hhham

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.

So the thing about Boston is, unless you're staying at a hotel in the suburbs or one of the airport hotels themselves, most hotels simply don't run shuttles. This is because the city is very small, geographically, and we're blessed to be VERY walkable and have a reliable, easy to use public transit system that goes most places visitors want to go. There's just no incentive for any hotels in common tourist areas to run shuttles out to the airport (paying tolls each time) and back, when the MBTA runs from downtown to the airport.

So honestly, if you're interested in sightseeing in the city and getting a proper Boston experience, I would consider using public transit. This will let you stay at hotels in any of the nicer/safer/touristy areas. The Silver Line busses will bring you from the airport to downtown and the major subway lines, and is free for incoming travelers. They also go all around the waterfront area, and drop off very near Black Falcon Pier.

Otherwise, if you definitely want a shuttle it will probably be a more suburban or isolated part of the metro area, because that's the only reason they would need to have a shuttle.

As for safety, Boston's a very safe city (remembering though it is a city) and even in the dangerous parts you're probably pretty alright as long as it's not super late at night and you aren't trying to buy drugs. I would advise you to avoid the Roxbury neighborhood and certain parts of Dorchester. Allston/Brighton areas are a little gritty because the students but by no means dangerous. Back Bay, downtown, South End, are all nice, as is Jamaica Plain (though further out.) There's also Cambridge and Somerville north of the river that are also on the T.

With no Kids unless you love Disney, run away as fast as you can. You are paying for a better room and thst is about it. After 10ish the ship basicly goes to bed. Never been so bored on a cruise in my life. So disappointed.

Just off a Disney cruise and agree, was so disappointed with the lack of adult stuff to do. Maybe my own fault for listening to my Disney-loving friend who said the ships offered tons for people without kids. They shut the adult pools at ten (even the hot tub!) and all but one club at midnight. The scheduled activities we went to were fun but very short and sort of shoehorned into spaces. The adults Halloween activities didn't start until 11pm and was amping up into a fun time when they suddenly announced CLUB'S CLOSED EVERYONE MOVE and shooed everyone into a much smaller, hotter space -- tons of people left.

Lots of screaming, yelling kids in the dining rooms. Lots of kids cutting through the adult areas.

I will say the adults beach and the spa were fantastic, though.