Halifax

Hi,

My wife and I are going on our first cruise (Canada) on 7/10 on the Victory.

A couple of questions:

1) We are planning to do an excursion in St. John's, but were thinking about going out on our own in Halifax. Is there stuff to do around the port, any car rental places or do you really have to go for the excursion?

2) My wife has horrible asthma and cigarette smoke can trigger a really bad attack. We are wondering if we are going to have a problem (in the cabin from previous people having smoked) - on the balcony and on the ship in general.

Thanks!

Hi,

 

My wife and I are going on our first cruise (Canada) on 7/10 on the Victory.

 

A couple of questions:

1) We are planning to do an excursion in St. John's, but were thinking about going out on our own in Halifax. Is there stuff to do around the port, any car rental places or do you really have to go for the excursion?

 

2) My wife has horrible asthma and cigarette smoke can trigger a really bad attack. We are wondering if we are going to have a problem (in the cabin from previous people having smoked) - on the balcony and on the ship in general.

 

Thanks!

There is a ton of stuff to do in Halfiax within walking distance of the pier. There is also car rentals available if you decide to due a driving tour (to Peggy's cove for example).

Your wife should have no trouble with the room (if there is residual oders, bring it up with your Steward). She will probably want to stay out of the casino.

Make sure you are up on deck, or on the port side as you arrive. The bagpipes and town cryer are not to be missed!

We enjoyed walking around town in Halifax. Walked up to the Citadel for the views, and a tour, down to the Titanic museum, did the river walk (although there were plenty of rickshaws around)!

Another time we took the tour out to Peggy's Cove. Unfortunately, it was a miserable day!

We also walked around in St John's. We just weren't in the mood for a tour, and had a lovely walk around town.

If you enjoy history the Citadel in nearby and many other sights. Peggy's cove is quite a distance from Halifax ( if I remember about 1 1/2 hours) so that is a long way to go on your own and there wasn't that much there. Some shopping (very pricey) lighthouse and little restaurant. Very picturesque but not a lot to do.

This is the link to the Halifax tourist site

http://www.halifaxinfo.com/

We did this cruise 2 years ago and enjoyed it very much. If I did it again I would just tour around Halifax on our own. In St John's we did the tour to St Andrews, again very pretty mostly shopping.

Halifax is wonderful for walking. The boardwalk alone (perhaps a mile and a half) is fun and exploring the city a joy.

We are also non-smokers and are highly sensitive to cigarette smoke. It probably won't be a problem in your cabin, but the bars, lounges and casino are problematic. As an aside, it's about time, the cruise lines installed better air filtration systmes in public areas which allow smoking or simply ban it altogether.

They have a "ride the ducks" excursion (land / sea vehicles) in Halifax too. I haven't done it, but it looks like fun.

Suzy

I always travel with fabric softener dryer sheets. They are suppose to remove smoke odor. I leave them in my suitcase. I've never had that problem on a ship but have in hotel rooms. Then if something happens you have to do laundry, you have fabric softener.

Check out the link that Sue L provided. There is a Free Halifax guide book you can order. It is chocked full of information, not just restaurants and hotels like most guide books. There is also a free bus that goes around town. This will be our first trip to Halifax. I didn't feel like I wanted to waist the travel time to get to Peggy's Cove when there is so much to see right there in Halifax.

Make sure you are up on deck, or on the port side as you arrive. The bagpipes and town cryer are not to be missed!

 

We enjoyed walking around town in Halifax. Walked up to the Citadel for the views, and a tour, down to the Titanic museum, did the river walk (although there were plenty of rickshaws around)!

 

Another time we took the tour out to Peggy's Cove. Unfortunately, it was a miserable day!

 

We also walked around in St John's. We just weren't in the mood for a tour, and had a lovely walk around town.

the bagpipes sound so cool. is that where they give the ladies a rose??? can you tell me how the citadel tour was?? i am really interested in it and cant find out about how much it cost to get in and the hours it is open. i want to do walking tours on my own in the ports if the weather will cooperate.

thanks alot. i cant wait for the summer too get over and i get there. :)

There is lots of stuff within walking distance from the port in Halifax. Citadel Hill, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic (Titanic exhibit) and Public Gardens are all within a short walk. During the summer months there is a free bus service called FRED that will take you to these places as well should you choose not to walk. As well there is a boardwalk along the harbour that is lined with restaurants and gift shops. You could also contact Murphy's On the Water for a harbour/city tour. I know that many of the cruiseships offer these tours as excursions.

http://www.murphysonthewater.com/

FYI, St. John's is in Newfoundland - you won't be going there on your cruise. Saint John is in New Brunswick - this is your other Port. Just wanted to clarify this incase someone decides to start searching for activities in St. John's....only to find out too late that they won't be in that city.

