jdavid

No issues with wildfires since late June. However we are very saddened by the flood situation of recent days. Nothing should impact on cruises as there are not many ships in this month. Even with the July arrivals tours should not be affected

19 minutes ago, Tall22 said:

That walk would be very hard for me. If you don't mind saying, what was the cost of the taxi and rental? I'm trying to figure out if my total cost would come out any better than the ship's tour. Adding in those plus gas cost might make it close.

For those planning on renting in Saint John or even Halifax for that matter, you will find cars are scarce and expensive. That said, go on line as soon as possible to book. The price won’t get  better in the future. The other thing to consider on ship or multiple ship days, close by rental companies are a challenge 

7 hours ago, aloveforwander said:

Jdavid,

 

On Sept. 29th, our ship doesn’t get there until 2:30. Do you know who will be able to accommodate a tour to Peggy’s Cove after our late arrival?

Have you checked the ship excursions?  I am booked that day, otherwise would have done this tour. Other possibilities could be Viatour 

15 minutes ago, butterfly55 said:

OMG. As I keep reading of places that others are visiting while in Halifax, I keep thinking I might have to visit again. With everything I have on my list, I can't fit anything else in and Lunenburg sounds wonderful, especially the lobster rolls. Is there anywhere else you would recommend a lobster roll.jdavid? We will not be going to Peggy's Cove, we have already been there.

There are a few places on the Harbourwalk north of the ship.  Dave's comes to mind.

Yes that is a great route from the Pier. Head up past the Westin, go north on Barrington past the Governors Mansion and at Spring Garden Road visit Basilica  and Library. Spring Garden is THE people street of the city. At South Park go right and visit the Public Gardens and at that point you are at the foot of Citadel Hill. After doing the citadel (there is an admission) you should walk down and head to the Ferry Terminal where you can take a $2 ride across the harbour to Dartmouth. Ask for a transfer and come back free. Then head south along the Boardwalk and it is another 25 minute leisurely walk back to Pier. 

We are planning a week holiday in Quebec City next week. While more French than Montreal, most people are bilingual in Quebec City. You can easily survive in English. 

12 hours ago, eltigre said:

We have reserved a car from the Hertz at the Westin & are in port from 9am-6pm on a Sunday and we are the only ship. I also wanted to do Lunenburg then Peggy's Cove  and finally the waterfront with possibly including the Citadel. I have been thinking that I may have to forgo Lunenburg as it is about 100KM past Peggy's Cove and as you said there is car pick up & drop off times. Your thoughts please jdavid.

I would go straigt to Lunenburg on the 103 Highway and then come back. After leaving Lunenburg take the 3 to Mahone Bay for 15-20 minutes there, It's only a ten minute drive. After leaving Mahone Bay, catch the 103 again to Exit 5 at Tantallon and follow signs to Peggy's. You'll know at that point how much time you have before heading back to Halifax on the 333. Don't go back to Exit 5, When leaving Peggy's turn right on 333. It's 45 minutes back to city. You may have time for Titanic Cemetery ??? Eat in Lunenburg or Mahone Bay or take a lunch with you and get a lobster roll in peggy's at Tom's or McGoos.  When I do my Private tours to Lunenburg, Peggy's - this is my plan (no charge). 

2 hours ago, shipgeeks said:

This is an excellent question, and one for which I hope there will be more replies.

When we sailed to the Mediterranean, I always tried to read a book about at least one of the ports. We've done C/NE cruises a number of times, but it never occurred to me to loiok for books about these ports, all of which I like.

I second (third?) the recommendation to visit the Maritime Museum while in Halifax, if you can take time out from all the other attractions right there in the city.

And if anyone is going to Rome for the first time read Dan Brown’s DaVinci Code. I have read it before my two visits

In terms of Halifax, one of the big events in our history was the Halifax Explosion of 1917. It was the largest explosion in the world until 1945 when the atomic bombs were dropped. Hugh MacLellan wrote a book called Barometer Rising which is almost required reading for historical purposes. It will give you a great perspective on Halifax and so much of what you’ll hear about while here. The military history, the War even the Titanic which happened in 1912. The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, which many visit will be much more meaningful if you decide to visit it. 

One other point is the day of the week. Weekdays are busier than weekends and you will want to check how many ships are in when it comes to availability of cars

I do tours in Halifax and a Lunenburg day with Peggy’s Cove and Titanic visit is a full day without accounting for rental car pickup and return. There is a rental car agency at Westin close by (12 minute walk) but you would have to check when it opens. A direct a Lunenburg drive from Port is 1 hour 25 minutes (not the coastal route). So if doing this tour I suggest you  go direct to Lunenburg then return with a  Peggy’s visit followed by Titanic cemetery and a drive around citadel hill

last. This route is taking you back toward the ship. The other thing about renting a car is you have to account for time in finding parking places. A tour could achieve what you want because your driver would pick you up and the take care of parking and know best routes. 

You’ll see a lighthouse right across from where your ship

docks in Halifax. It’s on George’s Island. There may be several others further out the Harbour . However to see the most iconic lighthouse in Canada you’ll have to take a tour to Peggy’s Cove. 

