By Sarah Shemkus
For most Cape visitors, the canal is simply the dividing line between the real world and the vacation ahead. Hy-Line Cruises, however, brings this iconic and manmade stretch of water to life with a range of sightseeing tours.
For starters, try one of the traditional three-hour (travels all the way through the canal and back) or two-hour (covers two-thirds of the distance) sightseeing cruises, with live commentary about history and points of interest. Spend some quality time with your little ones on Hy-Line’s two-hour family cruises, available Monday through Saturday at 4 p.m. (bonus, kids cruise for free on these!). Or carve out a little adult time on a sunset cocktail cruise, held Tuesday through Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Among the most popular options are the live music cruises that run through the canal over the weekends, says Hy-Line Marketing Manager Betsy Rich. On Fridays and Saturdays from 8 to 10:30 p.m., adults 21 and older can enjoy live performances by a variety of bands (see full schedule online). New this year is the Friends & Family Music Cruise on Sunday afternoons from 1:30 to 4 p.m. With musical styles like Dixieland jazz, traditional Irish songs and classic rock, the tunes are chosen to please all ages.
“This is something that parents and kids can both enjoy,” says Rich. “The adults can relax, the kids can all hang out and everyone can just have that Cape Cod on-the-water experience.”
If a musical voyage doesn’t hit the right note, Hy-Line has plenty of additional options. Head out into open waters for a deep-sea fishing expedition or circle Hyannis Harbor while enjoying a make-your-own Ben & Jerry’s sundae.
