Maasdam Canada ports question

[Bingo]

We will be on the Maasdam Canada June 2nd cruise in 4 weeks. We are not wanting to take many if any of the cruise tours as we are trying to make it a relaxing vacation. We did a European cruise last year and did 5 straight days of tours. It was too much and we felt like we needed a vacation from our vacation. We do though, want to see some of the sites in Canada.

 

Which cruise ports can we step off the ship and just walk around the tourist areas without walking more then lets say a 1/3 of a mile to get to? Which ports would we NEED to take a taxi to or a tour to really see the area?

 

Thanks!

 

Dan

[grannynurse]

Dan,

Bar Harbor is a tender port and you get off right in the heart of the shopping district. This is the place for the traditional lobster lunch. It is hilly though but everything is close by. It's a wonderful town.

Charlottetown PEI is another walking town the ship docks at a pier which has its own nice shopping area. It is longer than a third of a mile to downtown. We took the shuttle and cabbed back.

Quebec has a high and a low part of town. You can take the tramway close to the pier to get up into town

There is nothing really near the pier in Sydney NS.

IN Halifax you can walk to the casino or shop at the pier. I believe there is a shuttle.

This is a great itinerary, we've done it twice and have taken a few ship tours. We really liked "high tides and fine wines in Halifax. It is not a tiring tour and includes a lovely lunch and wine tasting plus a tour of the Anapolis valley and Bay of Fundy where the highest tides in the world are recorded.

Sailing on the Bras D'Or lakes around Sydney was beautiful. there is a stop in Baddeck and you can visit the Alexander Graham Bell Museum.

Hope this helps,

GN

[earl_m]

If you stop in Montreal, You are in an area call "the old port: or "old Montreal"You are almost in the center of Montreal,Lots of places within walking distance to visit.

[haligonian37]

I've never been on this particular cruise, but I live in Halifax and am originally from Sydney. Grannynurse was correct in her description of both of these ports but I'll add a little bit or two :) :

 

In Sydney, there isn't a lot to do in the vicinity of the pier, but the city has done a lot to rejuvenate the downtown area, quite a few nice little shops, etc. There's also a long boardwalk that goes on for a few kilometres. I'm not sure if there's a tour offered for the Cabot Trail, but if there is and you like scenery, I would strongly advise taking it. Now I may be a bit biased here, but the trail has some of the most breathtaking scenery in eastern Canada.

 

Now Halifax has a lot more to offer within walking distance of the pier. The downtown core is within a 5-10 minute walk from the water. There you'll find great shops, restaurants, our wonderful public gardens (which just opened back up today!) Citadel Hill......and on and on and on. This is really a great city with a lot of character. The only bad thing about walking about the downtown is the trek uphill to the heart of city, but once you make your way up, it's all downhill back to the Maasdam!

 

If you'd like any more info, just let me know, I'd be glad to expand on either city.

[lkmamom]

Bingo, thanks so much for your very excellent questions. Please let us know how your cruise was. We are also taking this cruise in August and I have been trying to gather information and have had a little trouble finding some things.

 

Thanks for all of the suggestions offered, they help more than you know!

I am so excited, I have wanted to see New England for such a long time. I know that we will miss the fall color but it just looks like a beautiful part of the USA to visit!

 

Keeps those suggestions coming!:)

Linda

[Jemima]

Sydney does have a small town museum and a couple of small houses to tour all within very easy walking distance. Also indoor booths set up right at the pier. We like Sydney, but many don't.

The shore excursions at the Canadian ports are geneally well done, enjoyable and relaxing.

[chcats]

Bingo,

We are booked on the same cruise on June 2nd from Montreal to Boston. I started a roll call for this cruise but haven't had any responses yet. We plan on doing our own walking tour in Quebec which I have been told by friends who have been there that you can see a lot by just walking around the city. In Halifax we wanted to go out to Peggy's Cove to see some of the Nova Scotia scenery and were considering hiring a private tour in the morning. However, it is quite expensive so we are looking for anyone who might want to also do this and share the cost. I have not been to Halifax, but looking at the map of the city it looks like you can see quite a bit by walking which is what we are planning on doing in the afternoon.

Cindy

[wwalker47]

We are booked on the Maasdam to leave 5/19 so we are just 2 weeks away! We found a private tour in Halifax that is very inexpensive. He takes 2-6 in his van and charges for the van use so it is cheaper as the number of people increase. He will do whatever it is that you like or he will suggest. His website is: brucetours.ca. Check out the website. This may be a good option for you.

