Boston Cruises is a great way to start or end a vacation. You know Boston, of course. The Old State House, Faneuil Hall, Boston Tea Party, Old Ironsides. You could explore the city forever. But why not explore as a prelude to a cruise vacation?
Yes, a cruise. Boston has been one of America’s top ports since before we were America. Holland America sails on the Maasdam from Boston. Norwegian Cruise Lines sails on Norwegian Majesty, Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Dream. Royal Caribbean offers the Jewel of the Seas. Your cruise line, ship, and itinerary options are varied enough that everyone can find some rest and relaxation.
The Maasdam is one of Holland America’s smallest ships and the smallest of the ships that leave Boston. Commissioned in 1993, it displaces 55,000 tons and can carry approximately 1,200 passengers. Being an older ship, the cabins on this cruise ship are slightly larger than on the newer ships. The Maasdam sets sail from Boston on a 7-day circular tour of Newport, Rhode Island; Portland, Maine; San Juan, New Brunswick, Canada; Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Port of Bar, Maine; and returning to Boston.
This is a beautiful cruise to take in the fall, when the New England landscape is lit up in legendary colors. Bring warmer clothes and enjoy a drink on the terrace as you watch the beautiful scenery pass by.
Another cruise the Maasdam sails on is the 7-night Canada and New England Discovery, which visits Bar Harbor, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Sydney, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Sail the Saguenay Fjord in Quebec; then visit Quebec City and finally dock in Montreal. If you want to spend more time aboard the ship, you also have a 17-day “Voyage of the Vikings” that departs from Boston and visits Sydney, Nova Scotia; Corner Brook, Newfoundland; Qaqortoq, Greenland; Isafjord, Akureyri and Seydisfjiordur, Iceland; Lerwick, Scotland; Stavanger and Oslo, Norway; and finally docking in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Another small ship (like cruise ships) is Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Majesty. It was built in 1992 and completely renovated in 1999. Norwegian Majesty has stretched to 680 feet and now displaces almost 41,000 tons. Sail back and forth from Boston to Bermuda and back. In 2008, Norwegian’s Dream will take over this route and the 7-day Canada and New England route will be offered.
In September and October, Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas sails for 7 days on its Canada and New England cruises. This is a round trip cruise from Boston to Martha’s Vineyard; Portland, Maine; Port of Bar, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and San Juan, New Brunswick. There is also a shorter 5-night cruise that removes St. John, New Brunswick from the cruise.
Jewel of the Seas is 962 feet long and displaces more than 90,000 tons. It offers a sports court and climbing wall, solarium, gym, casino, day spa and dedicated youth facilities. There is something on board for everyone, regardless of your mood.
Consider sailing with Royal Caribbean from Boston to warmer climates on your 10-night Caribbean cruise. Leave the cool Boston weather and head to Puerto Rico, St Thomas, St Maarten, and Aruba. The ship docks at the end of the voyage in Miami, Florida.
Boston cruises are not particularly well known. But this best kept secret may offer you a value few other cruise ships will find.