Halifax & Saint John general question

[TikkiTembo]

I’m thinking about booking a family cruise in June (Carnival Glory, 5 days) to Canada that includes ports of call in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick. My question is are there enough things to do at these ports/area to keep my 13 & 9 year old DD from getting bored. I know there is plenty to do on the ship but I want to make sure they enjoy the ports of call as well. Any advise is appreciated.

[Acey]

I’m thinking about booking a family cruise in June (Carnival Glory, 5 days) to Canada that includes ports of call in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick. My question is are there enough things to do at these ports/area to keep my 13 & 9 year old DD from getting bored. I know there is plenty to do on the ship but I want to make sure they enjoy the ports of call as well. Any advise is appreciated.

 

In Saint John take them zip lining at the Reversing Falls rapids, or get on the jet boat ride to ride the rapids for a thrill ride. Here are their web sites:

http://www.jetboatrides.com/thrill.html

www.saintjohnadventures.ca

[TikkiTembo]

Thanks Acey! The Reversing Falls seems like loads of fun.

[vickila]

Rent a car or contact Freedom Tours to go to St. Martins in Saint Johns -- caves there to walk on the floor of the ocean and in the park -- trails to hike on Freedom Tours is wonderful.

 

In Halifax there's the Harbor Walk - a 1.5 mile boardwalk with the Maritime Museum about 1 mile with one floor devoted to the Titanic Exhibit. Just a nice walk along the harbor with a few shops, stores, and eating places. At times there is a festival which makes it more interesting, but depends on when you are there. Halifax can be cold.

 

At Pier 21, where you are docked, there is an Immigration Museum right there which is low cost admission and a nice 1.5 hour low key (mainly movie) type museum that all ages would enjoy -- especially if weather is bad. It's old suitcases, dolls, posters, and an interesting movie depicting the experience.

 

OR contact Jonathan Duru of Your Cab Co. - goggle for a tour to Peggy's Cove, graves of Titanic folks, and highlights of Halifax - excellent tour and can be customized. Vicki:)

[maryann ns]

Don't forget Citadel Hill in Halifax. It is a fortress with a dry moat and a cannon is fired every day at noon.

[riverdees05]

We are looking to take a late September or early October cruise that includes both of the ports. I would like see the tides in the Bay of Fundy. Is that possible from either of the ports with a limited amount of time?

[Acey]

We are looking to take a late September or early October cruise that includes both of the ports. I would like see the tides in the Bay of Fundy. Is that possible from either of the ports with a limited amount of time?

 

Yes. For Saint John the excursion is St Martins - typically a 5 hour organized tour or rental car 50 minute drive each direction.

[tuffy0317]

We just got back from our New England/Canada cruise and while we don't have any teenagers, we are in our 20's and loved both ports. In Halifax, they might find the Maritime Museum interesting - lots of Titanic stuff and a neat exhibit about the Halifax explosion, an explosion in the harbor which leveled the city in the 1800's.

 

I heard good things about the "Ride the Reversing Falls" jet boat ride in St. John, although we didn't do that. I would definitely recommend booking something for St. John, as there's not a ton to do if you don't.

 

@riverdees05 - there are excursions through the boat to go to the Bay of Fundy. We didn't book one and should have. It was low tide while we were there and we could not see it from the dock.

[MD_Dan]

We just got back from our New England/Canada cruise ...

Tuffy and I were on the same cruise.

 

We have a 16 year old daughter and she was pretty bored at times. In St John, she stayed on the ship (alone) and we were of with that. In Portland, we escorted her back to the ship at noon because she was bored. I realize your kids are younger and I don't know how you feel about this. But most kids loved the Enchantment programs. They'll be safe on the ship!

 

Don't force them into an excursion. Tell them your plans and let them decide.

 

Dan

[jmorgania]

I'll be doing this itinerary on the Carnival Glory June 13-18 of 2011. I'm leaning towards the reversing falls jet boat tour myself. If you book the same sailing then you gotta join my roll call too.

 

James

[TikkiTembo]

Tuffy and I were on the same cruise.

 

We have a 16 year old daughter and she was pretty bored at times. In St John, she stayed on the ship (alone) and we were of with that. In Portland, we escorted her back to the ship at noon because she was bored. I realize your kids are younger and I don't know how you feel about this. But most kids loved the Enchantment programs. They'll be safe on the ship!

 

Don't force them into an excursion. Tell them your plans and let them decide.

 

Dan

Thanks MD Dan (and let me say I love your picture or is it an avatar?; either way Go Terps!). We are still debating going to Canada but the kids "say" they want to go but I think they just want to travel. I don't have the warm and fuzzies yet on this destination for my youngins.

[Acey]

Thanks MD Dan (and let me say I love your picture or is it an avatar?; either way Go Terps!). We are still debating going to Canada but the kids "say" they want to go but I think they just want to travel. I don't have the warm and fuzzies yet on this destination for my youngins.

