Boston Pre-cruise & Masdam Questions

[mcduck]

We learned the hard way years ago that we were much better off booking our own hotel (usually the Riverside Hotel Tower Room) and just catching a taxi from the airport/hotel/cruise ship when sailing out of Fort Lauderdale. We are booking the Sept 12 Masdam sailing from Boston to Quebec City and will be arriving in Boston on Sept 10.

 

Are we better off booking the pre-cruise hotel and transportation through HAL, or like FLL better off doing things on our own?

 

HAL quoted "$681.68 for 2 for 2 nights" at the Fairmont Copley Plaza. The AAA rate for the hotel for their standard room (only 210 sq ft and what I assume we would get through HAL) is $378/night. A step up to the Fairmont room (260 sq ft) is $387/night. It seems like from a pure cost point that HAL is a better deal, BUT that also means that we have to wait for buses to load, put our luggage out over night at the hotel so it can be loaded and so on. We would rather spend a few dollars more to have the convenience of not hanging around the airport and hotel lobbyand picking our own hotel/room category.

 

How easy is it to get from the airport to the hotel and to the dock (and will the taxi drivers know where we need to go to catch the ship?) in Boston?

 

Any other hotel suggestions in the $400 range that might be better as we would like to be close to casual dining and to historical sites for our one free day.

 

We are used to sailing on the Nordam and its sister ships and usually book a forward cabin on Deck 6 (Upper Verandah). A balcony is a must so we are looking at the A/B/BA verandah cabins on deck 9 on the Masdam. They are all above the common areas on deck 8 and we are wondering if there are any areas to avoid, such as over the casino or the Ocean Bar when picking a cabin, or is noise really not an issue?

 

Finally, is catching a taxi in Quebec City to the airport a better option that using HAL's transfer service? Do not know the cost from HAL.

 

Thank-you for your assistance.

Barry

[sail7seas]

Taxis will have no trouble finding Black Falcon Cruise Terminal. Not an obsure location or unknown destination. It is actually near South Station which is Boston's AmTrak Station.

 

taxi from airport to Fairmont Copley is again very easy. That is a very well known, historic hotel very close to Boston's Public Library..... a very beautiful stone building.

 

Fairmount Copley hotel is near Prudential for shopping/food and also near Copley Place which is the upscale shopping beautiful mall. That is where you find Neiman Marcus, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany and the like. :) Also some good food in the area. ;)

 

We would book and go on our own but that is what we always do.

Only when the airport is a long distance from the port from the downtown does it tempt us to book with the cruise line. Boston is a small city by comparison to many and easy to catch a taxi and get to where you are going. Our public transportation, the "T" is also easy to use.

 

[sail7seas]

I just remembered you asked about 'any other hotels' and I'll mention Omni Parker House. It is closer to airport and cruise terminal and very near Boston's Italian

section which is called North End. GREAT food there. :) It is near Fanueil (pronounced Fannel) Hall, very historic and Paul Revere's House, Old North Church etc

 

If you want to tour USS Constitution you'd be nearby. Boston is a tourist city with many hotels in all categories and lots of restaurants in all price ranges and cuisines.

 

A number of cruisers have stayed at Omni Parker House but I always suggest to them to be very specific with what room style/type you want as they are not cookie cutter. Many rooms are one of a kinders. :) Research it and see if it appeals to you. We have dined in the hotel but never stayed over or seen the guest rooms.

[innlady1]

The Copley Plaza is a lovely hotel. Also very lovely is the Lenox Hotel right around the corner. Smaller than the Copley.

We always stay at the Riverside when in Ft. Lauderdale and love it. So we probably have similar taste and you would enjoy either of the above hotels...both historic. And like the Riverside, in a great location with a lot to do. Trinity Church is right there as is the Library. And all the shops on Newbury Street within a stone's throw. Just a few blocks from the Public Garden, too.

[KNOT2L82SAIL]

When we cruised on the Maasdam, we stayed at the Omni Parker Hotel and found it to be an ideal location. We flew into Boston on a red eye and arrived early. They let us check into our room right away. It was a good sized room, very clean and quiet. The hotel is perfect for a foot tour of Boston...which is what we did. Quick taxi ride from Logan airport to the hotel and even easier to the Black Falcon Terminal. The restaurant is very nice, but a tad pricey. By the way, this is the oldest continuously operating hotel in the US and it is old, but in wonderful condition.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have stayed at the Hilton in the Financial District.

It is within walking distance of the Boston Common, Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market.

We do not book HAL's hotels or transfers.

