NE & CA Shore Excursion Help Please

Taking a Royal Caribbean New England & Canada cruise out of Baltimore first week in October. Looking for some suggestions on shore excursions or on-our-own activities . We are 66 & 74, fit enough to walk 2-3 miles at a moderate pace without a problem. Here our initial thoughts:

Boston: No idea. Wife would like to do some shopping, but that would depend on proximity to dock. Alternatives to shopping?

Portland: Planning on visiting downtown shops and pubs. No excursion plans at the moment, but open to suggestions.

Bar Harbor: I guess Acadia National Park/Cadillac Mt. are the attractions here. Which excursion would your recommend?

Saint John, New Brunswick: Open to suggestions.

Halifax, Nova Scotia: Open to suggestions.

If we like this cruise we might repeat it in 2018 with family, so if we miss out on something this time there is a good chance we would be coming back.

Thank You !!!!!

Randy

Boston: while the city is totally walkable, there isn't anything real close to the cruise terminal. Not sure of what kind of shopping you're looking for, but the pre-eminent thing to see in Boston is the history, and the best way is the Freedom Trail. 2.5 miles, all walkable, that leads you to all of the major historical sites in Boston. Probably the best way is to take a taxi/uber to Charlestown to see the USS Constitution before the crowds get there (high point for me), then you can do Bunker Hill if interested, and then start the Trail backwards. Some recommend taking a water taxi from Charlestown back to Rowes Wharf to see the harbor and bypass some walking in "non-historic" areas getting to the North End. I like walking along Commercial Street to see the plaque for the Great Boston Molasses Flood. Tourist shops and some fine shops located in Quincy Market along the Trail.

Portland: you are right, no need for excursions here. Most involve a bus ride to see lighthouses. If you're an early riser, get up the morning you're arriving in Portland, and you will get a glorious view of historic and scenic Portland Head Light from a unique perspective; from the sea, as the ship passes close by. All of the shops, restaurants, museums and most attractions are within walking distance of the pier. Be aware that NE winters take a toll on the brick and cobblestone sidewalks of Portland, and there is the "spine" of the peninsula to climb if you walk towards Congress street, so it is an energetic walk.

Bar Harbor: be prepared to see nothing but fog in Acadia in October. It could be clear as a bell, or it could be limited to a few feet of visibility, it was on our tour. We took a schooner sail in the bay here, and saw bald eagle nests, and a lot of fun.

Halifax: I would suggest the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, with its Titanic exhibit, and the Halifax explosion exhibit. We took a schooner cruise here too, very nice, scenic, wine and cheese.

Boston - You could take the HOHO trolley or walk the Freedom Trail (2.5 miles as previous poster said) - Planning to do that this week.

Portland - One option might be the Narrow Gauge Train

Bar Harbor - Ollies Trolley

Halifax - We really liked the ride to Peggy's Cove

We did the following - I have made a review with pictures and videos from each day - Blog with review

Boston Old Trolley / Freedom Trail

Portland: Ship tour to Kennybunkport and walked in the city on our own

Bar Harbor: ship tour Acadia Nature Park - and then walked through the city and to Bar Island

Halifax: Peggys Cove and whale watching (without whales)

Saint John: Ship tour to St. Martins, Reversing falls and City Market.

Highlights from the tour.

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Thanks for sharing your video

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

enjoyed your video, thank you

Thanks for sharing your video. Extremely well done.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Its greatly appreciated.

Thanks for sharing your video. Extremely well done.

Thanks everyone for the feedback. Its greatly appreciated.

Northstarr, Orygungirl and Rmac17 - thank you for reply.

Hi Randy

If it's any help or interest, somewhere in here

are the vids I made of my days in Boston, BH and Halifax, all done on our own, with the day out from Halifax using a taxi at the dock ($60 per hour, we had 3 hours). All the best, Tony

This file is an unfinished work in progress but has some information for Halifax: http://*******/2wJOjW3