The Winnipesaukee Flagship Corporation announced this week that the M/S Mount Washington will be cruising Lake Winnipesaukee again as a floating restaurant, beginning on June 20 for the first lunch cruise of the season. The first dinner cruise will kick off on June 27.
“We’ve taken time to consider all aspects of our business, and have been hard at work for the past few weeks revising our operating procedures and redesigning our summer season. We’re ready when you are,” said Captain Jim Morash, General Manager of Mount Washington Cruises.
For the first time, the Mount will offer a special Father’s Day lunch cruise, on June 21st. This is a first, as the Mount could not offer a cruise on Father’s Day in the past as it conflicted with Laconia Bike Week. The cost of this lunch cruise is $40 per person.
The Mount’s guiding principles in this effort are to meet and exceed all state and federal guidelines for restaurant operation, as well as customer expectations for service.
In preparing the M/S Mount Washington for operation, the crew has made adjustments to the schedule, experience and product offering. These changes include:
• The 10:00 AM cruise out of Weirs Beach is suspended, as well as all departures out of other ports, for the time being.
• There is one lunch cruise every day from Weirs Beach at 12:30 PM, and a dinner cruise on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. This allows time to perform additional cleaning between cruises.
• All tickets now include meal service, limited non-alcoholic drinks, and tax.
• Advance reservations are suggested for all cruises, and they have reduced the number of passengers on board by more than 50%.
• Each party will be assigned a table for the duration of each cruise, with proper distancing between tables.
• Buffet service will be replaced by new table service on all cruises.
• While dancing is strongly discouraged by the State of New Hampshire, ambient music will be offered on all cruises and areas of interest will be highlighted to passengers.
In addition to these changes, the Mount has implemented new policies and procedures to make a visit as comfortable and safe as possible.
Lunch cruises cost $40 per person and include the 2-hour cruise, lunch, limited non-alcoholic beverages, and tax. Dinner cruises are $40 - $55 and include 2.5-hour cruise, dinner, select non-alcoholic beverages, and tax.
“As we receive more information and guidance through the summer, we will continue to evaluate our operation and make adjustments if possible,” said Captain Morash. “We’re hopeful that over time, we will be able to expand our schedule and return to more normal operation.”
The M/V Doris E and U.S. Mailboat will remain closed for public cruises, while the Mount continues to monitor the public health situation.
The M/S Mount Washington has been a New Hampshire icon since 1872. Departure times and options vary through the season. To learn more about the Mount Washington and to view a complete schedule with times and ticket prices, visit www.cruisenh.com or call 603-366-5531 to request a brochure to be mailed.