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portland/sydney/halifax--tours at the dock to take?

musicmansmom

By musicmansmom,
in Canada/New England

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musicmansmom

musicmansmom

Posted
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this is my first new england/canada cruise ( i am going solo ) , too boston, portland, sydney and halifax. and i am really exicted about it. i want to see the historical sites , eat lots of lobster and especially see the louisgourgh fortress in sydney. will i be able to find a vendor at or near the peir for any tours ( i would prefer not to book with the ship, carnival victory ) and go with locals if possible. i just want to get off the ship and find a good tour guide to get me too some interesting places and fun things to see and do. is this feasable or will i be better off booking with the ship to get a tour in?? i am having trouble with online tour co's with a booking since i am a ''' single traveler ''. they might be able to fit me in :mad: .

 

any help to help me not worry so much about having a good time and tours will be a big help. thanks so much

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  • 5 years later...
trophy_23

trophy_23

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Here are a few things we did in those ports:

 

Boston: Take the ship shuttle (nominal fee) to Quincy market/Fanneuil Hall and then cross to the water front, take the water taxi to the USS Constitution and begin the freedom trail walk. This walk will take you all over the city, by or even through some of the historic buildings and sites and will eventually take you back to where you started at Quincy Market. This is an excellent place to grab a snack, choices are plentiful. If you have more time wander around that area, there is plenty to see.

 

Portland: We just got off the ship and wandered the area within a few blocks of the pier. Not to far away (5min walk) there are a few restaurants with excellent lobster rolls and there are also boat tours (lighthouse or lobster tours) departing from this location. We took the lighthouse tour and it was very good if you are into that sort of thing. http://www.portlanddiscovery.com/

 

Halifax: When we were there a week ago, we were able to hire a taxi right outside the terminal. They were all regulated for price and you basically hired them by the hour. We did a 3 hour tour and saw the citadel, Peggy's Cove, The Swiss Air memorial, a bunch of really beautiful fishing coves and even made a stop to do a little shopping on the way back.The nice thing about doing this was the driver would stop for anything you wanted, if you wanted to snap a picture just tell them. I think it was about $50/hr incl tip, which may be a lot as a single but they do take up to 5 people so maybe you will meet someone you can share the van with?

 

Sydney: We were going to do the Cabot trail, but decided to just wander through town and then just relax on the ship. I would love to go back, and do some exploring, but by this point we were on 7ports in 7days and needed a break.

 

Hope this helps somewhat.

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SOPOME

SOPOME

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There is two terminals now? We have been to Portland before and the walk is not bad. We docked right next to the parking garage, which terminal is that?

 

Thanks,

 

Yes, as of 2-3 weeks ago there are now two terminals. You were at the Maine State Pier, if you docked next to the parking garage. The new Gateway terminal is a little further down Commercial Street, away from the Old Port.

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SOPOME

SOPOME

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There is two terminals now? We have been to Portland before and the walk is not bad. We docked right next to the parking garage, which terminal is that?

 

Thanks,

 

BTW, The Jewel of the Seas is in port today, and docked at the Gateway terminal! :)

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SOPOME

SOPOME

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Do they still have the visitor information at the new terminal and are there taxi there too?

 

So do we actually go into a building now?

 

Thanks,

 

Yes, I've seen buses and taxis outside the terminal. I have not toured the building yet, so I can't comment on the inside, but I would assume they have it all set up for passengers!

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SOPOME

SOPOME

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Any chance you could estimate how far this is from the Portland Trolley? We have some mobility issues so we appreciate any info. Thanks.

 

It's just about a 1/2 mile. If you want some address markers to put in mapquest.com or google maps, etc. try these:

 

14 Ocean Gateway Pier -- The new terminal

Commercial St & Franklin Arterial -- The Maine State Pier

172 Commercial st -- Long Wharf where the trolley ride starts

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vickila

vickila

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Was there last week on the Jewel and the trolley came to the new terminal. But agreed, it is about 5 blocks further to town and a 1/4 mile+ walk from the ship to the street. A few vendors in the new terminal -- nothing too wonderful -- perhaps it will improve. Vicki:)

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Puffinater

Puffinater

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It's just about a 1/2 mile. If you want some address markers to put in mapquest.com or google maps, etc. try these:

 

14 Ocean Gateway Pier -- The new terminal

Commercial St & Franklin Arterial -- The Maine State Pier

172 Commercial st -- Long Wharf where the trolley ride starts

 

Was there last week on the Jewel and the trolley came to the new terminal. But agreed, it is about 5 blocks further to town and a 1/4 mile+ walk from the ship to the street. A few vendors in the new terminal -- nothing too wonderful -- perhaps it will improve. Vicki:)

 

Thanks this is some good information.

