Montreal to Boston review with tips.

[christy744]

I'm planning on booking this cruise on Monday. Thanks for the review and your fantastic advice.

[JamesEM]

Thanks for sharing, sounds like a cruise I need to put on my things to list.

[Drphyl12]

thanks for your great review! I'm going in mid July what was the weather like and what did you pack?

 

Thanks

[sail7seas]

If you are a female, I suggest a few short sleeve jerseys/blouses/tops for day, one or two long sleeve, capri pants if you wear them or jeans if you prefer, a hoodie, a swimsuit, comfortable walking shoes, sandals, water resistant/waterproof light weight jacket, hoodie or sweater. You should think in terms of layering as it is likely you will want summer weight weather most days but you well could hit a raw, rainy week and need layers to stay warm.

 

Smart casual five nights for dinner means skirt/slacks and nice tops or sundresses or the like. Formal wear is often cocktails dress or LBD. Many ladies wear black skirts/pants and glittery/dressy tops.

 

Same for gents with jacket and tie being dress code by HAL for formal nights. Other nights dress trousers, dockers, shirt with collar or polo jersey is fine for MDR and Pinnacle but no shorts or t shirts permitted evenings in either.

Edited June 30, 2013 by sail7seas

[Drphyl12]

Thanks! I'm hoping for good weather.

Any shore excursions you liked?

[normr]

Which Montreal airport do we need to fly into? TRUDEAU (YUL)?

 

 

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[crusingm540]

Maasdam Montreal to Boston

 

After sailing on other lines, my last five cruises have been with HAL. I probably will try some other lines again in the future, but for the immediate future I feel very comfortable on these ships. I have a Carribean cruise booked for next March and a 14 day Alaska cruise for summer of 2014.

 

I flew to Montreal from Chicago on Porter Air. I had never used them before but was extremely pleased as I was reminded how air travel used to be. They had nice leather seats with just two on each side of the aisle. They served complimentary snacks and drinks, including beer and wine, and had a wonderful passenger lounge with a business center stocked with new Apple computers. They are basically a Canadian regional airline so they are not in too many American cities. Hopefully they will expand their routes into other markets in the near future.

 

I stayed at the Novatel Hotel near the airport in Montreal. They have a complimentary shuttle from the airport to the hotel. I booked the hotel on line for one night at a rate of $130.00. The room was large and the hotel had a pool, and a restaurant. It was a contemporary hotel with modern design and very clean and I would stay there again. It is not in an area that is touristy so if you want to be closer to old Montreal or the port I would suggest staying at a hotel closer to town. I took a cab to the port the next morning and it was $40.

 

Embarkation went fairly smooth. I was in a Neptune Suite so we were given priority in checking in as well as for tenders during the cruise. I had booked a veranda but was offered an upsell to the Suite 48hrs before the cruise due to some cancellations, so it worked out well. The room was larger than the last Neptune suite I was in but the bathroom didn't have the dual sinks and space of the Nieuw Amsterdams'. The veranda was much larger on the Maasam though. Two chaise loungers and a table with four chairs were easily accommodated.

 

The Maasdam is twenty years old but still in pretty good shape. The great crew and staff more than made up for the few worn areas or dated colors and design of some of the ships interior spaces. The public spaces are basically on the 8th deck. The lido on 11 was really the only other main place people were in numbers.

 

Food in the dining room was better than previous cruises. The Pinnacle was about the same as was the Canneletto. We had anytime dining which was the best for us since we sometimes had early dinners and sometimes late depending on what we were doing in port that day. There was only one sea day on this cruise. Because of the ports, I had lobster, both whole, tails, and rolls, five of the seven days of the cruise.

The absolute best was at Lobster on the Wharf in Charlotte, with close seconds in Halifax at a little fishing village our driver took us to, and at Bar Harbor on West Street where they served a whole lobster, french fries, cole slaw and blueberry pie for $22.95. Th ship had a lunch one day on the Lido Deck poolside of PEI mussels made over charcoal and allthe side salads and fixings, that was wonderful.

 

The entertainment consisted of two dancers, a couple of singers, the Hal Cats, Adagio (which is a pianist and violinist). There was a female comedian one night, a male comedian/magician one night, and the last show was the Dancing With The Stars final. All in all, not bad.

 

Acitivities as usual, with bingo, trivia, happy hour, and a microsoft lab person who gave lessons on such things as working with Windows 8, and how to organize your photos. She was very good and answered everyones questions.

 

My biggest problem with HAL and probably the other cruise lines as well, is they take all these photos of you on formal night, at the ports, at activities etc, and they display them for you to purchase. People are asked to pay hundreds of dollars for a few prints which is absurd. If they would be a little more reasonable they would sell five times as many photo packages and make twice as much money, by cutting the price by 40-50%. Their bean counters should be able to figure that out.

 

Getting off the ship in Boston was a breeze. The airport is located downtown and it was only about a $15 cab ride from the port by taxi.

 

On an odd note, I was originally planning to take the ship from Boston to Montreal but for reasons unknown the airfare from Montreal to Chicago one way was a lot more than from Chicago to Montreal. The airfare to or from Boston to Chicago was the same so I started in Montreal to save a little on transportation cost.

