Wanted to see scenic, interesting destinations that would also be accessible to travel with brother who has somewhat limited mobility. Small-ship cruising is ideal, especially to explore America, so that we can continue to explore, discover, have marvelous travel experiences, without the concern or hassle of long-distance air travel, packing/unpacking, driving, checking in/out of hotels.

The itinerary - which they changed around on the spot because of bad weather at sea - brought us from Warren RI, to Bristol, Newport, New Bedford, Martha's Vineyard (where we stayed an extra day), Nantucket before returning to Warren. Each port is fabulous to visit and the ability to return to the ship when one got fatigued was great. Small ship cruising means we get to dock (except for Nantucket), and simply walk on/off.

The days pass so pleasantly: there is an early bird breakfast put out at 6:30 am (coffee and freshly baked goods), breakfast at 8 am. Touring and exploring. Lunch at 12:30 pm (if you want to return to the ship). 5:30 cocktails (it’s BYOB except for welcome and farewell cocktail parties with an open bar and delicious hors d’oeurves); 6:30 dinner; then an evening activity at 8:30 pm– a movie, live performance (we had a trio on one night and a Martha’s Vineyard native, folksinger Mark Alan Lovewell, doing sea chanties before we came to Nantucket), and one night when we played a rollicking game of “LCR” (everyone puts up three $1 bills, rolls dice, and at the end, whoever still has a bill, wins the pot). Read more