Tag: Cruiseport
At the State Pier
Took a ride over to the State Pier on a beautiful Tuesday.
TREMENDOUS TURNOUT FOR CAPE ANN ART HAVEN FAMILY FUN BIG BUOY PARTY AT CRUISEPORT!
CONGRATULATIONS! to Cape Ann Art Haven for the wonderfully successful Big Buoy Party. Great turnout, welcoming venue (Cruiseport), delicious refreshments, a multitude of art activities, live music, and a super fun vibe made for a great family night. Thank you Traci Thayne Corbett and Crew for all that you do for the kids!
Our beautiful city of Gloucester
SNAPSHOTS FROM THE CAPE ANN ART HAVEN BIG BUOY PARTY
Friday night, Charlotte and I attended the fabulous Art Haven Big Buoy Party. The family night was lots of fun, with tons of art activities for the kids and mountains of delicious food. Thank you to Traci and the Art Haven team for putting on a great event, and to Sheree Zizak for hosting at Cruiseport!
Running after a 1.5-year-old I was only able to take a few photos, but as you can see from the children’s and young teen’s faces, a fun night was had by all.
THE OPEN DOOR CELEBRATING 40 YEARS WITH A BEAUTIFUL AUTUMN BREAKFAST
The Open Door’s annual Autumn Breakfast, hosted by Cruiseport Gloucester, was especially beautiful and meaningful this year as it is the organization’s 40th year serving the Cape Ann community. The maxim of the Open Door is ‘feeding people and changing lives,’ and the heart rending testimonial given by guest speaker Colleen Moceri spoke to just that as she shared her story of how her life has been deeply affected by the assistance she has received from executive director Julie LaFontaine and her kind hearted staff.
Sheree Zizak received a huge round of applause and standing ovation for her tremendous generosity and was presented the Unsung Hero Award. The Helen Muise Community Service Awards were given to Jeffrey and Nancy McKeen, Janice Nolte, and Chris Pitman. The Charlotte Pope Award was presented to Ben Steele, and the Outstanding Partner Award was given to Addison Gilbert Hospital.
If you would like to make a donation to this most worthy of organizations visit the FOODPANTRY.org
The Open Door’s annual Thanksgiving Food Drive is Saturday, November 17th, from 9am to 3pm. Items most needed are peanut butter, canned tuna and chicken, healthy snack items, 100 percent juice and juice boxes, breakfast cereal, hearty soups, and caned fruits and veggies. Your food donations will be collected at Stop and Shop Gloucester, Market Basket in Gloucester and Rowley, and Shaw’s on Eastern Avenue and in Ipswich.
Chefs at Sea
I had such a great time last night on the Chefs at Sea cruise with Beauport Cruiselines. Everything prepared by Chef Jason Bond of Bondir Restaurant was spectacular.
The Chefs at Sea series will continue each Wednesday until August 15th.
Make a point to book your tickets soon! It is such a great way to see Gloucester’s gorgeous historic seaport while enjoying amazing cuisine by celebrity chefs. It is hard to think of a better way to spend a summer evening.
Live music, cash bar, and great company are the icing on the cake.
Beauport Hospitality Group (BHG), a regarded collection of upscale, full-service hotels, restaurants, event facilities and harbor dinner cruises situated along the picturesque North Shore coastline of Massachusetts, is pleased to announce the debut of its inaugural “Chefs at Sea” dinner series aboard its luxuriously appointed 124-foot ship – Beauport Cruiseliner, located at 6 Rowe Square in Gloucester.
Beginning July 11th and running every Wednesday through August 15th, BHG’s “Chefs at Sea” cruises will take guests along for an incredibly scenic and gastronomically satisfying three-hour culinary experience, featuring creatively-themed menus penned by acclaimed local chefs, including: Kevin O’Donnell and Michael Lombardi of SRV, an Italian wine bar and bacaro located in Boston’s hip South End neighborhood, Matt O’Neil of the highly acclaimed Ledger restaurant and the Blue Ox, and Ledger, Jason Bond of Bondir, Rachel Miller from the wildly popular Nightshade pop up, as well as Rory Lee of Moona in Cambridge, whose authentic Eastern Mediterranean mezze has landed the restaurant on every critic’s “must-try” list.
Upon boarding at 6:30 p.m., seafarers will be treated to delicious bites prepared by the featured chef and their talented “crew,” with dinner service commencing as “Cruiseliner” pulls away from the docks. In addition to a satisfying, multi-course meal, guests will enjoy an interactive cooking demonstration, live entertainment, custom décor, dancing, and sightseeing from spacious decks, all while sailing the tranquil waters of Gloucester Harbor. Cash bars featuring a full selection of premium beer, wine and spirits will be available for those who wish to imbibe. Upon request, pickups at the commuter rail is available via Beauport Hospitality Group and hotel stays are recommended at the nearby Beauport Hotel! Tickets are $80.00 per person (tax and gratuity not included) and include your meal, entertainment and a 3-hour scenic tour. All beverages are on a cash-bar basis. Menus are at chef’s whim, and will be released 72 hours prior to the event. Those with allergies, or dietary restrictions should make requests in the notes section of Eventbrite at time of booking and when possible accommodations will be made. Tickets will sell out in advance quickly!
