Hoping for Excursion Recommendations for NCL Cruise!

[MoCoMom]

Greetings! Hubby and I will be on the NCL Sky for a Canada cruise from 9/28 to 10/9. Visiting Saint John (Bay of Fundy), Halifax, Sydney (Cape Breton Island), Charlottetown PEI, La Baie (Sagueney), and Quebec City. We are looking for information about "must-see" sights at/near these ports. We aren't locked in to the NCL Excursions, our trip planner has also recommended a company called Shore Excursions. Hoping for excursions where we are outside walking and exploring, not on a bus. Any/all suggestions appreciated!

[mrgabriel]

You might want to post this on the Canada/New England Ports of Call board. 

 

Canada/New England Ports of Call

[Fouremco]

Yikes, under two weeks to go. I do hope that you have some available time for follow-up research!

 

First, we've used Shore Excursions, but not for any of the ports on your cruise. A very similar excursion company is Viator. Again, we've used them but not for these destinations. Both are reputable, and prices are lower than NCL's although more than what you'd pay if booking directly with the company that actually provides the excursion, or a provider offering a similar excursion.

 

Personally, I would consider renting a car at each of these locations. In fact, that's exactly what we did for our HAL cruise. It's far cheaper than shore excursions and you can pick and choose what to see. For example, we rented a car in Sydney to visit the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site and it cost us under $100 for car rental, gas and entry fee for two of us. Compare that with an NCL excursion that is shorter in duration and costs over $130 per person. 

 

Each of the provinces that you'll be visiting offers an excellent online tourism website:

https://tourismnewbrunswick.ca

https://www.novascotia.com

https://www.tourismpei.com

https://www.bonjourquebec.com/en-ca

 

Not knowing where your interests lie, or whether you've visited any of the ports previously on a land vacation, it's hard to make specific recommendations on things to see and do. Quebec City is a wonderful city to just get out and visit on your own. On the other hand, if you are taking this cruise to see Fall colours, rent a car and make a circular tour of Île d’Orléans just outside Quebec City. Whatever your interests, these guides certainly provide a good overview of what's available. 

 

 

Edited September 17 by Fouremco

[ski ww]

Should also check the roll call for your cruise & see what others are doing and maybe join them?