New England/Canada excursions

[cruiseliz44]

Hi!

New to boards (and cruising as this will be my 4th cruise).   My  husband and I are going on the Anthem of the Seas on 10/10/19 for a 9 day cruise to New England/Canada.   Can anyone help with the best suggestions for excursions and/or things to do while on the Anthem of the Seas?   Thanks!

 

[GUEST71919]

1 hour ago, cruiseliz44 said:

Hi!

New to boards (and cruising as this will be my 4th cruise).   My  husband and I are going on the Anthem of the Seas on 10/10/19 for a 9 day cruise to New England/Canada.   Can anyone help with the best suggestions for excursions and/or things to do while on the Anthem of the Seas?   Thanks!

 

 

There is a specific part of the board for ports and there should be a lot of information there about the New England/Canada stops. Have fun!

[cruiseliz44]

3 minutes ago, 2Beeze said:

 

There is a specific part of the board for ports and there should be a lot of information there about the New England/Canada stops. Have fun!

Thank you.  I think I have found it this part now!

[nelblu]

42 minutes ago, 2Beeze said:

 

There is a specific part of the board for ports and there should be a lot of information there about the New England/Canada stops. Have fun!

You can also find descriptions of excursions in the cruise planner.  Will be on Anthem 9 nights on Aug. 29.  My excursions in Boston, Bar Harbor and Halifax were on sale.  For now, not planning on anything in St. John or Portland as this will be our 3rd time with this itinerary.

[reallyitsmema]

2 hours ago, cruiseliz44 said:

Hi!

New to boards (and cruising as this will be my 4th cruise).   My  husband and I are going on the Anthem of the Seas on 10/10/19 for a 9 day cruise to New England/Canada.   Can anyone help with the best suggestions for excursions and/or things to do while on the Anthem of the Seas?   Thanks!

 

 

Most of the ports on that itinerary are usually cheaper to book on your own, instead of through the cruiseline.  In Bar Harbor, we were able to book Oli's Trolley to Acadia for half of what the excursion was through the cruise line. 

 

In Halifax, many go to Peggy's Cove, which is beautiful, but there is not much there other than the light house.  We have done the brewery tour at Alexander Keith's Brewery, which is right in downtown Halifax.  The tour is set back in time when the brewery was first opened and is run by people in period costumes, speaking only of what was back in time.  It ends in their in house pub, with two free beers and sea shanty's sung by a guitarist and a bar maid.  On a different trip to Halifax, we took a cab from the port to the Citadel up on top of the hill.  We took the first guided tour of the day and then were there for the noon firing of the cannon.  We then walked down the hill to the boardwalk for lunch and shopping.  Stopped for a little while at the Maritime Museum to see the Titanic Artifacts and then walked back to the ship along the boardwalk.  There is also lots of shopping right at the pier depending on which pier you are at.

 

Portland is donuts at Holy Donuts, which are made with potatoes and whoopie pies at Two Fat Cats Bakery.  There are different lobster boat excursions or trips to LL Bean.  We live less than two hours from there and have been many times so we just walk around.

 

Anthem is a great ship though, make sure you make reservations for the three shows that you can in advance.  You can reserve iFly and Northstar too if you happen to catch the few reservations they make available in advance.  If not, book them once you board.

[Biker19]

2 hours ago, cruiseliz44 said:

Can anyone help with the best suggestions for excursions and/or things to do while on the Anthem of the Seas? 

Others in the Roll Call thread for your sailing may have some ideas. 

[nelblu]

Also, Boston, St. John's & Halifax have the On/On off buses that are reasonable in cost and allows you to explore various parts of each city.  Was impressed with the Halifax one which in addition to touring the city also stopped at the Halifax cemetery where many souls from the Titanic are buried.

[mets123]

In Boston, Harpoon Brewery is just two blocks from where the ship docks. Or take a shuttle bus to Quincy Market to eat and shop and and visit the historical sites. Many of the ports have Duck tours as well.

[John Reid]

Saw your thread. I don't have time to respond now, but tonight I'll give you our five city run down and give you some alternatives.  We never use ship excursions on this itinerary.

[JAMESCC]

Portland you can go to Freeport where the original LL Bean is. It's such a beautiful town, almost like it is at in the past. That was a fun one.
Bar Harbor we took a walking tour of the town and that was extremely interesting and fun. Such a gorgeous town again.
NE/Canada is my/our favorite cruise. We have done it twice and will do it again. Halifax we did a Titanic tour of the cemetery where most of the passengers are. We also did Peggy's cove which honestly was magical. I mean you really can't believe little towns like that exist.
You are gonna have a great time!

[John Reid]

Back to answer; these are things we have done or plan to July 25.

