SHORE EXCURSIONS

OVERVIEW

Enjoy an unrivalled water perspective of the Boston skyline while cruising around the harbor and view many of the city’s most historical icons while driving through downtown. You will embark on the boat at the New England Aquarium and soon cruise pass the Charlestown Navy Yard, one of America’s oldest naval shipyards, having opened in 1800. It is home to the U.S.S. Constitution, better known as Old Ironsides. As you skirt along the coast of Castle Island, you can’t miss Fort Independence, the eighth iteration of a fort on this site. More historical landmarks will come into view back on land, many of them associated with the American Revolutionary War. Expect to see Boston Common – America’s oldest public park – the gold-domed Massachusetts State House, the Granary Burying Ground and the Old North Church steeple, where Paul Revere ordered two lanterns hung in the steeple to signal that the British were approaching by sea.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise around Boston Harbor and see icons such as Old Ironsides and Fort Independence.
• Settle in for a scenic drive around Boston that takes in its most historical attractions.
• Pause for photos at Copley Square, home to the Boston Public Library and Trinity Church.
• Be dropped off at Boston Logan International Airport in plenty of time for your flight.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

View the absolute icons of New York from a water perspective while cruising the Hudson River and up close while driving through the heart of Manhattan. The Big Apple’s skyline will look especially dramatic from the boat as you will see One World Trade Center – the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere – looming in the background. Once you pass Lower Manhattan, you will cruise past Ellis Island and on to the Statue of Liberty, where the boat will pause long enough for you to take close-up photos of this inspiring beacon of freedom and hope. The bus will follow a route that also presents one landmark after another, including Times Square, the Empire State Building and Central Park, the urban oasis that famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted co-designed in 1858. You will hear insightful commentary throughout the tour and all the way to the airport.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise the Hudson River for an unforgettable water perspective of Manhattan.
• Snap photos while the boat stops as close as possible to the Statue of Liberty.
• See countless landmarks while riding through Manhattan.
• Pass Times Square, the Empire State Building and Central Park.
• Head to either JFK or LaGuardia airport in plenty of time for your flight.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore a historical New York icon and experience the thrill of gazing out over the city from the tallest commercial skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan. The views from the soaring observation platform of Summit One Vanderbilt will be breathtaking in every direction, including straight down through the glass floor. You will see all five boroughs of New York and a sky-high perspective of landmarks such as the Chrysler Building and Central Park. Following this jaw-dropping experience, you will take a short walk to Grand Central Terminal, the famed train station that opened in 1913. As an introduction, the guide will describe the evolution of this national historic landmark that features a Beaux-Arts style. You will also enjoy free time to browse and shop before continuing to the airport.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy jaw-dropping views of New York from atop the Summit One Vanderbilt skyscraper.
• Look 1,100 feet down through the glass 'levitation' ledge floor.
• Follow a guide through Grand Central Terminal, a Midtown landmark since 1913.
• Learn fascinating facts about the terminal’s history and spend free time exploring further.
• Head to either JFK or LaGuardia airport in plenty of time for your flight.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Delve into the history of Boston, especially around the time of the American Revolutionary War, and enjoy the ultimate view of the city from a 52-story-high observation deck. Many of the attractions are along the Freedom Trail, a path that leads to Boston Common, the Massachusetts State House and the Granary Burying Ground, where Paul Revere and Samuel Adams are buried. But there is much more to Boston than 18th-century history. You will also drive through the theater district and pass the finish line for the Boston Marathon, the world’s oldest annual marathon. While the sights will be spectacular the entire way, the 360° view from atop the Prudential Center may make the most lasting impression. You can gaze out over Boston from indoors, enjoy the sights from the open-air roof deck and check out the 3D model of the city on the floor below.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See historical and contemporary attractions while driving through downtown Boston.
• Pass many of the most iconic landmarks from the American Revolutionary War.
• Drive through the theater district and along Boston’s waterfront.
• Enjoy a sweeping 360° view of Boston from the Prudential Center’s observation deck.
• Be dropped off at Boston Logan International Airport in plenty of time for your flight.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Where else in the world can you tour the launch areas of a working space flight facility, have the opportunity to meet a real astronaut and stand inches away from the largest rocket ever built? Only at Kennedy Space Center! Located just minutes from Port Canaveral on Florida's Space Coast, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at one of mankind's most fascinating and remarkable achievements - the space program where history was, and still is, made every day. On your tour into KSC, you'll have the chance to see the Apollo/Saturn V Center which offers an inspirational and exhilarating look into mankind's quest for the moon.

There's a lot of activities offered at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, including reliving the historic launch of Apollo 8 at the Firing Room Theater; also, being able to marvel at a monstrous 363-foot Saturn V moon rocket. Pick and choose wisely since you won’t have time to see everything. Your options include seeing an IMAX® movie, the interactive Astronaut Encounter program or the Shuttle Launch Experience. Finally, your chance to be an astronaut!

Tear through the wilds of Gatorland adventure park in an off-road monster vehicle that will bring you goose-bump close to throngs of massive American alligators. The thrills will begin as soon as you board the open-air big-tire vehicle and race off into areas of Florida scrubland that few people see otherwise. You will follow a dirt path over rolling hills, through deep mud, past an alligator graveyard, and on to a pond absolutely crawling with alligators. The vehicles are named after legendary crocodilians that once roamed Gatorland, such as Bonecrusher, a 15-foot-long alligator that tipped the scales at more than 1,000 pounds. You will also be free to explore other sections of the park, where you can observe baby alligators, albino alligators, and leucistic alligators, which are only partially white. All sorts of other animals are also on display in areas that resemble their natural habitats, including American crocodiles, Florida panthers, Amazon parrots, and Aldabra Giant Tortoises.

Enjoy the highlights of Boston as this panoramic tour takes you past the city’s most important and scenic sites. See Copley Square, one of the city’s most attractive spots bordered by the architectural wonders of Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library. Continuing through the upscale residential area of Back Bay and along Newbury Street, you’ll pass exclusive boutiques, trendy cafes and the Public Garden. In the heart of the city and overlooking Boston Common, lies one of the most elegant and wealthiest neighborhoods of the city - Beacon Hill.

Passing the gold dome of the Massachusetts State House, you'll see the Old South Meeting House where the Boston Tea Party began and catch a glimpse of the steeple of the Old North Church where Paul Revere had two lanterns hung to signal that the British Redcoats were on the move.

Join Rising Son Cruises for Bermuda’s ultimate sailing experience. Lounge in the roomy shaded cockpit, or lie out on one of the huge trampolines. Chat with the crew about Bermuda's past and present as you cruise toward beautiful and secluded swim sites.

The catamaran will anchor in six feet of water, where you may choose to swim up to the nearby beach, kayak or kick around with the crew's snorkel gear.

After 1.5 hours of playtime, you’ll be welcomed back aboard for unlimited complimentary Rum Swizzles. Let the island music get you into the vacation spirit as you head out for another hour of true catamaran sailing.

Cruise to Hamilton and explore the capital however you please by shopping on your own, enjoying a walking tour. After departing from the pier, you will soon settle in for a delightful cruise across the Great Sound, a body of impossibly turquoise water that fills the bend in the is lFgland’s distinctive fishhook shape. A coral reef at the mouth of the sound shelters the inner waters, making for a typically calm cruise to the pastel-colored capital of Hamilton. Upon disembarking, you will have several options. If you choose to shop on your own, you can expect to find one-of-a-kind jewelry, vivid artwork celebrating the island life, and classic Bermuda shorts in every color of the rainbow. You might also pick up a tasty treat like rum cake or a jar of jam flavored with Scotch bonnet peppers. Another option is to split your time between exploring on your own and an enlightening walking tour of Hamilton. Either way, you may see the glorious Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, leafy Victoria Park and the Bermuda National Gallery, a showcase for centuries of outstanding island artwork.

This well-designed ‘off the beaten track’ excursion will have you navigating the island’s Eastern End rail trail, truly a perfect fit for those adventure lovers looking for their next most memorable experience. The joys of cycle touring is now within easier reach for people of varying fitness levels thanks to the Electric Bicycle. E-bikes give cyclists a helping hand - or push over the hills making cycle tours more leisurely and difficult terrain more manageable. Our tour bus will pick-up ship-side and provide a scenic drive to the cycle depot.

. After an orientation and observed test ride by your guide, you will be ready for your electric-enhanced bicycle riding experience that will boost your pedal power, getting you up and over hilly terrain with ease. Your guided coastal cycle expedition will cross the island combining off-road Rail-Trails, trestle bridges and some shared main road-side routes that explores and uncovers shoreline beaches and gorgeous landscapes. Participants must have intermediate to advance riding skill with the desire for fun and adventure! Arrive in the Old Towne of St. George's and finish tour with return high speed Tender ride to your ship pier at the Royal Naval Dockyard.

We’re bringing NCL’s “White Hot” Party to Bermuda on the beautiful 60 ft. award-winning Rising Son II Catamaran. Wear your white, silver or gold attire and dance the night away as you sail into the sunset.

After departing from the pier on the Rising Son II, you will sail into the Great Sound, a body of impossibly turquoise water that fills the bend in the distinctive fishhook shape of Bermuda. A coral reef at the mouth of the sound shelters the inner waters, making for a typically calm cruise on the open-concept catamaran.

Get comfortable by lounging on the trampoline bow nets, ascend to the sun deck and relax under the covered stern cockpit. Your experienced tour guide will regale you with fascinating island legends, then as the sun descends into the sparkling bay, you'll enjoy spectacular twilight views, music and unlimited Rum Swizzle and champagne.

The “White-Hot” Catamaran Sail is the perfect way to end your day in paradise, or warm up for an exciting night on the town.

Enjoy a carefree and immensely scenic ride on an electric bike from St. George’s to Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve, where you will be free to enjoy the beach as you please.

Departing from the ship pier, enjoy the high-speed tender service across the mouth of the Great Sound before arriving thought the narrow ‘Town Cut’ into St. George’s, settled in 1612. UNESCO has designated St. George’s a World Heritage site as it is an authentic example of an English colonial town in the New World.

After an orientation, instructions and observed test ride by your guide, you will be ready for your electric-enhanced bicycle riding experience. You’ll find the extra boost in your pedal power offered from the bikes allows for an effortless ride over hilly terrain and across bridges to pristine Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve. Once occupied by the U.S. military and later used as a NASA space tracking station, this serene 12-acre reserve is now protected public land that is extraordinarily beautiful.

Before long, you will reach Clearwater Beach, where you will have time to enjoy the lovely coastal setting however you please. You might take a refreshing swim in the shallow waters, stretch out on the sand and enjoy the serenity, and walk to the nearby salt marsh to observe the wildlife. Herons, egrets and kingfishers are abundant, before the return ride back to the St. George’s to meet your return tender back to the ship. Participants must have intermediate to advance riding skill level with the desire for fun and adventure!