LGNYcamper

A friends daughter gave me the following info:

"things to do in Portland :

breweries: if you like to imbibe or enjoy brewed beverages I recommend checking out some of the local breweries ie Allagash, shipyard, urban farm fermentory (all accessible either by walking or uber). or pay $70/each for a few hours guided tour that includes transportation, food, beverage samples and a commemorative bag

lighthouses: since you are carless I recommend a tour such as the “lighthouse lovers” boat tour by portland discovery nearby to where the cruise ship docks or tenders and there are directions on their website $19/each

food/foodies: Portland has an awesome and evolving food scene. clearly lobster and seafood are big! you can explore fan faves on your own which are nearby to the port, such as Duckfat, Holy Donut, Eventide Oyster Co, or Portland Lobster Co. or you could pay about $70/ each for a guided tour. they offer culinary walking tours, lunchtime lobster crawl or a harbor cruise and lobster picnic.

sightseeing: if you’d like to get a good tour of Portland I recommend Portland Fire Engine Co. They offer a 50 minute guided sightseeing tour aboard an old-fashioned fire engine truck. they hit all the local highlights and is a good deal at $24/each. also the ride starts and ends right in the old port area on Commercial Street, so you can shop, eat and explore before or after your ride. here is info for cruise passengers from their website:

active: if you are craving something active to do, Portland offers a beautiful eastern promenade with pathways to walk and a beach to enjoy can be reached by uber. or it would be fun to take the ferry over to peaks island from the casco bay lines/ for $7.70/each round trip and rent a sea kayak or bike on the island to explore. a recommendation for kayaks is maine island kayak they offer guided kayak tours of a half day tour to see lighthouses, islands, and wildlife for $65/each for a tandem kayak or a sunset tour for $65/each for a tandem kayak. or you could rent bikes and helmets from brads bike rental and repair.. for about $10/each/hour to explore the island. people rave about the sights and the eerie historical location of BatterySteelee, a WWII era military fortification on the island. both rental shops are walking distance from the ferry.

art: as Skylar said it would be awesome to enjoy a paint session at muse paint bar where they work you can visit the website to see if any sessions are going on the day(s) you are here and book them if you want. The studio is walking distance from the docks, and is located on the same street- Commercial Street. if you would like to check out the local art museum, admission is $15/each for adults or there is a deal on groupon (free app) for 2 adults admissions for $15.50 instead!"

We are doing Bar Harbor by air with Scenic Tours of Acadia. This is something different that will always stay with us!

Hope the information helps! Enjoy your trip!

I was having a hard time finding something to do in Bar Harbor. I thought I had found a boat tour that would show us lighthouses and the park, but it doesn’t run when we are there. While looking at other boat tours I found a different way to see everything. My husband and I are going to see Bar Harbor from the air! I’m sure this would be a great way to see all the fall colors as well!

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Queen Mary 2 - More views (So many ships, Such a limited cruise budget):

We've been on the QM2 - you will fall in love! Try the July 1-6 Boston/Canada cruise.

TEGL - do what you feel is the safest thing for your son! You know his strength and what he is capable of doing. Set routines and rules as soon as you get into the cabin. The only thing I would add is a set of jingle bells to the top door lock. You’ll hear them if he touches the lock and can be alerted before the door is opened.

Enjoy your cruise and your munchkin!

Sent from my iPad using Forums

My husband and I sail on Adventure up to Canada in less than a month!!! Enjoying your review, can’t wait to read more!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Funny, everything your wife complained about are the exact reasons I won’t go back on a Celebrity ship! The ship was dirty, never a clean table available near the buffet, never an empty seat near a pool, “adult only” pool had children in it, and that’s just the beginning of my list! I am looking forward to trying Adventure of the Sea next month.

By the way, Carnival had better food than Celebrity. They also did a much better behind the scenes tour as well.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I was on my first Celebrity cruise this summer and won't be going back on this line again. There were dirty plates and glassware everywhere you looked (tables, flat surfaces, surrounding pieces of art) during the trip. No room to sit by the pools. People not doing their jobs. The service in Blu was wonderful, but the food was just ok. I'll be going back to Cunard for my next trip.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

We did this Sunday. We were walked off the ship. Retrieved bags from suites area. We were then ushered to a very short line with a handful of people in front of us. There were two lines like this. The other side of the terminal was being herded into a much longer line.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

I upgraded from concierge​ to aqua class. The sale was same price, but my ta didn't get back to me. It then bumped up to $50 difference. I ended up having to pay $130 per person to upgrade. Not worth it.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

This is what I see.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Yes, at least $2/bag. It would be nice to tip more if they are really heavy.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

We went later in the afternoon on July 4th last year and waited about 20 minutes. We did not do it through the ship, but at the kiosk down the street. It was cheaper doing it that way. I don't believe you will be on a dedicated trolley if you go through the ship.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

We cruised in the QM2 last October and have many cruises on Celebrity.

Traveling on the QM2 is an event, on Celebrity it is just aanother cruise. You will find no Ballroom on Celebrity, and folks no longer dress for dinner. There are no formal dinners and folks on Celebrity will take that to the extreme. Example, short sleeved polo shirt at the Captains table. Depending on your stateroom (if not PG or QG), the food on Celebrity may be better. Your stateroom on the QM2 was larger than the equivalent on Celebrity. There are no self service laundries or irons on Celebrity. Celebrity has a great coffee shop with free pastry but extra charge coffee/tea. I found the prices for drinks to be less expensive on the QM2. You won't find a serious theatre on Celebrity or an English Pub. Celebrity has a Martini Bar, not a Champagne Bar. Many passenger on Celebrity have a drink package so the bars are well attended. On the QM2 we often found ourselves alone in a bar. On Celebrity frequent passengers are treated to evening cocktail parties or extra drinks. On Cunard there was one party with the Officers. Room attendants are great on both. You can dine anytime on Celebrity if you select that option. Celebrity ships are not traditional and very modern in decor. You will enjoy Celebrity but expect a different experience.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

We've been on the QM2 (before and after refurbishment) and are trying Celebrity for the first time. I'm hoping Celebrity is not a step down.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

I think it was called Celebrity Connections and I can't find it on the website either!

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

This message popped up in my search for this sailing. Try the roll call for this sailing. I believe there are a few couples there.

Enjoy!

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Thank you for doing this! We are going in August and it's nice to have a preview of what to expect.

Thanks again!

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Are you allergic to the perfumes and colognes around you? Maybe the chemicals used to clean are bothering you. Maybe the floral arrangements are bothering you. Good luck with your allergies!

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

We did the Independence Day cruise last year and everyone was dressed appropriately. There were no shorts in the Queen's Room.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

Movies every night on the Halifax/Boston trip last year. Our table mates would skip dessert each night to rush over to the movie.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

But it does let you see the cages and curtain.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

There is a video of the kennel on the Cunard Facebook page.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

The smoke smell was very strong on the 7/1 -7/6 trip. Wondering if it is the garbage/rubbish bin at the elevator. The tops seem to have been repurposed from ashtray to glass holder.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

5172 wasn't redone. The only"new"thing was the tea kettle.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

I felt the same way the first time we went. Some people on board do fit that description, but I found the stuffiness and snobbish attitude to be stronger in the posts I read on this board. Enjoy your trip and take lots of pictures with your mum! You'll treasure those always!

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk