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Your biggest problem is your luggage. Here's the best I have been able to find. I have not used this so you need to call and confirm.

http://www.massport.com/logan/getti_typeo_water.html

The water taxi at Rowes Wharf says they offer temporary luggage storage if you take the water taxi to Logan Airport - $10/pp. You can take a cab from the pier to Rowes Wharf, make your water taxi reservation, and store your luggage. Then you are free to walk around Boston. You can head north along the harbor towards the Aquarium and then across to Faneuil Hall/Quincy market or continue on to the North End. If you want to go elsewhere in Boston, you can pick up the "T" at the aquarium. The only problem with the Water Taxi is that at Logan you must transfer to the free #66 bus, which will drop you right at your terminal.

I don't think you will have any problem killing 5 hours in this area of Boston. Doing some of the Harbor Walk is lovely. Faneuil Hall has more restaurants and fast food places than you can imagine plus lots of shops. Same with the North End if you like Italian Food. Taking the water taxi to Logan is a civilized way to depart Boston and with 5 people is about the same price as two cabs.

For $2/pp you can easily take the "T" to anywhere in downtown Boston, walk around as much as you want, and take the "T" back to the Black Falcon pier. I don't advise walking in South Boston - it's a boring area with long blocks and a waste of the short amount of time you have in port.

Quincy Market does have a lot of chain stores, but it is a quaint setting with some unique stores and lots of food choices. It's worth a look if you're at that end of town or walking to the North End. http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com/

Grego,

Start a new thread and post your question. Give us the exact dates you want to be in NY and some idea of a budget and what you want to do in NY.

Once you decide where you want to stay, the car parking can be resolved. The best thing to do with a car in Manhattan is to park it and go around by walking or public transportation. You may want to consider staying in one of the hotels on the other side of the Lincoln Tunnel in Secaucus, NJ. Parking would be free and you can take a quick 15 minute bus ride into the Port Authority Bus Terminal at 40th & 8th, which is only one avenue from Times Square. Driving to Red Hook on the morning of your cruise should be no problem.

All I can say is "Ditto".

Cabins by the elevators and stairs are the best. You can be on another deck in seconds. You never have to walk along the long corridors of stateroom doors unless you choose to. You can easily pick a more interesting deck to walk the length of the ship.

Enjoy your JS and have a wonderful time.