Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Boston harbors a lively and youthful energy despite its Puritan roots and Brahmin heritage. When Bostonians are not sipping coffee in an inviting outdoor café along the famed Newbury Street or walking the picturesque pathways of the Esplanade along the scenic Charles River, they are browsing the art and architecture that lend Boston its distinct character. The renowned Museum of Fine Arts boasts some 450,000 works, while the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum showcases the stunning collection of its namesake socialite in a recreated 15th-century Venetian palazzo.
Boston harbors a lively and youthful energy despite its Puritan roots and Brahmin heritage. When Bostonians are not sipping coffee in an inviting outdoor café along the famed Newbury Street or walking the picturesque pathways of the Esplanade along the scenic Charles River, they are browsing the art and architecture that lend Boston its distinct character. The renowned Museum of Fine Arts boasts some 450,000 works, while the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum showcases the stunning collection of its namesake socialite in a recreated 15th-century Venetian palazzo.
Shore Excursions
Shore excursions vary by each itinerary and are subject to change.
Panoramic Boston
See major sites that played a role in a nation’s birth and visit some of Boston’s most historic neighborhoods.
A Scenic City of Firsts on a Picturesque Harbor
See major sites that played a role in a nation’s birth and visit some of Boston’s most historic neighborhoods. Transfer into Boston, where you will pause at Copley Square to see the elegant Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library. Your journey continues past Newbury Street, the Boston Public Garden and the Boston Common. Pass by the brick-lined sloping lanes of Beacon Hill and gaze up at the gilded dome of the State House. View the Old State House and the Old North Church—in 1775, Paul Revere ordered the famous “one if by land, two if by sea” lantern signal hung from its steeple to warn of the approaching British army. Next, cross the river into Cambridge, where you will enjoy a stroll through bustling Harvard Square. After, you may choose to return to your ship directly, or spend more time exploring on your own and return later via shuttle.
Best of Lexington & Concord
Trace the famous route of Paul Revere and visit the major sites of the American Revolution.
Birth of a Nation
Trace the famous route of Paul Revere and visit the major sites of the American Revolution. Begin with a guided walk from the North End to the Old North Church, where the two lanterns associated with Paul Revere’s ride were lit. Your guide will share insight into the history of Revere’s urgent ride as you continue to the Lexington Green and Buckman Tavern, where the local militia gathered to await news of the British advance. Next, board your motor coach for a short drive to the Paul Revere Capture Site, where Revere’s ride ended while the alarm continued westward. After lunch at Concord’s historic Colonial Inn, visit the Old North Bridge and see where “the shot heard ’round the world” was fired, sparking the first organized battle of the Revolutionary War. Walk the bridge and explore further at the Visitor Center, before returning to your awaiting ship.
Walk the Freedom Trail
Walk through Revolutionary-era Boston along the famous Freedom Trail.
A Stroll Through History
Walk through Revolutionary-era Boston along the famous Freedom Trail. You will follow an experienced guide past historic landmarks, enjoying colorful commentary along the way. Your route will pass the Massachusetts State House and Park Street Church. Pause at the Granary Burying Ground to see the graves of John Hancock, Samuel Adams and Paul Revere. See the Old Corner Bookstore where Emerson, Longfellow and Hawthorne once gathered and continue to the Old South Meeting House to hear the story of the Boston Tea Party. Walk past Faneuil Hall into the North End to see the house of Paul Revere and the Old North Church, in whose steeple Revere's co-conspirators put two lanterns to signal the approach of the British. Return to Faneuil Hall’s Quincy Market, where you may choose to head back to your ship via shuttle or enjoy free time to explore.
Panoramic Boston by Land & Water
Embark on a World War II–style amphibious tour for a unique overview of Boston by land and by water.
Sights of Beantown by Amphibious Vehicle
Embark on a World War II–style amphibious tour for a unique overview of Boston by land and by water. With colorful, good-natured commentary from your bus driver and guide, you will pass the Old State House, site of the Boston Massacre, as well as King’s Chapel, the Granary Burying Ground and Park Street Church. You will also drive past the Boston Common and the chic shops of Newbury Street as Prudential Tower stands above. Continue to Quincy Market and the North End before plunging into the Charles River. You will cruise upriver with splendid views of Boston and Cambridge, passing under the Longfellow Bridge and drifting past the green expanse of the Esplanade and its famous Hatch Shell. Return to land and back to your awaiting ship.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Explore the comprehensive collection of art on display at the renowned Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
World-Class Collection of Fine Art
Explore the comprehensive collection of art on display at the renowned Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Embark on a panoramic drive by motor coach through historic Boston, passing several important landmarks en route to the Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood. Upon arrival at the museum, take a partially guided tour of its galleries. A must-see destination for art lovers, the MFA is considered one of the world’s finest, with more than 450,000 works of art spanning the centuries. Marvel at masterpieces from ancient Greece and the Byzantine Empire to the Italian Renaissance, 19th-century Impressionism and more, including Egyptian sculptures. See works by renowned artists, such as van Gogh, Goya, Rembrandt and Monet. After your tour, enjoy free time to explore further at your leisure. At the end of your culturally enlightening excursion, board your coach and return to your awaiting ship.
Historic Plimoth & the Mayflower
Watch history come alive as you immerse yourself in a recreation of the 17th-century Plimouth colony.
