Nanatravel
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Posts posted by Nanatravel
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5 hours ago, Beth and Bailey said:
Thanks so very much. I do appreciate your details. I think when someone posts a comment such as you get what you pay for...... a negative connotation immediately pops up, whereas a bit more explanation such as your provided would have been so much more helpful. I've cousins that live in Mansfield (not seen in over 40 years) but they just said we could stay with them and they'd get us to/from the train.
Catching up with family is great. It's just another memory of your trip.
If anyone else is cruising out of Boston that week, they are best to stay at the Seaport or Logan airport area.
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38 minutes ago, Beth and Bailey said:
Cruise is 10/16 - 10/23. Flying in. Have never been before so want to do some sightseeing and EATING... Do see many waterfront hotels are $300+ per night. Couple of questions please.
Rates may be less AFTER the cruise so that might be an option.
Is local transportation (bus, trolly) from areas further out from the waterfront easy? If staying at the airport area hotels, are shuttles available into town?
Any suggestions for areas further out?
Suggestions for hotel to port transport?
Thanks much for any suggestions/guidance.
Hi again Beth & Bailey. Please don't think badly of a Bostonian who answers with "you get what you pay for". It is their way of getting your attention and saying they would not consider staying there themselves. Most downtown hotels are old, have small rooms and lack in comfort features but charge a high rate because of their "downtown location"; think historic district. I'm an old Bostonian who moved south 10 years ago. We've cruised out of Boston and stayed in hotels too as well as we sail on August 31 from Boston. Take a look at the Bostonian Hotel. I also have the Hilton Downtown Faneuil Hall booked and will let one go once I know what my friends decide to do. Taxi or Uber from the airport will be necessary to and from the airport and terminal; be prepared for$20 +/- for a fare. If you stay in the Theatre district, subway (the T) might be best or just plain walking everywhere. I used to be able to do that when younger. If you pick a hotel because of lower price in Cambridge, Chelsea or by the airport, you will need to factor in costs and time lost for commuting into historic sites and restaurants areas. There are many famous and large hospitals in downtown Boston; you don't want to stay close to them due to sirens and possible drug traffic. Think Methodone clinic. We stayed in the Courtyard by Marriott on Tremont St. for a wedding and all we heard was sirens and drums for two nights; Fire Station, Tufts New England Medicine and the Blu Man Group were going late into the nights.
Good Luck.
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22 minutes ago, CruisingChick said:
Is there parking at the port , like there is at Cape Liberty? We were just going to drive up the day of the cruise. We live in Connecticut.
When I visit the port site the link to parking looks like a public lot that is 1/2 a mile away.
https://www.massport.com/flynn-cruiseport/to-from-flynn-cruiseport/parking-directions/
Am I missing something?
Thank you.
That is the best and probably only place to park close to the terminal that I know of.
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4 hours ago, Nitemare said:
That Seaport option is the closest one to the pier, but is not convenient for touring
The Chelsea option isn't convenient to anything, but does have a shuttle to the airport and subway
That is correct. The OP stated he is only needing the hotel for one night; thus I don't think any touring will be in his plan, just budget and a safe comfortable hotel. At least with either of these, they would get breakfast included.
Hope this helps the cruiser.
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Look up the brand new Hampton Inn Seaport which is walking distance to the Ray Flynn/Black Falcon pier. If that is over your budget, check Hampton Inn Airport CHELSEA. Do a fake booking when rates come up scroll to the end to see if they have a Long Term rate (one night is fine). That has been running more reasonable for our August cruise. Hilton.com, Boston, MA - Hampton Discount code 0561135262. Pay it forward if it works for you.
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Unless your hotel has a shuttle which most do not, you will have to use Uber, Lyft or a Taxi.
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Don't forget you can also rent a car in the major cities and tour on your own if you have a USA drivers license. Especially good at Portland, Halifax and Quebec (if that is included) or you could include it.
Two relaxing weeks on a cruise ship is better than one!
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On 3/1/2022 at 2:05 PM, AstoriaPreppy said:
I'm not sure if I've overlooked this, but is there any way to pre-book specialty dining via the medallion app without pre-paying?
