The epic annual 8-day high adventure sailing program for Sea Scouts!
Join us for ‘Chasing Tall Ships‘ with Sail250.org as we celebrate 250 years of American Freedom.
Hosted by: Occoneechee Council, SA Charles Flowers, Council Executive Mel Johnson, Cruise Commodore Made possible by our awesome, all-volunteer Leadership Team
What is the Commodores Cruise?
The Commodores Cruise Invitational (ComCruise) is an 8-day high adventure Long Cruise opportunity for Sea Scouts from all backgrounds to unite with their sailing friends at a single port … and set sail together.
Each year, in addition to sailing fun and rank advancement, our cruise includes an historical theme. Past years have focused on Chasing Blackbeard the Pirate, Verrazano the Explorer, and The Lost Colony.
Since the first three ComCruises were such a rousing success … we decided to do it again!
For 2026, we explore the exciting history of ‘Tall Ships’, those large square-rigged sailing vessels popular during the American Revolutionary War … as well as numerous adventure movies like ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and ‘Master and Commander’. During the 15th to 18th centuries, a period often called the Golden Age of Sail, Tall Ships dominated worldwide exploration, global trade, and naval warfare.
As part of our annual ComCruise Historical Scavenger Hunt, our task is to explore the history of Tall Ships and discover how their sailors crewed these massive ships. Who knows, they may have left behind some ‘clues’ of their adventures for us – which could help us find the ComCruise Treasure Chest filled with souvenirs!
Honoring the method of travel during the Golden Age of Sail, our ComCruise fleet is composed entirely of modern sailing vessels. Our sailboats vary from 31-50 feet, and are led by experienced adult sailors, several of whom have decades of experience.
So, dare to join us on this epic Sea Scout cruise called ‘Chasing Tall Ships,’ for each day will be full of adventure, discovery, rank advancement and fun!
During our 2026 cruise, you can sail alongside (and tour) over 22 Tall Ships from all over the world. A few examples are below.
Choose from 2 weeks of High Adventure sailing alongside Tall Ships!
Week 1 / Crew 1 June 20 – 27 Northbound Sailing from Norfolk to Baltimore.
Includes Tall Ship tours and HarborFest concerts. Optional ‘Parade of Sail’ on Friday, June 19th.
Week 2 / Crew 2 June 27 – July 4th Southbound Sailing from Baltimore to Norfolk.
Includes Tall Ship tours and multiple Air Shows. Optional July 4th Fireworks show.
Each week includes
Modern Sailboats
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Crew spots available
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Miles or more of sailing!
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Crew arrival, 'Switch Day', and departure
Week 1 / Crew 1 – Arrive in Norfolk no later than 0900 on June 20th for your Opening Ceremony, group picture, and safety briefing. Enjoy touring the Tall Ships in Norfolk. Later, after sailing our modern sailboats north to Baltimore, you can take our ComCruise bus on June 27th back to your cars in Norfolk to return home.
Week 2 / Crew 2 – Arrive in Norfolk no later than 0900 on June 27th for your Opening Ceremony, group picture, and safety briefing. Take our ComCruise bus to Baltimore to board our sailboats and tour the Tall Ships. Later, you will sail our boats south back to Norfolk to pick up your cars and return home.
Your schedule may be slightly modified if you choose one of the optional activities below. However, the bus ride on June 27th to change crews (Switch Day) remains the same.
Do you plan to fly in from another city? The closest airport is Norfolk International Airport (code ORF). Very close to our launch point.
Both Crew 1 & 2 Each week, we have our famous seafood fest. Chow down on shrimp, clams, crab legs and more. Always fun and delicious!
Sea Scouts in Command
Discover how to sail and steer a large sailboat of 31-50 feet as you lead your crew. Everyone gets time at the helm!
Night Sail
See the Milky Way like you’ve never seen it before! A night sail is a beautiful sight and a lot of fun. It also qualifies for a Sea Scout Level 3 rank requirement.
Ice Cream!
Summer can be hot … so anytime we see an ice cream store, we check it out!
Fireworks Shows!
Both Crew 1 & 2 There are multiple fireworks shows in Baltimore and Norfolk during our cruise. See the detailed schedule for more info.
Sailboat Races!
At the end of each week, we have a PHRF race to see which boat crew can take home the Commodore’s trophy!
Rank Advancement
On the cruise, you’ll have unique opportunities to get many Sea Scout rank requirements signed off. We send you a special Advancement Logbook before the cruise to record your progress.
Scavenger Hunt
Based on clues left behind by historical figures, we search for the ComCruise Treasure Chest, filled with custom souvenirs of our cruise. Each crew member gets an equal share of the booty!
