Information Booth

About the Boat & Cruises:

Can you tell me about the M/V Thomas Laighton?
The M/V Thomas Laighton is a 90-foot vessel with three decks- two fully heated and enclosed cabins and an open Sundeck with seating. The boat holds between 120-150 guests for a seated dinner and 275 guests for a cocktail style cruise. Sightseeing cruises will hold up to 300 passengers. The vessel features a sweeping brass staircase,three fully stocked cash bars and beautiful views of the ocean.

Do you have indoor decks?
Yes we do. The M/V Thomas Laighton has two fully enclosed indoor heated decks. We also have three outdoor decks as well.

Do you offer food aboard the ship?
We have a galley bar that includes hot dogs, chili, chowder, candy, chips, drinks and alcoholic drinks for our 21 and over guests. No alcohol or glass products are allowed on board due to Coast Guard Regulations .

May I bring a lunch or dinner onboard with me?
Unfortunately, passengers are not permitted to bring picnic lunches and/or coolers on board with them. Our galley is stocked with all sorts of goodies.

Do you have bathrooms aboard the ship?
Of course we do! We have four bathrooms aboard our vessel.

Is there parking available?
Yes we have onsite convenient parking for $4.00. You may also use the Portsmouth parking garage for .75 cents an hour. We do have overnight parking for an additional fee. Please call for more information.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?
Yes the boat is handicap accessible, please let us know if you will need special assistance with wheelchairs or canes when you arrive.

May we bring our dog aboard?
As much as we love all animals unfortunately no dogs or animals are allowed on board.

Will I get seasick onboard?
The M/V Thomas Laighton is a very stable ship, since we do travel out into the open ocean, waves do occur. The Captain and crew do their best to keep the boat on the calmest path. Seasickness is rare on the M/V Thomas Laighton, and those that tend to become sick on seafaring vessels often find their ride on our vessel to be a comfortable one. For your convenience, we do sell motion sickness pills in our gift shop and also on the boat.

May I bring my fishing equipment on board and fish?
We cannot allow fishing equipment on board for the safety and respect of our other patrons.

If it is bad weather, will the cruise be cancelled?
All cruises are rain or shine, and cancellation is up to the discretion of the Captain. Cancellation is only considered if we feel that the conditions pose a danger to our passengers. Lightning does not pose a danger to passengers, and the ship is perfectly safe under those conditions.

Is the vessel Coast Guard certified?
Yes, the M/V Thomas Laighton is Coast Guard certified and maintained regularly to follow Coast Guard safety regulations.

What kind of music is played?
Our sightseeing cruises feature an incredible full narration through the Isles of Shoals. Evening dinner cruises feature light background music as your glide through the Portsmouth Harbor. Our party ships feature a full range of popular dance tunes- some party ships have a live band onboard while others have a DJ.

May I purchase gift certificate?
Yes you may! Gift certificates are available in any denomination and may be purchased online or by calling 603-431-5500. Gift certificates never expire.

Are gratuities included?
Crew gratuity is not included in your package, however, it is greatly appreciated by the crew if you deem appropriate. Gratuities can be left with the Captain or the Cruise Director. Open bar subject to 18% gratuity.

Will my cell phone work on the cruise?
Yes, your cell phone will work on the water. For the comfort and convenience of other guests, we ask that cell phone conversations be held on the outside decks.

Can we smoke onboard?
Smoking is allowed on the boat as long as you smoke on the outside decks. There is no smoking in the enclosed areas. Please be respectful and put your remaining cigarettes in our smoking trays located on our outdoor decks.

What should we wear onboard the ship?
Be sure to dress in layers. Remember that it is 10 to 15 degrees cooler on the water than it is on land. Also be aware that the sun is bright. Don't forget your sun block!

Do you have a gift shop?
Yes there is a small gift shop located in our ticket booth on the dock. We sell many items including: t-shirts, sweatshirts, film, sunscreen, motion sickness pills, great books and many other items.

Do I need to make advance reservations?
Reservations for daytime sightseeing cruises are not required, but strongly recommended. Reservations for party ships or dinner cruises are required, as well as pre-payment in full.

