now. I want to bring the band on the beach. This could be incredible.’”

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Let Princess pick you up from the airport and take you directly to your ship or hotel when you arrive, even if you didn't book your airfare through us. A uniformed Princess representative meets you at the airport after you've retrieved your luggage and transports you directly to your ship or hotel without you having to worry about the logistics of navigating a new city.

Cruise Plus Hotel Packages

Stay longer and relax

Extend your cruise vacation and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the representative’s services.

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Start planning the vacation of your dreams with a cruise you'll love at a price you can't beat. Explore our latest featured deals, snag some last-minute savings and see how our all-inclusive packages can make your getaway even better.

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Alaska cruises.

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SNORKEL TOURS

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RAFT ADVENTURES

Sunset tours.

Learn More »

WHALE WATCHING

Snorkel tours, sunset cruises, whale watching, raft adventures, featured tours.

• Clock 5.5 hours (may vary)

Lucky Lady Deluxe Nā Pali Sunset Tour (non-snorkel)

Experience the brilliance of a Hawaiian sunset at sea! Cruise the Nā Pali Coast and enjoy narration of Hawaiian history and legends from your certified Captain, and five star attention from our professional crew.

Available starting January 11, 2024 1:15p

• Clock 4 - 4.5 hours

‘Imiloa Express Nā Pali Tour (with Snorkel)

A day of fun and excitement as we journey to the Nā Pali Coast on board ‘Imiloa, our 40-foot Express Catamaran. Experience the beauty of Kauai and encounter marine life!

Daily – 7:45a

Receive 15% off your adventure on the ‘Imiloa Express! Use ‘ Tour15 ’ on checkout.

• Clock 5 - 5.5 hours (may vary)

Nā Pali Raft Tour Experience

A Nā Pali rafting adventure! Travel under the waterfalls and into sea caves when conditions permit, encounter playful dolphins, turtles, whales (in season), and more!

Daily 7a or 1:15p (Seasonal)

Imiloa Express Nā Pali Sunset Sightseeing & Snorkeling

Enjoy an afternoon snorkel and a boat tour along the Nā Pali Coast. Watch the sunset and enjoy relaxing music, complimentary beer, wine and mai tais. Casual hot dinner provided.

Available June 1 – September 8 2p

Lucky Lady Deluxe Nā Pali Tour (with Snorkel)

Enjoy snorkeling, sea cliffs, pristine beaches, waterfalls, and sea caves. Hear stories and legends while our crew provides a full-service experience of one of Kauai’s greatest highlights!

Available starting January 11, 2024 everyday 6:45a

• Clock 6.5 hours (may vary)

Lucky Lady Deluxe Na Pali Sunset Tour (with Snorkel)

Available starting June 1, 2024 1:15p

• Clock 6 - 6.5 hours (may vary)

Nā Pali Beach Landing Adventure

Explore one of the most sacred and historic locales on the island. Kauai Sea Tours is one of the only companies to have a permit to land at this wondrous beach!

Available May 1 – October 31 6:30a

Receive 15% off our private beach landing raft tour! Use ‘ beachlanding15 ’ on checkout.

• Clock 2 hours

Whale Watch Discovery Raft Tour

Journey to find humpback whales along Kauai’s southern shores. Listen to and learn about the amazing humpback whales. Encounter these gentle giants and playful dolphins as they delight you with their acrobatics!

Available December – March 11a and 2p

‘Imiloa Whale Watching Cocktail Tour

Join us for a fun adventure as we go whale watching along Kauai’s south shore to find the gentle giants of the sea. Available during the height of Hawaii’s Whale season (December – March).

Available December 2024 – March 2025 9a, 12p, and 3p

Receive 10% off our Imiloa EXPRESS – Whale Watch Cocktail Tour! Use ‘ whale10 ’ on checkout.

SELECT TOUR BY VESSEL

ʻimiloa express.

• 40 ft. Express Catamaran
• Fastest vessel on the Na Pali Coast
• 1000 HP engine
• Cruising speeds up to 30 knots
• Forward facing padded seats
• Full shade coverage
• 2 bathrooms located on the main deck

 Lucky Lady Deluxe

• 60 ft. Sailing Catamaran
• 1 USCG Licensed Captain & 3 Crew Members
• Upper deck with forward facing seats
• Main deck with wrap around bench seats
• 2 bathrooms on the main deck
• Fresh Water Showers
• Slide & Swim Platform
• Rigid Hull Inflatable Raft
• 24 Feet (same as the Navy Seals raft)
• Twin 115 HP Motors
• Coast guard inspected vessel with passenger/vessel safety equipment required.
• License Captain and experienced CPR & water safety trained crew

Our family-owned business has been well known in Hawaii for over 30 years. An originator of the famous Nā Pali coast tours, we are the first to offer both catamaran and raft adventure tours. Our special permits allow us to land rafts for a narrated walking tour along this beautiful coastline. Our excellent record sets the standard for Hawaii raft adventures by the US Coast Guard.

