Has anyone done Celebrity's Montreal excursion (from Quebec City)

[OnTheJourney]

Just wondering....12 hour excursion (3 hours of bus travel one way). The list of activities looks nice, but a long day - and yet not sure why they only leave for Montreal at 10:30 a.m. Seems it should be aLOT earlier. 

[princeton123211]

I haven't taken this excursion but I have travelled extensively to and between both cities. You could easily do this on your own with your own schedule either via train (Via Rail) or by just renting a car in Quebec. Personally both of those sound like more fun to me than 6 hours on a bus with 50 other people and one tiny bathroom. 

[Host Carolyn]

Just jumping in here ......if you have never been to Quebec City it is an absolutely charming city with enough to keep you  busy for several days.  Montreal is a big city with lots of traffic and with your travel time  would think most of Montreal would just be driving by places like the City Hall etc.  

[OnTheJourney]

Thanks for the replies. Carolyn - been to Quebec on previous cruises. My interest in Montreal stems from my having been there as a solo performer representing the US as part of the youth entertainment corp for Expo '67. Never been back since and would like to. 

[Host Carolyn]

Got it.  Have you considered just flying in to Montreal for the cruise (or out of Montreal home).  I love Montreal, been several times and each time the traffic is worse.  We use subways.  I hope if you do the tour that you see some places that bring back some good memories 

 

[OnTheJourney]

Thanks again Carolyn.I assume most of the areas that were used for the world's fair are probably gone, redeveloped, or otherwise. Still, I'd just like to get back to the city and see whatever I can. Been 53 years so it'll all be totally new to me. I think I'll wait and sometime when we sail with Pearl Seas cruise line I'll get there. They have at least one itinerary that visits Montreal. No interest in fighting any traffic by car! (Thanks for the tip...) 

Edited September 15, 2019 by OnTheJourney

[JuliaMS]

I agree with the poster who said add a day or two in Montreal before or after your cruise (take the train or rent a car). I love both cities but it would be a lot to do as a one day excursion. 

[OnTheJourney]

Unfortunately Montreal is not at the beginning or end of the cruise itinerary I have in mind, so whatever I can see during the day will have to do (unless sometime we'd sail with a line that starts a cruise there - I know there are some). 

[princeton123211]

9 hours ago, Host Carolyn said:

I love Montreal, been several times and each time the traffic is worse.  We use subways.

This is a bit overblown-- there is traffic in Montreal and there is construction (mainly in the summer, warmer months) but it isn't any more than most other larger cities. The city itself is extremely walkable and its easy to get around by taxi/Uber. 

 

7 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

I assume most of the areas that were used for the world's fair are probably gone, redeveloped, or otherwise. Still, I'd just like to get back to the city and see whatever I can. Been 53 years so it'll all be totally new to me.

A very large portion of Expo 67 is still intact as a public park for Montreal including the Biospehere and the former France/Quebec pavilions which is now the local casino. 

 

7 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

No interest in fighting any traffic by car! (Thanks for the tip...)

Again-- overblown-- you wont hit any more traffic than you would expect reasonably in any major city. If its something you would really want to see it would be a shame to put it off until you can cruise on a ship that docks there-- its very easy to access from Quebec either by train or rental car. 

[OnTheJourney]

Wow!!!  So great to hear that significant parts of Expo are still there! Gotta make it a point to visit. Almost has to be done independently I'll bet, being that the description of what Pearl Seas cruise line offers during their day in Montreal very possibly will not encounter the park area you refer to.

 

Here is what they mention:  Enjoy a sightseeing city excursion that will take you through Montreal and its surrounding countryside. Explore the streets of Old Montreal and discover its unique shops and restaurants. Travel to the downtown business district as well as up to the top of Mount Royal for a spectacular view of the city and the majestic St. Lawrence Seaway.

 

I think it'd be far better to find a cruise that either starts or ends there so as to do some sort of pre or post extension. Further research needed. Thanks much...

Edited September 16, 2019 by OnTheJourney

[JuliaMS]

On 9/15/2019 at 3:32 PM, OnTheJourney said:

Unfortunately Montreal is not at the beginning or end of the cruise itinerary I have in mind, so whatever I can see during the day will have to do (unless sometime we'd sail with a line that starts a cruise there - I know there are some). 

 Lots of the NE cruises start or end in Quebec City. Then its easy to add Montreal to the beginning or end of the cruise on your own.

[OnTheJourney]

On 9/16/2019 at 12:22 AM, princeton123211 said:

This is a bit overblown-- there is traffic in Montreal and there is construction (mainly in the summer, warmer months) but it isn't any more than most other larger cities. The city itself is extremely walkable and its easy to get around by taxi/Uber. 

 

A very large portion of Expo 67 is still intact as a public park for Montreal including the Biospehere and the former France/Quebec pavilions which is now the local casino. 

 

Again-- overblown-- you wont hit any more traffic than you would expect reasonably in any major city. If its something you would really want to see it would be a shame to put it off until you can cruise on a ship that docks there-- its very easy to access from Quebec either by train or rental car. 

 

Princeton...can you elaborate a bit more on the area that was Expo 67? Do you know the name of the specific park? I looked back at this thread since the idea of going there has been nagging at me for a long time. I sent an email to the Montreal Tourist Info site so hopefully they might reply. I think the best way would indeed be to just go there and not rely on trying to find some cruise that might offer some sort of pre or post extension. That'd be one way of getting there, of course, but it sounds like what I'm interested in requires independent travel. I'm not a fan of big city traffic though, but always manage ok. Thanks for anything further you can add...

 

A bit of quick googling refers to Notre Dame Island but also Saint Helen's Island and Cite du Havre. (?)  

 

OK....I think I got it...  http://www.parcjeandrapeau.com/en/   Seems they even offer some sort of trolley tour. I'm pumped now..... 🙂  

Edited October 4, 2019 by OnTheJourney

[princeton123211]

19 minutes ago, OnTheJourney said:

can you elaborate a bit more on the area that was Expo 67? Do you know the name of the specific park?

I believe the majority of whats left is on Ile Notre Dame and Ile Sainte Helene with the two largest buildings left on both islands being the Casino (former France and Quebec pavilion) and the Biospehere (former American Pavilion). Notre Dame was heavily altered in the 70s for the Summer Olympics rowing areas. Habitat 67 is now a condominium. The amusement park is still there and running. The majority of the pavilions were demolished in the 80s but the islands are a public park. 

 

30 minutes ago, OnTheJourney said:

I'm not a fan of big city traffic though, but always manage ok. Thanks for anything further you can add...

I've never found the traffic in Montreal to be that bad-- at least when compared to New York, LA, Philadelphia etc-- its a much smaller city than those. I think you'll be fine. Summer is when most of the construction happens in Canada. 

[maryann ns]

For sure visit Montreal before or after your cruise. Meanwhile if you have nothing further to see in Quebec, rent a car and tour around Ile D'orleans. If you have done that drive further north into the Charlevoix area including the lovely town of Baie Saint Paul. Go on the Quebec forum on Trip Advisor for more help.  Map

Baie Saint Paul has a lot of artists and galleries and some good bistros, microbreweries, etc.

Edited October 5, 2019 by maryann ns