TomCruz5

Cruise Ship tours for cruise lines just started last year, so depending on the cruise line’s time in port will determine whether you get the bus shopping time in North Conway on the way down from Crawford Notch. So yes, it is a one - way train ride from North Conway to Crawford Notch and if the ship is in for 10 hours or more, you then take a bus from Crawford Notch to North Conway for an hour “on your own” to visit the town. If your ship is in for shorter period of time, the time in North Conway will probably be limited or eliminated all together simply due to timing of the cruise ships time in port. Either way, it is the greatest way to see fall foliage and it’s spectacular in the summer also. Box lunches are onboard the train and I think there was a snack on the bus ride from Portland to the train. I’m not sure there is any “filling of time” as you’re actually are limited by the time that the ship is in port for this full day tour.

The Conway Scenic Railroad just started doing tours for cruise ships in 2023 season from Portland, ME. I’ve ridden the train multiple times and if you are looking for an all day adventure through some of the most picturesque scenery in all of the Northeast, then this is the tour. The history surrounding this tour, the railroad and this region of Maine/NH was a bucket list item. Train rides like this for cruise passengers are few and far between especially in the Americas. I strongly suggest this tour especially for repeat cruisers in the region again, if you’re up to an all day adventure. The town of North Conway is a great “Norman Rockwell” type town also.