"free" Shuttle Or Not From Boston Pier To Quincy Market?

Does anyone know for sure if there is a "free" shuttle from the Boston pier to Quincy Market? If there is one, where in the pier area do you catch it and what is the frequency?

Thank you.

MARAPRINCE

Does anyone know for sure if there is a "free" shuttle from the Boston pier to Quincy Market? If there is one, where in the pier area do you catch it and what is the frequency?

 

Thank you.

 

MARAPRINCE

Of course, all this and more have been covered in this on-going thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=497777

Rci Has Free Shuttle Bus From Quincy Market All Day Long.

Rci Has Free Shuttle Bus From Quincy Market All Day Long.

TUNE2,

But not Celebrity?

MARAPRINCE

Rci Has Free Shuttle Bus From Quincy Market All Day Long.

Just got off RCI Grandeur a few weeks back and there was no free shuttle from Black Falcon Terminal to anywhere. RCI has a table selling the aforementioned one-way and roundtrip shuttle services. What free shuttle are you referring to???

I've seen mention of a "free" shuttle in some of the postings on Cruise Critic boards so I am confused as to what they were referring to!

One posting said this shuttle was located on the Black Falcon Pier?

I've been to Boston 3 times before and never saw it. We previously took tours -- 2 times to Salem and one of Boston by land and sea.

What I have seen was one the Trolley Tours (pretty sure it had a Grayline logo on it) picking up right from the dock where our ship was berthed. As passengers came off the ship (HAL), they went right over to the trolley.

What was the cost of the one-way shuttle? How were you supposed to get back to the ship on the other end?

MARAPRINCE

I've seen mention of a "free" shuttle in some of the postings on Cruise Critic boards so I am confused as to what they were referring to!

 

One posting said this shuttle was located on the Black Falcon Pier?

 

I've been to Boston 3 times before and never saw it. We previously took tours -- 2 times to Salem and one of Boston by land and sea.

 

What I have seen was one the Trolley Tours (pretty sure it had a Grayline logo on it) picking up right from the dock where our ship was berthed. As passengers came off the ship (HAL), they went right over to the trolley.

 

What was the cost of the one-way shuttle? How were you supposed to get back to the ship on the other end?

 

MARAPRINCE

Again, I think taking a cab is the easiest, fastest and probably cheapest way to get back and forth.

The bottom line is: if there should be a free shuttle, get on and save some money. But more likely, there will not be a free shuttle, so be sure you have at least $25 so you can either pay for a shuttle or take a cab!

Rci Has Free Shuttle Bus From Quincy Market All Day Long.

Royal Caribbean has never had a free shuttle... I will be sailing next week and I will let you all know... but they told me NO free shuttles, and I have never seen them have one anywhere.

Royal Caribbean has never had a free shuttle... I will be sailing next week and I will let you all know... but they told me NO free shuttles, and I have never seen them have one anywhere.

we just got back from 8/24 grandeur - as mentioned, no free shuttle. it cost us $12 for a round trip ticket per person or $8 for a one way ticket per person.

u picked it up right across the street from where u exit the cruise terminal and it drops u right around the corner from quincy market ( faneul hall). when u r ready to return to the cruise terminal u walk back to where it dropped you and there was a representative from rci holding a sign up and collecting the return ticket... seemed like the shuttles ran pretty regularly up until 4:00, i think.

the tix were sold in the cruise terminal as you exited the ship... not sure about other lines, but it worked fine for us!

We have just got off the Explorer of the Seas and they sell tickets in the cruise terminal to Quincy Market. Roundtrip $12 pp One way $8 pp. There are no free shuttles from Black Falcon Terminal.

Just got off the 9/18 sailing of the Grand Princess. No free shuttle. They sold tickets for $8 one way. Don't recall if there was a discount for round trip as we only needed the return trip. Caught it right near the Quincy Market. If there is more than one cruise ship in port the day you are there be sure to watch for the right bus to get on. They all have their names in the windows. It was quite confusing for some as we had two ships the day we were there and the people directing everyone were getting everyone confused as to where to board the bus for your ship.

For an alternative to a taxi, you might want to try the water taxi. You'll get a nice view of the Boston Harbor and it's a short walk to Quincy Market from Stop 15. The taxi picks up at Black Falcon Pier, stop 2. It's a fun way to get around. :)

http://www.citywatertaxi.com/index.html

Just got off the 9/18 sailing of the Grand Princess. No free shuttle. They sold tickets for $8 one way. Don't recall if there was a discount for round trip as we only needed the return trip. Caught it right near the Quincy Market. If there is more than one cruise ship in port the day you are there be sure to watch for the right bus to get on. They all have their names in the windows. It was quite confusing for some as we had two ships the day we were there and the people directing everyone were getting everyone confused as to where to board the bus for your ship.

Alphakitty--I'm assuming all cruise ships are docked at the Black Falcon Cruise ship terminal and that is the point to catch this taxi. Do you know how often they run? How long is the ride to stop #15? It appears that it may take quite some time. Thanks for the info.

Terpnut, I don't think it's important that YOU need to understand why someone chooses to use the shuttles. It's all a personal choice. Thanks again though for repeating yourself.

Terpnut, I don't think it's important that YOU need to understand why someone chooses to use the shuttles. It's all a personal choice. Thanks again though for repeating yourself.

1. Shuttle: Wait in line to buy a ticket. You even added that there was confusion amonst people trying to find the shuttle pickup/dropoff locations. Taxi: Get in and you're on your way within minutes.

2. Shuttle: Pay per person no matter how large the party so, unless you're travelling solo, they are MUCH more expensive. A real rip-off. Taxi: $9-12 each way to anywhere in the city for up to four passengers.

3. Shuttle: Must wait for regular scheduled arrival or departure times. Taxi: Leaves when you want to leave.

4. Shuttle: Limited, select pickup and drop-off locations. Taxi: Pickup and drop-off ANYWHERE in the city; nearly whenever you need it.

5. Shuttle: Makes one or more stops along a fixed route. Taxi: Direct point to point service.

NCL Shuttle was $10 one way, $13 round trip in September.

Alphakitty--I'm assuming all cruise ships are docked at the Black Falcon Cruise ship terminal and that is the point to catch this taxi. Do you know how often they run? How long is the ride to stop #15? It appears that it may take quite some time. Thanks for the info.

Hi Hal.....yes, all the ships come into Black Falcon Pier. How long it takes depends on how many other stops and other passengers on the water taxi, but it is not a very long ride...about 10 minutes at most. It's only a mile or so from Black Falcon to the Long Wharf.

Terput,

Again, it's all a matter of personal opinion as to whether something is a drawback or a benefit. What YOU consider a benefit is not necessarily what I might consider a benefit. And what YOU consider a drawback may not be a drawback to someone else.

I saw no drawbacks in getting the Ship's shuttle. Our one way tickets were delivered to our stateroom. We didn't have to stand in line. If there had been more than 2 of us, a taxi may have been a cheaper option but for 2 the price difference was not a big deal to us. If the difference were a matter of $20 or more than yes maybe we would have considered a taxi. But $6 or $7 is not a big deal to us. In the broad scope of things, some of us don't have to make decisions totally based on saving a few bucks. If we did than maybe we should reconsider taking a vacation at all. We easily found where the shuttle loaded and the shuttle was there when we arrived and we didn't have to wait. For 2 women travelling, it's sometimes easier to just go with the flow therefore we know exactly where we are going and don't have to make sure the taxi is taking us to the correct place. And to be honest, I didn't see any taxi stands around Quincy Market so it would have been just as big a hassle to find the taxi stand as it was to find the shuttle pick up location. And the shuttle only had one destination, so not sure what you are talking about there. Quincy Market seemed to be a fairly central location to start sightseeing. If one was wanting to do something other than the Freedom trail, I could understand taking a taxi to your destination. We only used the shuttle to return to the ship so it made no difference to us really where it picked up since we were in that area anyway.

But again it's all matter of personal decisions. It's great that you point out the other options but no need to keep repeating yourself and belittling those that do opt for the shuttles.

I've seen mention of a "free" shuttle in some of the postings on Cruise Critic boards so I am confused as to what they were referring to!

