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8 Scenic Places to Visit on a New England Cruise

By U.S. News & World Report

Explore quaint towns, picturesque parks and storied attractions on a journey to remember.

While Canada’s exciting and diverse ports entice discerning cruisers, ports across New England offer plenty of natural attractions, charming towns and worthwhile outdoor activities. With a short cruise season — typically from April to October — cruise lines pack a full itinerary to visit as many ports as possible on a single cruise. You can visit cities steeped in U.S. history, explore national parks, bike along rugged coastlines and relax at quaint cafes. If brushing up on history and indulging in freshly baked pie piques your interest, then a cruise through New England should be on travel list your list. Read on to discover not-to-be-missed New England cruise ports.

Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar Harbor is one of the few ports in New England that requires ships to anchor offshore. Popular cruise lines, including Holland America Line and Regent Seven Seas, deploy tenders to ferry guests between the ship and the harbor. Located on Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor was once a summer refuge for the rich and famous. Today, Bar Harbor attracts visitors with its spectacular mountains, lakes, cliffs and beaches. During your visit, take an excursion into Acadia National Park and head to Cadillac Mountain or spend time in downtown Bar Harbor for shopping and a bite before heading back to your ship.

Newport, Rhode Island

Almost everyone has heard of Newport, once nicknamed the “American Versailles.” The glamorous mansions of the Vanderbilts, the Astors and the Morgans line Bellevue Avenue, awaiting daily visitors who marvel at the opulence and splendor of a bygone era. While you’ll likely want to tour at least one of the storied mansions, other activities can include exploring Rose Island Lighthouse and strolling along the Cliff Walk, a picturesque 3.5-mile path that bisects the backyards of the mansions on Bellevue Avenue and the rocky Atlantic coastline.

Boston

For history lovers, Boston is an enticing destination, with its storied landmarks, library, public park and heritage that extends back hundreds of years. Today, cruise lines such as Norwegian, Princess Cruises and Cunard Line offer itineraries to Beantown, enabling visitors to embrace the city’s cobbled streets and gaslight districts. Walk or hop on a trolley along Boston’s famous Freedom Trail before stopping in Little Italy for cannoli and coffee. Many cruise lines offer excursions outside of Boston, too. Visit Salem, home of the 1692 witch trials and the Salem Witch Museum, or enjoy walking along the ivy-laden grounds of Harvard University in nearby Cambridge.

Portland, Maine

Nestled in Casco Bay, Portland is a popular stop on a variety of New England sailings, including itineraries offered by Oceania Cruises and Holland America Line. The birthplace of American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Portland prides itself on its beautiful Victorian brick homes, storefronts and museums. Downtown Portland, located just steps away from the cruise ship terminal, impresses visitors with its 19th-century buildings at the Old Port Exchange. Stop at the Wadsworth-Longfellow House to explore the poet’s childhood home. Even better, two classic New England small towns brimming with Victorian mansions and colorful fishing boats — Kennebunkport and Yarmouth — are just a short drive away.

Eastport, Maine

If you want to visit the easternmost city in the continental U.S., consider cruising with Blount Small Ship Cruises to Eastport, a destination comprised entirely of islands. Eastport’s cruise port is located on Moose Island, the largest island in the archipelago. Cruise ships dock in the heart of downtown, within walking distance to the town’s main street. From there, explore the beautifully preserved 19th-century Italianate architecture, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Another must: touring Roosevelt Campobello International Park and visiting Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s beloved summer cottage. For a memorable souvenir, pick up a jar of Raye’s mustard from the only remaining traditional stone-ground mustard mill in North America.

Gloucester, Massachusetts

Located just north of Boston, on the Cape Ann promontory, Gloucester is the oldest working seaport in America. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the 1.2-mile Harbor Walk before making your way downtown to embark on a self-guided historic and cultural tour of Gloucester. Artists have been drawn to this iconic seaside town for decades, and the result is a thriving modern-day community. The Rocky Neck Art Colony is the go-to place for handcrafted souvenirs, paintings and ceramics. If there’s enough time, step aboard The Lannon, a 65-foot schooner, for a two-hour harbor cruise. Small ship cruise company American Cruise Lines offers sailings to Gloucester on its New England itineraries.

Rockland, Maine

Nestled in Penobscot Bay, Rockland is nicknamed the Jewel of the Maine Coast. And it’s about as charming a New England town as you can find. Cruise companies such as Norwegian Cruise Line and American Cruise Lines offer itineraries to Rockland. Historic landmarks abound, including nine schooners of the Maine Windjammer fleet, over a dozen lighthouses and the beautifully preserved Rockland Main Street. Rockland’s most popular indoor attraction is the Farnsworth Art Museum and the Wyeth Center art collection, which houses three generations of Wyeth artwork. If you’re a car buff, visit the nearby Owls Head Transportation Museum to check out the first aircraft and automobiles from the late 19th and early 20th century.

Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Located 7 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard is known for its stately lighthouses, gingerbread cottages and charming towns. You’ll want to explore historic Edgartown before making your way to Oak Bluffs to admire Victorian cottages and take a spin on Flying Horses Carousel, the oldest continuously operating carousel in the country. If you arrive hungry, rest assured the island offers everything from home-made honey-covered donuts to fresh steamed lobster to old-time ice cream parlors. And of course, you won’t want to miss grabbing a bite at the legendary Black Dog Tavern in Vineyard Haven. A variety of cruise lines, including Regent Seven Seas and Blount Small Ship Adventures, sail to the island.

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8 Scenic Places to Visit on a New England Cruise originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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