Three-hour tour aboard historic Bill of Rights

She led a parade of tall ships through New York Harbor during America’s 200th birthday celebrations in 1976, and has since, as a school ship, been used to educate youth at Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard.

Now, the 129-foot, double-mast schooner known as the Bill of Rights is available for public cruises along the Ventura County coast.

Channel Islands National Park concessionaire Island Packers is offering three-hour trips aboard the wooden ship twice daily on Saturdays and Sundays, with departures from Channel Islands Harbor at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

A tour aboard the Bill of Rights, which seats up to 50 people, costs $45 per adult, $40 per senior (55 and up) and $35 per child 12 and under. Island Packers recommends booking in advance, though walk-ups are welcome, space-permitting.

Given its previous involvements, it would seem quite appropriate to celebrate our country’s independence aboard this renowned schooner. And, in fact, a “Fourth of July Cruise Sale” will be offered on Friday, July 3, at 2 p.m., and on Saturday, July 4, at 6 p.m.

Visitors to the harbor will also be able to watch fireworks from the ship at 9 p.m. on July 4.

Contact: Island Packers, (805) 642-1393

- Susan Derby, Special to the Los Angeles Times

[Photo: Bill of Rights; Island Packers]

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This entry was posted on Sunday, June 14, 2009 at 11:22 am by Susan Derby and is filed under California, Santa Barbara, Summer, Tours & Cruises, Ventura. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.