 

Boston - We walk down the street from the pier and take the Silver bus to South Station. Price is about $2 to $2.50 pp. From there, you can transfer (no additional charge unless you walk out of the facility like I once did by mistake). Take the Red line two stops to Park. Get out and you are right there at Boston Common and the Public Gardens. From there it is an easy walk to the Old State House, Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market, Union Oyster House, even the North End (cannolis at Mike's or Modern). Just check a map in advance for the other sights in walking distance. a two person tour for $10.00 or less.

As someone else mentioned, the Harpoon beer hall is two or three blocks from the pier.

 

Portland - There are reliable tours offered when you get to the street from the ship. I took one once for $27; I found it boring except for the extended stop at a great lighthouse that is or was a military site. Since then we have just walked the harbor area near the ship. Not bad on a nice day. Lobster rolls (my wife likes; I don't eat food that the Almighty has hidden under water and/or armed to attack).  My favorite was walking a bit northeast (short walk) and getting a slab of Sicilian pizza from Miccucci's and taking it to the Shipyard store and brewpub a block away. Great flights of beer or soda for a good price, and they are happy to have you bring food in. Interesting store attached.

 

Bar Harbor - The number one choice is the Island Express FREE (donations accepted) bus system out of the town square park. Problem: The last day of service for the season is Columbus Day, October 14. If you are there, I recommend route 3 or 4. You can get off at any stop and catch another bus to move on. The longest I have ever waited was about 12 minutes. If not available, the previously mentioned Ollie's Trolley is a good choice. Book through their website and save big. If nothing else, walk around town including the shore path. It is a great walk.

 

Saint John - Our first time there, we walked around town. We found that dull. The three times since and our next in July, we rent a car. The Avis/Budget office is about a quarter mile down Water Street. Book through Budget; it's cheaper and the same cars. Lower rental taxes and the exchange rate, $41 American, unlimited mileage. We drive to the Fundy Trail (check it on a map). It is spectacular. Once we turned around because of fog. They, also, close some time in October. Check their website. On the fog day, we backtracked to the Sea Caves by the seafood shack on the shore road by St. Martin. A great stop. If the tide is right, you can walk into the caves. They are huge. And the rocks on the shore there - fascinating. We will go back this July.

 

Halifax has different options. One is the market next door and exploring up the waterfront. That was interesting. Got to have my first Tim Horton donut. Side note - Canadians eat more donuts per capita than any other country.  We have also walked uphill through town to the base of the Citadel. That we enjoyed. I know Peggy's Cove is a biggie for people, but I can't justify the cost. Sooo, we have rented a car in Halifax. There are agencies within two blocks of the pier. I went with Budget, about $57 American. I'll have to walk a 1/2 mile to pick it up. They may have pick-up service; I don't know for sure. We will drive to Peggy's Cove and stop at Long Lake Provincial Park on the way back.

There is also a big grocery store nearby you can see from the ship. Very high deposits for cans and bottles.

 

And that's what we do! I'm not pushing any of them but wanted to let you know some things that are available. We like the itinerary, but have only done it from Baltimore on Grandeur.

 

I have done three Anthem 12 day cruises south. I like the ship. Book your three shows when available. Northstar and I-Fly were sometimes available for walk-ons. I easily made reservations at Customer Service. Explore the ship; it has many great areas. Very nice Solarium. Enjoy your cruise.

 

P.S. - this is why I had to wait until I had more time!

Edited July 7, 2019 by John Reid
additional info

[cruiseliz44]

7 hours ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

Most of the ports on that itinerary are usually cheaper to book on your own, instead of through the cruiseline.  In Bar Harbor, we were able to book Oli's Trolley to Acadia for half of what the excursion was through the cruise line. 

 

In Halifax, many go to Peggy's Cove, which is beautiful, but there is not much there other than the light house.  We have done the brewery tour at Alexander Keith's Brewery, which is right in downtown Halifax.  The tour is set back in time when the brewery was first opened and is run by people in period costumes, speaking only of what was back in time.  It ends in their in house pub, with two free beers and sea shanty's sung by a guitarist and a bar maid.  On a different trip to Halifax, we took a cab from the port to the Citadel up on top of the hill.  We took the first guided tour of the day and then were there for the noon firing of the cannon.  We then walked down the hill to the boardwalk for lunch and shopping.  Stopped for a little while at the Maritime Museum to see the Titanic Artifacts and then walked back to the ship along the boardwalk.  There is also lots of shopping right at the pier depending on which pier you are at.

 

Portland is donuts at Holy Donuts, which are made with potatoes and whoopie pies at Two Fat Cats Bakery.  There are different lobster boat excursions or trips to LL Bean.  We live less than two hours from there and have been many times so we just walk around.

 

Anthem is a great ship though, make sure you make reservations for the three shows that you can in advance.  You can reserve iFly and Northstar too if you happen to catch the few reservations they make available in advance.  If not, book them once you board.

