princeton123211

I can tell you there won't be an Avis shuttle on Maui with certainty-- if you are Chairman's or President's Club level with them they will drop off and pick up the car though. There weren't many rental shuttles to begin with before covid and the few that existed went to the wayside during. The airport location at Kahului Airport in Maui is easy to pick up and drop off at-- we do it several times a year. An Uber from the port to the rental area at the airport will be about $12 each way.

I didn't say it was bad either, I just said I was underwhelmed. The food was fine but I'm not sure if I would call it excellent. The drinks were quite good and very reasonably priced for the island. My biggest gripe was how small the beach was for the amount of people on it. That and the fact that it was a bit rocky as you waded out-- it's by no means even close to the nicest beach in Bermuda but it isn't as awful as a place such as Snorkel Beach. Its convenient for what it is and has decent facilities around it. I agree with the previous poster that if you have any mobility issues at all this is not a place for you. Personally I would go other places if I wanted a beach day but if you want to be at a nicer resort, and not have to pay for a room at that resort to gain access to facilities, this could be a very good option. Just know what you are getting into.

The first day and the last day it will be similar temps to your departure from New York-- you can get some nice days in October but it can also be a bit brisk. First week in October is a very difficult time to predict temperatures outside of an average. Bermuda will be warmer-- on average about 10 degrees warmer than NYC in the mid to high 70s that time of year. We've found that doesn't always translate over to the ship's outside temp until you are basically there-- its can be cooler during the day while at sea. Water temp in Bermuda isn't the bathwater that it is in the summer months but still manageable-- although you won't find many locals making a beach day of it in October. I'm not a meteorologist and this far out I don't think even one of those could answer your question, but our experience sailing twice in October over the years is that it can be a little cool for a pool day (especially if overcast-- we were boxed in by heavy fog one of those Oct trips for a good part of the sea day) but its right on the edge-- maybe you'll get luckier than we did.

You could always park at Newark in a long term lot and take a $30 Uber each way. Will most likely work out to be close. They priced it at $25 a day to basically bring other alternatives so close in price that the convenience of parking at the port becomes worth it.

Easy solution is to just buy a few Apple AirTags. Drop them in your bag, sync them with your phone, and no more risk of not being able to locate them. We did this traveling to Europe this summer and were able to tell British Airways exactly where our luggage was at Heathrow when they claimed they were temporarily unaccounted for.

From a non chain boutique hotel standpoint XV Beacon does a very good job and is located not far from the State House and Beacon Hill-- they have a great steakhouse downstairs. The Eliot also falls into this category but is a little more formal and not my favorite option but worth a look. The Boston Harbor Hotel is also independent and right on the waterfront-- this would be more walking distance to the financial district, water front attractions, and Faneuil Hall area. It's a full service luxury hotel so won't fit your "small" requirement. The Newbury Hotel is the former, locally beloved, Ritz-Carlton (as in old school Ritz Carlton from 1927, not the current Marriott brand) and has been recently thoroughly renovated and updated. Location is incredible right on Boston Public Garden and walkable to most things in the city. My personal favorite hotel alas is part of a chain. The Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel oozes old Boston style and has an incredible sense of place in the city. Located on Copley Square you can easily walk to Back Bay shopping or to Boston Common/Public Garden and all the historical sites. None of the options above are inexpensive but you won't be able to mistake any of them for being anywhere but Boston. Boston overall is a great walking city and most things are about 10-15 minutes brisk walk from each other so thats less of an issue when choosing a hotel in the downtown core.

Did they tell you which hotel you'll have access to? I agree with Scott that $189 is fairly obnoxiously high given you can pretty much do anything but swim in their pools for free anyway and food/drink won't be included.

Cederbrook Lodge is my favorite Seatac hotel if I had to stay at the airport-- although there are a ton of options across all major brands.