NE/Canada cruise tips

[Cruising Nona]

Looking for info from people who have cruised this itinerary. What are the must see/must do in each port? How much is walkable or to do on your own vs paying for an excursion? Ports are Boston.  Portland.  Bar Harbor. St John and Halifax.  Any info or tips is appreciated. TIA

[CntPAcruiser]

We did this one in October of 2022, our first NE cruise. We did ship-based excursions in Boston and St. John, did our own thing in Portland and Bar Harbor, and booked a private excursion in Halifax.

 

We would not do the same thing in Boston if we had to do over (In the Footsteps of Paul Revere tour). I think instead of an excursion, we would plan our own day and use public transportation/app-based rides to get around. There's plenty to see on your own, no bus tour needed. It was dull and largely a time-waster.

 

Portland is walkable (lots of uphill, though), good restaurants, some interesting shopping and a few historical/natural sites/sights.

 

Bar Harbor is tops for this itinerary. After tendering over, walk off and get a map, then head out for the gravel bar and walk across and back. Enjoy the shopping and dining in town, then do the shore path before heading back to the harbor to see the tide come in. Incredible views and nature to see. Of course, you could arrange to go to Acadia in the alternative.

 

Our bus tour of St. John was ok and did show us a lot of the city/area (especially the Bay of Fundy). That one I haven't done much research on. For Halifax we used Paul McNeil and were not entirely pleased. His van was fine and we did get to see a lot without the bother of a large-group bus tour, but he seemed to like the sound of his own voice and spent too much time talking about his own achievements and even showing images of past famous clients. He inserted too many of his own opinions into the tour and even made an unnecessary remark about the monarchy in England. We would not recommend.

[Cruising Nona]

Thanks! This is what I was hoping for.

[Ashland]

We've done this itinerary a few times and some of the excursions/things we've done are:

 

Boston....HOHO booked upon arrival at a near by kiosk just outside the terminal.

Portland...We just walk the near by port area and visit Holy Donuts.

Bar Harbor...We've booked directly with Acadia National Park Tours also booked with our rollcall once with "At Your Service Tours".

Saint John NB...Booked with Dave's Taxi Tours

Halifax... The best tour we've ever done was with Paul McNeil "Halifax Titanic Historical Tours"

This one in particular books up very fast !!! Book online directly with Paul.

 

[shipgeeks]

We have done all of those ports several times.  We've never done excursions.  All are walkable on your own, and quite enjoyable doing so.

[mets123]

Keep in mind that in Boston you dock in an industrial area. The open attraction nearby is Harpoon Brewery (only 2 blocks away). Take a taxi or Uber to Fanuel Hall and just wander around there.

[Ashland]

4 hours ago, mets123 said:

Keep in mind that in Boston you dock in an industrial area. The open attraction nearby is Harpoon Brewery (only 2 blocks away). Take a taxi or Uber to Fanuel Hall and just wander around there.

Cruise ships usually offer a shuttle from the port to near by Fanuel Hall/Quincy Market, RCI did and also we saw that other cruise lines were also. 

[mets123]

1 minute ago, Ashland said:

Cruise ships usually offer a shuttle from the port to near by Fanuel Hall/Quincy Market, RCI did and also we saw that other cruise lines were also. 

Rcl did not offer a shuttle this past fall, and for some reason, private operators like the street cars were not allowed either. I wound up taking a taxi.

[Ashland]

13 hours ago, mets123 said:

Rcl did not offer a shuttle this past fall, and for some reason, private operators like the street cars were not allowed either. I wound up taking a taxi.

Well that's a surprise as the other port stops we've had there they did. We'll see as we'll be there again this October.

[mets123]

9 minutes ago, Ashland said:

Well that's a surprise as the other port stops we've had there they did. We'll see as we'll be there again this October.

No one could explain why.

[dkb15732]

On 3/5/2023 at 2:46 PM, Ashland said:

Well that's a surprise as the other port stops we've had there they did. We'll see as we'll be there again this October.

I'd be interested to hear if the cruise lines had shuttles again.  We are going Sep 2024 on Princess - we did same cruise about 15 years ago and as soon as we walked off ship there were shuttle busses lined up and was expecting the same this trip

[Ashland]

48 minutes ago, dkb15732 said:

I'd be interested to hear if the cruise lines had shuttles again.  We are going Sep 2024 on Princess - we did same cruise about 15 years ago and as soon as we walked off ship there were shuttle busses lined up and was expecting the same this trip

No ship offered shuttle bus this past October but it was easy to get a taxi just outside the terminal building....also easy to get one for the return to the ship.