 

One posting said this shuttle was located on the Black Falcon Pier?

 

I've been to Boston 3 times before and never saw it. We previously took tours -- 2 times to Salem and one of Boston by land and sea.

 

What I have seen was one the Trolley Tours (pretty sure it had a Grayline logo on it) picking up right from the dock where our ship was berthed. As passengers came off the ship (HAL), they went right over to the trolley.

 

What was the cost of the one-way shuttle? How were you supposed to get back to the ship on the other end?

 

MARAPRINCE

The only free shuttle I have seen is in Bar Harbor and it runs until Columbus Day.

The only free shuttle I have seen is in Bar Harbor and it runs until Columbus Day.

There is also one in Halifax, NS (I know this is the NE board, but the ships that sail to NE usuallly visit Halifax):

FRED : http://www.halifax.ca/metrotransit/fred.html

For the 2007 season, Fred will be operational beginning Saturday, July 7th, until Friday, October 27th 2007.

The service will run 7 days a week from 10:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on a 40 minute frequency.

Stops:

Pier 21 Museum Entrance . Marginal Rd . Lower Water St . Water Street Terminal . Water St . Marriott Harbourfront Hotel . Casino driveway to stop . Upper Water Street . Barrington St . Spring Garden Rd . Brunswick St . Sackville St . Citadel Hill . Sackville St . South Park St . Spring Garden Rd . Barrington St . Hollis St . Terminal Rd . Marginal Rd . Pier 21 Museum entrance

There is also one in Halifax, NS (I know this is the NE board, but the ships that sail to NE usuallly visit Halifax):

FRED : http://www.halifax.ca/metrotransit/fred.html

 

For the 2007 season, Fred will be operational beginning Saturday, July 7th, until Friday, October 27th 2007.

 

The service will run 7 days a week from 10:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on a 40 minute frequency.

 

Stops:

Pier 21 Museum Entrance . Marginal Rd . Lower Water St . Water Street Terminal . Water St . Marriott Harbourfront Hotel . Casino driveway to stop . Upper Water Street . Barrington St . Spring Garden Rd . Brunswick St . Sackville St . Citadel Hill . Sackville St . South Park St . Spring Garden Rd . Barrington St . Hollis St . Terminal Rd . Marginal Rd . Pier 21 Museum entrance

Thank you so much!! We are visiting Halifax on our cruise in a week and this information is very helpful. We have visited in the past and walked. Now walking is difficult for me due to a horse accident and the shuttle will help out greatly!! Is the Pier 21 stop the dock or very near it (is it the Maritime Museum)? Thanks again and have a great day!!

Thank you so much!! We are visiting Halifax on our cruise in a week and this information is very helpful. We have visited in the past and walked. Now walking is difficult for me due to a horse accident and the shuttle will help out greatly!! Is the Pier 21 stop the dock or very near it (is it the Maritime Museum)? Thanks again and have a great day!!

Pier 21 is the stop at the dock. Keep in mind that there is no narriation on this shuttle. If you want narriation, you should consider the Hop on Hop off Double Decker Bus Tour :http://www.doubledeckertours.com/ It also picks up more frequently - every 20 minutes as oposed to every 40 minutes on FRED. However, if you have visited Halifax before and are familiar with the sights, FRED might be a better option for you.

Also, make sure you enter the contest for cruise passengers at the Pier 21 gift shop on the way out to Halifax, and try to be there for the drawing later in the day (you must be present to win). https://www.pier21.ca/giftshop

Pier 21 is the stop at the dock. Keep in mind that there is no narriation on this shuttle. If you want narriation, you should consider the Hop on Hop off Double Decker Bus Tour :http://www.doubledeckertours.com/ It also picks up more frequently - every 20 minutes as oposed to every 40 minutes on FRED. However, if you have visited Halifax before and are familiar with the sights, FRED might be a better option for you.

 

Also, make sure you enter the contest for cruise passengers at the Pier 21 gift shop on the way out to Halifax, and try to be there for the drawing later in the day (you must be present to win). https://www.pier21.ca/giftshop

Thank you so much for the information!! Have a nice day.