We received a complimentary dinner as part of a package, but it seems we're unable to make reservations for that dinner without paying out of pocket in advance.
Contact the Princess Chat line. They will make the reservation and debit your on board account; however, you still must give a Credit Card number for incidental charges. Card will not be charged but your OBC for Specialty Dining will be charged. When you get your confirmation card (even if it is wrong dining room) bring it with you and give to your waiter. We had to do this on Enchanted for Valentine's Day.
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19 hours ago, daisy-mae said:
Unfortunately, I don't think a return to the US counts as in transit, as you will be leaving the port and entering the country in order to access the airport.
Sorry but No Daisy, we continue on our cruise with port stops both in Canadian territory and USA back to Boston. That's what in-transit means. It is not a One Way cruise that I am on.
Now some do cruises like that often out of NYC.
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25 minutes ago, daisy-mae said:
If your final destination is a Canadian port, then a test will be required before disembarkation.
Thank you for a clarification.
On our cruise and at Canadian ports, we will be in transit returning to Boston.
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I just got a personal email from Princess cruise lines about their upcoming Alaska/Canadian and New England/Canadian cruises. It looks like you will be able to do your pre-embarkation Covid 19 PCR test days (72 hours) or Rapid Antigen test up to 24 hours before sailing. (This is how it was for our recent Caribbean cruise except for the length of pre-cruise time. Ports or islands who demanded a Covid test 24 hours before in transit disembarkation were skipped.) It sounded like no further on-board testing would be required as long as you are fully vaccinated and are showing no signs of illness.
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Salem, MA is at least a half hours drive from downtown Boston. Renting a car may be your best option, so you could decide whether to go there before or after your cruise. There is limited parking in downtown Boston; plan on approximately $60 a day for garage parking and it would probably be valet so add on the tips for that. If you can find a day tour/trip to Salem, MA, that might be your best bet.
I know most Marriott's that are decent in September will be closer to $300 a night even before taxes & resort fees (they are not resorts, either). Look at the Bostonian as it is pretty central in downtown. We have the Hilton Downtown Faneuil Hall booked for late August as well as the Bostonian. I wanted to make sure I had a back up in case Hilton didn't come down into my budget. If you have loyalty numbers with chains, this is the time to try to get discounts. Boston is very busy in Sept./October.
You would want to stay in downtown and plan to walk, use the HOHO trolley buses to tour or learn to use the T (underground railway).
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Hopefully this will help those planning to sail New England Canada itineraries this Summer and Fall as well as Alaska cruises.
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Sailing12away, I didn't realize Charlottetown would be a tender port. Still not response to your question. I'm just starting to research tours for our Celebrity cruise.
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We too will sail the NE Canada route late August. I've made reservations at the Hilton Downtown Faneuil Hall and the Bostonian. I'll probably let the Bostonian go as the Hilton has better reviews. I'm from MA & NH so I know the area and it is tricky to be in a safe and easy area to tour and stay. If I wasn't coming in two days early, I would have stayed at the pier in the new Hampton Inn Seaport. If your budget is so tight, others have recommended the Hampton Inn Logan Airport at Chelsea and their Extended Stay rate which you only need to stay one night. Take their shuttle to hotel and back to airport to pick up a Uber or taxi to the Ray Flynn/Black Falcon Pier.
Do the HOHO bus tour to see the most of Boston easily and reasonably.
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Yes it is do able. In fact, our return flight is 11 something and I don't have any worries.
just get a taxi or Uber.
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Rental cars would be at or near the airport which is only a few miles away. I don't know but you may ask your major companies if they can offer pick up at the Ray Flynn (old name Black Falcon pier) terminal to pick your waiting car up and not have to go all the way into a Logan terminal desk.
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Thank you for coping and clarifying St. Lucia's government rules regarding Covid regulations.
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7 hours ago, Coloradohawk said:
Never have cruised out of Boston before. It appears that the airport isn’t very far from the cruise port. Is a noon flight out of Boston reasonable? Also looking for some updated info on a hotel for one pre cruise night. Plus and minuses. Thanks
Yes, Logan airport is very close. As mentioned, just get a taxi or Uber and a noon time flight is very doable.