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vickila

vickila

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this is my first new england/canada cruise ( i am going solo ) , too boston, portland, sydney and halifax. and i am really exicted about it. i want to see the historical sites , eat lots of lobster and especially see the louisgourgh fortress in sydney. will i be able to find a vendor at or near the peir for any tours ( i would prefer not to book with the ship, carnival victory ) and go with locals if possible. i just want to get off the ship and find a good tour guide to get me too some interesting places and fun things to see and do. is this feasable or will i be better off booking with the ship to get a tour in?? i am having trouble with online tour co's with a booking since i am a ''' single traveler ''. they might be able to fit me in :mad: .

 

any help to help me not worry so much about having a good time and tours will be a big help. thanks so much

 

BOSTON - nothing at the pier -- about 20 minutes to where the action is. Cruiseline should have a shuttle -- ask or definitely take a shore excursion as there is nothing at Black Falcon Terminal.

 

Portland -- if at new pier you are 1/2 mile or so to town -- goggle "Foodie Tour - Portland" -- that would be a fun thing for you to do solo. The trolley came to the new port in August -- don't know if you had to be previously booked or not. Not too many taxis here but it was a brand new port. There is a museum close by to the right that we passed on tour (old town was to the left past where old pier was).

 

Sydney -- we did a walking tour with Norwegian -- about 1/2 mile total describing churches, customs and old houses. Not much in town -- saw no taxis at all. Would book something to go to Louisburg prior to arrival as it is a distance. "Spirit of the Fiddle" tour was right at the cruise terminal -- a fiddler, a dancer/singer, and a keyboard player -- nice hour and good because it was easy -- time restraints come into play and cold/windy there. Since this port is just "coming into play" it is not commercialized yet. Very little there -- 3 shops and an arts/crafts display.

 

Halifax -- lots of transportation just outside pier 21 -- taxis are regulated $45/hr. - Peggy's Cove is 3 hours. Pier 21 Immigration Museum very enjoyable 1.5 hours and right there at the pier. Harbor Walk (by the water) to the right is enjoyable if a nice day -- goes for about a mile -- ends at ferry. Casino of Nova Scotia - about 1/3 mile past that - behind Marriot Hotel. Enjoy. Vicki

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Puffinater

Puffinater

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Also in Halifax the Maritime Museum on the waterfront as well has very good Titanic Exhibit; citadel up Spring Garden St. offers excellent view and is very interesting.. a fun port to do w/out a car or cab.

 

Can you walk to that museum? We would love to see the Titanic exhibit. If walking is out do you have any idea how much a cab would be? Thanks.

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Puffinater

Puffinater

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Yes you can walk to Maritime.. there is a lot along the waterfront there - -shops, restaurants, harbor cruises and the Maritime Museum which also has outdoor exhibits etc.. Level, easy walk on a nice day..:)

 

Thanks, so there really is no reason to take a ship excursion? I am assuming the cemetary is also close by? Thanks again.

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Host Caroline

Host Caroline

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No, absolutely no need to take a tour... there is so much to do close by for a first visit - IMHO too many folks bypass Halifax for outlying attractions and miss a lovely city.

There are 3 locations where Titanic victims are buried... this is an interesting link:

http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mma/titanic/victims.htm

 

I don't think you'd want to walk to Fairivew Cemetery where over 100 victims are interred but a cab ride wouldn't be prohibitive.

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  • 1 month later...
srpilo

srpilo

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No, absolutely no need to take a tour... there is so much to do close by for a first visit - IMHO too many folks bypass Halifax for outlying attractions and miss a lovely city.

 

There are 3 locations where Titanic victims are buried... this is an interesting link:

http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mma/titanic/victims.htm

 

I don't think you'd want to walk to Fairivew Cemetery where over 100 victims are interred but a cab ride wouldn't be prohibitive.

 

We took a the pulbic bus out to Fairview Cemetery, we just asked in one of the local stores which bus and where to catch it.. Interesting site, all the grave markers are numbered, as all these bodies were the unidenifiable or unclaimed, and the graves bear no religeous symbols or names .

 

If you're a Titanic fan it's worth the effort to see a bit of the actual tragic history.

Srpilo

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cruislovin

cruislovin

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We took a the pulbic bus out to Fairview Cemetery, we just asked in one of the local stores which bus and where to catch it.. Interesting site, all the grave markers are numbered, as all these bodies were the unidenifiable or unclaimed, and the graves bear no religeous symbols or names .

 

If you're a Titanic fan it's worth the effort to see a bit of the actual tragic history.

Srpilo

 

We rented a car and went to both Olivet and Fairview Cemeteries. We also saw the 3rd cemetery but the gates were locked.

 

We also drove to Peggy's Cove and to Cole Harbour, NS. Had a most delightful day!

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