Travel Blog: A Day in Boston

Once we escaped the fog of Bar Harbor, we set course for Boston. We have already done walking tours of the Freedom Trail and it was a little too cool and windy for a comfortable sightseeing trip, like a Duck Tour. Barb had done this when they were here in July and really liked it - we'll save it for our next visit.

We had made an early reservation at ye olde Union Oyster House for lunch, so we didn't have too much time when we left the shuttle. So, we'll start there and finish up with some photos of the walk we took to start walking lunch off.

We shared this plate - after a dozen oysters and a
cup each of clam chowder. (We both liked the chowder in
Bar Harbour a bit more.)

It was fairly busy downtown, but it was a Sunday and the markets and coffee shops were open: Quincy Market, the lower level of Faneuil Hall, and the Boston Market. We didn't go too far afield, just along the central part of the Freedom Trail.

The interior of Faneuil Hall, historically significant since before
the American Revolution and still hosting important political
events today.

The iconic statue of Paul Revere in front
of the Old North Church, where the 'one if by land,
two if by sea' signal light was posted to
start his famous ride.

The Town Hall and the plaque in front marking
the site of the Boston Massacre, which escalated
the conflict between the British soldiers
and the people of Boston.

The Meeting Hall

Benjamin Franklin's statue in front
of the City Hall.

Back to the ship for a relatively quiet afternoon. Ambassador Peck's lecture at 4:00 was one we didn't want to miss, and it was interrupted by pre-sailing announcements. This wasn't unexpected, but the ultimate results were. Just to make sure everyone is on board from any port, the Front Desk will make announcements asking certain guests whose ship ID card may not have been swiped when they reboarded during the day to call and confirm that they are on board. Two couples hadn't been accounted for, and no one thought anything more of it...until we were leaving.

Our stateroom happens to be just above where the gangway was set up, and we were out on our balcony to watch as we cast off the lines and left the pier. The gangway here was just a stairway with railings, not the large covered type. The truck was just moving it away when two people came running out of the port building waving their arms - obviously the last couple who didn't pay attention to the time. They were lucky; the gangway was put back into place and they boarded, but they seemed to think it was quite funny that they were the last ones back...probably they wouldn't think the same way after Captain Giske had a chat.

So the gangway was pulled back again and we finally cast off; just in time to see two MORE people come running out of the port building. They were turned back around and had the singular experience of watching the ship sail without them! Fortunately they only have to get to New York where we have an overnight, so they will be able to rejoin the ship.

We can't say that there's never any excitement in a sailaway!