copnlpn2

There is no problem with money for a Boston hotel, but I didn't want to spend $300-$400 for one night, only to find out the hotel wasn't very nice.

A shuttle either from the airport or to the ship would be nice because I've been gouged by taxi drivers in locations I'm unfamiliar with - a problem I never had with pre-arranged shuttles.

I guess Kathy and I will fly to Boston sometime next year for a weekend and check out some of the locations for ourselves.

Boston hotels have never been bargain priced for decades and on par with those of NYC, even in the "outskirts" away from the walkable downtown core. When we drive up from NY to "visit" our maternal grandpa in Brookline, MA not far from Watertown - we also look for a place with free or inexpensive hotel parking (and, free internet these days ... not in the 70's & 80's or even 90's, LOL)

 

Would $5 p/p shuttle ride from BOS to the hotel be reasonable or considered almost free ? I looked up the current rates for one of our choice - Holiday Inn Express (and, the Courtyard by Marriott, right next door over) on Boston Street, (South) Boston - just off I-93 & tucked behind a huge shopping mall might fit some of OP's requirement. With AAA and/or AARP discount, book now for next October & it's around $200 for 1 night, taxes & fees included - and, it has free hot breakfast, "buffet" style typical of these hotel's chains - clean & comfortable.

 

They also run a shuttle to the cruiseports for $5 also, I think ?? (call & check to confirm, ask about details as I'm sure reservations are needed) It's about 5 miles from Logan & 3 miles from downtown and the seaport/cruise pier - and, they also run the free shuttle to the nearest "T" subway/train station (not sure which "line" that is, as we typically drive up & park - and, eat Vietnamese in Chinatown, just a quick 5 to 10 minutes drive - easy on/off I-93 Freeway. Location-wise, it's a compromise and within our budget, and in terms of being safe - fine with us (we travel with our urban street-wise mindset all over)

 

If OP stay further "out" - hotel rates will be lowered - we've stayed in places north of Boston & closer to the airport but find it to be a PITA, even with weekend traffic and not worth the trouble. There used to be decent deals with some B&B's and independent "inns" out in Brookline & near/off Mass Avenue, some of which are "walking" distance to the "T" line - shop around as in research & check them on "Street Views" on Google Map or equivalent ... to get a feel for the surroundings.

 

Select one that's 100% refundable to lock in a rate, then, as suggested already - use Hotwire closer in to the sailing date, and with just 2 people - consider doing Priceline, factor in the costs of transportation to the hotel and to the cruiseport. On a NE/Canada cruise more than a few years ago, we stopped in Boston & actually walked to downtown from the pier on a nice, clear & sunny day - but took a taxi ride back after a nice "Pho" lunch.

MKing - Thanks for your informative reply. And thanks to others who've replied. It seems we have lots more research to do, then, before we make a final commitment....

Kathy (PH8) and I are both "in the same boat"...neither of us has cruised out of Boston, nor are we familiar with the Boston area. Ask us about the Caribbean - eastern, western, southern - and we can overload you with personal observations.

Our questions regarding hotels may seem naive, but they're really based on no experience in the Boston area to fall back on. So she and I really appreciate your helpful posts...thanks!

If I were to seek out a perfect hotel, it would be in a safe area, provide dependable shuttle service from the airport and to the port, be within walking distance to food establishments and be at least reasonably priced.

My second choice would include hotels that are midway between the airport and cruise port so cab fare wouldn't be prohibitive.

(Third would be an airline that's dependable enough to fly in the day of our cruise, thus eliminating the need for a hotel. I simply don't trust airlines to get me there on time, so this option isn't an option at all.:()

I've cruised a couple of times at Halloween and have always brought along a costume. The Halloween party last year on the Freedom, which is the sister ship to the Liberty, was wonderful! Lots of participation and the ship's Halloween decorations were plentiful and loads of fun!

Have a wonderful cruise!

Several locations sell the "real" vanilla...just make sure it's the Aztec vanilla. I buy it every time I'm in Cozumel and it is aromatic, potent and keeps well.

Just be mindful not to use it (or much of it) in white icing...the vanilla is a very rich mahogany color and give s a slightly tan tinge to whatever you add it to...

I'd heard Nachi Cocum does not take walk-ins but I know some have been let in on occasion, when they haven't reached their 100-guest max.

The best thing to do, I'd say, would be to email them via the booking site and ask your question. That way, your info will be right from the horse's mouth.:)

To the OP...are you doing a day pass or something similar at the Royal Palms? I'll be in Grand Cayman in September and am considering a day pass at one of the hotels if I can find one that does them...

You are so very right about doing research before a trip. Although I've flown in the states more times than I can count and taken numerous cruises to the Caribbean, I've never traveled "across the pond."

I like to be prepared and with all the research I've been doing, I'm sure my trip to the UK will be a lot smoother because of what I've learned about my flight, the money exchange, the sites I'll visit, local customs, etc.

Thank goodness for the internet and CC!

Happy cruising!