Over 1,450 5-Star Reviews From Guests!

The raft ride was exhilarating but surprisingly comfortable. It rained a bit but they were ready with rain jackets. It only added to the fun and quickly passed. We saw tons of spinner dolphins, went into a cave and did a fun turn-about, and snorkeled on our way back. Highly recommend.

I have hiked Napali for years, but this was the first time via water and it was amazing! A MUST SEE & DO for those wanting a more adventurous and remote experience. Great crew and captain- good vibes, history, stories & views. I'll be back to book another trip! Thanks for some valuable memories and experiences.

I’m a Custom-Adventure-Tour guide on Kauai. I specialize in only the best. Even though I live on Kauai, I still take a catamaran tour of Na Pali coast at least once a year. This company offers the best catamaran tour available! If you can, make sure to book a tour that has Captain Kauai at the helm, as he is the best of the best. Aloha!

My first time snorkeling and I had a blast! The crew was personable, professional, and even offered me prescription goggles. This was a solo activity for me and I met some very nice people. Everyone had a great time. I saw dolphins, a tortoise, and fish that I used to have in my fish tank some years back. I look forward to doing it again on my next trip!

Picturesque views of the coast, great information on the history of the area, and amazing wildlife!We saw too many whales to count, turtles and spinner dolphins. The crew provided a fun and safe experience for people of all ages. There were several people on the boat that had been on the same tour multiple times before.

This was probably my favorite of all the tours I did in Kauai (..and I did a lot!).Very fun and upbeat, but also relaxing. We saw so many whales and lots of spinner dolphins. The views are second to none. We couldn’t do the Na Pali Coast due to high winds and waves. So worth your time to do this tour!Shout out to the captain and crew...you guys ROCKED!

The tour and snorkeling were great, but what made this a memorable trip was the amazing crew! Their knowledge and service was impeccable and amongst the best I've seen (we make it a point to tour/snorkel everywhere we go around the world). Perfect balance of safety and experience. Thank you crew, I highly recommend Kauai Sea Tours!

We had an excellent time! Would recommend for sure when visiting Kauai. Captain Greg and our crew were amazing. We were re-routed the day of our trip due to high winds and not safely getting us to Napali, but they still made the trip memorable and fun! Scenery and wildlife were the best, would've been happy with just that.

Protect Your Trip »

The 11 best napali coast and kauai boat tours.

Set sail on these excursions to explore the beauty of Kauai from the sea.

The Best Kauai Boat Tours

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From humpback whales and spinner dolphins to peaceful sea turtles, Hawaii's beautiful seas teem with wildlife. Observing these creatures alongside Kauai' s dramatic cliffs is best done from the water aboard a catamaran, a kayak or even an inflatable raft. U.S. News selected the following Kauai boat tours as the best available after analyzing both traveler and expert opinion.

Best Napali Coast Boat Tours

Holo holo charters – napali sunset dinner tour.

Price: Adults from $210; kids from $190 Duration: 3.5 hours

If a sunset sail is at the top of your Hawaii to-do list, consider this cruise. Aboard the company's 65-foot catamaran, you'll be treated to views of a sunset, rocky cliffs, sea caves and local sea life while gliding along the Napali Coast . Cruises are limited to 49 passengers. The tour also includes a hot dinner, as well as mai tais, beer and wine. Tourgoers describe the crew as exceptional and say the views are fabulous. Reviews for the food are more mixed, with many describing the dishes as average. Several travelers also warn of choppy waters and advise taking motion sickness medication ahead of your cruise.

Tours generally depart daily from Port Allen in the late afternoon, but departure times vary by season. Children younger than 5 are not allowed on the cruise. Holo Holo Charters also offers snorkeling cruises and a daylong tour that sails by neighboring island Niihau.

Check prices & availability on:

Blue Dolphin Charters – Niihau & Napali Coast Snorkel

Price: Adults from $285; kids from $245 Duration: 7.5 hours

Discover the Napali Coast and the island of Niihau on this snorkeling tour. Though you won't set foot on Niihau, you will get a chance to snorkel in the waters just off its coast. In addition to snorkeling equipment, tourgoers also have access to boogie boards, pool noodles and a slide on the boat. The trip also includes breakfast and a deli-style lunch with beer, wine and mai tais, as well as nonalcoholic beverages. Travelers report seeing lots of wildlife and praise the friendly crew.

