Summer Cruise Opportunities
The National Sea Scout Service Committee recognizes that summer cruises are crucial to the program of a ship and the advancement of each Sea Scout, so they encourage every ship to take at least one long cruise a year in addition to getting on the water at least once a month. The Summer Cruise Task Force has identified opportunities around the country that will allow Sea Scouts to get on the water this summer. If your ship doesn’t have a boat that is a suitable size for your summer cruise, you want to go on a unique cruise, or you need to send just one or two Sea Scouts on a cruise because of timing conflicts, consider some of these provisional options.
Currently Scheduled Cruises with Openings
Cruise aboard the USCG Barque Eagle
Do you want the adventure of a lifetime? Apply to sail aboard the tall ship US Coast Guard Cutter Eagle! The Eagle is a three-masted barque-rigged ship used to train Coast Guard cadets and officer candidates yearly during the spring and summer months. The Germans built The Eagle in 1936 and it was a war reparation by the U.S. after World War II. Since then, the Eagle has been home ported in New London, Connecticut, the location of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
They administer this program through the Coast Guard Auxiliary as part of their youth program. Based on available berthing space, billets are obtained from the Eagle leadership for select Sea Scouts to join as crew aboard the Eagle during the last portion of the summer cadet cruises. This opportunity is available to all Sea Scouts who desire fun, adventure, and a summer cruise to remember—you don’t want to miss this chance. Sailing on Eagle counts toward Long Cruise as well! Using the application linked below, Sea Scouts must apply by March 31st each year to be considered for this exciting and rewarding program.
Here is a great introductory video on the USCGC Barque Eagle.
Background:
Since this program has been in existence, up to 10 Sea Scouts each year have had the opportunity to sail in the EAGLE, a steel hulled fully rigged ship that has served the Coast Guard as a sail training vessel since 1947. Homeported in New London, CT, the home of the US Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), EAGLE has trained thousands of Coast Guard officers (and others) over the years.
In addition to sailing with Academy cadets, you will also sail with Sea Cadets, students from the other service academies, and officer candidates from other countries. You will be fully integrated into the crew, working side by side with the other trainees. This is not a pleasure cruise – you will be standing watch, climbing the rigging, hauling on lines, and any other ship’s work that may be assigned.
Also note that EAGLE is a military vessel with a military galley (kitchen). There are no provisions to accommodate personnel or guests with food allergies or special dietary restrictions; nor may personnel or guests bring their own food. The medical facilities aboard EAGLE are very limited; a severe allergic reaction while at sea would be life-threatening for the patient and diversion to shore-side medical resources would disrupt the ship’s training mission.
- To apply, students should be:
- A U.S. citizen (dual citizenship is fine);
- Between 15 and 21 years of age;
- Physically fit, in good health, with weight proportional to height;
- Of good moral character;
- Academically successful with demonstrated leadership skill;
- Achievement outside the classroom; and
- Covered by health insurance.
All participants will be required to sign the EAGLE’s Release & Waiver of Liability & Indemnity Agreement form and Guest Medical Questionnaire prior to participating in this program. Sea Scouts will not use this program to imply Federal, DoD, Homeland Security, or USCGA endorsement of Sea Scouts or its events.
2026 Barque Eagle Cruise — Apply Now!