Here is the line up of amazing celebrity chefs, their restaurants, and the charities that some of the proceeds are going to! To call that a Win, Win.
Chef Jason Bond of Bondir Restaurant
Date:July 11, 2018 | 6:30PM
Some proceeds to benefit Faith Kitchen http://www.faithkitchen.org/
Chef Matt O’Neil of Ledger and The Blue Ox
Date:July 18, 2018 | 6:30PM
Some proceeds to benefit ALS & MS Associations http://www.alsa.org/ https://www.nationalmssociety.org/
Chef Rory Lee of Moona
Date: July 25, 2018 | 6:30PM
Some proceeds to benefit PCRF http://www.pcrf.net/
Chef TBD
Date:August 1, 2018 | 6:30PM
Chef Rachel Miller of Nightshade
Date:August 8, 2018 | 6:30PM
Chef Kevin O’Donnell and Michael Lombardi of SRV
Date:August 15, 2018 | 6:30PM
Some proceeds to benefit No Kid Hungry https://www.nokidhungry.org/
Bridal Expo at Cruiseport
Another successful Bridal Expo held on Sunday. Wonderful turnout and so many great vendors were there. By the way the food the wait staff served to the guest was very yummy. Great event great venue.
SNAPSHOTS FROM THE 10TH ANNUAL LOBSTER TRAP TREE BUOY AUCTION!
Cruiseport and the Beauport Boat
On Friday before the Buoy Auction went over to the State Pier, the harbor was like a mirror. Amazing how the ocean can change continually.
Gail McCarthy highlights Cape Ann Reads and Cape Ann Art Haven in Gloucester Daily Times
in the news- Gail McCarthy highlights two family fun events in today’s Gloucester Daily Times
Friday – The annual Cape Ann Art Haven buoy auction is tomorrow night at Cruiseport!
Saturday – The upcoming Cape Ann Reads celebration at Gloucester City Hall is Saturday January 27 from noon to four. Gail’s article includes interviews with the four Library Directors and Mayor Romeo Theken. The color photograph that’s reproduced is a stunning drawing by Kim Smith from one of her children’s picture books, Beauty on the Wing. There’s also a photograph from Alice Gardner’s drawing installation at The Book Store for her published book St. Peter’s Fiesta. Here’s the link to the article and a clever title design: All Booked Up: Community Reception and Fair Celebrate literature and art for Children by Gail McCarthy, Gloucester Daily Times
State Pier View
sunny and delicious @Cruiseport: Discover Gloucester honors for Kathie Gilson and
Discover Gloucester Annual Holiday Luncheon December 13, 2017 at Cruiseport and Mayor Romeo Theken recognized Kathie Gilson for her work with the Stage Fort Park Visitor Center, Susan Kelly of Generous Gardeners and Karen Ristuben of Rocky Neck Art Colony for their incredible service.
The food was scrumptious and Cruiseport is such a sunny, pretty venue.

More scenes from Open Door Empty Bowl at Cruiseport
There was a constant line out the Cruiseport doors throughout this joyous and growing annual Open Door Empty Bowl Dinner.
Silent auction: For this trio of bowls, can you guess which is which by Senator Tarr, Representative Ferrante and Mayor Romeo -Theken?
Continue reading “More scenes from Open Door Empty Bowl at Cruiseport”
New candy cane curb appeal at SurfSide Subs and they’re GHS Interact Pizza Taste off winners
Opening Tomorrow–
Looks great! The green and yellow is gone, replaced by a cohesive festive summer look, red and white stripes matched up with the blue and white.
Plus they’re heralding good news: SurfSide Subs and pizza & Ice Cream is the 2017 Rotary GHS Gloucester Interact Club‘s 10th Annual Pizza Taste Off (held at Cruiseport) winner – 3x!
1st place best overall
1st place best sauce
1st place best crust
Look for pizza specials on Wednesdays
Cape Ann Art Haven Lobster Trap Tree Buoy Auction at Cruiseport
Featured restaurants and scenes from scrumptious good eats 2016 YMCA Taste of Cape Ann @Cruiseport #GloucesterMA
All I can say is don’t miss it next year! Several new establishments joined this fantastic annual fundraiser for the Cape Ann YMCA held at Cruiseport, 6 Rowe Square, Gloucester, MA. All photographs from November 10, 2016.
PASSPORTS RESTAURANT GLOUCESTER
PIGEON COVE TAVERN @ Emerson Inn by the Sea
Live Blogging: Taste of Cape Ann
Delicious food and drink and fundraiser for the YMCA! More photos coming of all the amazing restaurants and businesses. Come on down to Cruiseport (clam chowder from them)! Oh mY, the Cevice from Passports Restaurant! The bruschetta from Tonno!…
Here’s Beauport 1606
Live blogging- passengers come ashore in Gloucester from Holland America cruise ship Zuiderdam.
