Looking at Holland America Tours for Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor

I'd like to do the Lobster Bake, but the wife is looking at the bike ride. She thinks it would be a better way to see the park than a bus ride. The description says the tour guide makes frequent stops. It also says it is strenuous. She wonders how strenuous it really is. Has anyone done this tour? If so, can you comment on how strenuous it is? She is in her low 60s and in reasonably good shape. She does a lot of walking to keep in shape.

(also posted on Holland America boards.)

OP here. I forgot to put click on instant e-mail notification, so I came back to do that.

Just be forewarned that depending on the time of year, the park may be fog bound, so even riding a bike around you may not see much. Last time I was there, couldn't see more than 10 feet. Not sure what path the tour goes on, but the various trails range from easy to hard (climbing Cadillac Mountain). The park roads are winding and narrow, with small to no shoulders, and there can be a lot of cars/buses on them, and if it's foggy on top of a high traffic day, you've got to watch yourself.

Now, if it's foggy, the lobster bake will go on regardless, and at least you'll get a real Maine lobster, not those frozen rock lobsters the ship has.

Sorry..Absolutely no reason to book with the ship for their excursion.

We loved the private tour we booked directly online with Acadia National Park Tour.

Google them and do consider this option. It was so great we'll certainly book with them again on our next visit to Bar Harbor in Oct 2019 on our RCI Snowbird cruise.

If you book with them you'll also receive a discount to eat at Testa's restaurant on your return from the tour...great lobster and fish-n-chips!!

Because this is a Holland America tour I would ask about it on the Holland America Board.

Keith

Thanks for the replies.

1. The time of the year will be mid-July, in case that makes a difference.

2. We might have OBC we want to use. And DW likes to bike.

3. I did also post it on the Holland America Board.

Thanks for the replies. DW is now looking at an excursion that is a hike along the coast. Looking at further details it seems to be in Acadia National Park.

Thanks for the replies. DW is now looking at an excursion that is a hike along the coast. Looking at further details it seems to be in Acadia National Park.

Is this the excursion - A Walk in the Park: Ocean Trail Hike and yes it is in ANP. You'll find a description of the Ocean Trail here. You really don't need a HAL excursion to do the excursion. Use the Island Explorer (free bus) to drop you at the trail start and flag down a bus to pick you up at its end. The trail parallels the Park Loop Road where the road borders the ocean.

SBtS

Is this the excursion - A Walk in the Park: Ocean Trail Hike and yes it is in ANP. You'll find a description of the Ocean Trail here. You really don't need a HAL excursion to do the excursion. Use the Island Explorer (free bus) to drop you at the trail start and flag down a bus to pick you up at its end. The trail parallels the Park Loop Road where the road borders the ocean.

 

SBtS

The hike excursion was on the website when exploring the options for the Maasdam, but not there when we were on the ship. She ended up doing the bike ride, and enjoying it. She did say that she walked her bike up and down the one steep hill, but so did everyone else.