A Living Pilgrim Experience
Watch history come alive as you immerse yourself in a recreation of the 17th-century Plimouth colony. Visit the Mayflower II, a replica of the original ship that crossed the Atlantic Ocean to the New World in 1620, and gain insight into the difficult choices and incredible risks taken by intrepid English colonists. At the Plimoth Grist Mill, a reproduction of the colonists’ grain mill, enjoy a look inside before exploring the recreated colony and living museum of Plimoth Patuxet. Listen as historic interpreters play an actual person from the Plimoth Colony settlement of 1620, discovering more about their lives, cultures and worldviews. Tour the Patuxet Native Homesite to learn about the Wampanoag People who lived in the area for thousands of years before the arrival of the Mayflower. Savor a traditional, homestyle Thanksgiving meal, then return to your ship.
View Boston
Admire panoramic views over Boston during a visit to one of its “top” attractions.
Sweeping Vistas From Atop the Prudential Tower
Admire panoramic views over Boston during a visit to one of its “top” attractions. Transfer from your ship to the Prudential Tower, enjoying a narrated drive through the city’s history-rich streets. Upon arrival, take an elevator to the 52nd floor, where you will step out onto the open-air observation deck of View Boston. Marvel at the breathtaking, 360-degree views from high above the heart of the city. Then, venture to the 50th floor, where interactive displays and exhibits, including a 3-D model, convey the history and culture of Boston. Enjoy free time to explore on your own, perhaps relaxing while appreciating your bird’s-eye perspective of the city. Your self-guided experience includes a glass of beer, wine, or the signature cocktail. Afterward, return to street level and back to your ship.
Flavors of “Little Italy”
Set off on a tour of regional Italian fare without leaving the cozy confines of Boston’s North End.
Stroll Historic Neighborhood While Sampling Italian Favorites
Set off on a tour of regional Italian fare without leaving the cozy confines of Boston’s North End. Unofficially known as “Little Italy,” this one-square-mile neighborhood jutting into Boston Harbor is the city’s oldest residential community, and home to a variety of Italian eateries and restaurants. Follow your knowledgeable guide on a mouthwatering journey, starting with southern Italian delicacies, such as arancina and panzarroti. Enjoy stops to sample traditional pizzas and savor a taste of authentic gnocchi alla sorrentina. Learn about the process of wine making, how to determine the quality of extra virgin olive oil and sample thinly sliced prosciutto. Other stops will take you to Boston’s best Italian market and an enticing artisanal bakery. Cap your excursion with a sweet combo—cannoli and gelato—before returning to your ship.
Snapshots of Gloucester & Rockport
Traverse Massachusetts’s North Shore and pay visits to historic Gloucester and the seaside village of Rockport.
Explore Two Coastal Villages of Massachusetts
Traverse Massachusetts’s North Shore and pay visits to historic Gloucester and the seaside village of Rockport. Your journey begins with a drive by motor coach to Gloucester, America’s oldest seaport. Pass the Church of Our Lady of Good Voyage, named in honor of the patron saint of sailors, and see the iconic Man at the Wheel statue, which commemorates generations of fishermen. Continue to Hammond Castle, a medieval-style fortress perched high above the Atlantic, then head to Rockport to explore its charming streets, lined with galleries and boutiques. See Motif No. 1—after Rockport became an artists’ colony at the turn of the 20th century, painters were drawn to its striking color and harbor setting, earning this red fishing shack the title of “the most painted building in America.” Cap your day with a classic New England treat: a warm bowl of clam chowder overlooking the harbor.
The Kennedy Experience
Trace the legacy of America’s most storied political family during a visit to two national landmarks.
A Presidential Library and Interactive Senate Exhibit
Trace the legacy of America’s most storied political family during a visit to two national landmarks. Uncover the story of the Kennedys while learning how the Senate shapes U.S. policy. Your journey begins with a drive by motor coach to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, where multimedia displays bring to life the “Camelot” era, from the campaign trail to the Cuban Missile Crisis and the space program. See items honoring Jacqueline Kennedy and enjoy free time to explore the exhibits further on your own, including a re-creation of the Oval Office. Next, head on foot to the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, home to a full-scale replica of the Senate chamber, where you will take a seat and engage in a debate on pivotal legislation before viewing memorabilia from Senator Kennedy’s decades of service. After, return to your ship.
Craft Beers of Boston
Discover Boston’s legendary craft beer culture during an immersive brewery tour through the city.
An Immersive Tasting Experience
Discover Boston’s legendary craft beer culture during an immersive brewery tour through the city. Meet your guide and set out on a drive to visit three standout local breweries and gain behind-the-scenes access to learn how some of the city’s renowned craft beers are made. Sit back and relax as you journey around “Beantown,” gaining VIP entry to some of Boston’s most celebrated brewing spots. Engage with expert beer guides, who will share fascinating insights—from the ancient origins of beer to today’s innovative brewing techniques. At each brewery, you will sample a variety of craft brews paired with light snacks (additional light bites and snacks are available to purchase at guests’ own expense). After your experience, you will drive back to your ship.
Beacon Hill on Foot
Explore Boston’s Beacon Hill area and its iconic sights, including the legendary Cheers bar and its market hall.
Historic Neighborhood and Legendary Sights
Explore Boston’s Beacon Hill area and its iconic sights, including the legendary Cheers bar and its market hall. Head to Beacon Hill, a historic district, home to federal-style row houses, quaint, gas-lit cobblestone streets and hidden gems. During your drive, you will listen to stories of Boston’s early residents and tales of local lore, before arriving at one of the cities most well-loved landmarks—Cheers Beacon Hill—the set of the NBC series Cheers, starring leading stars of the 1980s and 1990s, including Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer and Kirstie Alley. Capture photos of its famous facade and step inside to browse the collection of memorabilia. Cap your excursion with a stop at the city’s renowned food halls—Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market—where you can explore a wide selection of local classics, including New England clam chowder and lobster rolls. After, return to your ship.