Tours are generally available Tuesday, Friday and Sunday with a 6 a.m. check-in time. You may receive a slight discount by booking online ahead of time. Children younger than 5 are not permitted on the tour. Blue Dolphin operates a few other snorkel tours, as well as a whale watching trip and sunset cruises.

Kauai Sea Tours – Na Pali Raft Tour

Price: Adults from $190; kids from $180 Duration: 5 to 5.5 hours

Be prepared to get wet on this tour, which takes place aboard a rigid-hull inflatable raft. Thanks to the boat's design, it can access sea caves, go beneath waterfalls and hug the coast, allowing passengers an up-close look at nature. Participants have the opportunity to snorkel and enjoy a packed lunch and nonalcoholic drinks while on the excursion. Tour-takers praise the crew and say they enjoy the views and the plentiful wildlife, ranging from dolphins to monk seals to turtles. Others caution the ride can get choppy.

Trips depart at 7 a.m. year-round, and additional tours at 1:30 p.m. are offered from June through August. Kids must be 7 or older to participate. The company also offers whale watching tours and sunset cruises on traditional boats.

Na Pali Coast Tours – Na Pali Sight See Adventure

Price: From $250 Duration: 2 hours

Calling all thrill-seekers! This catamaran tour departing from Hanalei Bay promises lots of adventure, jaw-dropping views and plenty of speed. As you travel along the coast, keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, sea turtles, humpback whales (in winter), waterfalls and rainbows. Travelers rave about the stunning views and appreciate the captain and crew's knowledge of the island's history and wildlife. Reviewers also appreciate the ability to access multiple sea caves thanks to the boat's easy maneuverability. Though the boat affords up-close views of the coast, it doesn't protect against sea spray and is not equipped with a restroom, so keep that in mind when booking.

Tours typically depart Monday through Saturday at 4:30 p.m. (though offerings may vary by season). A maximum of 18 passengers are permitted on board. Due to the more adventurous nature of this tour, it's not recommended for children younger than 4 years old, pregnant people or those with back or neck issues. If you're hoping to explore in the water, consider the company's four-hour snorkeling tour.

Courtesy of Capt. Andy's

Capt. Andy's Sailing Adventures – Classic Na Pali Snorkel Picnic Sail

Price: Adults from $215; kids from $195 Duration: 5.5 hours

This cruise aboard a 55-foot catamaran includes a trip along Kauai's Napali Coast and snorkeling in a tropical reef, as well as a continental breakfast, lunch, desserts and drinks (including beer and wine). You'll also learn a bit of Hawaiian history. Travelers enjoy the views and wildlife spotted on this cruise. They are also complimentary of the food.

Tours depart daily at 8 a.m., and children younger than 3 are not permitted. Capt. Andy's also offers day trips, as well as dinner and sunset sails.

Blue Ocean Adventure Tours – Na Pali Beach Landing

Price: Adults from $235; kids from $215 Duration: 6 hours

On this raft tour, you'll explore the Napali Coast from the water and glide past waterfalls and through sea caves, spotting dolphins, whales and sea turtles along the way. The cruise also includes a stop for snorkeling at the secluded Nualolo Kai beach, a buffet lunch and a nature stroll through an ancient Hawaiian fishing village – a highlight for travelers. Reviewers gush about the scenery and say the crew creates a safe, fun and memorable experience.

Tours depart at 7 a.m. year-round and 12:30 p.m. seasonally between May and September. Children must be at least 6 years old to join the tour. Blue Ocean also operates scenic catamaran tours and private outings.

Makana Charters and Tours – Na Pali Coast Tour on the Makana

Price: Adults from $189; kids from $159 Duration: 5 hours

This tour aboard the Makana – a 32-foot catamaran – includes exploring sea caves, lunch and snorkeling at Nualolo Kai, one of the island's best beaches. A native Hawaiian family owns the company and operates the tours. What's more, the boat takes no more than 12 snorkelers out at a time. Travelers particularly enjoy the coastal views and say the crew is very attentive.

Choose from a morning cruise departing at 8 a.m. or an afternoon tour at 1:30 p.m. Passengers must be at least 9 years old to ride. The company offers a variety of tours of the Napali Coast in boats of all sizes.

More Top-Rated Kauai Boat Tours

Kayak adventures kauai – waterfall kayak adventure on kauai's wailua river.

Price: Adults from $114; kids from $94 Duration: 6 hours

Paddle your way through the Wailua River on this excursion limited to 12 people. During the tour, you'll also hike through the Wailua rainforest to Uluwehi Falls for a swim. Along the way, guides share information about the ancient history and culture of this area, which is a National Historic Landmark. Travelers particularly enjoy the hike and say guides are friendly and informative.

Tours operate Monday through Friday at 7:45 and 8:45 a.m. Guests must be at least 5 years old to participate.

