Of all the Boston Harbor cruises, the Boston Tea Party Cruise offered by Liberty Fleet of Tall Ships might be the most unusual (although the Codzilla could plausibly hold this title as well). Part cruise and part history lesson, the Boston Tea Party Cruise allows its passengers to reenact one of the most storied moments in U.S. history in the actual place it took place, the Boston Harbor (or Boston Harbour, although it seems questionable to use the British spelling when talking about an episode that initiated a chain of events culminating in American independence from British rule). It’s a cruise worth trying if you are interested in American history and have kids to entertain, so below we provide an overview of the Boston Tea Party Cruise and explain how you can secure a ticket.
What is a Boston Tea Party Cruise?
The Boston Tea Party Cruise is essentially exactly what you’d expect it to be: a cruise on which the Boston Tea Party is reenacted. The cruise takes place on the Liberty Clipper, which was the name of John Hancock’s ship. The crew members on board are dressed in period clothing and act the part of early Americans agitated by Britain’s imposition of a tax on tea. Although the Boston Tea Party cruise actually allows you to throw tea in the Boston Harbor – if you decide to join the rebellion – this is only one component of the trip. You also get to attend a town hall meeting, hear Sam Adams speak, and fire a cannon (that we presume is filled with a blank). You can also participate in the mechanics of sailing the ship – passengers are invited to help set the sails and join the captain at the helm of the ship. So, overall it is an involved cruise experience, but one in which you can determine your level of participation.
Booking a Boston Tea Party Cruise
Now, as for more practical information: the cruise starts at noon and lasts for a couple of hours. (For the record, the Boston Tea Party reenactment doesn’t totally dominate the experience – it’s a component of it, but it’s not like you have to personally role play for two hours straight.) Tickets cost $35 for adults and $24 for children. Tickets can be booked on Liberty Fleet of Tall Ships’ site, which uses a fairly straightforward booking system. If you have any trouble, though, you can also call the company at 617-742-0333 and get your tickets that way. Finally, the company runs an office on the historic Boston waterfront, and that could be visited for tickets as well, although if you are worried about getting a spot you might want to book ahead.
Not everyone will be drawn to a Boston Tea Party Cruise, but it’s not a bad way to occupy an early afternoon. Getting out on the Boston Harbor is always fun, and if you want to combine this experience with a reenactment of the Boston Tea Party, you know what cruise to book. For more information, visit the official page of Liberty Fleet of Tall Ships’ Boston Tea Party Cruise.
