Is there a Hop On Hop Off Bus in Saint John, NB?

[2pbears]

I see that Princess offers an excursion for a HOHO bus in Saint John--it looks like there are three different routes. I am wondering if we could buy tickets when we get there or is it only available through the cruise line?

[Acey]

I see that Princess offers an excursion for a HOHO bus in Saint John--it looks like there are three different routes. I am wondering if we could buy tickets when we get there or is it only available through the cruise line?

 

These are pink London double decker buses - the public here could buy tickets, but now that the cruise ship season started I'm not sure because they all appear to begin at cruise terminal. To find out for sure, you can call the operator "Ambassatours" at 1-800-565-7173

[STLATL]

I called "Ambassatours" and the representative said that we are better off purchasing "The Big Pink Bus" tickets through our cruise line. She said it's actually cheaper through the cruise, which I think is ironic because most of the tours through the ships are more expensive. The Big Pink Bus is the one that makes the three loops.

[flashdog_1]

I just read some interesting articles about the cruise ship pier and this new Big Pink Bus Tour(s).

 

On days when the cruise ships are in port the BPBT will ONLY house cruise ship passengers. So we, the cruise ship passengers, are the only ones who can buy tickets. And those are bought from the cruise company (who made a contract with BPBT, Ambassatours/Grey Line). Like it or not tourists who flew or drove in cannot board on cruise ship days.

 

Second controversy was about the vendors within the cruise terminal area. Because of security concerns, noone but cruise ship passengers who have to show their key cards to get in, as with all ports, which means the tourist who flew or drove in will not have access to these vendors. Yes, a few have real stores in town that the regular tourist may go to. But some are individuals who have paid $5-6K to have a booth there for the cruise ship season. The vendors said they'd sell to anyone, but can understand the security reasons for limiting the pier area only to cruise ship pax.

 

With taxi rates so low ($7 to go to Reversing Falls) I wonder if it might be cheaper to just take a few taxi rides. We are a party of 3 and $117 is what our tickets would cost from NCL. That's a lot of taxi rides. But then we would not get to ride an antique London double decker that's been painted pink for breast cancer awareness, or hear the driver's commentary, would we?

[gracee]

flashdog--I am with you. Why not take a taxi into town--from what I've read, it's easy to manuever around town. If you need to go to reversing falls, then take a taxi--much less $ and then you are not riding a funny looking pink bus with a bunch of tourists.