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We will be in Sydney 5/22 from 10 AM to 5 PM. Trying to decide between the ships excursion to Baddeck and the Alexander Bell museum (4 hour tour) versus renting a car and traveling to Baddeck on our own. We usually like to strike out on our own, or take a local tour but having second thoughts about either with this port call. I've read Tom's guide and the difficulties and time constraints one can encounter with car rentals, as well as foggy weather, ferry closures, and closed businesses due to out of season. What can we typically expect this time of year as far as fog or closures??? Are there any car rental agencies who deliver or pick up at the cruise terminal??? If not, which rental agency is the closest to terminal??? Thanks for any and all input!!

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I am booked on the Carnival Cruise that will be in Sydney, NS June 8. I decided I could see more if I rented a car. I have booked with Enterprise which is about 10 minutes away from the cruise ship terminals. They will come and pick you up and bring you back. I called the Sydney office direct and made the reservations (902-539-6700). Hope this helps. Actually on this cruise I decided to explore and just rent cars in all the ports.

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Travelbig - Thanks for the map. Can you share why you think that is a good sightseeing route?

 

 

It was posted by someone who did it. There aren't a lot of rural roads outside of Sydney and this is an easy route.

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The little ferry ride you'll take there is great.

 

If you had enough time, I'd suggest a lap around Cape Breton. Most gorgeous scenery, and good chance you'll see Moose.

 

 

How much time would one need to do the lap?? We will be in port 10 - 5. I would love to see moose.

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The route in the map mentioned above is one I have done and recommended many times. The scenery is great, particularly in the Iona area. http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Syd...ra=ls&t=m&z=10

 

Toms Port guides are excellent, but not perfect. The ferry he mentions was closed a few years ago for repairs, but runs fine now.

 

It is very frustrating that ships will not stay in Sydney long enough for people to drive around the Cabot Trail. However they don't so you really have two options for a great day.

 

One is to go to Baddeck and Iona and renting a car is the best way to do this.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/grahambell/index.aspx

http://museum.gov.ns.ca/hv/en/home/default.aspx

 

The second is to go to Fortress Louisbourg. Renting a car also works for this, and depending upon the time you are in port and how long you spend at Louisbourg, you may also have time to go to the Glace Bay Miner's Museum, where you can be taken down into an old coal mine and learn about the life of a miner from a retired coal miner.

http://www.minersmuseum.com/mine_tour.htm

 

Louisbourg is only fully open from June 15 to October 15 so keep that in mind. When it is open, you are immersed into the life of the fortified town in the year 1744, with live animators (people playing the roles of actual people) and restaurants, pubs, etc.

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We've rented a car through Enterprise who have a shuttle from the terminal, and we're going to go with the Baddeck and Iona route that you have recommended. Hoping we will have time to do this. How much time should we allow ourselves for the return trip to Sydney?? Our ship leaves at 5:00 PM.

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How far away is Fortress Lousibourg from where ship docks?

Will there be taxis at dock to take you there?

How about at fort to bring you back to ship?

Any idea of the taxi fare?

We will be in Sydney Thurs Sept 13.

9:30 AM - 5:00PM

Thanks for any help.

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The route in the map mentioned above is one I have done and recommended many times. The scenery is great, particularly in the Iona area. http://maps.google.ca/maps?saddr=Syd...ra=ls&t=m&z=10

 

Toms Port guides are excellent, but not perfect. The ferry he mentions was closed a few years ago for repairs, but runs fine now.

 

It is very frustrating that ships will not stay in Sydney long enough for people to drive around the Cabot Trail. However they don't so you really have two options for a great day.

 

One is to go to Baddeck and Iona and renting a car is the best way to do this.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/grahambell/index.aspx

http://museum.gov.ns.ca/hv/en/home/default.aspx

 

The second is to go to Fortress Louisbourg. Renting a car also works for this, and depending upon the time you are in port and how long you spend at Louisbourg, you may also have time to go to the Glace Bay Miner's Museum, where you can be taken down into an old coal mine and learn about the life of a miner from a retired coal miner.

http://www.minersmuseum.com/mine_tour.htm

 

Louisbourg is only fully open from June 15 to October 15 so keep that in mind. When it is open, you are immersed into the life of the fortified town in the year 1744, with live animators (people playing the roles of actual people) and restaurants, pubs, etc.

Hi Maryann, just curious, how many Ferries will we be on, on this route and what is the cost to take the ferry. I have booked the ship excursion and a rental car so I can cancel one or the other. Still trying to decide the best way. So far I am finding out that the cost of the rental car will be half of the ship excursion. That includes all the entrance fees and gas. If we drive ourself how much time would you allow at the Bell Museum and at the Highland Village? We are there on June 8th from 8 - 5 so want to be back in plenty of time to drop off rental car and get back to the ship by 4:30. Thank you so much for all your helpful info. Also, any stops you can recommend on your route to stop and see beside Alexander Graham Bell Museum and Highland Village. We love scenery. Thanks again.:)

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http://g.co/maps/dhmtm

 

There is just the one 'ferry', merely a cable barge that takes less than five minutes.

 

http://g.co/maps/dhmtm

 

http://marinas.com/view/ferry/404_Little_Narrows_Ferry_NS_Canada

 

24/7 on demand for $5.25 http://gov.ns.ca/tran/hottopics/ferries.asp

 

You will want perhaps two hours at the Bell Museum and an hour or so at Highland Village. You could stop in Baddeck for lunch, perhaps.

 

You will perhaps make a few photo stops, but you should have time for a nice day.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I have been to Sydney on a few cruises, and I'd like to offer my opinions. We've been to Fortress Louisburg, the Miner's Museum, and the Alexander Graham Bell Museum. My hands down favorite was the Fortress. It kind of reminded us of a small version of Colonial Williamsburg. It's really nice, but if your walking is limited, I wouldn't recommend it. Also, if you're going when the character interpreters are not there, the experience would not be quite the same.

I'm 5 ft 1 in, so I loved the Miner's Museum. My husband, who is 6 ft. 1 in, didn't like it as much. A retired miner takes you down into a mine, which is only about 5 ft 4 in high. My poor husband's back was killing him when we came out. Really interesting, if you don't have to walk like Quasimodo.

The Alexander Bell Museum was my least favorite. I am a real museum nerd, but I thought that one was a real snore. I had more fun shopping by the pier.

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