Happy travelers are such a joy! Meet Dean and Cathy King from Adelaide. They went to Washington and New York where they caught this Holland America cruise to Canada. They said the entertainment director outlined the demographics: 110 Aussies, 700 or so Canadians, 700 or so Americans, many countries represented by 10+ passengers and 13 New Zealanders, “to be precise.” They were squaring away their plans in Cruiseport until an 11:45AM tour to Rockport, and later walking downtown Gloucester. Their friends signed up for an 8AM tour. I spent time in Adelaide and loved it. I hope they have as great a time here, and memorable trip all around.
Before reaching Cruiseport, passengers like the Kings are shuttled ashore by tender boats.
The tenders hold more people than you think!
As they came ashore they were greeted with soaring vocals of Three Sheets to the Wind.
What a reception! Many visitors stopped to take their photo.
Passengers stream upstairs to happy greeters.
The lines ebb and flow with every tender.
Maps and brochures are selected as passengers head outside to enjoy a day in Gloucester and Cape Ann.



Happy helpful greeting at the CATA table. How could it be otherwise–Heidi Dallin!
Passengers heading downtown on the CATA trolley while others stand waiting for a CATA scenic bus.

special Gloucester offers for 3 ships cruising for fall foliage Sept 9, 24 and 29! See the welcome poster to print and hang for Holland America cruise ship Zuiderdam
Here’s the current list of Gloucester stores, museums, and organizations with special offers for the Zuiderdam passengers coming this Friday September 9th!
Peter Webber and Ken Riehl of the Cape Ann Chamber will be walking down Main Street in Gloucester tomorrow to hand out these festive welcome flyers for Holland America passengers. If you don’t see Peter or Ken, please print them out from the photo and display on doors and windows, or contact them and they can email you a PDF.
Ships arrive Friday September 9, Saturday September 24th–which is also a big Essex Heritage Trails & Sails day in Gloucester and Cape Ann– and Thursday September 29th as part of fall foliage cruising.
Three Sheets to the Wind will perform from the Cruiseport deck. CATA will be making bus stop locations and selling all day passes for $3. Some passengers remain on ship and 40% have pre-arranged day trips. After processing through security, 1000 remaining passengers or so will be guided to CATA’s special trolley downtown (including one stop at Western Ave and Middle Street for walking over to Stacy Boulevard) and regular routes to Rocky Neck and downtown Rockport. CATA doesn’t loop to Stage Fort. Steve Douglass runs water shuttle service to Rocky Neck. Local taxi and car services have been alerted. Please reach out to Peter@capeannchamber.com for details. Crew come ashore and in the past have numbered in the hundreds.
If you are ever interested in volunteering contact Lorre Anderson at welcomecruisers@gmail.com to sign up for welcome cruisers, the visitor center, and/or the Chamber. Lorre has managed the cruiseship volunteer brigade for the Chamber for years and is fabulous.

Gloucester’s Downtown Welcomes Holland America Zuiderdam passengers! Enjoy these special offers:
- DIVA; 161 Main St.: 12% off all purchases. Vintage and curated jewelry
- Cape Ann Museum; 27 Pleasant St.: $2 discount on our regular admission (currently admission is $10 for adult and $8 for seniors so admission for cruise ships would be $8 and $6 respectively) contemporary exhibits and permanent collection with world class holdings including Marsden Hartley, Fitz Henry Lane, Stuart Davis, Umberto Romano, Paul Manship, John Sloan, Katharine Weems, Viginia Lee Burton, Milton Avery, Edward Hopper, Winslow Homer and many more.
- Cape Ann Auction & Estate Sales, 82 Main St.: 25% off sale store wide on Sept 9 & Sept 29
- Carroll Steele Insurance; 32 Pleasant St.: ball point pen
- Fireflies Boutique; 100 Main St.: 15% off full price items vintage and retail
- Harbor Goods/Life is Good; 119 Main St.: 20% off Gloucester tees
- Harbor Loop Gift/ Building Center; 1 Harbor Loop; 10% off all nautical merchandise for the Cruise ship arrivals
- Kids Unlimited; 123 Main St: Take an additional 10% off all summer & winter clearance, already 50%-80% off
- Mark Adrian Shoes; 103 Main St.: $10 off any purchase of $50 or more
- The Brass Monkey; 85 Main St.: for a “TASTE OF NEW ENGLAND”. Sample a wide variety of New England specialty foods and explore our two floors of unique gifts, antiquities, clothing, jewelry and much more.
- Toodeloos! / Island Art; 142 Main St.: 10% off entire purchase awesome independent toy store and art supplies
- Trident Gallery; 189 Main St.: free exhibition poster ($25 value) to first 50 visitors
- Weathervane; 153 Main St.: 25% off sweats (excludes Cape Pond Ice)
Please note: Additional specials may be available at other businesses. Passengers are encouraged to ask merchants for details. City Hall tower tours may be available September 9th and definitely offered on Sept 24th and 29th.
flashback to 2014 prep