Linda

[OldCodger73]

How viable is it to rent a car in Halifax and Sydney and do your own thing, perhaps Peggy's Cove and part of the Cabot Trail in Sydney and Fortress Louisburg (I hope I have the name right) in Halifax? Are there car rental agencies near the pier?

 

It sounds like one could easily spend two weeks between these two areas.

[Copper10-8]

HAL used to "overnight" in Quebec City on several of their Canada-NE cruises. It gave you a chance to take in that great city at night, have dinner somewhere, sit on a terrace and enjoy a glass of wine (or something else), look at people and, at the end of the night, take the funicular back down to the lower part and return home to your ship. The next day, you could return until sail-a-way at around 5:00 PM or so. Looking at HAL's 2007 and 2008 cruise planners, they only do this (the overnighter) on one cruise each, a 15-dayer in 2007 and a 10-dayer in 2008.

I really wish HAL would go back to increasing this concept. Quebec City, to us, is one of the highlights of the Canada-NE cruises. A chance to "taste" old Europe without having to travel all the way to Paris.

Regardless, Dan, I hope you enjoy your cruise on Maasdam! :)

[Bingo]

Thanks for all the great replies. It will help cut down on the research we need to do.

 

Dan

[MercedMike]

How viable is it to rent a car in Halifax and Sydney and do your own thing, perhaps Peggy's Cove and part of the Cabot Trail in Sydney and Fortress Louisburg (I hope I have the name right) in Halifax? Are there car rental agencies near the pier?

 

It sounds like one could easily spend two weeks between these two areas.

 

We loved this cruise! We rented a car in Sydney and drove along the Bras D'Or lakes and to the Highland Village. It was very easy and the rental agency was just a few blocks from the pier.

 

You can read our report and see our pics at

http://www.elite.net/~thehalls/maasdam.html

 

Have a GREAT cruise!

[haligonian37]

How viable is it to rent a car in Halifax and Sydney and do your own thing, perhaps Peggy's Cove and part of the Cabot Trail in Sydney and Fortress Louisburg (I hope I have the name right) in Halifax? Are there car rental agencies near the pier?

 

It sounds like one could easily spend two weeks between these two areas.

 

There are more than a few rental car agencies within a few blocks of the pier: Avis, Budget and Enterprise are the ones I know for sure. I would arrange something beforehand and if you're comfortable driving in a new area, it would be a great way to go.

 

If you want to see Peggy's Cove, it's about a 45 min/1 hr drive from downtown Halifax and you could always continue on and visit Mahone Bay and Lunenburg further on down the south shore. There are great little shops as well as beautiful beaches and coves along the way.

 

From Sydney, Fortress Louisburg (brings back memories from school day trips) is about an hour's drive and it's a great little historical place. As for the Cabot Trail, you could either drive up the east side (up Cape Smokey) to Ingonish and the beginning of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park(http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ns/cbreton/index_E.asp), with it's great hikes, waterfalls, beaches and look-offs (2hr drive one way) or head off to the western side through the heart of the island, Mabou, Margaree and then to Cheticamp. This would be a longer trek, taking about 2 1/2 hrs one way. My preference is the eastern side as the vistas are absolutely breathtaking and the drive up and down Cape Smokey isn't for the faint of heart, with lots of twists and turns but very manageable. You also get to take a short ferry ride in Englishtown which is a nice distraction.

 

I've gone on a bit too long, but when I start thinking of home, I could go on forever and makes me miss it as well.....maybe I should have a part time job as a tour guide! In any case, hope this helps out and I'll be checking back if you need any other info.

[mamaofami]

I was in Montreal and Quebec last summer, but not on a cruise. Quebec is a charming and quaint city and you can walk around the old city and take in all the charm..sit at an outdoor cafe for lunch, etc. Be sure to ride the funicular up or down, or both ways. The Chateau Frontenac is at the top. Beautiful hotel. I loved Quebec.

 

 

Here is a review of a fabulous little restaurant in Montreal. It's a short walk from the pier. I promise you will love it. We had lunch there and the setting was beautiful and the jazz great. When you come to the restaurant, you walk down a little side walkway to get to this great outdoor setting with big tents providing shade. wonderful place.

 

 

*Jardin Nelson Lunch entrees: $10-12 (Canadian)

407 Place Jacques Cartier / Montreal, Canada / 514-861-5731

Review Date: September 2001

What a lovely place! We had lunch here with friends during our visit to Montreal. Jardin Nelson serves a wide variety of crepes, pizzas, salads, sandwiches, soups, and pastas. We had 3 different types of crepes. All were wonderful, but the seafood crepe won our top prize. The pasta salad with basil, mango, avocado and sun dried tomatoes sounded like a strange combination, but it tasted great! On top of wonderful food, you'll enjoy great service, a courtyard shaded by trees and live jazz or classical music. We unanimously voted Jardin Nelson to be the most lovely setting for lunch in Montreal.

