Anyone actually taken a New England cruise? - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

isujim · 10-11-2005, 05:46 PM

This is on my to do list........but haven't really checked it out.......

Has anyone done one? Did you like it? Which cruiseline did you use?

Thanks

jstducky · 10-11-2005, 06:25 PM

I LOVED IT!

Had been wanting to take one for years and years. Finally got the opportunity on the brand new Jewel of the Seas, 7 days roundtrip out of Boston on September 11, 2004. Stopped at Bar Harbor, Halifax, Sydney, Saint John and Portland.

It was amazing and gorgeous and everything I could have asked for.

My only regret was not going a little later in the year to see the changing of the leaves!

isujim · 10-11-2005, 06:26 PM

What time did you go Alisa? Were you too early for the colors? Just how cool (cold) was it on the cruise?

isujim · 10-11-2005, 06:27 PM

Ok I see September..........how was the weather then?

jstducky · 10-11-2005, 06:41 PM

the weather was pretty good. i brought a thick jacket thinking it would be cold, but it was actually pretty nice. only one day of light showers. and then the last day when we arrived back in Boston it POURED rain like cats and dogs!

here was the weather breakdown

Sept 11 - Boston 69
Sept 12 - Bar Harbor 69
Sept 13 - Halifax 64
Sept 14 - Sydney 63 AM showers
Sept 16 - Saint John 68
Sept 17 - Portland 70
Sept 18 - Boston 73 Poured rain most of the morning

isujim · 10-11-2005, 06:50 PM

Man what great information........frubals to you after time out

Lightsluvr · 10-19-2005, 02:22 PM

Jim - As you may recall, we sailed on the Enchantmant in mid-September. This year there had been no cold snaps up there, and it was too early for any leaf peeping. Probably right now would have been perfect. We missed Martha's Vineyard due to rough seas (remants of some tropical strom or other) and then Portland and Bar Harbor. ME were both socked in by fog. We enjoyed walking the waterfront in Portland. The excursion to Acadia National Park outside Bar Harbor was a bust due to fog. St. John New Brunswick and Halifax Nova Scotia were absolutely delightful. We felt an immediate liking to our Canadian hosts. A great time in both ports.
We learned to really hate long bus excursions on this cruise, and will do more "on our own" exploring in future cruises. Lots and lots and lots of really old people on this cruise...I'm 61 and felt young! (maybe that's not so bad?)
Here was Enchantment at the Black Falcon Terminal in Boston...I understand that she will be replaced by the Jewel OTS for the 2006 New England/Canada itinerary.

jstducky · 10-19-2005, 02:33 PM

Lightsluvr - Jewel did Can/NE cruises in 2004 and 2005. But in looking at RCI's schedule for next year (2006) it does not appear that they are offering Can/NE cruises at all.

Thats interesting that you were socked in by fog in Portland and Bar Harbor. When I went on my cruise on Jewel we had perfect clear crisp weather in Portland and Bar Harbor. We had major fog in Saint John (Captain blowing the fog horn all morning on our approach) and we had rain and clouds in Sydney, Nova Scotia...

Here's a picture of Jewel docked in Saint John. So much fog you can't see anything behind her at all...

Southpaw · 10-19-2005, 02:39 PM

I haven't taken this cruise but live in the Northeast and can tell you it's a beautiful day today weather-wise (just wearing a long sleeved tee and jeans, no jacket) and the leaves are in full color bloom. It's just gorgeous and if you've never seen New England in the fall, it truly is a must see. Enjoy!

Lightsluvr · 10-19-2005, 02:43 PM

It's interesting what difference a year makes...the fog just switched ports from 2004 to 2005. Ah, me, the joys and risks of cruising...

Right now the RCI website shows ALL October 2006 cruises for the Jewel "not available" - originally she was scheduled to sail 3 ten day cruises to Bermuda/Haiti, etc. out of Boston. I think it very unusual that every inside, outside, balcony and suite stateroom would be "not available" this early for a Bermuda itinerary. Rumour is they are in process of changing to 4 seven day cruises to New England/Canada. Keep watching, I hear that RCI realized they made a mistake when they dumped all NE/CA itineraries for 2006, and the Jewel will cruise NE/CA around leaf-peeping season next year (when they can command maximum fares). I may be wrong, but that is what I have heard...

LL