Canada and New England

Sidewalk cafes by the dozen, baguettes in bicycle baskets, the classic French shoulder shrug, charming pedestrian-friendly plazas and squares, and residents with a special Gallic grace and beauty. Quebec City offers a savory taste of Europe right here in North America. Friendly locals convey that sense of romance and Old World charm found across the Atlantic, making Quebec City a wonderfully distinctive port of call.

The city is located within the St. Lawrence River Valley, framed to the north by the majestic Laurentian Mountains and to the south by the Appalachian foothills and mountains leading to New England. The St. Lawrence River, flowing beneath the cliffs of Upper Town (dominated by the regal Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, one of the world’s great hotels) swirls into the Atlantic and explains the colonization of this part of the world.

Charlottetown is the capital of Canada’s Prince Edward Island. It’s on the southern coast of the province and promotes itself as the “Gentle Island,” but its popular claim to fame lies in its ties to the famous fictional character of the 1908 children’s classic, “Anne of Green Gables.” One hundred years ago, PEI author Lucy Maud Montgomery drew inspiration for the setting of her classic novel from the island where she grew up during the late Victorian era.

The story has been translated into 15 languages and adapted for film, stage and television. When venturing around the island, you can easily see where her inspiration came from: quiet agricultural communities, lush green landscapes, fishing villages, lighthouses that dot the coastline, red sandstone cliffs and, of course, green-gabled houses.

Upon arriving in Charlottetown by cruise ship, passengers are met by sounds of fiddling and Islanders dressed in Celtic costumes performing traditional step dancing. These performances are a reflection of the ethnic makeup of the island, as more than 60 percent of the residents are of Scottish or Irish descent.

Sydney is the main port on Cape Breton Island in the province of Nova Scotia. British loyalists fleeing the American Revolution founded the town in 1785, and the settlement soon prospered from its rich natural resources. In its industrial heyday, jobs in the steel factories and coal mines attracted settlers from many lands, including many who emigrated from the Scottish Highlands.

Visitors are eager to discover the unique and treasured Island with its gracious and proud people, rich Gaelic heritage and sweeping landscapes. To truly experience all that the Island has to discover, you have to take a shore excursion. Driving around the World Famous Cabot Trail, taking a stroll through the year 1744 at the Fortress of Louisbourg, sailing on the placid water of the Bras d’Or Lakes, visiting the home of Alexander Graham Bell are all great ways to truly experience all the Island has to discover. The Port of Sydney presents an opportunity for rewarding and diverse experiences.

Sydney is also home to the FIDHEAL MHOR A’ CEILIDH, also known as the World’s Largest Fiddle. Get your picture taken next to this giant icon, which is just a few feet from the ship, before you depart on your tour!

Halifax, is Nova Scotia’s capital city, A few streets inland, there are many sights to take in, and while gorgeous coastal scenery begins just outside the city limits, especially during the spectacular autumn foliage displays, the waterfront is also a delight to explore.

Halifax has a strong connection to the sinking of the Titanic since it played a key role during the aftermath of the tragedy.

Three of the city’s ships were sent out to recover bodies, and so it is the final resting place for many unclaimed victims. In fact, three cemeteries throughout Halifax feature rows of black granite headstones, each inscribed with the same date: April 15, 1912.

But beyond the scenery and history, Halifax is just plain fun. It’s a youthful, energetic town, home to several colleges and universities, which boasts a downtown area full of pubs, clubs and cafes, as well as a restored waterfront that once welcomed traders and privateers.

Located on Canada’s Southeastern Atlantic Seaboard, where the Bay of Fundy meets the mouth of the Saint John River, Saint John is a quaint harbor best known for its Bay of Fundy-related attractions. The Bay of Fundy is world-renowned for its extreme tides — twice daily seawater rises about four stories high! As a result of the tides, the region is incredibly rich in scenic vistas (cascading waterfalls and cliffs carved out by water) and in sea-life, the latter of which draws folks interested
in spotting rare whales and interesting shore birds. draws folks interested in spotting rare whales and interesting shore birds.

​​Saint John is Canada’s first incorporated city, a celebrated wooden shipbuilding center with a colorful history. A great fire in 1877 destroyed almost the entire city center. Today, the quaint “Uptown” area is laden with Victorian-influenced architecture, brick walkways, historic churches, town squares and flowers blooming around old-fashioned lamp posts. There’s a storybook quality about the town that’s a nice respite from bustling, overly touristy cruise ports. Saint John also has a bohemian flair, with lots of street musicians, funky galleries and independent record stores.

The town of Bar Harbor, Maine is nestled on the eastern side of Mount Desert Island, sheltered from the Atlantic Ocean by Frenchman Bay and surrounded on three sides by the mountains of Acadia National Park. Acadia National Park, one of the smallest National Parks in the country, is the biggest draw in Bar Harbor, Maine. The park offers stunning mountain, sea and lake vistas and craggy cliffs that plunge to the surf, as well as an estimated 125 miles of trails for hiking and biking.

Additional highlights include the 1,532-foot-high Cadillac Mountain and the Thunder Hole waterspout. Beyond the park, Bar Harbor has the charm of a quaint New England fishing village with all the attractions of a major port. Watch the lobstermen work, browse the souvenir shops, explore a museum and, of course, enjoy a Maine lobster bake.

Boston, the capital of Massachusetts, is a big city, but it doesn’t feel that way when you’re walking around, this is one of those cities perfect to explore on foot.
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Within a 7-to-10 minute walk or a 4-5 minute bus ride after you step off your ship, you’ll find excellent museums, terrific waterfront restaurants, and even a couple of local breweries.

Walk another 5 minutes, and you’ll reach top historical sights, famed cultural and sports venues, art galleries, and excellent shopping in the heart of Downtown Boston. Sports are a HUGE in Boston, look for an opportunity to catch a Bruins or Celtics game at TD Bank Garden or a Red Sox game at the legendary Fenway Park. Sample some gourmet seafood, or some REAL New England clam chowder at restaurants like the Union Oyster House or the Quincy Market. Stroll along the Freedom Trail which is a home to 16 Revolutionary War sites.

Whether it’s walking the Freedom Trail, kayaking on the Charles River, or living time-honored baseball traditions at Fenway Park, you’ll come to find Boston is full of adventure adventure.