This is the third year that I have made this trip from Boston on Jewel. Jewel is one of RCI's Radiance class ships which are my favorite as they "look out" to the ocean thru glass walls etc., as opposed to their larger ships which all seem to be oriented "inside" towards their "mall" areas.

We left Boston as a howling northeaster was approaching, and thru the night had winds sustained over over 110 mph while crossing around the tip of Cape Cod. Seas of 40' plus continued thru the next day. There Was a picture of a 5' wave rolling down the promenade deck, some 40'+ above the water line which was widely circulated. This was the same Halloween storm which dumped over 30" of snow on much of mid New England. There was little violent motion on the ship as the seas were on the starboard quarter and thus little damage or injury during this violent very early winter storm. After the first at sea day weather improved and was excellent for most of the remainder of the trip.

Embarkation in Boston was a breeze, on board at 11:30, to balcony room about 1:00 pm, ship completely full with 2174 pax. This is a very popular trip each year and many pax return, as do I, year after year. Next fall's trip is already almost "sold out". Read more