Catamaran Kahanu – Kauai Whale Watching Tour

Price: From $120 Duration: 2 hours

For those looking to go whale watching in Hawaii, this catamaran cruise is just the ticket. Animal enthusiasts will have the chance to spot humpback whales as they live in Hawaii's waters to care for newborn calves. Travelers may also spot other wildlife like dolphins and sea turtles. Tourgoers report seeing lots of whales and dolphins, and they describe the crew as passionate and knowledgeable.

Tours depart daily from late December to mid-April; hours vary by season. Kids must be at least 5 years old to participate. Catamaran Kahanu also offers a boat tour around the Napali Coast.

Kayak Kaua'i – Hanalei Blue Lagoon Paddle & Snorkel

Price: From $125 Duration: 4 hours

Spend a few hours kayaking in the ocean and rivers in and around Hanalei Bay on this scenic adventure. Throughout the trip, you'll take intermittent breaks from the kayak to explore the reefs and beaches, providing ample opportunity to collect shells and bird-watch, all while looking for dolphins and sea turtles. The tour also includes a deli lunch with juice and seltzer water. Tour-takers say guides are friendly and knowledgeable, and particularly enjoy the river portion of the trip, calling it relaxing.

Tours are offered Monday through Saturday at 8 a.m.; an additional 11 a.m. tour is available between May and September. Children must be at least 5 years old to participate. Kayak Kaua'i also offers kayaking trips on the Wailua River, among other tours.

Kauai Zodiac Tourz – Kauai's Ultimate South Island Zodiac Boat Snorkel Adventure

Price: Adults from $135; kids from $115 Duration: 3 hours

Kauai's south shore promises stunning reefs, calm waters and a variety of marine life, making it an ideal snorkeling spot. On this tour, you'll travel by rigid-hulled inflatable boat to remote snorkeling locations, passing the famous Spouting Horn blowhole along the way. If weather permits, you'll also visit Kipu Kai, which is only accessible by boat and boasts some of the island's best snorkeling. Tourgoers report encountering lots of fish and green sea turtles, and they describe the crew as informative, friendly and attentive.

Tours depart at 8 and 11 a.m. daily. The company also offers a popular two-hour guided snorkeling tour that embarks from the shore, meaning no boat ride is required.

You may also be interested in:

• Best Kauai Helicopter Tours
• Take a Photo Tour of Kauai
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Tags: Tours , Travel , Vacations , Hawaii

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San Diego SEAL Tours

Sea & land adventures we make vacations better ®, join us on san diego seal tours to view america’s finest city on a boat with wheels..

Ready to see the best of San Diego on sea and land?  Your 100-minute, fully narrated SEAL Tour departs from Seaport Village or the Embarcadero. Wind your way through picturesque San Diego streets before splashing down for a cruise through the waters of the San Diego Bay. Experience the history and ecological wonders of San Diego in the comfort and security of our virtually unsinkable Hydra-Terras. Here you will learn first-hand of our rich military history and cruise through the waters that are the playground of the California Seals and Sea Lions.

San Diego tours depart from two locations, Seaport Village or Embarcadero. Your land and sea adventure is led by one of our experienced sightseeing tour guides. Our captain and crew are locals who love this beautiful city, so they know about the best things to see and do!

View some of San Diego’s most famous points of interest including the Maritime Museum, Star of India, The U.S.S. Midway, Lindbergh Field, Seaport Village, Shelter Island and many other San Diego attractions!

Once on the water, the boat tour glides past resident San Diego seals and sea lions, a few California brown pelicans, and several other wildlife species from the safety and comfort of our amphibious vehicles.

Enjoy a leisurely cruise and witness various San Diego attractions including Point Loma, the North Island Naval Air Station, Point Loma Submarine Base, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the Marine Mammal Training Center, Shelter Island and much more!

FREE Self-Guided Walking Tours (adult ticket) Enjoy San Diego your way with our self-guided walking tours. As you finish your SEAL Tour, the adventure continues at your own pace, using your smartphone for turn-by-turn guided audio tours. Explore rich history, discover hidden gems, and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of America’s Finest City. Even after you disembark, the fun keeps going, ensuring an unforgettable experience that’s uniquely yours.

Select Your Journey

Whether you’re just breezing through or enjoying an extended stay, we’ve got several options to choose from to help you maximize your time in San Diego and still see the best first!

