The oldest floating post office in the United States
The oldest floating post office in the United States
The oldest floating post office in the United States
The oldest floating post office in the United States
U.S. Mailboat Cruises
Launched on Lake Winnipesaukee in 1945, the M/V Sophie C continues a long tradition of delivering postal mail to the lake's summer island residents. On each two hour cruise, she'll visit a number of different islands, while her Skipper points out areas of interest along the way.
On some islands Sophie's visit is the social event of the day, and island residents often come to the dock to say hello, and purchase an ice cream treat, snack or souvenir.
Don't forget to send a postcard home! Passengers are invited to fill out and mail postcards right on board, complete Sophie's own unique, collectible cancellation stamp!
Launched on Lake Winnipesaukee in 1945, the M/V Sophie C continues a long tradition of delivering postal mail to the lake's summer island residents. On each two hour cruise, she'll visit a number of different islands, while her Skipper points out areas of interest along the way.
On some islands Sophie's visit is the social event of the day, and island residents often come to the dock to say hello, and purchase an ice cream treat, snack or souvenir.
Don't forget to send a postcard home! Passengers are invited to fill out and mail postcards right on board, complete Sophie's own unique, collectible cancellation stamp!
Schedule
| Cruise | Mail Stops* |
|---|---|
| 11:00 AM | Loon Island, Bear Island, 3 Mile Island, East Bear Island |
| 2:00 PM | Camp Lawrence, Birch Island, Sandy Island, Cow Island, Jolly Island |
All cruises depart from Weirs Beach.
*Please note that mail stops may vary based on whether there is mail to deliver, or residents on the island.
Tickets & Seating
Tickets
Please note that only a limited number of seats are available for advance purchase at cruisenh.com. Additional seats may be available for purchase in person on the day of a cruise. Unfortunately we are unable to hold or reserve any tickets in advance of arrival.
All passengers 5 years or age or older are required to have a ticket. Passengers under the age of 5 do not require a ticket, however they do require a seat. We strongly recommend that parties with young children arrive early to be certain you have seats for every member of the party.
Seating
The M/V Sophie C offers both indoor and outdoor seats, and all seats are positioned in rows. Please note that there is no awning or shade over outdoor seats, and passengers should prepare accordingly.
Seats are not assigned upon ticket purchase, and all seating is "first come, first served." However, cruises on the Sophie C are very popular, and crew may ask you to adjust seats to accommodate the needs of other parties and to maximize seating efficiency.
Please note that the M/V Sophie C. is not wheelchair accessible. For passengers with mobility concerns, the M/S Mount Washington is able to accommodate a wheelchair.
Amenities
Snacks
The Sophie C offers a variety of chips, snacks, and soft drinks, including a wide selection of ice cream novelty treats.
Gift Shop
Remember your visit to Winnipesaukee with a memento of your trip. The Sophie C has a small gift shop including t-shirts, sweatshirts, and other souvenirs.
Postal Services
The Sophie C is a floating post office, offering many of the same services as the one in your local city or town.
In fact, we encourage you to send mail – Sophie offers postcards that can be purchased and mailed right from the boat, with a collectible cancellation stamp all of her own.
Refunds & Exchanges
Refunds
Cruises are rain or shine. All tickets are non-refundable, with the rare exception of a cruise that is canceled by us due to extreme weather or mechanical failure. While we make every effort to provide as much notice as possible regarding a weather cancellation, please note that it is not always possible to reach all passengers prior to arrival.
Exchanges
Passengers are able to exchange their tickets for an alternate cruise with 48 hours advance notice of the cruise. Ticket exchanges are subject to additional service fees.
Unused Tickets
Any ticket unused once the cruise departs will be eligible for 50% of the ticket value, minus service fees, toward tickets for another cruise.
FAQ
Can I get off on one of the islands?
The islands are private communities, and therefore passengers will not be able to disembark the vessel.
Are dogs permitted on the boat?
Only specially-trained service dogs are permitted. Service animals must be trained to perform a specific task for an individual with a disability. Emotional support animals are not permitted nor protected under ADA.
Can I bring lunch on board?
Yes, with limitations. Please bear in mind that there are no tables nor storage on board. Alcohol, glass, and coolers are prohibited. Crew reserves the right to inspect all bags to ensure that prohibited items are not brought on board.
Can I bring a stroller on board?
Because there is limited storage on board, strollers are not permitted. However, we are able to store strollers on shore until you return from your cruise.
ADDITIONAL HELPFUL INFORMATION
- Times listed are departure times. Plan to arrive at the port 30 minutes prior to boarding to find parking, secure your tickets and and walk to the dock.
- Metered parking and paid parking lots are available at Weirs Beach. If parking at a meter, please note that Weirs Beach has 2 hour, 3 hour, and 5 hour meters. Mount Washington Cruises is not responsible for fined vehicles due to expired meters.
- If you or a member of your party becomes ill prior to the cruise, your entire party should remain home. Please contact our Ticket Office ASAP to discuss alternative arrangements.
- For the safety and comfort of all passengers, all vessels in the Winnipesaukee Fleet are non-smoking.