Excursions in Canadian ports

[Fishing Bear]

On Holland America's Veendam end of August. Was wondering if instead of booking shore excursions through HAL, can we find tours in the various ports once we get onshore? We are adventurous and able to walk if visitor centers and maps are available. Can anyone recommend things not to miss in Quebec and Nova Scotia stops?

[paul929207]

In Halifax, NS, we rented a car for the day and went to Peggy's Cove Lighthouse and the cemetery where many of those killed on the Titanic are buried

[navybankerteacher]

If you want to rent a car, you should read up on the provinces and plan a route. Of course, in NS (probably Halifax and Sydney) by ou can do walk-abouts. Also, Charlottetown, PEI can be seen on foot. If you stop in Quebec City - plan to spend your whole day wandering about the beautiful old city - a real French town - the only walled city in North America.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Yes -- there are vendors ashore that you can book through.

Bar Harbor -- Oli's Trolly's -- Acadia National Park -- Cadillac Mountain.

Sydney -- Ann of Green Gables.

Charlottetown -- you can walk around this port on your own. It is not worth paying for the Hop On Hop Off bus here.

Halifax -- there is a Hop On Hop Off bus -- we did that one time -- really great to see a lot of places. Another time we went to Peggy's Cove.

[wheezedr]

On Holland America's Veendam end of August. Was wondering if instead of booking shore excursions through HAL, can we find tours in the various ports once we get onshore? We are adventurous and able to walk if visitor centers and maps are available. Can anyone recommend things not to miss in Quebec and Nova Scotia stops?

I think you will find from most of the above answers as well as our experience is that the Canadian ports are easy DIY, but that they do require some preplanning and/or prebooking. We did Oli's in Bar Harbor but had prebooked it. We rented a car in Halifax but again not at the last minute. I do not think you can equate these ports with the Caribbean style ports many are used to.

So while you do not have to do tours through HAL you should prearrange some OYO.

[easyboy]

You can check Toms Port Guides (https://www.tomsportguides.com/port-guides.html).

The site has a list of ports, including those for Canada. Each port has a downloadable file that has maps and other walking and transport info in going around the port.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[LHT28]

also check the port of call forum

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=20

[Keith1010]

I would begin with the ports of call board on Cruise Critic.

 

Lots of great information there.

 

Yes you can do a lot on your own on this type of cruise.

 

Keith

[Fishing Bear]

Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions. I will be busy checking out the sites mentioned.

[Nic6318]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

Sydney -- Ann of Green Gables.

 

 

Hi there

 

Sorry Krazy Kruziers, Anne of Green Gables home is in Prince Edward Island not Nova Scotia. Just wanted to correct this point because the islanders would really be upset at you.

 

To the OP...your stops in Halifax (N.S.), Sydney (N.S.), and Charlottetown (PEI) are great stops to rent a car.

 

Haifax as mentioned, you can visit Peggy's Cove (lots of tourists) and you would still have time to visit Citadel National Historic site in the center of Halifax.

 

Sydney...you would have time to drive to the Fortress of Louisbourg, another national historic site.

 

Charlottetown...as already brought up you could certainly visit the Anne of Green Gables museum (play golf, whatever you like). The island (PEI) is quite small and you would easily be able to see much of it (scenic drive) if you chose. Charlottetown itself is a small city, but it would have historic sites to see as well, such as Province House.

 

Bar Harbor...they have free tourist bus service that leave from the "Village Green", that go to different tourist sites.

 

Quebec city...This city is built up a hill. If you would like to stay within the city, walking is great, but I would take a taxi from the port to get to the top of the city (someplace like the Plains of Abraham), then walk back down enjoying a bit of the city.

 

This website has much information for you to start your research. If you go to "boards home" scroll down the page and you will see a "ports of call" section. Click on the link and you will find threads talking about all your stops. If you have more questions, just ask there. Between this site, tripadvisor and general internet searches, you should be able to find information to help you plan.

 

have a great cruise

(p.s. we did that same cruise last Aug. and had a great time)

[CanadaDeb]

In Quebec City, the port is right in the Old Town...turn left once you are off the ship and walk into the lower town which is a few blocks away...in the lower town you'll see signs for the "Funiculaire". You step off in the upper town in the heart of the old town and promenade...loads to see and do within a few blocks! Such a nice place :)

[cheeseclan]

We were just in Quebec city seeing our DS on the US Coast Guard Eagle during the tall ship parade. It was a very exciting few days.

We loved Quebec and we sucked it up and walked up and down the steep hill twice a day. We did not see everything we wanted to on this trip but would go back in a heart beat.