1512 reviews

San Diego Seal Tour 4.6

San Diego SEAL Tour

• 100-minute, fully narrated SEAL Tour
• State-of-the-art U.S. Coast Guard certified Hydra-Terra vehicles
• Wind your way through picturesque San Diego streets
• Cruise through the waters of San Diego Bay
• FREE Self-Guided Walking Tours (adult ticket)

Old Town Trolley Pass & SEAL Tour

• 1 day of free unlimited re-boarding aboard the Old Town Trolley
• Only hop-on and off tour over the bridge to Coronado
• FREE Self-Guided Walking Tours

Whaley House Evening Guided Tour

• Be part of the historic legacy, mystery and legends of the Whaley Family, and hear of their myths and misconceptions
• Approximately 30-minute guided tour through the historic Whaley House and the surrounding grounds
• Regale in the tales of the spirits from the past and perhaps even experience the paranormal

Whaley House Daytime Self-Guided Tour

• Self-paced tour through the interior and surrounding grounds of the House
• Immerse yourself into the history that makes the property a unique legacy site
• Discover the heritage that leads many to believe that the Whaley House is America's Most Haunted
• Get an unparalleled peek into early California history

Ghosts & Gravestones

• Join our spirited & entertaining tour built on stories, history, mystery and legends
• Travel back and hear about the spirits of characters who lived & died in San Diego
• Hear stories of how Pioneer Park changes to the darker side when the sun goes down
• Includes outside of the Whaley House and grounds. Tour does not enter the house.

San Diego City Lights Night Tour

• Open-air sightseeing perfect for taking pictures
• Approximately 1 hour and 40 minute tour
• See San Diego’s famous sights illuminated at night
• Take in romantic views of the city and cruise past notable landmarks

1-Day Old Town Trolley Tour

• 1 day of free unlimited re-boarding
• Hop on & off at 11 Old Town Trolley stops
• San Diego’s largest fleet with the most frequent service

ADVENTURE TOUR

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DID YOU KNOW...

The Star Of India is the World’s Oldest active iron clad sailing ship, sailing since Abraham Lincoln was President.

Seaport Village was built on landfill over Punta de los Muertos, Dead Man’s Point, where the Spanish expedition of 1782 buried those who had died of scurvy.

Artist Pae White designed the Visitor INFO Center with colored glass in hues that mimic the dawn and dusk hours of the San Diego Bay

There are 33 different species of seals? The largest of these is the elephant seal, weighing up to 8,800 pounds.

The foam flotation system in the SEAL has side sections of 100% aluminum, the hull is divided into small compartments and filled with foam material.

The Naval Base located at Ballast Point was originally a Spanish Fort.

The USS Midway was America's longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century, from 1945 to 1992.

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Tour schedule, the seal tour departs daily.

Wind your way through picturesque San Diego streets before splashing down for a cruise through the waters of the San Diego Bay. The sightseeing tour is approximately 100 minutes; 40 minutes on land and 60 minutes on the water. 

Click BUY TICKETS to see our Calendar

Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Schedule subject to change due to weather and low tide conditions or city events.

Download Brochure

Points of Departure

• Seaport Village Map
• Embarcadero Map

SAN DIEGO TRAVEL GUIDE

Salish Sea Map

Fun things to do at the pier.

Seattle Great Wheel

Wings Over Washington

Dine with us.

Pier 57 On Alaskan Hwy

Hours & Directions

Pier 57 - miner's landing.

Hours of operation

Check Times / Purchase Tickets  - Tours can only be booked ~2 months in advance.

Press Releases

Royal caribbean introduces ultimate world tour, the farthest-reaching cruise to all seven continents.

MIAMI, Oct. 20, 2021* – Adventurers seeking to travel far and wide can now set off on a world tour of their own. Royal Caribbean International is raising the bar for world cruises with the debut of the inaugural Ultimate World Cruise , an epic 274-night adventure that visits all seven continents, more than 150 destinations in 65 countries and eight great wonders of the world. This rich, immersive experience on Serenade of the Seas is the longest and most comprehensive world cruise out there, sailing roundtrip from Miami on Dec. 10, 2023, and through Sept. 10, 2024. Bookings for the full Ultimate World Cruise can be made by phone starting today, with an exclusive one-week window through Tuesday, Oct. 26, for Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society Diamond status members and above.

Travelers will sail to 69 destinations new to the cruise line and exclusive to the cruise itself. Highlights include Casablanca, Morocco; Qaqortoq, Greenland; and Shimizu, Japan – the gateway to Mount Fuji. Guests can delve deep into many of the world’s breathtaking wonders, from Peru’s Machu Picchu to the Taj Mahal in India, and experience distinct cultures and picturesque shores at every corner of the world all in one spectacular adventure – only on Royal Caribbean.

“This is the world cruise of world cruises,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Now more than ever, people have resolved to travel the world and make up for lost time. Royal Caribbean is making that a reality with the ultimate vacation that welcomes those seeking adventure and exploration to taste, dance and dream with us around the world. To travelers asking themselves where they should go next, we say everywhere.”