 

In Halifax, I think most kids would find Citadel Hill National Historic Site interesting - I know I did as a child.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/halifax/index.aspx

[MonaCD]

In Halifax, the Museum of Natural History would have some good stuff for kids http://museum.gov.ns.ca/mnhnew/en/home/default.aspx

[hughryan]

the kayaking and lobster in Saint John is a fun filled tour, a slight work out and lots to see, the kids should enjoy

[MSUcruisers]

Thanks MD Dan (and let me say I love your picture or is it an avatar?; either way Go Terps!). We are still debating going to Canada but the kids "say" they want to go but I think they just want to travel. I don't have the warm and fuzzies yet on this destination for my youngins.

 

We started cruising when our youngest daughter was 18. She had a great time and has fond memories of our cruises together. Four years ago, she and her husband took a cruise for their honeymoon. Last summer we went to Bermuda with DD, her husband and his parents. Traveling is a good life experience for teens. Let them have a say on what you plan to do in the ports.

[fortheloveofcruise]

Another fun thing to do in Halifax is take the "Alexander Keith's Brewery Tour". Keiths is a local NS beer which dates back to the early 1800's. The tour itself is quite interesting, and it is hosted by some very knowledgeable people who are in period costume. The tour itself lasts about an hour, and they take you through all of the rooms of the old brewery, and then into the basement, where you can enjoy 2 beer with the price of admission. There are some singers and dancers who entertain during this time.

 

It really is a great tour. It is located very close to the pier. If you are a AAA or CAA member, you get a discount as well. Children's tickets are a little less since they will not be provided any samples.

[maryann ns]

Halifax also has the Harbour Hopper tour which uses a Vietnam era amphibious vehicle to tour both on land and on the water. It is lots of fun.

[gmom-d]

We are planning to go on Carnival Glory Sept. 25 to Canada/New England. Can someone comment on shore excursions? Thanks ,gmom-d

[SOMBRERO6]

We were in Halifax last week and enjoyed the tall ships. They ask for help to put the sails up and treat you to a harbor tour of their city. This might be something kids would like to participate in. This may also bring back memories of Theodore the Tugboat, we passed by that harbor, also.

[kathy884]

We just decided to book this same five day Carnival Glory cruise as a little trip after a three night / two day stay in New Jersey to visit relatives.

 

My son (Age 15), is particularly interested in this. He loves days at sea, and there are three here. He's a huge Titanic enthusiast, so loves the idea of traveling in and out of New York Harbor, seeing the Statue of Liberty the way the people rescued on the Carpathia might have seen it and those on the Titanic should have seen it. He is also extremely interesting in seeing the Titanic floor of the martime museum in Halifax and is quite enthused to go on a Peggy's Cove / Titanic cemetary tour there too.

 

For Saint John, we're thinking about going to the Irving Nature Park and taking a little walk/hike with a naturalist there. We usually love that kind of thing, have visited lots of US and Canadian national parks mostly out west and love the ranger guided walks and hikes. We've never been to this park of Canada, though, so a relaxing cruise and a peek at this area is something we're all looking forward to.

 

We loved the ammenities, dining, and entertainment on the Libery, (another Conquest class ship like the Glory that we took on a Carribean cruise) so know we will like the Glory ship. That helped in our decision to do this too.

[Acey]

We just decided to book this same five day Carnival Glory cruise as a little trip after a three night / two day stay in New Jersey to visit relatives.

 

My son (Age 15), is particularly interested in this. He loves days at sea, and there are three here. He's a huge Titanic enthusiast, so loves the idea of traveling in and out of New York Harbor, seeing the Statue of Liberty the way the people rescued on the Carpathia might have seen it and those on the Titanic should have seen it. He is also extremely interesting in seeing the Titanic floor of the martime museum in Halifax and is quite enthused to go on a Peggy's Cove / Titanic cemetary tour there too.

 

For Saint John, we're thinking about going to the Irving Nature Park and taking a little walk/hike with a naturalist there. We usually love that kind of thing, have visited lots of US and Canadian national parks mostly out west and love the ranger guided walks and hikes. We've never been to this park of Canada, though, so a relaxing cruise and a peek at this area is something we're all looking forward to.

 

We loved the ammenities, dining, and entertainment on the Libery, (another Conquest class ship like the Glory that we took on a Carribean cruise) so know we will like the Glory ship. That helped in our decision to do this too.

 

In Saint John, your son may also enjoy zip lining at the Reversing Falls:

http://www.saintjohnadventures.ca/index.cfm

 

or the jet boat ride through the falls:

http://www.jetboatrides.com/thrill.html

 

Both attractions are located in the same park just a few minutes from ship. Would make the stop very memorable for him :)

[LynneL]

Realize the orig. posting is old but for those thinking of visiting Halifax with kids, we did the Duck Boat Tour. It was really fun and gave you a land tour and then went into the water for a Harbour Tour. It was a few years ago, but I'm assuming it is still offered. There was a ticket hut just past the Tugboat tour.

[maryann ns]

Just to clarify the tour mentioned above is called the Harbour Hopper.

[Hot2Travel]

Just to clarify the tour mentioned above is called the Harbour Hopper.

 

Need a little info on weather/temperature. Am considering a cruise from Boston to Montreal on April 26. What temperatures can I expect? Should I reconsider and look for a cruise a little later?:confused:

[maryann ns]

It may be good weather, but it would generally be jackets or heavy sweaters. If you are touring and seeing sites it will be less crowded and we Maritimes will welcome you. I like to travel in cool weather, but if you are looking for beach temperatures forget it!