Water Sports!
When we are at anchor, we have a variety of ‘water toys’ for play. Let us know what water sports you like – we probably have some equipment on board.
50 Miler Award
Since you will sail over 150 miles each week up and down the Chesapeake Bay, it is easy to earn this special Scouting award.
Free Festivals & Concerts
During the weekends, both the Norfolk and Baltimore Sail250 programs have free festivals, concerts, and cook-offs. In addition to Tall Ship tours, there is plenty to do!
Stunning Sunsets
Every cruise, we see fantastic sunrises and sunsets from the water. There is something special about experiencing that ‘golden hour’ from a sailboat.
ComCruise SWAG
Each crew member receives 2 custom ComCruise t-shirts, 2 ComCruise Challenge Coins, a ComCruise hat, and an equal share of anything else we find in the ComCruise Scavenger Hunt Treasure Chest.
All Girl Boats
To maintain Safeguarding Youth Training (SYT) protocols, we have two ‘all girl’ boats with an experienced female adult aboard. The girls have a great time together … and sometimes sail faster than the guys!
Optional Activities
Parade of Sail
Norfolk, VA Friday, June 19th
Sail alongside the Tall Ships as they arrive in Norfolk. For those in Crew 1 that can arrive on Thursday, June 18th. Additional fee of $25 includes 2 extra nights (Thu & Fri), onboard food and dock fees.
Blue Angels Airshow
Saturday, June 27 Baltimore, MD
You’ll want to see this – and our sailboats will have a front row seat! If you join for both Week 1 & 2, this is automatically included. Or, you can arrive in Baltimore on Saturday, June 27 before lunch to see the airshow. There is no charge for the airshow.
USS Constellation Overnight
Baltimore Either Crew 1 or 2 Optional overnight stay on the USS Constellation, the historic 18th century sailing ship used to film ‘Master and Commander‘. Private tour, sleep in a hammock onboard (no AC). Several ‘hands-on’ activities such as Heave the Capstan, Brace the Yards, as well as learn and actually practice the skill required to load and ‘fire’ a 7,500 pound gun. Additional fee of $69 includes food and a special patch. Requires a minimum of 20 participants.
July 4th Massive Fireworks Show!
Crew 2 This year marks the 250th anniversary of America’s Founding. Norfolk has a massive fireworks show planned – and we can see it on the water from our sailboats. Additional fee of $15. Expect a lot of fireworks. You might want to bring ear plugs – just saying.
What is included in your fee for ComCruise?
The Commodores Cruise (ComCruise) is a full 8-days of high adventure sailing – and more. As you can see above, we do a LOT in eight days!
Your fee INCLUDES the following:
1) All of the ‘included’ activities above for the week you choose. 2) The full use of our fleet of 31-50 foot modern sailboats, with experienced adult sailors in charge. 3) All on board food, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, plenty of snacks, water and drinks, hydration packs, cookware, utensils, etc. 4) All dock fees for the locations where we tie up the boats, including Norfolk, Baltimore, etc. 5) All diesel fuel used by the sailboats as well as gas for the dinghies. 6) Custom ComCruise t-shirts (2), challenge coins (2), hat, and miscellaneous items. 7) A custom ComCruise duffel bag to store all of your gear. Details will be provided. 8) Bus transportation between Norfolk and Baltimore for those joining for one week. 9) Memories and friendships to last a lifetime!
What is NOT included is:
1) Your personal gear, including your PFD. Your will receive a detailed Gear List of what to bring, most of which you already have. 2) Any onshore meals you purchase. 3) Any items you buy onshore such as souvenirs, etc. 4) Most crew members bring an extra $50-100 for purchase of onshore items. 5) Any of the Optional Activites which have a separate fee – see above for details. 6) Your personal transportation to and from the ‘Launch Point’ in Norfolk.
The total fee is $797 per person per week. This is approximately half of most high adventure programs.
Applications for the Commodores Cruise Invitational are processed in the order received. We sell out every year, so please submit your application as soon as the application link becomes available.
Note that the registration is a 5-step process. 1) Submit your application. 2) Make your deposit payment. 3) Upload ALL of your ‘Required Forms’ to our custom PForMS system. A list of required forms and PForMS link will be provided. 4) Make your final payment by the final payment deadline. 5) Your application, final payment, and Required Forms must ALL be reviewed and accepted before you are officially registered. No exceptions.
See the Apply page for details on the ‘Selection Criteria’.
Check the official Timeline for pre-cruise events as well as Application deadlines.