Guests ready to traverse the world can book the full Ultimate World Cruise today or choose from any of the four expeditions that will offer a wide range of destinations as soon as December 2021 – from the Americas to Asia-Pacific, Northern Europe and more:

• Ultimate Americas Dec. 10, 2023 - Feb. 11, 2024 – Three continents, 36 destinations, four wonders The once-in-a-lifetime journey begins in Miami, the cruise capital of the world, and sets course for postcard-perfect Caribbean destinations – like the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao) – before heading to glacier-studded Antarctica and around Cape Horn. Travelers can take in four of the world’s stunning wonders along the way in Central and South America, including Chichen Itza in Cozumel, Mexico; the largest art deco sculpture in the world, Christ the Redeemer , in Rio de Janeiro – where they’ll celebrate New Year’s Eve – and the largest waterfall system on the planet, Iguazu Falls near Buenos Aires, Argentina. One of the most iconic symbols of ancient Inca civilization and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu , awaits in Peru, while sunshine and glamour will welcome guests in Los Angeles.
• Ultimate Asia-Pacific Feb. 11 - May 9, 2024 – Three continents, 40 destinations, three wonders Guests will venture miles from the ordinary in Oceania, Asia and beyond on the cruise’s next showstopping leg. They can discover the beauty and adventure throughout the Hawaiian Islands’ world-renowned mountainous landscapes and black sand beaches before sailing south to Moorea and Tahiti, French Polynesia, for sapphire blue skies and crystal-clear waters. The thrills continue with an exploration of New Zealand before a deep-dive into Australia’s Great Barrier Reef – the only living thing on the planet that’s visible from space. Pristine natural beauty in Bali, Indonesia, is soon followed by two of the most iconic manmade world wonders, the Great Wall of China and India’s Taj Mahal, and gems of the South Pacific – from Vietnam to Malaysia. Rounding out the expedition are endless possibilities in Japan, with unparalleled culture in Tokyo, street food in Osaka and the tropical beaches of Okinawa.
• Ultimate Africa and Southern Europe May 9 - July 10, 2024 – Three continents, 39 destinations, one wonder This expedition begins in glamorous Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and takes vacationers on a journey through historic marvels and natural wonders. Adventurers can set out to explore the sand dunes of the world’s oldest desert in Namibia, sunbathe at the idyllic beaches in Cape Town, South Africa, and hike rainforests along the Ivory Coast. There are also places that go back in time, such as the Colosseum in Rome and the Venetian-style streets of Corfu, Greece. The adventure continues to even more destinations known for their storied history — like Split, Croatia, and Cannes and Provence in France.
• Ultimate Europe and Beyond July 10 - Sept. 10, 2024 – Three continents, 40 destinations The final leg of the Ultimate World Cruise is an immersive, cultural experience that begins in the Mediterranean and heads north. At travelers’ fingertips is the opportunity to discover Barcelona, Spain’s brilliant architecture, including Antoni Gaudi’s famed Sagrada Familia and whimsical Park Guell , and savor new flavors across continents — such as an indulgent lunch in a Parisian bistro and a dinner of tagine and mint tea in Morocco. Museums, theaters and galleries line the streets of St. Petersburg, Russia, while larger-than-life fjords await in Norway. Guests can reflect on their epic voyage in the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland before visiting New York on their way back to Miami.

Globetrotters will explore the world in style on Serenade , thanks to Royal Caribbean’s award-winning experiences and amenities. And adventurers can stay close to the action with the ship’s acres of glass, which offer panoramic views, as they cruise from one destination, continent and world wonder to the next. From start to finish, guests who book the full Ultimate World Cruise can expect a seamless, world-class travel experience that includes business class airfare, premium transportation as well as an evening of festivities and accommodations at a five-star hotel before setting sail. Plus, Crown & Anchor Society Platinum status members and above will receive a bonus New World Wonders shore excursion package in addition to other perks, including a Deluxe Beverage package, VOOM Wi-Fi, laundry service and more.

Bookings for the entire Ultimate World Cruise open today for Diamond and above Crown & Anchor Society members. Guests interested in booking can call Royal Caribbean’s dedicated line for the Ultimate World Cruise at 800-423-2100 (US toll free) or their travel advisor.

About Royal Caribbean International Royal Caribbean International has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous traveller. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to more than 270 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas,  Perfect Day at CocoCay,  the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 18 consecutive years in the  Travel Weekly  Readers’ Choice Awards.

Media can stay up to date by following  @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

*September 2024 update: The release has been updated to reflect the Ultimate World Cruise's latest lineup of destinations.