[NapTown Jim]

 

I really wish HAL would go back to increasing this concept (overnight in Quebec). Quebec City, to us, is one of the highlights of the Canada-NE cruises. A chance to "taste" old Europe without having to travel all the way to Paris.

 

I so totally agree with this! Although the DW & I loved all the stops the Maasdam made, Quebec City was hands down our favorite and the one we most want to return to. It would be cool if the Maasdam would swing by Quebec city during Les Fetes de la Nouvelle France http://http://web2007.nouvellefrance.qc.ca/home/home?set_language=en

[OldCodger73]

Next year the Eurodam has several cruise that either begin or end in Quebec City. Some of the ones that end there arrive the day before disembarkation so one has an overnight stay. It's just too bad that it's a Vista ship rather than an R or S class.

[RuthC]

Actualy, the Eurodam will be a Signature Class ship---not a Vista.

It's my understanding that the E-dam can't make it to Montreal, and that's why her NE/Canada cruises begin or end in Quebec City.

I wonder how the flights are out of Quebec, compared to Montreal? :confused:

[NapTown Jim]

It's my understanding that the E-dam can't make it to Montreal, and that's why her NE/Canada cruises begin or end in Quebec City.

 

Yes....you're right, sort-of. The Eurodam can sail up to Montreal, the problem is that the sheltered area that the Iberville Passenger terminal is in is too small for anything bigger than the R class ships to turn around in. If the Montreal Port Authority would upgrade their passenger terminal and enlarge its docking basin (or whatever) then the big ships could sail up to my favorite city in Canada. :)

[mamaofami]

Actualy, the Eurodam will be a Signature Class ship---not a Vista.

It's my understanding that the E-dam can't make it to Montreal, and that's why her NE/Canada cruises begin or end in Quebec City.

 

I wonder how the flights are out of Quebec, compared to Montreal? :confused:

 

 

Ruth, last summer we were in Montreal first, and then Quebec, and couldn't get a direct flight back to NYC. I believe we were on Air Canada and we flew back and forth from Montreal to Quebec and then same thing on the return. We didn't complain too much because we used miles for the entire trip, including staying at the Frontenac in Quebec.

[earl_m]

The reason the big ships can`t reach the cruise terminal is because it can`t pass under the Jacque Cartier bridge . Its too low

[earl_m]

The reason the big ships can`t reach the cruise terminal is because it can`t pass under the Jacque Cartier bridge . Its too low

[RuthC]

The reason the big ships can`t reach the cruise terminal is because it can`t pass under the Jacque Cartier bridge . Its too low

That makes sense. It's my understanding that the E-dam is the same length/width as the Vista's (Brian, where are you when I need you? you know about this); it's increased GRT is due to added area on top of the ship.

Both, of course, are larger than the R-class ships.

[Bodger]

When we were in Halifax the summer before last, they had a free bus that did a route around the downtown area. It is called FRED, Free Rides Everywhere Downtown. I believe it did the circuit in forty minutes and would be a good way to get the lay of the land. One of the stops is Pier 21.

 

Check the Bluenose II schedule. This is the recreation of the ship on the back of the Canadian dime and they offer sailings on her. Book in advance as it is very popular. A thrill of a lifetime for any Canadian.

http://www.bluenose2.ns.ca/Schedule/index.html

 

If you go out to Peggy's Cove, which is very pretty, nearby is the Swiss Air Memorial in memory of the plane that went down there about five years ago.

 

In Cape Breton it is really tough to choose between the Cabot trail and the Fortress at Louisbourg, but I think I would choose the latter if I could only do one. It is a truly magical place for me.

 

Bodger

[OldCodger73]

Bodger, the more I read about Nova Scotia the more it sounds like this is an area that truly needs 10 - 14 days to really do it justice. The stops on a cruise would, at most, be a quick peek.

[RuthC]

If you go out to Peggy's Cove, which is very pretty, nearby is the Swiss Air Memorial in memory of the plane that went down there about five years ago.

Time is passing faster than we think. It was 1998 when the Veendam didn't stop at Halifax because it was pressed into Search and Rescue, later Search and Recovery, when the plane went down.

Passengers were out on the higher decks pointing to debris in the water while crew in the HAL boats picked it up.

When the ship was eventually dismissed from it's sad duty there was a ceremony and a wreath of flowers was dropped into the sea.

It was very moving to be a part of that.