Quebec pre-cruise?

[LindaKE]

Does anyone have suggestions for short pre-cruise sightseeing? We'll be flying in late the night before embarking, but don't sail until 8:00 pm. I imagine we'll have to be out of a hotel room well before we can board, so am looking for ideas of what we can do (including what to do with luggage) until we can board. We don't want to do anything too long or too strenuous because I tire easily and don't want to be too tired to enjoy the first hours on board.

[eh2zed]

I would make sure your overnight hotel is in the Old Town as close as possible to the pier. There is lots to see in the very pedestrian and compact Old Town. Your hotel will likely keep your bags in a luggage room until it is time to go to board the ship. Typically boarding starts around noon so you really only have the morning. With an 8 pm departure you can go aboard get settled and return to Old Town if you wish.

[Twickenham]

I agree, stay the night in Old Quebec rather than near the airport (a few motels, but nothing of interest). There are several boutique-style hotels within easy walking distance of the cruise terminal; here's a list, in order of distance:

Hotel Port Royal: http://www.hotelportroyalsuites.com/

Hotel Dominion 1912: http://www.hoteldominion.com/

Hotel 71: http://www.hotel71.ca/

Auberge Saint-Pierre: http://www.auberge.qc.ca/en/

Auberge Saint-Antoine: http://www.saint-antoine.com/

Hotel Le Priori: http://www.hotellepriori.com/

 

Even if you can't stay past the regular check-out time, ask if they'll hold your luggage. Having said that, just because you don't leave until 8pm doesn't mean you won't be able to board around noon-1ish. Check with your cruise line to make sure. But there's plenty to see within walking distance of the cruise terminal, so even if you can check-in early, you can see plenty of sites. If it's rainy, be sure to check out the Musée de la civilisation (http://www.mcq.org/index_en.html), which is directly opposite the dock area.