Why Boston Cruises Are a Hidden Gem

by Denise Walker

Boston Cruises are a fantastic way to begin or end a vacation. You know Boston, of course. The Old State House, Faneuil Hall, the Boston Tea Party, Old Ironsides. You could explore the city forever. But why not do your exploring as a prelude to some vacation time on a cruise?

Yes, a cruise. Boston has been one of America's leading ports since before we were America. Holland America sails the Maasdam out of Boston. Norwegian Cruise Lines sails the Norwegian Majesty, the Norwegian Gem and the Norwegian Dream. Royal Caribbean offers the Jewel of the Seas. Your choices for cruise lines, ships, and itineraries are varied enough that everyone should find some rest and relaxation.

The Maasdam is the one of Holland America's smaller ships, and the smallest of the ships sailing out of Boston. Placed in service in 1993, she displaces 55,000 tons and can carry approximately 1200 passengers. Being an older ship, cabins on this cruise vessel are a little larger than on the newer ships. The Maasdam sails from Boston on a circular, 7-day tour of Newport, Rhode Island; Portland, Maine; St. John, New Brunswick, Canada; Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Bar Harbor, Maine; and returning to Boston.

This is a lovely cruise to take in the fall, when the New England landscape lights up with legendary colors. Bring some warmer clothes and enjoy a drink out on the deck while you watch some gorgeous scenery go 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; cruises up Saguenay Fjord in Quebec; then visits Quebec City and finally docks in Montreal. If you yearn for more time aboard ship, she also has a 17-day "Voyage of the Vikings" that leaves 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 smallish ship (as cruise ships go) is Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Majesty. She was built in 1992 and completely refurbished in 1999. The Norwegian Majesty has been stretched to 680 feet and now displaces almost 41,000 tons. She sails round-trip from Boston to Bermuda, and back again. 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 roundtrip cruise from Boston to Martha's Vineyard; Portland, Maine; Bar Harbor, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Saint John, New Brunswick. There is also a shorter, 5-night cruise that eliminates St. John, New Brunswick from the cruise.

Jewel of the Seas is 962 feet long and displaces over 90,000 tons. She offers a sports court and rock climbing wall, solarium, fitness center, casino, day spa and dedicated youth facilities. There's something on board for everyone, no matter your mood.

Consider sailing Royal Caribbean from Boston to warmer climes with their 10-night Caribbean cruise. Leave the cool weather of Boston and head for Puerto Rico, St Thomas, St Maarten and Aruba. The ship docks at the end of the trip in Miami, Florida.

Boston cruises are not particularly well-known. But this best-kept secret can offer you value that few other cruisers will find.