There won’t be too much in the way of Fall Leaves  in the Harbour. Our fall colours are best the week of October 4 to 20. Best colours would be in Cape Breton so if booking tours in Sydney, you might take Baddeck or Cabot Trail. 

1 hour ago, firerunner said:

Us residents, just wondering if we go thru customs and immigration at every canada port. Itinerary starts in new york ,sea day,  then hits Saint John, Halifax, sea day, Charlottetown, Sydney, sea day, then boston..etc

 

So do we have customs and immigration at every canada port or just the first one?

 

Does it take alot of time?

 

thanks!

I think immigration clears ship at first port of entry to a country 

18 hours ago, AKR2011 said:

Do you have any lighthouse tours? Let me know! 😀 My parents have their lighthouse passports and were so looking forward to this tour. Such a bummer 🙁

There are many lighthouses in Nova Scotia. We even have a Lighthouse Route. The most famous of all lighthouses is in Peggy’s Cove. It is the most visited and photographed. Many cruisers take this tour but it tends to me a visit of less than an hour. There is a lighthouse that can be viewed as you come in the harbour and their is one on George’s Island across from where your ship docks. I am not aware of a specific tour dedicated to Lighthouses only but I’m sure one can be designed easily. Here is pic of the Peggy’s Cove light I took a few days ago.

7 hours ago, welshred said:

We are arriving now at Pier 21 in Halifax at 11am.
 

 

 

How long weee you in Halifax today. It was so foggy, I could not see the port 

1 hour ago, BklynBoy8 said:

jdavid,

We always look forward to visiting Halifax. Actually we just heard from on board a passenger is ill and QM2 is heading to you to take the passenger off. ? the time she will arrive. Just heard. This will make her late possibly announced the Captain coming to Brooklyn tomorrow. So we have to see how all works out.

Our thread..

 

But aside, we love Halifax. And was looking forward to walking and seeing the Public Gardens, Walk the Town, Maybe the Maritime M. We love lunch at Salty's our tradition. Hope we get to do this.

Are are expected to be there 8 to 8 on Sunday.

 

Thank you for your response...

So you will be in Halifax today just to drop off a passenger then to NY and back to Halifax on Sunday. It very wet and foggy here!

1 hour ago, BklynBoy8 said:

jdavid,

We always look forward to visiting Halifax. Actually we just heard from on board a passenger is ill and QM2 is heading to you to take the passenger off. ? the time she will arrive. Just heard. This will make her late possibly announced the Captain coming to Brooklyn tomorrow. So we have to see how all works out.

Our thread..

 

But aside, we love Halifax. And was looking forward to walking and seeing the Public Gardens, Walk the Town, Maybe the Maritime M. We love lunch at Salty's our tradition. Hope we get to do this.

Are are expected to be there 8 to 8 on Sunday.

 

Thank you for your response...

Checking the Port schedule, you are here Sunday at 8am until late. It says 23:59 which is surprising to be so late. 

There have been no fires in Nova Scotia for weeks. Quite the opposite, it has been raining with fog for days. 

Well that is quite clear. I do a few private tours in Halifax if my schedule allows and they are dedicated only to Cruisers so am 100% flexible to the ships arrival. 

6 hours ago, BklynBoy8 said:

 

Hi jdavid,

We are heading up to you on Friday on the QM2. These were questions CC'ers were asking. I saw same weather here about Halifax. Our arrival is Sunday....

Yes I knew that you will be visiting. Great to have you in our city. I did a few private tours on prior visits with guests. As you know it’s a holiday weekend here and a Sunday so the city will be a quiet one. The  weather is hard to predict but it has literally rained for the past days and the next two aren’t looking better so we will keep our fingers crossed for Saturday and Sunday

I live in Halifax.

On 5/29/2023 at 1:51 PM, RUNMOTOR said:

@jdavid WELCOME TO  THE ENCHNTED PRINCESS TRANSATLANTIC ROLL CALL

PLEASE POST YOUR CABIN NUMBER IF KNOWN TO YOU AND ALL OTHER ACTIVITIES YOU LIKE TO SHARE -- GAMES AND HOBBIES 

SPREADSHEET LINK BELOW

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OsbTlQpw6Xj1xa3lTEuUD6x999dr_HNnkTCi46vd3JE/edit#gid=0

GREETINGS AND REGARDS

 JOSEF L.( RUNMOTOR )

I live in Halifax. There have been no fires in Nova Scotia for weeks. Quite the opposite, it has been raining with fog for days and I don’t see any sun in the forecast for a week. 

Why would the tour company leave without its guests from the ship? Before cancelling, I would ask if other guests aboard are part of the tour 

You do not want to be sitting on a balcony when sailing on the Canada NE cruise anytime after late August. Temps on the water would be in the low 50’s if you’re lucky.

I live in Halifax so not familiar with this park, however you should refer to this Port as Saint John, there is another Atlantic port called St. John. That said, a popular spot is the Saint John Market