Blount - Small Ship Adventures

Retractable pilot houses. Bow ramps. A shallow draft, that allows the ship to sail in less than seven feet of water. They're all innovations you'll find onboard our ships. And they all got their start in the mind of Luther Blount.

Cruise under the lowest bridges

Nothing sparked Luther's imagination like hearing that something couldn't be done. He certainly heard it that day on the Erie Canal, when he shared his vision of a cruise ship sailing through the locks of New York's famous waterway. “The bridges are too low,” they said. “You'll never fit.”

So Luther headed back to his workshop, and set out to prove them wrong. A few months later, Luther had designed a ship that could slip, with inches to spare, under the lowest bridges on the canal, and fit through tight transit locks. It was all thanks to his new invention — the Retractable Pilot House. It's something you'll only find on Blount ships, and the innovation that makes our popular Erie Canal cruises possible today.

Walk straight from ship to shore

The idea came to Luther in a flash. He had seen people swim, right off their ships. He’d seen them climb up from the water on bow ladders. Which made him wonder: what if there was a ramp on the bow instead? Then he could just nudge the ship right up onto the beach, and his passengers could walk out the front door for a swim. Eureka! It was the first glimmer of what would later become the Blount Bow Ramp, an invention you'll see on all our ships today.

Navigate the shallowest waters

Perhaps his most amazing feat was the shallowness of his ships' draft. The draft refers to how far below the waterline the lowest part of a ship is. Amazingly, after years of perfecting his designs, all of the ships in our fleet have drafts of less than seven feet. So, even though they can hold 96 passengers, a crew, engines, glass bottom boats, kayaks, and a whole lot more, our ships can clear obstacles that would stop other ships in their tracks.

Take a peek below the surface

And we just have to mention one of Luther's favorite ideas: the glass-bottom boat. You'll find it onboard our ships sailing Caribbean itineraries. It’s the perfect way to see the world below the surface, without getting wet.

Live comfortably onboard

Blount ships have never stopped evolving. Through the years, we've added many features and refurbished the décor. But one thing has stayed the same- a dedication to a casual cruising experience. There’s no white glove dining service, no formal attire, and no luxurious staterooms. But there is a 180-degree vista-view lounge —the ideal place to get to know your fellow passengers as glorious, scenic landscapes unfold before you. Go upstairs, and you’ll find the upper deck, the perfect place to catch a breathtaking view, or catch a few rays.

When it comes time for a good night’s sleep, our ships offer four categories of small ship cruising cabins. Each feature individual air conditioning, which continuously brings fresh air into your room, day and night. Your room also features a private shower and washrooms, and a fresh, smoke-free environment. Add the refurbished staterooms onboard our Grande class ships, and you get a casual, relaxing, welcoming place to end the day.

It’s all a part of what makes cruising on a Blount ship so amazing. The kind of innovations that make adventure possible, open up new places to exploration, and make your journey as comfortable as possible.

So, want to learn more about our fleet? Click on the ship names above to look at each more closely.