Sailing on FAME: Frequently Asked Questions
We know you’ll love sailing with us. FAME is the top-rated boat in Salem, and the #1 outdoor attraction in the city, according to TripAdvisor! Here are some of the questions folks have as they prepare to come out for a sail:
Where are you located?
FAME is located right in downtown Salem at Pickering Wharf Marina on Wharf Street.
If you want a GPS address, use “86 Wharf Street, Salem”. Our ticket booth has no postal address, but it is directly outside the Finz restaurant.
On weekends and especially in the fall, parking is a challenge! Allow extra time for traffic and parking. There is metered parking on Derby Street, two-hour parking on Wharf Street (don’t abuse it; you could be towed), and cheap garage parking 1) in the South Harbor Garage at the corner of Derby and Congress Streets; 2) at the Museum Place Garage uptown; and 3) at the MBTA Commuter Rail Station on Bridge Street.
Difficulty and pricing all increase dramatically in October!
Is that anywhere near the…
Yes. The Salem Witch Museum, the Peabody-Essex Museum, and the House of Seven Gables are all within a 10-minute walk of our dock. The Hawthorne Hotel is five minutes’ walk. The Salem Waterfront Hotel is in the same complex as FAME and is about 100 yards from our ticket booth.
Our downtown Salem location is NOT the same dock as Blaney Street, where the ferries operate. Blaney Street is a half-mile from the downtown. Seniors and those with limited mobility may find it a long walk, especially on hot days.
Who can sail?
Anyone over the age of four. Infants, toddlers, and strollers are not allowed on public sails, sorry.
The schooner is not ADA complaint or wheelchair accessible. However, we have had many seniors and those with minor mobility issues come sailing with us. There is a broad ramp with good handholds leading down to the dock; five steps to go up; and two steps to go down to board the schooner. The crew is always standing by to assist. If you have questions about this process, WATCH OUR BOARDING VIDEO!
Do you have drinks and snacks on board?
Yes! We offer beer, wine, soft drinks, and some mixed drinks. We have a large snack basket with a variety of treats. All at reasonable prices! And Pickering Wharf is full of restaurants and shops where you can grab a meal or a snack either before or after your trip.
It’s OK to bring your own snacks or sandwiches. Do NOT bring coolers, however — they take up too much space. You may NOT bring your own alcoholic beverages. We hold a liquor license from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and by law, we must provide any alcohol that is consumed on board.
What should I bring?
Sensible shoes! Flats, crocs, sneakers — all good. Spike heels are hard to balance in, and can get caught on the boarding ramp. Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses are always a good idea. It’s often cooler out on the water, so you may want to bring a jacket or sweatshirt.
Again: no coolers or BYOB, sorry!
I have a Gift Certificate. How do I book?
If your gift certificate was purchased online, or if it includes a code:
Go to SchoonerFame.com. Scroll down to “Sail on the Fame”, and click on “Book Now”. Choose the time and date of your sail. Choose the number of tickets you need. In the fields labelled “Enter gift certificate code here”, type the code on your gift certificate.
If you have a pre-2024 gift certificate, on our stationery, it is best to call us at 978-729-7600 and make a reservation. Don’t forget to bring your gift certificate when you come sailing, or you will be asked to pay for your tickets!
We no longer sell discounted tickets through any sites whatsoever. The lowest price can ALWAYS be found at SchoonerFame.com. If you have an old expired Groupon, CALL us at 978-729-7600 ahead of time to make sure your code is valid and that we have room for you. Expired Groupons do have to pay the difference between their original purchase price and the current price of a ticket.
What if it rains?
We may cancel individual sails, or the entire day, if we expect steady rain, thick fog, or high winds. Forecasts are often wrong, so we rarely cancel sails until the day of sailing. We begin each day by checking the forecasts and radar. The moment we decide to cancel a sail, we will reach out to you via the phone number and email you gave us upon booking. If we cancel your sail, you have the option of rebooking (either for another sail the same day, if we expect the weather to clear, or for a future date) or receiving a full refund.
We do not cancel sails if we expect only a brief or light shower, and so you should always dress for the weather. Bear in mind there is not enough room below deck for all the passengers to take cover.
Can we book the schooner for a private sail?
Absolutely. This is called a “private charter” and you can learn more by returning to our home page and clicking on “Private Charters”. Call 978-729-7600 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
We’re looking for a place to eat in the area. What do you recommend?
Wow, you’re in luck. We have great restaurants in Salem and several of the best are right here on the Wharf.
FINZ is an upscale restaurant that features seafood, but has lots of non-seafood options as well. I love to sit at the bar and get the soup of the day (always a winner) and a salad. They have a very nice upstairs function room with bar that can seat over 100 people. Smaller groups are usually seated in the dining room downstairs, with views of the marina. (978) 744-8485
http://www.hipfinz.com/menus/functions
SEA LEVEL OYSTER BAR is a little more focused on raw seafood, but has great burgers and sandwiches as well as other options. There is an unbeatable view of the harbor and marina from their upper level. (978) 741-0555
http://sealeveloysterbar.com/private-events
LONGBOARDS is the place to order sandwich platters; great finger food for the boat, a crowd-pleaser and no mess! Their menu is now online (scroll down for sandwiches), and you can call them at (978) 745-6659.
http://longboardsbar.com/food-menu/
AMAZING PIZZA really *does* have amazing pizza! Our favorites are the Big Roni and the Parma. They also have sandwiches and salads. (978) 594-4102.
There’s also Brodie’s Seaport Café on Derby Street, a candy and ice cream shop (Popped) right by the ticket booth and a great coffee shop (Jaho) at the corner of Derby & Wharf Streets.