Depending on how many days you will fly in pre-cruise, depends on where you stay. I'm from the area and also sailing out of Boston this year. Prices are sky high, so you want to stay in the best area for your time and touring needs. If you only have one night, choose a airport hotel like Hyatt (not Hilton as the walls are paper thin), Embassy Suites, or the brand new Hampton Inn or Homewood Suites, which is adjacent to the Flynn ship terminal also know as Black Falcon Pier. You won't need a car and parking is outrageous.
If you have two or more nights, stay in downtown Faneuil Hall Area. I have reservations at both the Hilton Downtown Faneuil Hall and the Bostonian. I still watching pricing and will let one go before August.
Any other questions, don't hesitate to ask. Be careful you don't book a hotel near a Hospital area or too far out of the historic district.
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44 minutes ago, Shadowlakepeople said:
Hi All,
We are on Enchanted Princess Jan 29, 2022. We are departing out of Ft Lauderdale but staying a few days prior. Where can we get Covid Testing 48 hours prior to departure?
Help!
Ann & Steve
CVS or Walgreens; make an appointment.
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5 hours ago, rkacruiser said:
I agree with navybankerteacher's recommendation of a minimum of 3 hotel nights. I gave myself only two hotel nights pre-cruise, staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, and could not do all that I had hoped to do. The hotel itself was a delight; it's hotel bar is a hoot when the Red Sox are playing and being shown on the TV screens! But, a more centrally located hotel would have been a better choice for me.
It's further away than I thought; didn't get to visit it for which I regret.
The Copley square area is nice but for a historic one-time only visit, again it's just a little to far. There is a fairly new Hyatt Regency close to Washington St., the Omni Parker House Hotel (extremely small rooms) as we have stayed there. I'm looking at the Bostonian, Battery Wharf, and Hilton Faneuil Hall as well as over budget Hampton Inn & Homewood Suites or Seaport hotels, which are out at the Seaport area so a Bus ride or Uber away from the Freedom Trail.
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5 hours ago, Hyperpipe said:
We are going to stay in Boston before our cruise in Sept 2022. We board the ship on a Wednesday. Wondering what length of stay people recommend to properly see the sights in Boston? We have never been and It's unlikely we will be back again. We don't want to be flying around trying to see everything in a day .. what are must sees and how long to cover them. Any advice appreciated.
As mentioned 3 full days would be perfect as long as you don't want to go "Out of the City" like to Salem, MA for the House of Seven Gables or Dorchester, MA for the JFKennedy Library. However, at this time, pricing is off the charts. Lowest price of a hotel in the "downtown" area is probably going to run $250 to $300 +/- without any frills. Taxi or Uber will mount up so staying downtown is best. Hotels in this area don't run a shuttle. If you find a hotel near a T stop, that would be good. I'm going through a similar search and we haven't even been able to book flights yet. I'm from MA & NH, so know the area pretty well. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. HOHO trolley is a must to get a complete overview of this historic city.
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hI Lorraine. Wishing you a great voyage tomorrow. I was reading a short review of yours regarding a Beach club or other at Antigua. It was about All inclusive day pass or Pay as You go. Please let me know what place this was. email is nana travel @ sccoast dot net.
Thanks so much.
Bev
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10 hours ago, Papa Yoda said:
All of the above - bring European/UK to North American adapters and extension cords and multi-outlets since there are no extra US outlets near the bed on Royal class. We've been in a suite and mini-suite and have always had to run cords all over. If you can find it: use Gaffers tape instead of duct tape - no residue - to tape down cords.
Thank you to everyone for all of your input. I'll have to go to our local ACE Hardware to see if I can find that duct tape! I found the forms I needed and have filled them out and sent them into Princess.
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Boston Sail Away Locations
in East Coast Departures
Posted
If Castle Island with Ft. Independence is the public park I'm Thinking of, it is right across the bay from the terminal. Haven't been in that area in many years but it was lovely.