Thanks.  The brewery sounds great.    I will definitely try to make advance reservations.  Thanks for the tips

[cruiseliz44]

30 minutes ago, John Reid said:

Back to answer; these are things we have done or plan to July 25.

 

Boston - We walk down the street from the pier and take the Silver bus to South Station. Price is about $2 to $2.50 pp. From there, you can transfer (no additional charge unless you walk out of the facility like I once did by mistake). Take the Red line two stops to Park. Get out and you are right there at Boston Common and the Public Gardens. From there it is an easy walk to the Old State House, Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market, Union Oyster House, even the North End (cannolis at Mike's or Modern). Just check a map in advance for the other sights in walking distance. a two person tour for $10.00 or less.

As someone else mentioned, the Harpoon beer hall is two or three blocks from the pier.

 

Portland - There are reliable tours offered when you get to the street from the ship. I took one once for $27; I found it boring except for the extended stop at a great lighthouse that is or was a military site. Since then we have just walked the harbor area near the ship. Not bad on a nice day. Lobster rolls (my wife likes; I don't eat food that the Almighty has hidden under water and/or armed to attack).  My favorite was walking a bit northeast (short walk) and getting a slab of Sicilian pizza from Miccucci's and taking it to the Shipyard store and brewpub a block away. Great flights of beer or soda for a good price, and they are happy to have you bring food in. Interesting store attached.

 

Bar Harbor - The number one choice is the Island Express FREE (donations accepted) bus system out of the town square park. Problem: The last day of service for the season is Columbus Day, October 14. If you are there, I recommend route 3 or 4. You can get off at any stop and catch another bus to move on. The longest I have ever waited was about 12 minutes. If not available, the previously mentioned Ollie's Trolley is a good choice. Book through their website and save big. If nothing else, walk around town including the shore path. It is a great walk.

 

Saint John - Our first time there, we walked around town. We found that dull. The three times since and our next in July, we rent a car. The Avis/Budget office is about a quarter mile down Water Street. Book through Budget; it's cheaper and the same cars. Lower rental taxes and the exchange rate, $41 American, unlimited mileage. We drive to the Fundy Trail (check it on a map). It is spectacular. Once we turned around because of fog. They, also, close some time in October. Check their website. On the fog day, we backtracked to the Sea Caves by the seafood shack on the shore road by St. Martin. A great stop. If the tide is right, you can walk into the caves. They are huge. And the rocks on the shore there - fascinating. We will go back this July.

 

Halifax has different options. One is the market next door and exploring up the waterfront. That was interesting. Got to have my first Tim Horton donut. Side note - Canadians eat more donuts per capita than any other country.  We have also walked uphill through town to the base of the Citadel. That we enjoyed. I know Peggy's Cove is a biggie for people, but I can't justify the cost. Sooo, we have rented a car in Halifax. There are agencies within two blocks of the pier. I went with Budget, about $57 American. I'll have to walk a 1/2 mile to pick it up. They may have pick-up service; I don't know for sure. We will drive to Peggy's Cove and stop at Long Lake Provincial Park on the way back.

There is also a big grocery store nearby you can see from the ship. Very high deposits for cans and bottles.

 

And that's what we do! I'm not pushing any of them but wanted to let you know some things that are available. We like the itinerary, but have only done it from Baltimore on Grandeur.

 

I have done three Anthem 12 day cruises south. I like the ship. Book your three shows when available. Northstar and I-Fly were sometimes available for walk-ons. I easily made reservations at Customer Service. Explore the ship; it has many great areas. Very nice Solarium. Enjoy your cruise.

 

P.S. - this is why I had to wait until I had more time!

Thank you so much for taking the time.  All sounds great! 

[sgmn]

We have twice booked a hire car in Halifax. It's very easy and there are three or four hire companies within a few minutes walk where you Dock . Nice to have the freedom to go where you want and stay for however long you want without being herded in and out of buses on a tour

[nelblu]

In Halifax, you could also take a leisurely walk as the pier is some 1+ miles long with condos, restaurants, bars and diverse notes of attractions.  At the end you could also visit the Casino, where you could gamble a few shekels.  Staff in the Casino were uber friendly.

[GUEST71919]

19 minutes ago, nelblu said:

In Halifax, you could also take a leisurely walk as the pier is some 1+ miles long with condos, restaurants, bars and diverse notes of attractions.  At the end you could also visit the Casino, where you could gamble a few shekels.  Staff in the Casino were uber friendly.

 

We will actually be there summer 2020, I had no idea that there is a casino there. Great info!

[John Reid]

15 hours ago, cruiseliz44 said:

Thank you so much for taking the time.  All sounds great! 

You're quite welcome. It's a great itinerary; have a good time.