private shore excursion new england??

[Cavecreektbear]

Howdy all...

I am assuming I can book excursions with other ships if they are in port at the same time?? But from my past experience.. I find ship excursions suck! I've always like wandering off by myself, rather than getting trapped on a bus tour :)

Anyone know of any good ideas for the ports I am going to this summer???

Oak Bluffs/Marthas Vineyard

Portland Maine

St, John New Brunswick

Halifax

Bar Harbor

 

I appreciate any info on private excursions you did! Thanks

[Nitemare]

I don't think if you're on Ship A that you can book excursions on Ship B if you happen to be in the same port. There are lots of independent touring companies in pretty much every Port of Call, for suggestions, check the Ports of Call boards here at Cruise Critic, or look on the Internet for ideas, including getting info from the various Chambers of Commerce.

[Bonnie&Rob]

I can tell you that Portland Maine is a good walk around town, with a lot of quaint shops and micro brewers.

 

There used to be Marks, the topless donut shop, but I believe they are closed now(lol)

 

For info, try: http://www.portlandmaine.com/

[nybumpkin]

We found Halifax to be an easy excursion on foot - you're within walking distance of everything on the waterfront plus the Citadel. There are harbor tours that can be booked directly at the ticket offices, depending on availability; a number of boats were offering tours, including Theodore the Tugboat (which my youngest DS really wanted to try!). We went to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic - aside from the Titanic exhibit, they have a wonderful collection of ship artifacts, a moving exhibit on the 1917 Halifax explosion, and a museum ship, the Acadia from 1913. We had lunch at one of the restaurants along the waterfront and then walked up to the Citadel.

 

We were in St. John on a cool, cloudy day and took one of the one-hour horse-drawn cart tours. The tour guides are very knowledgeable and give you a good overview of the town. We had lunch at Steamer's, across from the dock - great lobster bisque! We enjoy walking around on our own, and enjoyed walking through the parks and the Loyalists' Burial Ground. (A number of Tories left the U.S. colonies during the American Revolution and settled in St. John - hence, the "Loyalists.")

 

In all, we found plenty to do in both ports. We didn't stray more than walking distance from the docks in either case, however, and if you're interested in a longer excursion I would check on the boards for the specific ports (I think there is only one "Canada" board here.) Enjoy your cruise!

[SailBadtheSinner]

For Bar Harbor, it is an easy walk from the town dock to tour the town, The cruise ship will be anchored out and you will be shuttled in, and be disembarked at the dock.

Besides touring the town, take a tour of Acadia National Park with visits to Cadillac Mountain (highest east coastal mountain) and Thunder Hole

http://www.americanparknetwork.com/parkinfo/ac/sights/index.html

Depending on how long you stay and time of year, you might want to take a carriage tour on the roads in the park.

http://www.americanparknetwork.com/parkinfo/ac/activities/carriage.html

Here is a good guide to BH: http://www.barharborguide.com/ . The pic on that page shows the town dock in the right center.

 

 

SBtS

 

Here's to swimmin' with bowlegged women.......

-- Cpt Quint of The Orca, Amity, USA

[laryco]

My favorite city...go to the Old Port section and you can't go wrong ...easy walking...very scenic and historic...also no cost for ship tours...just get off and let your eyes guide you..

[Boo's Mom]

nybumpkin...... Did you enjoy the Titanic display at the Maritime Museum? I couldn't really tell from your post.

 

We are headed there in July. I would love your comments....

 

Thanks~

[Jeanne B]

Bar Harbor is an easy town to explore on your own. Lots of nice shops and if you do any biking the carriage trails are a great place to bike and there are a couple bike shops in town that you can rent bikes from. Bar Harbor offers a free shuttle service and they have bike racks on the buses. Their bus can also take you to Sand Beach which is a beautiful sandy beach surround by rock ledges (although the water is VERY cold IMO!!). Check out www.exploreacadia.com for more information about their transportation.