Cruises of North Atlantic, CA provinces -Any experiences to share?

[gooselace]

Am considering the Maasdam for cruising Maine/Canadian coast to Nova Scotia in mid September. Would appreciate anyone sharing experiences, recommendations of port excursions, or even to suggest that we'd be better off on a land-based escorted tour. We are two fairly active ladies in our 70s. After reading about possible rough waters in No. Atlantic, am also considering the Golden Princess because of the size. Also the M'dam has no balconies available at this time. And Princess is much less expensive. But, HAL is HAL. ;)

[jhannah]

Since New England and Canada will almost certainly be sporting fall colors at this time of year, I would think a balcony would be your best bet. We love HAL, but have had great cruises on Princess, too.

That being said, Halifax is a great port. We took the Titanic tour that visited the two cemeteries where victims of that disaster are buried. Very moving. We also visited the Maritime Museum that was interesting. In Bar Harbor, the lobster bake shouldn't be missed, IMO.

I don't think you'll be venturing out into North Atlantic waters far enough to be a major issue. If I were choosing, I'd go with having a balcony. Maybe HAL can put you on a waiting list. There could be cancellations ... but with so many wanting to see fall colors on their cruise this may not happen. Good luck!

[jcrandle]

Am considering the Maasdam for cruising Maine/Canadian coast to Nova Scotia in mid September. Would appreciate anyone sharing experiences, recommendations of port excursions, or even to suggest that we'd be better off on a land-based escorted tour. We are two fairly active ladies in our 70s. After reading about possible rough waters in No. Atlantic, am also considering the Golden Princess because of the size. Also the M'dam has no balconies available at this time. And Princess is much less expensive. But, HAL is HAL. ;)
A couple of thoughts.

Weather- We did a 12 night cruise last fall on RCI Grandeur of the Seas from Baltimore to Quebec City & back October 4 thru 15. Most of the cruise we had lovely weather, although you should always expect it to be windy in the Canadian Maritime Provinces. The fall colors (or as they say in Canada - colours) were magnificient. On our way back from Quebec City, we spent several hours cruising the Saguenay River which is a beautiful fiord. We did have a bouncy sea day on the way back, due to a tropical depression, that with ship speed and wind speed combined, resulted in a 60 knot headwind. They closed the outside decks.

Ports. In Bar Harbour (pronounced Baa HaaBaa) we took a ship's tour of Acadia National Park & Cadillac Mountain. It was worth doing once, but I'd pass on it the second time. Our Cadillac Mountain time was late afternoon, and the wind & chill kept the off-the-bus sightseeing time down. In Halifax, we took a ship's tour to Peggy's Cove. This is such a picturesque area, that I would enjoy going back. The landscape and seascape are so beautiful. A plus was that we had a warm and sunny day to enjoy it. In Quebec City, we did both a self guided walk & shop, as well as a ship's excursion of a walk & wine tour. We enjoyed the ship's tour, but as a caveat, Quebec City is very hilly, so if you have difficulty climbing the hills, you may look for something motorized (or a horse drawn carriage, as those were available for hire). There is a funicular from the dock level, up to the upper level of the city, so you can use that to avoid the worst of the climbing.

This is such a scenic area, that we would do this cruise again in a heartbeat! Of course, we would do our Alaska cruises again, and our trans-Atlantic, etc.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Bar Barbor - have done Cadillac Mountain - you can do this tour on your own - this is a tendering port - once you get off the tender , go up the hill to the park - turn right and walk towards the fire house. The buses for tours are right across the street.

Halifax - we have done Peggy's Cove (with lobster lunch), Titanic grave yard, and city tour.

What other ports will you be visiting?

[Without Tessa]

Actually, you may find that mid-September does not have too many fall colours in Canada. In Ontario, you typically get the best colour around Thanksgiving (which is mid-October for us) and even later in the southern areas.

Not that this would hinder the enjoyment of your cruise any unless this was very important to you.

I am not knowledgeable on the ports that this itinerary visits but the Eastern provinces have a very unique culture that I adore. On a visit to PEI when I was young I fell in love with the people and countryside.