Things to Do in Malden

Karaoke has launched more than 50,000 successful music careers, including The Three Tenors and Mannheim Steamroller. But it's become increasingly difficult to get yourself noticed among the hordes of professional-caliber karaoke singers. To pave your path to fame and fortune, we recommend choosing a song that will make you stand out. Try one of the millions of karaoke songs in one of the millions of Asian languages, including:

Boarding begins at 3 p.m., with the cruise departing at 3:30 p.m. and returning at 6 p.m. Beach attire is optional for the cruise.

Captain William Webb bellowed to his crewmen, "Ready cannons, bring her to starboard!" as they rounded on the English ship Concord. He wasn't born a soldier, but the English had press-ganged some of his closest friends into slavery on their warships, stolen his family's livelihood, and set his home of Salem, Massachusetts, on the path to financial ruin. Like many other merchants, fishermen, and ship owners, Webb and his crew outfitted whatever boats they could find to fight the English during the War of 1812, and the 70-foot Fame was no exception. The original Fame went on 11 more journeys before being wrecked in 1814 and now lives on as a luxurious home for the retired actors of The Little Mermaid.

The Fame seen around Salem today is a direct replica of that heroic ship, built exactly as the original was in the early 19th century. Passengers on the ship's daily public sails relive the experience of navigating the Atlantic in an traditional, wooden, gaff-rigged schooner. The boat also plays host to weeklong camps, during which kids learn how to sail, tie essential knots, and read charts and maps before camping out for an evening of dumping tea in the ocean.

Licensed captains guide passengers through the city's wide harbor fairways and more intimate waterways on a range of tours, cruises, and charters. Passengers can hop on or off each excursion at six designated docks such as Liberty Wharf and Fairmont Battery Wharf. When disembarking, they may stop at waterside eateries such as Legal Seafood and Aragostas to sip, dine, and heed Paul Revere's legendary warning about eating too many burgers. Passengers can also stop at waterfront museums, such as the newly re-opened Boston Tea Party Ships, ICA, or the perennial favorite, The New England Aquarium. While most cruises beckon customers to board the Precious Time or White Pearl, captains also conduct mini cruises aboard unique vessels such as Sadie, a turn-of-the-century fantail launch boat.

From the hallowed field at Fenway Park to the educational havens of Harvard and M.I.T, Boston's history is written across its skyline. The area's nearby waterways allow for mostly unencumbered views of these sights, and guided boat tours let sightseers experience the city in a relaxing way. To this end, Charles Riverboat Company's vessels embark on journeys across the Charles River and Boston Harbor. Captains and crews point out historic sights such as famous architecture or the 100-story kettle used during the Boston Tea Party. Under the warm glow of a sunset, evening tours wind through the river as music plays. Charles Riverboat Company also charters their boats for groups of up to 150.

Docked adjacent to the New England Aquarium, the Liberty Star and the Liberty Clipper might look a bit obscure. The Liberty Star measures 67 feet long and can hold up to 39 passengers, and the Liberty Clipper measures 125 feet long with a capacity for up to 100 passengers. The massive schooner is an authentic replica of an 18th-century Baltimore clipper ship, thoroughly modernized to transport passengers on Boston Harbor sails and longer private charters. They sail daily throughout the harbor for public and group outings, along with private charters for special events, such as weddings or corporate proms. For a longer respite, they hoist the sails of the Liberty Clipper and steer her southward, cruising through the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands on all-inclusive luxury sailing vacations.