[shrimp56]

We like The Lenox a lot and will stay there before our Jun15 Veendam cruise. The Irish pub, Solas is quite good and just downstairs:)

[cccole]

My favorite is the Marriott Long Wharf, for location and ambiance. It's an easy walk to the North End and other sights. The Sail Loft is one of our favorite casual restaurants and is right next door. We also enjoy the Parker House, hotels on Copley Plaza, and the Hyatt Cambridge (for it's views) but the Marriott Long Wharf is a favorite. If you want something a bit different, the Hyatt Boston Airport is nice, has a boat shuttle across the harbor, and has beautiful views of Boston. Cherie

[Seago2]

I was thinking of driving down the "day of" for my Glory cruise, but that would mean leaving at 4am. I wonder if any of you know of a hotel with a cruise and park package? That way I could visit family the night before.

 

Thoughts?

 

Thanks.

[sail7seas]

We have stayed at the Hilton in the Financial District.

 

It is within walking distance of the Boston Common, Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market.

 

We do not book HAL's hotels or transfers.

 

 

That isn't high on my list of hotels I'd suggest for cruisers.

There are so many charming, lovely hotels in Boston, a cookie cutter Hilton in Financial Center on a weekend is okay but there really are better choices. IMO

 

[fredflint]

you may want to check hotwire and priceline there is also a site where you can check what other hotels people have received with their bids.

 

Boston is a great city I grew up there when I took a friend there we did the hop on hop off bus and had a great time.

[mcduck]

Thank you for the replies and hotel suggetions. We will definitely book the hotel on our own and just catch a taxi rather than booking through HAL.

 

Any suggestions/comments regarding cabin selection on the Veranda deck?

 

Thanks,

Barry

[sail7seas]

We like mid-ship cabins. :)

 

[shsdawg]

We stayed at the Hyatt Harborside by the airport when we went on that one two years ago. You will never hear a plane, not even outside on the patio. It's obviously not in walking distance of anything but it does have good links. There is a T stop just down the harbor walk. A water shuttle leaves from the dock at the hotel and goes across the harbor to downtown. There are regular shuttles to the airport and from there to the rental care places. You can also get a water taxi to the USS Constitution. We started the Freedom Trail from that end in the morning to beat the crowds that arrive later at the ship. The food at the hotel restaurant was really good, better than the ship. This was the view from the restaurant patio. It was even better at night.

 

[Valley Girl of VA]

I would recommend the Marriott at the Waterfront. We were just there last year. We were able to walk to the North End, see the Old North Church, close to the aquarium,etc. It's across the harbor from the airport. I'm sure there is a subway stop nearby but if not, the hotel will probably have a shuttle.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for the replies and hotel suggetions. We will definitely book the hotel on our own and just catch a taxi rather than booking through HAL.

 

Any suggestions/comments regarding cabin selection on the Veranda deck?

 

Thanks,

Barry

 

Category B - midships.

[Krazy Kruizers]

That isn't high on my list of hotels I'd suggest for cruisers.

There are so many charming, lovely hotels in Boston, a cookie cutter Hilton in Financial Center on a weekend is okay but there really are better choices. IMO

 

 

To each his own -- it was free with Hilton Points.

[sail7seas]

To each his own -- it was free with Hilton Points.

 

 

Free with points is fine.

Thanks for explaining why you chose that of all hotels.

For free, of course. Otherwise ??

 

[sail7seas]

I would recommend the Marriott at the Waterfront. We were just there last year. We were able to walk to the North End, see the Old North Church, close to the aquarium,etc. It's across the harbor from the airport. I'm sure there is a subway stop nearby but if not, the hotel will probably have a shuttle.

 

 

That is a good choice for a pre-post cruise hotel. :)

 

[mamaofami]

Looking at the deck plans, IMHO, I would book a BA cabin aft near the aft elevators and above the Queen's Room (not a lot of activity there) and above the Pinnacle. As I recall, I had BB 197 (maybe it's BA but it was 197) and never heard any noise.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Free with points is fine.

Thanks for explaining why you chose that of all hotels.

For free, of course. Otherwise ??

 

 

Otherwise -- don't know.

We were even upgraded to a 2 room suite.

[innlady1]

Otherwise -- don't know.

 

We were even upgraded to a 2 room suite.

 

That's awesome, KK!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you Sheila

We have belonged to Hilton Honors for so many years and quite a few times they do upgrade us.

[fatcat04]

To each his own -- it was free with Hilton Points.

 

You too!! Love them Hilton Honor Points!! :D ;)

[TheEmerson]

I am looking at Westin for Montreal and Liberty or Westin for Boston.