Most of us live very near a local seaport. A few of you do live in the midst of our country in what are called ‘fly over states’, but most of us live near an ocean. This means we have a local port and local options for cruising. And these options are plentiful during the summer and fall months. Driving to the port takes all the flying hassle out of the holiday. Packing is easier. There is no tension about the weather. Do not think you need to fly to Florida or San Juan or visit another Caribbean island in order to take a cruise. Let’s check out your local port of call.
Most of the local cruises go along the seacoast, into rivers and small harbors. Many are one way ending in another port. If you wish to sail back you can double the cruise and return to your home port. Still many of the cruise itineraries begin and end at the same local port. For example from the east to Bermuda and back or from the west to Alaska and back are most popular. The third groups do a crossing of the sea; as from the east coast to Europe. These cruises are usually in the late spring when the ships are leaving North American to go to Europe. The reverse happens in the fall when the ships return to the Caribbean. Crossing or repositioning cruises are very relaxing as there are very few places to stop in the mid Atlantic Ocean. They are also a very good value! There are several days at sea to just stop the world and get off.
Most of the local ports have a wide variety of cruise ships. Boston for example has several: Holland America, Norwegian and Royal Caribbean Cruise Line departures. These lines are large ships with lots to do on board. There are also departures on smaller luxury ships: Seabourn, Silversea, and Crystal cruise lines. All in all, Boston has 60 departures from Black Falcon pier this season. That is a lot of cabins and now is the time to select yours. Bored with the same old island hopping? Explore something new! East coast or west coast there is a cabin for you!
Two Kudos: (if I may say so myself!!)
“My wife and I recently booked a Hawaiian vacation through our travel agent, Harriet Ahouse. The tour operator she suggested was Classic Vacations, who put together a package for us that included hotels and rental cars on Kauai and Oahu. Unfortunately we had to cut our trip short for medical and other reasons. Harriet was able to obtain a refund for us from Classic Vacations for unused nights at a hotel and an unused car. We are very grateful to her and to Classic Vacations and will certainly be repeat customers.”
– Stephen and Patricia
Ameliorating Travel Disruptions:
“At the start of this month’s, weather-induced, travel disruption I was supposed to fly to Chicago on a Monday evening. The flight was cancelled about 90 minutes before the scheduled departure time. With the help of my trusty travel agent, Harriet, I was able to quickly re-book on a flight the following day and get a place to stay for the night. Not ideal, but when you travel a lot these things are inevitable and the goal is always to make them as painless a possible.”
– Paul
P.S. There was one seat on that Tuesday morning flight…and Paul got it!
AlwaysHarriet 