Is it possible to hold tickets with a credit card, and then pay for them in cash when I come?
Party Ship and Dinner Cruise tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable, and thus, must be paid for in full at time of purchase. Sightseeing Cruises do not require pre-payment; you may pay with cash, check, or credit card at time of arrival.

How will I receive my tickets?
The Isles of Shoals Steamship Company does not mail tickets, however, your name and reservation will be held at the ticket office the day of the cruise. Simply check in with your name and ID when you arrive!

What kind of payments do you except?
Payment is accepted via MasterCard, Visa, check or cash. Prepaid reservations can be made by phone or via the Internet (Internet reservations only accepted for certain cruises).

What is your refund policy?
All cruises depart rain or shine from the decision of the Captain, and tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. The Isles of Shoals Steamship Company is not responsible for passengers who miss the boat due to Mother Nature, transportation difficulties, personal sickness, or other personal emergency.

What activities do you offer for children?
We emphasize education and fun. Onboard activities include games, puzzles, stories and much more. Children who wish to can become an “Honorary Naturalist” by completing a log of all of the marine creatures that they see. Also while you wait to board the ship there is an exciting live touch tank and presentation done ½ hour prior to our daily cruises sponsored by Blue Ocean Society .

Are there group and senior citizen discounts available?
The Isles of Shoals Steamship Company honors a group discount of $5 for each adult ticket in a party of 25 or more on Sightseeing Cruises and Party Ships only. This status must be reserved prior to the cruise date, please call our office to arrange this discount.
Senior citizens (60+ yrs) and members of the U.S. Military receive $3 off each adult ticket. Please inform the ticket office attendant when purchasing tickets.

May we ride the Dinner Cruise without having dinner?
Of course! Please inform the ticket office attendant that you would like to ride the cruise, but that you did not previously purchase dinner. The cost for the Harbor/River Cruise only is $20 per adult and $10 per child.

Are there reserved seats?
As a courtesy to those individuals with groups of 25 or more, reserved seating is on a first come, first serve basis and will be applied to group sales.

How many islands are there?
There are nine Isles of Shoals: Duck, Appledore, Malaga, Smuttynose, Cedar, Star, Lunging, White and Seavey. Some people say there are actually eight Isles because White Island and Seavey Island are joined by a small land bridge which you can only see at low tide. At high tide the bridge is obscured making the two islands one and the same.

May I get off at any of the islands?
Each island is privately owned. You may however get off on Star Island either by your own personal boat or by a chartered boat from the Star Island Corporation. Appledore Island is also accessible but only for taking classes and to visit Celia Thaxter's Garden.
Star Island Corporation : 603-430-6272 or visit their website - www.starisland.org.
Appledore Island : 603-964-9011 or visit their website – www.sml.cornell.edu .
Celia Thaxter's Garden ( Cornell University ): 607-225-3717 or visit their website – www.sml.cornell.edu .

What kind of wildlife might we see?
Each journey is unique. In the past we have seen Basking Sharks, Sun Fish (Mola Mola), breaching Tuna and Harbor Seals. Birds include a variety of Gulls, Cormorants, Shearwaters and other migratory and pelagic species.

Are deck rentals available?
Deck rentals are available on a first come, first serve basis. Mid-deck rental requires the purchase of 48 tickets (capacity) & guarantees all seating on the mid-deck. For larger parties, we offer a main-deck rental with capacity of 78 guests. The purchase of these 78 tickets guarantees all seating on the main deck. You must notify ISSCo upon booking to take advantage of our deck rental.

May we rent the fantail deck?
The fantail deck is a covered open-air deck which offers a private hide-away for a small gathering of approximately 25 guests. The fantail deck rental includes deck chairs and side tables. The fee for this rental is $150 per hour.

To contact us with further comments or questions:

Isles of Shoals Steamship Company
P.O. Box 31
315 Market Street
Portsmouth , NH 03802-0311

Phone 1-800-441-4620 / 603-431-5500 Fax 603-433-1280

Email