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Thimble Island Cruise

ABOARD THE SEA MIST

WelcomeAboard The 

Relax and enjoy a 45 minute narrated cruise aboard Sea MIst around The Thimble Islands.

A One Hour Cruise / Branford River and shoreline Aboard Our New Vessel " Island Time" Book Online Now

Tour The Thimbles

First discovered in 1614 by Adrien Block , these islands were used for everything from farming to quarrying granite, from bootlegging to hiding Captain Kidd’s treasure. Captain Kidd sailed here in 1665…you can still feel his presence today.

Join Captains Mike, Justin, Bryan and the crew of the Sea Mist as you tour the famous Thimble Islands off the coast of Branford, Connecticut. For nearly sixty years, 1000s of seafarers have enjoyed tours and charters of the Long Island Sound with Thimble Island Cruise.

Our Vessels

The Sea Mist is a 44' Carman Boat of Chesapeake design. This vessel was designed with large windows and comfortable seating for sightseeing and private cruises to enjoy cocktails or dinner with friends and family. There are two observation decks. The lower deck is equipped with a full heating system and the interior can be completely sheltered for inclement weather. The upper deck is open to the breeze for observation and photos. Departs from the Stony Creek Dock! Thimble Islands!

Island Time

Our new vessel, "Island Time" is a 40' Catamaran powered by twin 300HP Suzuki Outboards. There is perimeter seating for 28 passengers. We have a bar on board providing beverages. There is a head on board. Departing from Bruce & Johnson's Safe Harbor Marina. Cruising the Branford River & the Branford Coast.

This does not do the Thimble Island Tour!

We have scheduled public cruises. Private Charters are also available. Call: 203 488 8905.

What better way to celebrate 40 years on the water than to have your own beer made?

Having an ice cold “Sea Mist IPA” on a Thimble Island Cruise aboard The Sea Mist is a match made in heaven. If you can’t make it onto the boat just pick some up at the Stony Creek Package Store and enjoy it wherever you are.

Relax & Enjoy the Ride

Private charters.

After the sightseeing tours on SEA MIST, we transform our vessel into a private charter boat for a party or dinner cruise. You can bring your own food or have it completely catered. We do have a full bar on board for your beverage needs and for a two hour or more charter.  We suggest, if you are just going to party or have hors d’oeuvres that you invite 38 or less. For dinner, we suggest 26 to 34 persons. Enjoy a 2 hour  cruise as the scenery slowly changes along the coastline of Branford and up the Branford River, the Thimble Islands and coastal Guilford to Sachems Head.

Go to Island Time for Charter discription on  ISLAND TIME: Recommended for Adults Only!

Lose Yourself in the Thimbles

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Cruise the branford river aboard island time.

 Lunch cruises/ Dinner cruises/ Office Parties/ Bridal Cruise/ Foliage Cruise etc: Always calm on the River for a beautiful ride!         NEW: We can now … Read More... about Cruise The Branford River Aboard ISLAND TIME

2024 With our new online booking system, we will book month to month. Towards the end of each month we will open the following month for new reservations. … Read More... about Bookings

We Are Open For 2024

Office is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday  9:am to 3:pm Please leave a detailed message if we do not answer! We will return your call asap!  Tours and charters will begin the first weekend … Read More... about We Are Open For 2024

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Sea Mist, LLC. Thimble Islands Cruise PO Box 3138 Stony Creek,Ct. 06405 Phone 203-488-8905

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What you need to know about the Navy’s sea and shore tour reforms

More than 50,000 sailors will feel the impact of the Navy’s most recent overhaul of sea and shore tour lengths.

The Navy announced the update in an administrative message Monday to its enlisted career management policy, known as Sea Shore Flow .

The policy prescribes the length a sailor can expect on their first sea and shore tours and every tour to follow along a 30-year career trajectory.

“This was a necessary adjustment to ensure that we have the right people in the right billets to maintain our operational readiness across the Fleet,” said Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. John B. Nowell Jr. in a statement accompanying Monday’s update.

The updates affect sailors in 47 ratings. Of those, 20 ratings will see longer sea tours, 22 will have their sea tours cut short and seven will see longer shore tours .

This is the first update since 2016 , when 13 ratings saw more sea time and 15 saw a drop. Three years ago, 42 ratings saw no change to tour lengths.

This time, there was no change for 41 ratings.

The sea-shore flow system maps out tour lengths, so that every sailor in a given rating will serve about the same amount of time at sea and shore over a 30-year career.

The policy caps sea tours at five years, but sailors are allowed to extend that if they want.

Sailors within 12 months of a planned rotation are not affected by the update. Those outside of their 12-month window will have their planned rotation date adjusted in their electronic record.

Detailing windows will shift accordingly, too.

Want to make first class petty officer? Here you go!

