Le Boreal Cruise beings in Boston: Everything’s ducky on the Duck Tour
By Kathy M. Newbern and J.S. Fletcher ©2011
Part 4 in a Series
Our 10-day cruise aboard the Le Boreal, a contemporary small cruise ship from the French company Compagnie du Ponant, began in Boston, MA, and took us along the United States’ Northeast coast, into the St. Lawrence River, up through Canada, ending in Montreal. Along the way we saw a healthy dose of small, not-frequently-called-upon ports that larger cruise ships cannot visit. That’s one reason passengers chose this itinerary, one steeped in beauty, history and culture.
As noted in part 1 of our pre-cruise Boston coverage, we loved our Freedom Trail Tour.
Over-achievers that we are, we just had to take a ride with Boston Duck Tours as well — part truck/part boat. No, this excursion was not an enactment of the famous children’s picture book “Make Way for Ducklings” written and illustrated by Robert McCloskey.
(Side note: Published in 1941 and awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1942, the darling story was based on a pair of ducks determined to raise their family on an island in the lagoon in the Boston Public Garden. Today, park statues in their likeness honor them.)
Instead, our tour was led by Extreme Eddie “Airtime,” a one-time stunt motorcyclist and now licensed tour guide and professional driver of a modernized, custom-built “DUKW," popularly known as a DUCK, from the well-recognized amphibious landing craft developed by the U.S. Army during World War II.
Here is Airtime’s bio as posted on the Boston Duck Tours website:
“Extreme Eddie Airtime is Boston's preeminent motorcycle stuntman. The nonpareil daredevil in Massachusetts. The simply amazing and unmatched Man Without Fear here at Boston Duck Tours. Over the past twenty years he has earned his living performing motorcycle jumps for roaring crowds and, occasionally, the elderly. He has successfully jumped over Westminster Abby, the Mayan pyramid Quakalotsawaddletek, and The Great Wall of China (lengthwise).
“He has landed every jump attempted, unfortunately never on his wheels. He has been injured more than a few times. He has broken his tibula, fibula, scrapula, lower phalanges, and all of the ribs on the left side of his body. He has fractured multiple vertebrae, fractured his liver, and severed nearly 80% of his right sideburn - yet he remains undaunted. Boston Duck Tours has agreed to sponsor his next big jump in exchange for him performing a few tours. Keep an eye out for his next spectacular jump, and remember what Eddie Airtime's motto: "Go Extreme or Go Home!"
The Boston Duck Tours have fancifully painted DUCKS running all over Boston carrying their brood over land and sea to sites of interest far and wide, and the information shared by the drivers is similar to what you’d get on the walking tours. The main differences are the area covered is greater, the material is especially family-fun, and the splash into the Charles River delights everyone.
Airtime, like “Isaiah Thomas” (a.k.a. comedian Rob Crean) from the Freedom Trail tour, had a special delivery of stories and back-scene banter to entertain and educate.
Drove the Duck; Got the Stickers
From an above-street-level view, we drove by the Commons, Copley Square, the Government Center, Bunker Hill, and the USS Constitution, and then we went for a dunk into the Charles River where several passengers, including both of us, were allowed to captain the craft. (View the slideshow and video for more.) We got the stickers to prove it: “I Drove the Duck!” What fun for all, especially the kids aboard who might not recognize a dose of history with their frivolity.
Airtime, with his rhinestone skull belt buckle and blond ponytail, is a fascinating character. He took us up the tony Beacon Hill past the exclusive Somerset Club, which — true story — once caught fire but the responding firemen were instructed to please go around and come in the back way. Since they were not members, they were not permitted through the front door.
Driving past the old Union Oyster House, Airtime noted that John F. Kennedy loved Booth 18 inside.
Traveling along the West End, our mouths watered at the sight of all the Italian eateries. We were told that Cantina Italian and Mike’s Pastries are worth a visit next time.
Extreme Eddie Airtime looks like the kind of guy who would know such things, rhinestone skull belt buckle and all.
More on Boston
For tour times, information and tickets, call 617.267.DUCK (3825) or visit www.bostonducktours.com.
For info on a visit to Boston, go to www.bostonusa.com
If You’re Interested in Cruising on Compagnie du Ponant ships:
TheFrench cruise company Compagnie du Ponant operates the 64-passenger, masted sailing vessel Le Ponant; the 90-passenger Le Levant; L’Austral, and Le Boreal, (sister ships with 264 passengers each) plus the 226-passenger Le Diamant. A sixth ship is on order. For more, visit www.ponant.com or call 888.400.1082.
This sailing, we visited11 ports: Boston, Bar Harbor, Halifax, Louisburg, the Magdalen Islands, Perce, Havre St. Pierre, Tadoussac, Saguenay, Quebec, Montreal.
In 2012, Le Boreal is scheduled to cruise from Boston to Montreal September 14 to 24, and from Montreal to Boston September 24 to 4 October.
If you enjoyed this story, you might also enjoy:
• Other stories by Newbern and Fletcher
• Other Stories by JS Fletcher,
• Stories by Kathy M. Newbern, Luxury Travel Examiner
• @FletcherNewbern
• @YourNovelcom
International Travel Examiners J.S. Fletcher and spouse, Kathy M. Newbern, report on luxury destinations, spas and cruising around the globe. They are award-winning members of the Society of American Travel Writers and created YourSpaReport.com and YourNovel.com, their personalized romance novel business.
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