We have cruised many times before with alot of different lines. We are from Ontario and being able to drive to Boston was a definate consideration in choosing this cruise. The drive (Approx. 9 hrs.)was very scenic and easy although Boston traffic is a serious mess. If you can find a hotel with parking, we woulkd advise. Getting around Boston pre and post cruise was very easy with a "CHARLIE CARD for the "T"- transit, subway line is excellent and easy. Parking at the port if needed was $20.00 per night and alot of vacancy we were told. We stayed at the Adams Inn in Quincy approx. 4 stops (south) away from Downtown Crossing station which is in the middle of Downtown. Loved Boston and you must do a whale watching tour ($50 adult) as well as the hop on hop off options( $30,$35 pp) available for a city tour.

My wife, daughter(11) and I boarded the ship Friday afternoon from free hotel shuttle, embarkation was smooth and we went straight to the Venetian Dining Room for lunch, was very good. Because the crew directs you to the buffet on Lido deck, allot of people don't realize you can have a nice quiet sit down meal when you board in the MDR. Ship left at 5pm on schedule and proceeded out of Boston Harbor. Once out of the harbor heavy fog set in for the next few hours and lasted most of the evening. We were laying in our cabin around 10:30 pm when the captain came on the P.A. asking if anyone with O- blood type could donate as there was a sick passenger. We do not have O- blood type or would have helped, but apparently approx. 25 people donated, which was excellent.

My wife is a light sleeper and arose around 4am and when she went on deck she noticed we were arriving back in Boston. She awoke me and we watched a family of about 6 who had been in a suite waiting for their approx. 85 yr. old grandmother who was unconscious leave the ship and into an ambulance. At this point we figured that she must have had a heart attack and due to fog they could not send a helicopter? Read more