 

I did meet cruisers who had done this cruise several times in the past. There are so many interesting things to do in these ports was the main reason given by them as to why they repeat the trip.

 

Quebec was a beautiful city with lots of cultural stops. We went to the top of the Frontenac Hotel, and walked around the city. Stopped in many shops, art galleries, and the old Notre Dame Church. Could easily spend three days there.

 

Sydney was a little town with a lot of history. Mining and steel was their primary industries but have been closed down and unemployment in the village is about 20%.

 

Charlotte was a nice town to walk around. The ship docked close enough to walk to the main part of town. Best lobster I had on the trip was at the Lobster on the Wharf right outside of the ships pier. Can eat outside on the wharf or inside.

 

Halifax is a city of about 400,000 so you need a plan there. There is a Maritime museum about a ten minute walk from the ship that is quite good. I hired a driver that I found out about from other posters on CC as well as reviews from Trip Advisor. Lincoln Town car that we shared with another couple. We got a four hour tour of the entire city as which included a stop at a little fishing village for lunch. Really a great tour without going into tourists traps. Went to the cemetery where we saw the Titanic graves and the driver was very knowledgeable on the history of the area. The info on the Halifax Explosion of 1917 was fascinating. My daughter and her friends are taking this cruise in July and I highly recommend they take this tour. It was not offered through the ship but Paul (the driver) told me he had been contacted by HAL to possibly make his tour a HAL excursion. You know what that means.....price rising!

 

Bar Harbor was great. Easily a walking village with choice of several different routes. Whale watching, kayaking, Arcadia National Park tours also available. The road across to the park is completely covered by water at high tide so make sure you get back before that happens. Also very good restaurants and hotels. A scenic village that seems to shut down from October to May.

 

If I had the time I would have done the back to back trip because of all the things to do. These are real good ports to visit and the cruising along the St Lawrence River from Montreal to Quebec is scenic as well.

 

I highly recommend this voyage.

Enjoyed your post. Very informative. Would like some information on the Halifax tour. That sounded very good. I'm also stopping in Halifax during an Oct. 14th Quebec City to Ft. Lauderdale Holland America Tour. My email address is crusingm@comcast.net. Thanks Ann

[sail7seas]

It's nice to have responses to questions posted here rather than privatey e-mailed in order that we can all share in the information.

 

Private e-mail certainly is more appropriate if sharing private info but tour information could help us all. :)

 

Edited April 12, 2014 by sail7seas

[Krazy Kruizers]

Enjoyed your post. Very informative. Would like some information on the Halifax tour. That sounded very good. I'm also stopping in Halifax during an Oct. 14th Quebec City to Ft. Lauderdale Holland America Tour. My email address is crusingm@comcast.net. Thanks Ann

 

 

I truly doubt if the OP will contact you as this review was written June 2013.

[Stratheden]

The information on the Halifax tour was on post #24

[david,Mississauga]

Thanks for your review.

 

FYI..........the reason your Montreal to Chicago flight was more expensive was because flights originating in a Canadian airport are subject to more taxes than flights originating in a U.S.city.This is a real sore point for us Canucks.There is a rapid increase of Canadians flying out of U.S.border cities (Buffalo,Niagara Falls N.Y.,Detroit,Seattle etc..Even the added cost of getting to the U.S border cities for Canadians living close by still saves money.because of the lower air fares.

 

Buffalo & Niagara Falls N.Y, have expanded and improved their airports to accomodate the increase in Canadaian flyers.Airport taxes and surcharges here can represent 45% + of the total cost.

 

We read this excuse about taxes frequently in our press. Many journalists are simply too lazy to do any research and just keep on quoting "the party line." Here is a quote of taxes paid on Porter flights between Toronto and New York(Newark) which is the Porter route I have taken more than any other. The sales taxes are based on the fare, of course, and are based on flights I chose at random for May.

 

Taxes, fees and charges Air Traveller Security Charge $ 12.10 Airport Improvement Fee $ 20.00 GST $ 3.49 Harmonized Sales Tax $ 2.60 US Agriculture Tax $ 5.49 US Customs Processing Fee $ 6.04 US Immigration Tax $ 7.68 US transportation Tax $ 19.21 Total taxes, fees and charges $ 76.60

 

You will see that the Canadian taxes are only $6.09 plus understandable charges for security and airport improvement. A total of $38.19 in taxes and user fees can be attributed to Canada. The U.S. taxes total $38.42. It is important to point out that those who enter the U.S. by car (or bus or train) do not have to pay the Immigration and Customs tax nor the Transportation tax. Nor do they pay the Agriculture tax - whatever that is.

 

These are the taxes for a return flight from Newark to Toronto:

 

Taxes, fees and charges GST $ 2.88 Passenger Facility Charge $ 4.94 Sep 11th US Security Tax $ 2.74 US transportation Tax $ 19.21 Total taxes, fees and charges $ 29.77

 

As you can see the Canadian taxes on the return flight are a mere $2.88. The rest are U.S. taxes. There is no Customs or Immigration tax for entering Canada, nor is there a mysterious Agriculture tax. If the flight to Canada is booked as a one-way flight - or a return flight starting in the U.S. - there is no Canadian tax at all on that portion. I have a friend who travels twice a year from Toronto to the western US and he always books his trip as two one-way flights.

