Conway Scenic Railroad

[itsanita]

We have all been to Portland several times, and one in our party has difficulty walking.    Looking for something different to do this October. 

 

The ship offers an all day trip on the Conway Railroad.  It is what looks like a 1 1/2 hour bus ride to North Conway.  Then the train ride to Crawford Depot with lunch.   After some time in Crawford, a bus ride back to the Port.  Entire excursion is around 8 hours.  We are thinking good scenery with leaf color changes.   

 

Has anyone done this?  It is worth it?   

[1025cruise]

I've done the Conway Scenic train a few times, on land visits to the area. Half of that 8 hours is the drive to/from North Conway. Depending on when in October, yes the trip will be scenic. The one way trip to Crawford must be specific to the cruise excursion, normally its a round trip to Conway, and they have you switch sides on the way back. Can't say what the lunch will be. The normal options are the dining car, or a box lunch sandwich. But again, you'll be spending more time on the bus back/forth. 

[shipgeeks]

OP, Have you and your party done the Narrow Gauge Railway and the Casco Bay ferries?  Both are right there at the port, so no long walking would be required.

[Nitemare]

We enjoyed the Conway Scenic, although we took it in summer, so no color.  We REALLY liked the Mount Washington Cog Railway.  Dress for COLD temps if you chose that one!

[TomCruz5]

The Conway Scenic Railroad just started doing tours for cruise ships in 2023 season from Portland, ME.  I’ve ridden the train multiple times and if you are looking for an all day adventure through some of the most picturesque scenery in all of the Northeast, then this is the tour.  The history surrounding this tour, the railroad and this region of Maine/NH was a bucket list item.  Train rides like this for cruise passengers are few and far between especially in the Americas.  I strongly suggest this tour especially for repeat cruisers in the region again, if you’re up to an all day adventure.  The town of North Conway is a great “Norman Rockwell” type town also.  

[roupa]

You might want to double check the excursion itinerary.  I have done the scenic railway round trip from N. Conway to Crawford Notch. My choice of ticket included a box lunch ON THE TRAIN.  So that might very well be your excursion… not a bus ride from Crawford Notch which seems somewhat unlikely… just saying..

[1025cruise]

12 hours ago, roupa said:

You might want to double check the excursion itinerary.  I have done the scenic railway round trip from N. Conway to Crawford Notch. My choice of ticket included a box lunch ON THE TRAIN.  So that might very well be your excursion… not a bus ride from Crawford Notch which seems somewhat unlikely… just saying..

I'm guessing this is a special train that will let the cruise passengers off at Crawford Notch to take the bus back to the port. Only way I can see them filling the time.

[TomCruz5]

Cruise Ship tours for cruise lines just started last year, so depending on the cruise line’s time in port will determine whether you get the bus shopping time in North Conway on the way down from Crawford Notch.  So yes, it is a one - way train ride from North Conway to Crawford Notch and if the ship is in for 10 hours or more, you then take a bus from Crawford Notch to North Conway for an hour “on your own” to visit the town.  If your ship is in for shorter period of time, the time in North Conway will probably be limited or eliminated all together simply due to timing of the cruise ships time in port.  Either way, it is the greatest way to see fall foliage and it’s spectacular in the summer also.  Box lunches are onboard the train and I think there was a snack on the bus ride from Portland to the train.   

 

I’m not sure there is any “filling of time” as you’re actually are limited by the time that the ship is in port for this full day tour.  

[Curtzilla]

Is there a side of the train that has the better view(s)?  Like taking the White Pass train from Skagway, the left side is better.  Something like that.

[TomCruz5]

If you’re going from North Conway to Crawford I’d say the right side.  If you’re Crawford down to North Conway be on the left! 

[TS Von]

We did the Conway Scenic Rail Tour independently while staying near Conway.  Our trip was on 10/19 and the fall colors, while beautiful were about a week past prime.  On our trip we had the boxed lunches mentioned by someone else.

[tscoffey]

While this would be nice, Norwegian wants $370 per person to do this while stopped in Portland.

Not going to happen at that price.

Edited July 27 by tscoffey

[1025cruise]

1 hour ago, tscoffey said:

While this would be nice, Norwegian wants $370 per person to do this while stopped in Portland.

Not going to happen at that price.

I don't blame you. I still think the idea of this tour from Portland is a bad idea. More time on a bus than on the train.

[TomCruz5]

Seems there is an entire tour while on the bus and it’s not just a “bus ride”. Just found this awesome video from Bill Panoff - 

 

[1025cruise]

Don't get me wrong, I love North Conway (and the entire area) as well as the railroad. But if I'm porting in Portland as a cruise stop, I'm not spending that many hours on a bus for the train trip. Plus, there is no way that video was shot on a cruise excursion. Not one person had a lanyard around their neck with their cruise card dangling.

[Derbie]

On 12/22/2023 at 7:08 PM, TomCruz5 said:

The Conway Scenic Railroad just started doing tours for cruise ships in 2023 season from Portland, ME.  I’ve ridden the train multiple times and if you are looking for an all day adventure through some of the most picturesque scenery in all of the Northeast, then this is the tour.  The history surrounding this tour, the railroad and this region of Maine/NH was a bucket list item.  Train rides like this for cruise passengers are few and far between especially in the Americas.  I strongly suggest this tour especially for repeat cruisers in the region again, if you’re up to an all day adventure.  The town of North Conway is a great “Norman Rockwell” type town also.  

Did you book your tour through the cruise line, or through an independent company?  Further below mentions the cost through NCL is $370.  $740 for two people is a little steep for us.  I will check with Princess to see if they offer this.  I know my husband would love this trip!