Thanks for the link! Ironically, I just received an email from Delta touting their new Terminal 4 at JFK...and they answered my question in the info I read there. I do not have to change terminals...I'll arrive at Terminal 4 and depart from there too.

So, my worries are over!

I'll be flying Delta from Pittsburgh to NYC/JFK and going on to Heathrow via Virgin Atlantic. My question is: which terminal will I arrive at when I get to JFK - T2 or T4? Or will I arrive and depart from Terminal 4?

I want to make sure I have enough time to change terminals if I have to go from T2 to T4, knowing I'll be at the Jitney's mercy for the transfer process.

Can anyone give me an accurate answer to my question? Thanks in advance!!!!!

I'm glad (and sorry) that it wasn't just me that felt the chill. I was beginning to think I smelled or something worse!:eek::D

Kathy - it wasn't only Willie...I swear the entire room went quiet when I walked in (and yes, I was dressed properly!). No one smiled or offered any kind of greeting at all. I wasn't the only person entitled to use the CL who found their welcome "unwelcome" and never went back.

Maybe it's a ploy by RCCL...put crew members in formal or CL-acceptable clothes in the lounge to scare away those who come in!!!!:D:D Saves money on alcohol, huh?

Willie was on the Freedom for my Sept. 8-15 cruise. Rahul just floated around various positions on the ship. Willie is off the ship now and Rahul has taken over as concierge and Berty is in the D+ lounge.

I'm sorry to say I went into the CL once and the atmosphere was very inhospitable, almost hostile. I left and only returned "after hours" to get coffee or hot chocolate. Rahul apologized for the "welcome" and did everything he could to get me to go to the D+ lounge, which I chose not to use either...

I don't know about all cruise lines, but if you check RCCL's Cruise Compass (bottom left corner, if I recall) you'll see the name and phone number of the port agent for the particular port you are visiting. Oftentimes, there is also the phone number of local law enforcement.

I always make a written note of this information when I get off the ship at a port. If ever I would encounter a problem while visiting a port, I know who to reach out to for help and how to reach them.

When I asked my TA the same question, she told me to list "single occupancy" when I requested the OBC. Just in case, I'd bring a copy of your paperwork for your OBC with you on your cruise; go to the purser's desk and ask for a print-out of your account. If the credit is split, show them your paperwork and they can straighten it out.

I had this happen once before but I hadn't brought along my paperwork; the purser just asked my cruising friend for her permission to remove it from her account; she naturally agreed and he moved the funds from her account and into mine.:)

Truluv - sorry for your loss! Thanks, though, to you and the other posters because my kids know I am to be buried at sea. The information I've learned here is so important...I'm making a copy and including it with my will and burial instructions....

(Must tell you all - my son and daughter jokingly remind me that if I really want buried at sea, I'd better leave them enough of an inheritance to pay for their cruise fare!:D)

Funny thing to say, considering my co-workers know for sure I only work to pay for my cruis addiction! I would like to retire in December, but won't unless I lock in a PT job that provides enough additional money and time off for cruising!

Sometimes I wish I were addicted to something a little less expensive, like making paper mache animals or doing origame or something.:D:D

My cruise on the Freedom will be absolutely the best if the cover band Blaze of Glory is still on the entertainment list! I hope, I hope!!!!!!!!!

(Um, I'm a bit of a Bon Jovi fan...:D:D)

Thanks, Fletch, for giving me something to dream about!

Ah, that explains it! So, you're not a Ford man, huh?:D

I share your sense of humor so I'm loving your review. I can't stand slapstick humor or "funny" sitcoms, but give me an old campy movie and I'll laugh myself onto the floor - much to my friends dismay!

Just wondering...my son has always been called "Fletch," which his friends shortened from our last name - Fletcher. Could this be the case with you too?;)

BTW - What a great experience it must have been to have "wild animals" wandering aroun in your view, despite the accompanying "aroma"!

I checked my favorite "best/worst cabins" website and couldn't find anything negative about cabin 1690. You'll love the Freedom...have a great cruise!

My wonderful TA managed to snag 1700 for me a couple of weeks ago. I'll take lots of photos and will actually meansure the dimension of the cabin and balcony, then report that info back here on CC.

I've sailed in an aft JS on Deck 10 and found the balcony quite roomy, but I'm really excited to experience "one of the most coveted balconies" on Freedom when we sail Sept. 8.

One note about 1700 and 1400...an online booking site (I can't name here) showed both cabins "unavailable"when I did a mock booking for 2 people, but when I entered 3 people, both cabins popped up as available - even though there's no requirement for 3 or more in those cabins. There wre other Deck 10 balconies that showed the same thing, but I don't recall which ones....

Darn, Kathy! Shoulda checked that before I asked my question! Thanks foe keeping an eye out for me!

I'll be on the Freedom's Sept. 8 sailing...so I can expect to find Kory at the piano in the Schooner Bar? Thanks for the super news!

"Star," your statement "Although a little bummed out that the sofa doesn't convert to a bed," leads me to wonder if you know the bed in your JS can be separated into two twin beds...

If you already knew this, forgive my post. But your post made me wonder why you'd want a third bed, when you'd have two twins...:confused: