Caution!
This post has lots of pictures! My photographer makes it the hardest part about posting!

Not wanting to cross the pond on another long-haul flight, we started researching things to see closer to home. Even though I grew up in New York State, I had never visited the New England islands – Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Block Island.

We selected an American Cruise Line itinerary for this trip. I love counting down to a cruise date! This cruise line has an agreement for pre-cruise stays with Four Seasons in several disembarkation ports. Karen has spoken to several guests who are traveling down the coast from Washington, D.C. Many have stated they enjoyed the cruise line and several have been on more than one trip with American Cruise Line. We may just be the youngest on board!

Our flight from DCA to Providence on AA Eagle first class netted me a broken seat. No refills were offered but we did receive premium snacks for the short flight. My scooter was waiting and set up when we deplaned. Please understand that this rarely happens. We are usually waiting in the jet way long after the crew has deplaned waiting for my “priority” scooter to be brought into the jet way. Our bags were already waiting for us in baggage claim. Cabin temps on the plane were deep freeze. 

Union Station Brewery was a stone’s throw from our hotel so we had decided to eat dinner there. Nice concept in an old railroad station, but…
…Not handicap friendly. 20 steps or go thru garage of Courtyard Hotel
…have fun navigating the maze in the restaurant.
…2 pieces of fish overcooked; the fries were undercooked. Pet peeve? Putting my fish on top of my chips/fries which leads to soggy fries from the fish on top. 
…Wings were ok. Good buffalo sauce.
…Restaurant choice was not worth the money.
…Coke products. 

Omni Hotel Downtown Providence –
I’ve never stayed at an Omni property before and don’t see me rushing back ever again. Lots of money; very disappointed in room quality for nightly rate even though it was a big room. Clock is set on the wrong time. The bathroom layout is odd. Bedspread/ sheet soiled/stained. No table just a desk/chair. And another larger chair across the room which is soiled/stained.  Hair in shower. The location good which is why we chose this hotel. No airport shuttle. Mini fridge on floor. Keurig in room. Noisy HVAC. Shower faucet corroded and disgusting. Never sent receipt by email. Requested one again and then received 4 copies. Management response was to offer an upgrade the next time we stay at Omini. That’s not going to happen! I always wanted to be a ‘secret shopper’! No way would this Omni pass for their fourth star!

Fall River Embarkation
Originally at check in, we were sent to wrong cabin by the hotel manager. Gangway requires walking up 3 steps and across into the boat. Elevator is a single person big enough for scooter. and is often stuck on another floor because it was not closed properly by a previous user. Only one chair on balcony. Sail away party on the top deck heading to New Bedford. Ended the day with Paul who played guitar and sang popular songs. 

New Bedford, MA
On our own today after the Acuchnet harbor cruise, where we learned about and saw many different fishing boats. We saw the Palmer Island lighthouse.  Went through hurricane gates. Back to boat for lunch. Planned to take the trolley but not really handicap accessible. So we walked to the glass museum. Strange that it has a nice handicap ramp but a thick step up into the museum. Then downstairs for glass and gift shop. Walked to NPS Visitors Center where we got our NP stamp on a map and postcard and then on to the whaling museum. Easy to get around both with ramps and elevators. Clean restrooms in Visitors Center. A full-sized masted model ship along with whale skeletons were located inside the New Bedford Whalibg Museum. Check out the width of an adult’s tail. We bought our first ornament souvenir. A whale tail made from local glass and artist. On our way back to the boat we stopped for some yummy ice cream which melted almost faster than I could lick it! It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed doing what we do best.  Enjoying our own private day. 

ADA tip: Crosswalks are covered cobblestones for ease with mobility devices. 

Martha’s Vineyard, MA
We rented a car and did our own thing. Hertz sign up was incredibly easy. Upgraded from compact to a SUV. On our drive we saw several lighthouses. We ate a quick snack of haddock bites at Fishbones in Oak Bluffs. We checked out the gingerbread houses in Oak Bluffs. The gingerbread houses are listed in Atlas Obscura. After returning the car, we ate lunch at The Black Dog. A whole block of Black Dog products including bakery, restaurant and tour boats. Portable ramp available to enter Black Dog restaurant’s step up. Outrageous pricing on the lobster roll which was not on the menu but a ‘special’. Thought I was at Four seasons for a moment!!

More retail therapy – Bought a couple T-shirts and postcards. 

The scooter and I are taking a beating in the brick sidewalks and large crushed stone parking lots. I keep expecting to lose a wheel anytime now.

Most houses are in a shade of grey cedar shake tiles. No pharmacy found. Gas was pricey. Hydrangea fence in full beautiful bloom. The island was so colorful with the large…huge!…blossoms and bushes everywhere we looked.

Many stores were either closed or inaccessible for scooters. Many had at least 1 step up to get in. I curbside shopped as Karen would go in the store and select items to bring out and show me. It worked! Almost too well!

We enjoyed our dinner conversations with single traveler, Ed, Angie and Vanessa (mother/daughter). First food mixed up. Was not overly happy with the situation. But stuff happens. Duke Duo entertainment was very good. 

Nantucket
We took the fast ferry to Nantucket. Cute tourist area. Walked to Brandt Point lighthouse. Had lunch at Stubby’s, courtesy of the ship. Then a bus tour to see Nantucket.

We stopped for a Whale Tale Pale Ale and some deep fried dill pickles. Boy did they hit the spot that needed hitting! More shopping before time to catch the last ferry back to our boat. A couple more t-shirts to add to our laundry pile! Found a perfect ornament that has hand painted hydrangeas, Lighthouse and sailboat. Simply Nantucket.

Block Island, RI
Sadly we missed a pre-arranged private tour when we couldn’t enter Block Island harbor due to heavy fog and moored boats. Onward to Newport!

Newport
Today was our lobster bake at Fort Adams. It was pouring rain so we were thrilled to learn we only had to get wet getting from the boat to the fort. The meal was served inside. Afterwards, we headed back for dry clothes and to wait out the rain before heading into town for retail therapy and a private antique car tour in a ’24 Studebaker with the top down and my scooter in the front seat! A bit chilly at times but fun to see people point and stare at the car. Headed towards the Breakers and the mansions. Had our picture taken in front of Jay Leno’s house. Afterwards we were dropped back at the boat, changed for dinner and then enjoyed the evenings entertainment. Lights out after we put our suitcases outside the door. Another day of traveling home tomorrow after an early breakfast. Boat provided shuttle to the airport.

 “Once the travel bug bites there is no known antidote,
and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life.”
― Michael Palin

Beacons of light everywhere!
Spotted West Chop, East ChopGay Head, Edgartown, Brandt Point, Sankaty and many others!

Boats, Boats and More Boats!

Island Houses and Buildings

Misc and Fun Stuff

NE Island Flowers
Big, beautiful hydrangeas everywhere!

Shout outs to…
Ed from Mechanicsburg, PA
Angie and Vanessa from DelRay, FL
Sarah and Grandma from NJ
Jarrett deck crew on gangplank. 
Hope, new server her first week on the ship
Alicia, Hotel Manager who made some goofy situations right
Many managers and staff who helped with the elevator 
Justin, deck crew gangplank. Wish I could have brought him home!
Jordan, youngest bartender. Kept Karen happy with Wine\beer refills
The pastry chef – with little to no training and reading directions, she put forth some amazing desserts

I have to say that even though I can be very particular about guest services (anywhere!), American Cruise Line bends over backward to make sure you are happy, have a free drink in your hand, enjoying yourself, not stuck in the elevator and you might even get a napkin rose or a magic trick from one of the managers. Was I impressed? Yes, for the most part. Did we book another cruise with ACL? Yes, we did!