Boston, Massachusetts is a bustling, clean city of historical significance. It's filled with beautiful architecture, friendly people, and a never-ending list of activities to attend. Recently, I was able to enjoy one of Boston's greatest beauties, the Charles River, which cuts through twenty-two different cities in Massachusetts. One lovely evening at 7:00pm,  I boarded the Odyssey, where I enjoyed a dinner cruise.

Upon arriving on Boston Harbor, I was greeted by the amicable captain of the ship with a welcoming smile. He made sure everyone who entered received the same hefty smile.

As soon as I walked aboard, I grabbed a seat with my friends, and then rushed to the bar. I requested a Shirley Temple and watched as the bartender poured the sprite and grenadine into a glass; then for the final touch, a cherry.

Soon enough, the boat began to move and my heart began to race with excitement. I said goodbye toBoston Harbor for the time being, and watched the sun begin to surrender its position in the sky.

Food was served. A buffet was set up within seconds of departure. Multifarious types of salads, meat, and starches were displayed. The buffet included food such as Tender Beef Au Jus, Penne Rigate Primavera, and Curried Vegetable Casserole.

As we gorged ourselves on the tasty selections, the DJ of the ship, Victor, played soft music in the background.

Dinner was followed by a smorgasbord of sweets. However, I am sad to report that the desserts did not live up to expectations. The cookies were stiff and dry, and the brownies could have been moister.

We were then able to relax with some free time. Victor invited the passengers to the dance floor by playing the all-time favorite Cotton-Eyed Joe. I made sure I got my groove on, along with the rest of the crowd.

Dancing was entertaining, but after a while, I craved fresh air. I climbed the stairs to the top deck. The view was gorgeous. We passed by other vessels, and waved “AHOY!”

Next, I spotted a line of planes soaring overhead. I looked to my left and noticed that there was an airport, where the aforementioned aircraft were landing. I never saw large planes, such as these, land up close.

The next sight of beauty was the view of the marina. It seemed as if all the sailboats were sleeping together as a family, nestled close together for the long night.

Finally, the sun set. In the distance I could make out a strange beacon. It was a lighthouse! The lighthouse was flashing its guiding light like a firefly, keeping safe the vessels of Boston Harbor. By changing the ISO of my camera, I was able to capture the pitch black sky as a dusky blue. The light of the lighthouse seemed as small as a sparkle along the horizon.

Before I knew it, the cruise was up and we disembarked. However, as we were leaving, a complimentary chocolate covered strawberry was handed out to each passenger. It really summed up the night – a lovely, delicious experience.

Brianna Nema is a member of the Youth Travel Blogging Mentorship Program.

All photos courtesy and copyright Brianna Nema