Edited April 13, 2014 by david,Mississauga
typo

[Winters in NZ]

We too are great fans of Porter, having taken it a few times into Midway, Logan and Liberty.

 

That Porter actually serves wine in a 'real' wine glass is also appreciated.

 

Hopefully you had the opportunity to visit the Montmorency Falls, just east of Quebec City.

 

On our cruise last year aboard the Eurodam, we took the super-fast # 800 Quebec City public transit bus to view the Falls....so for folks trying to cut costs, there are indeed alternatives to stretch dollars in Montreal, Quebec City and Boston.

 

In Montreal you have a short 15 minute walk to a subway station. Quebec City as well as Boston enjoy very frequent and dependable public buses, just a 5 minute walk from Black Falcon or from the Quebec City Cruise Terminal .

 

You wrote a splendid review. Thanks for taking the time to share. Peter

Edited April 13, 2014 by Math Guy

[sugarcharlie]

Getting the recent posts made me remember how much I enjoyed this cruise. I have recently returned from a 14 day Collectors cruise in the East and West Carribean on the Niuew Amsterdam and am ready to board again!

 

I will look into a BB from either Boston or Montreal sometime this summer. I have the 14 day Alaska rt from Seattle booked for July but am considering canceling and doing the Canadian instead. Why? I've been to Alaska before as well and granted the scenery is tops as are some of the excursions, but the ports didn't interest me so much. Was surprised to see the usual T-shirt and Diamond International stores in all ports except Sitka.

 

The ports of Montreal, Quebec, Halifax, and Boston and their cultural offerings just are more appealing. I did love seeing the wildlife and glaciers in Alaska but after this winter, I think I've had enough snow and ice to last awhile! Actually, today April 14th, we are expecting snow again in Chicago.

 

I will also try to take Paul's tour in Halifax again as there is so much to see there. He was trying to become an official HAL excursion last year so I'll see if he made it.

[pepsigirl64]

Sugarcharlie, you should join us this year September 27, we are doing a B2B, Boston/Montreal/Boston. You would be a great tour guide for us, this is our first time on this cruise!!!:D

[BlueMoon3669]

So nice to read this review, we will be on the Veendam for Quebec City-Boston in July. We first decided we wanted to visit this region, then found and booked the HAL cruise to take us there. DH almost planned it as a driving vacation but our DDs were much relieved when we "came to our senses" and decided to cruise instead this time.

 

 

 

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[Winters in NZ]

Which Montreal airport do we need to fly into? TRUDEAU (YUL)?QUOTE]

 

Pierre Elliott Trudeau ( YUL ) is the correct airport.

 

Years ago, a magnificent airport was built north of Montreal , called Mirabel, but because of its distance from Montreal, international carriers abandoned it. So you will have no worries flying into that billion dollar white elephant

[holacanada]

Which Montreal airport do we need to fly into? TRUDEAU (YUL)?QUOTE]

Pierre Elliott Trudeau ( YUL ) is the correct airport.

Years ago, a magnificent airport was built north of Montreal , called Mirabel, but because of its distance from Montreal, international carriers abandoned it. So you will have no worries flying into that billion dollar white elephant

 

IMHO, Mirabel WAS NOT a magnificent airport. I travel a lot back in the era of Mirabel. I took off and landed there several times.

The little town of Mirabel was destroyed to build the airport. People have been expropriated. The best agricultural land in the province, etc..

Toronto offered better solutions. Hubbing and more in center of the country. Mirabel airport was located 73 km from downtown Montreal. A lot too far...

A train was to connect the airport to downtown. Everything has been abandoned. It became a ghost airport. A lost-lost situation. Everybody loose…

See these pictures of desolation took from a professional photographer:

http://www.philfoto.ca/le-projet-aeroport-de-mirabel-3-de-3/

http://www.philfoto.ca/et-si-aeroport-de-mirabel-ajout/

 

Holacanada will be aboard the Veendam in July 2014.

Edited April 16, 2014 by holacanada

[sugarcharlie]

Sugarcharlie, you should join us this year September 27, we are doing a B2B, Boston/Montreal/Boston. You would be a great tour guide for us, this is our first time on this cruise!!!:D

 

Would have loved to join you but alas, I just booked this on the Veendam BB Boston for May 31st this year.

 

Unfortunately I haven't found anyone to join me on this short notice so it looks like I'll be doing a solo sailing. Shouldn't be a problem because I participate in many on board activities like trivia, culinary lessons the shows and of course the casino, so I am sure I will meet some folks to spend time with.

 

Going to try to find a reasonably priced hotel in Boston for the night before the cruise and arrange some of my port activities during the next few days. I'll definitely try to get my driver for one of the days I'm in Halifax again.

[jaspersmycat]

Have a great cruise! I'm off to London and Norway on June 4th. I'll catch up with you when I get back.