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NYC to Boston SOLD OUT

A Voyage of Tradition aboard R/V Robert Gray

This is a once-in-a-generation voyage. Navigating alongside the Sail250 fleet—which includes legendary ships like Italy’s Amerigo Vespucci and the USCG Barque Eagle—on a historic vessel like the R/V Robert Gray (a 1936 steel research ship) offers a unique "working boat" perspective on a high-society maritime event.

The fleet is scheduled to depart New York after the celebrations on July 7th, racing and cruising toward the Grand Parade of Sail in Boston on July 11, 2026.

The RVRG will head north, making passage through Long Island Sound, Buzzards Bay, The Cape Cod Canal, and Cape Cod Bay before arriving in Boston Harbor.

The Following cabins are available for booking. Unless otherwise noted, the Cabins aboard the Research Vessel Robert Gray have shared heads (bathroom and shower facilities) located outside the cabin.

Amundsen: Two-person private bunk cabin. - $4,000 BOOKED
Peary: Two-person private bunk cabin. - $4,000 BOOKED
Goodall: Two-person private full bed cabin. - $4,750 BOOKED
Cousteau: Two-person private bunk cabin. - $4,750 BOOKED
Earle: Two-person private full-bed cabin with private head. - $5,625 BOOKED

This Voyage takes place after Sail 4th in New York Harbor. If you would like to stay aboard the Robert Gray during the NYC festivities the prior week, you can book your cabin here: Sail 4th aboard the Robert Gray

Dates

July 7th — 12th 2026

6 days, 5 nights

Location

New York Harbor
USA

Availability

0 Double Cabin

0 Single Cabin

Price

$5625 Double Cabin price per cabin

$4750 Double Cabin price per cabin

$4000 Double Cabin price per cabin

New York to Boston on Research Vessel Robert Gray

Day 1: Departure from New York City

The Scene: Embark at Pier 25 (Hudson River Park), the Robert Gray’s seasonal home. You’ll weave through the gathering fleet of Class A tall ships anchored in the Upper Bay.
Highlight: Passing the Statue of Liberty alongside 19th-century-style barques. As a research vessel, the Robert Gray offers a stable, elevated platform for photography and observation.
Evening: Transit the East River under the Brooklyn Bridge and through Hell Gate as you head into the Long Island Sound.

Day 2: Block Island, RI

The Stop: Drop anchor in Great Salt Pond. This is a traditional "muster" point for ships moving between NY and Newport.
Onshore: Rent bikes to visit the Mohegan Bluffs or enjoy a mudslide at The Oar.
The Fleet: Expect to see the "Class B" fleet (smaller schooners) tucked into the pond with you.

Day 3: Cuttyhunk Island, MA

The Stop: A tiny, quiet outpost at the end of the Elizabeth Islands. With no cars and a population in the dozens, it’s the perfect "calm before the storm" of the Boston crowds.
Activity: Enjoy fresh oysters from the "Raw Bar" boat that circles the harbor. From the top of the island, you can look out across Buzzards Bay and try to catch the silhouettes of the tall ships on the horizon.
Evening: Transit the Cape-Cod canal with the tidal change.

Day 4: Provincetown, MA

The Stop: Anchor outside the breakwater at P-town.
The Research Angle: This is prime whale-watching territory (Stellwagen Bank). Use Robert Gray's observation decks to spot Humpbacks while the tall ships nearby practice their maneuvers for the upcoming parade.
Evening: Head ashore to Commercial Street for dinner before departure.

Day 5: The Grand Parade of Sail (Boston)

The Main Event: On Saturday, July 11, the Robert Gray joins the flotilla. You’ll parade past Castle Island and into the main channel of Boston Harbor.
The Arrival: The fleet will be led by the USS Constitution.
Evening: The voyage concludes as the city erupts in fireworks to kick off the week-long Sail Boston festival.

Day 6: Disembark Boston Harbor

Explore: Boston will be alive with activity, and there will be so much to explore on the final day
Disembark: after a final lunch on board.