The navy's pilot program for advancing sailors willing to take the jobs few want to do is now permanent..

As the force grows and demands change, the Navy must realign tour lengths to reflect those needs, Fleet Master Chief Wes Koshoffer said in an interview with Navy Times.

Each update is a reflection of several variables, including accessions, demand for billets from the fleet and the need for support from the shore.

“We are a seagoing Navy,” Koshoffer said. “We’re in great power competition. A layman might think you can just put sailors at sea forever and that would fix the problem. That’s really not true. In order to have a healthy Navy, you have to have balance.”

Of the 20 ratings that will see increased sea duty tour lengths , 14 will feel the extension during their first tours.

That works out to 23,597 sailors out of a total 30,058 who will see more time on sea duty overall, according to documents provided by the Navy to Navy Times.

Another 21,667 sailors will see less time on sea duty , including 12,329 sailors from 11 ratings during their first sea tour.

To Koshoffer, that reflects a need to focus on filling gaps at the apprentice level.

“That’s sort of what we’re chasing,” he said.

This update also closes what Koshoffer called “persistent gaps at sea" in recent years.

He used the mineman rating as an example. The billet can expect to see a 12-month increase for sailors on their first sea tour, with no increases for the second and fourth tours and a decrease of six months by the third, according to the update.

That update reflects a need that the Navy has right now as it counters threats by Iran, Russia and China.

“It is a maritime era and the ability to know, if you look at the world situation with straits and choke points and these strategic or maybe tactical locations in places all over the world, the ability to detect and deal with mines and minefields is a high priority mission for us right now,” Koshoffer said.

“We’re building capacity at sea right now to deal with mines and central to that is the minemen rating.”

Courtney Mabeus-Brown is the senior reporter at Air Force Times. She is an award-winning journalist who previously covered the military for Navy Times and The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Va., where she first set foot on an aircraft carrier. Her work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Foreign Policy and more.

In Other News

This week in Congress: Lawmakers rush to pass VA funding

Defense and veterans hearings on capitol hill for the week of sept. 16, 2024..

More military spouses eligible for $4,000 tuition aid scholarship

All enlisted spouses now eligible for the popular scholarship program..

Navy to commission first sub designed for both men and women sailors

The new jersey is entering the fleet about 14 years after the defense department lifted its ban on women serving on subs..

JD Vance would consider privatizing some VA services if elected

The vice presidential candidate also said that he would support firing va workers who aren't performing well..

Congress moves to fix VA budget gap, but time is running out

House and senate leaders hope to approve $3 billion in extra funding for veterans affairs benefits checks by sept. 20..

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Mariner of the seas.

This isn’t your same-old, never bold weekend. This is a boredom busting getaway for the whole crew.

The amped up Mariner of the Seas® is packed with more ways to play on the most maxed-out short getaway ever. Hang ten on the added FlowRider®* surf simulator or race down The Perfect Storm℠ waterslides. Bond over family-style Tuscan eats at Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver, or kick off date night at The Bamboo Room. Ditch the road trip for an action-packed cruise ship, with quick cruises sailing from Orlando. 

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The new Mariner of the Seas® is loaded with surprises to thrill even the boldest weekend warriors. Hang ten on the added FlowRider®* surf simulator or race down The Perfect Storm℠ waterslides. And go head-to-head in a glow-in-the-dark laser tag clash in Battle for Planet Z℠.

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Fuel up on game-day favorites at Playmakers℠ Bar & Arcade. Savor a taste of Italy at Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver. Or say "Konnichiwa" to fresh sushi and sashimi at Izumi. And sweeten up your getaway with creamy milkshakes and a side of classic Americana at Johnny Rockets®.    

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From expertly-mixed tiki-inspired cocktails at The Bamboo Room to craft brews at Playmakers℠ Bar & Arcade, salsa dancing and mojitos at Boleros to sing-alongs and classic sips at Schooner Bar — when the day winds down, the night heats up onboard.

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ADVENTURE FROM YOUR BACKYARD

Take a break from that nine-to-five grind on the boldest Caribbean getaway ever — sailing from Galveston, Texas .

GO BOLD FROM GALVESTON

Set out on a Texas-sized adventure onboard Mariner of the Seas® sailing from Galveston for the first time ever. But first, explore everything this exciting seaside city has to offer. From a historic pier with family-friendly rides to marine sanctuaries, you’re in for big thrills even before you set sail.

CRUISE FROM GALVESTON

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Dial up memory making with a thrilling getaway to the Western Caribbean onboard Mariner of the Seas ®. Snorkel among colorful reefs and tropical fish in Cozumel . Zipline through rainforest canopies in Roatán . And explore ancient temples and Maya ruins in Puerto Costa Maya .

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