Crew

S. Davis Alford

Captain

Captain S. Davis Alford is a seasoned mariner with over 20 years of experience and tens of thousands of nautical miles logged across the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean. Holding a USCG 200-Ton Master’s License with a Sailing Endorsement, he currently serves as the Master of the R/V ROBERT GRAY, a historic 125-foot military research vessel. Under his command, the storied 1936 vessel has been restored to active service, acting as a premier platform for marine research and a living piece of maritime history.

Beyond his technical command, Captain Davis serves as the Director of Operations for The Voyagers Club and President of VC Expeditions, where he bridges the gap between maritime tradition and modern exploration. As an ASA-credentialed instructor, he is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of sailors and sharing the transformative power of the ocean. He leads with a mission-driven vision that connects adventurers to the profound mysteries of life at sea.

Meals Included

Daily Lunch and Breakfast, and Three Dinners

In the mess: The “mess” on Robert Gray is the dining room where the crew dines with guests, adjacent to the galley, for informal meals.

5 breakfasts
2 casual lunches

On Deck: More formal plated meals will be served on the heli-pad deck with an expansive view. "on deck" meals will be served indoors in inclement weather.

2 formal lunches
3 formal dinners

For not included meals, you will be on port calls with restaurants to visit and your crew will help you make the appropriate reservations

Cabin Accommodations

The Robert Gray is a historic ship originally built for military service. Unless otherwise noted, the cabins do not have en-suite bathrooms.

Private Cabins available are:

Amundsen: Two-person private bunk cabin FOREPEAK
Peary: Two-person private bunk cabin. FOREPEAK
Goodall: Two-person private full bed cabin. MIDSHIP
Cousteau: Two-person private bunk cabin. SALOON DECK STARBOARD
Earle: Two-person private full-bed cabin with private head SALOON DECK PORT

Please inquire if you are interested in a bunk in the communal crew bunk room. (not pictured)

FAQ

In Collaboration with the Voyagers Club, Sailing Collective curates this group-travel expedition aboard the Research Vessel Robert Gray.

This experience is limited to 12 travelers, accompanied by a Sailing Collective representative and chef.

Q. Where do I fly into?

New York has three major airports that will get you to the ship. Newark NJ is as close to pier 25 as Laguardia or JFK.

Q. When can I depart Boston if I join the NYC to Boston Passage?

Anytime after 11 am on July 12th you can be at Logan Airport or south station via taxi transfer from the ship.

Q. Will the ship leave the dock on the July 4th NY Harbor stay?

Yes! In addition to being the "wedge vessel" leading the parade of sail up the hudson river on july 4th, The Robert Gray is responsible for assisting in maritime operations for the festival and will be using it's crane to place and remove marker buoys on the days before and after the event. The Captain will also take you out to tour the harbor and to dine anchored by the statue of liberty.

Q. Will I be able to tour the other ships participating in the festival?

Yes, almost all of the ships will be open to the public for tours and some will offering sailing experiences that we can arrange for you.

Q. What are accommodations like aboard the Robert Gray?

The RVRG started it's career in 1936 as a navy vessel and the available guest cabins are the officer and "supercargo" cabins that were outfitted in a stately but utilitarian style for the high ranking members of the crew. With the exception of "Earl" all cabins have shared toilet and shower facilities located outside the cabin itself.

The Salon lounge area located on the aft deck is furnished with comfortable seating and a library of nautical tests and is open to guests at all hours.

The "mess" is a dining area located just forward of the galley and is where your morning coffee and less formal meals will be served.

Q. Is gratuity expected?

Gratuity is always appreciated by your crew.

Boats

Research Vessel Robert Gray

The R/V Robert Gray is a 90-year-old, 125-foot historic vessel built in 1936 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, now operating as a research and expedition vessel based in Charleston, SC. Restored by The Voyagers Club, it serves as a "living museum" for scientific research, maritime history, and, as of 2025, the North American Marine Microbe survey.