There is lots of stuff within walking distance from the port in Halifax. Citadel Hill, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic (Titanic exhibit) and Public Gardens are all within a short walk. During the summer months there is a free bus service called FRED that will take you to these places as well should you choose not to walk. As well there is a boardwalk along the harbour that is lined with restaurants and gift shops. You could also contact Murphy's On the Water for a harbour/city tour. I know that many of the cruiseships offer these tours as excursions.

 

http://www.murphysonthewater.com/

 

FYI, St. John's is in Newfoundland - you won't be going there on your cruise. Saint John is in New Brunswick - this is your other Port. Just wanted to clarify this incase someone decides to start searching for activities in St. John's....only to find out too late that they won't be in that city.

you are full of great info :) . i had not seen anything mentioned of '' fred '' untill now. that would be a great way to get around too. thanks for the tip. yes, we changed from sydney to st. john in new brunswick. i was confused at first about it being the other one but i a know now which port we will be in. and i still have it on file about murphy's. ;)

It is Saint John in New Brunswick and St. John's in Newfoundland. Notice that "Saint" is spelled out and not abberviated in NB . :)

the bagpipes sound so cool. is that where they give the ladies a rose??? can you tell me how the citadel tour was?? i am really interested in it and cant find out about how much it cost to get in and the hours it is open.

Here's a link to the Parks Canada info on the Citadel. It's a fun tour, especially when the enactors/re-enactors/characters or whatever you call them are into it.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/halifax/index_e.asp

Here's a link to the Parks Canada info on the Citadel. It's a fun tour, especially when the enactors/re-enactors/characters or whatever you call them are into it.

http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/halifax/index_e.asp

great site. i am going to peak into it tonight. :)

Halifax Major Attractions_Downtown Walking Map

We hope to cruise New England / Canada next May - will it be time for the flowers to be blooming in Halifax and the area? We hoped to see Springtime since we are not aiming for fall foilage - but not sure when your spring is!

Thanks

We hope to cruise New England / Canada next May - will it be time for the flowers to be blooming in Halifax and the area? We hoped to see Springtime since we are not aiming for fall foilage - but not sure when your spring is!

 

Thanks

Never been in Halifax in may but it seems quite early in the year. I think the only flowers you may see will be tulips. but I may be wrong.

i am hoping to see alot of colors from the fall flowers the 2nd week of sept. i know i will too early for the leaves but the other folaige will be wonderful to see.

I was born and brought up in Halifax even tho I live in Georgia now. I go back every summer (to cool off) so I can answer some of your questions. Altho I see you have been given fabulous links and information already

When you get off the ship and go through Pier 21 go to your right and this will lead you to a boardwalk which is long and wonderful beside the harbor. There are restaurants and shops galore and a Ships of the Sea museum with actual artifacts from the Titanic. Across the street from the boadwalk there are more shops as well as a fresh market place in an old brewery (Keith's) and so and so on as you go up the hill. There is more than enough to keep you occupied while the ship is in port.

You asked about Peggy's Cove which would mean renting a car if there was not a bus tour available. The weather has to be nice to go out there as it is quite cold even on a warm day. The waves can be fabulous out there, crashing against the rocks but anytime I have taken friends to show off the surf, it has been a flat calm......go figure. It is a about an hour's drive out there as the road is twisty turny. There is a restaurant there that has the best lobster and hot gingerbread and blueberry pie! Food of the gods, let me tell you.

Someone asked about seeing foliage in May in Halifax. Emails from friends and family this year say they are just starting to get all leaves this past week and it has been cold and rainy with the inevitable fog. A famous photo of city is plain white ......caption reads "Halifax in the fog" and it is like that a lot in the early summer. Your best bet for fabulous foliage and less fog is to do one of the September cruises there.

Someday you should go back there by car and drive down the south shore,via the lighthouse route to Chester and Lunenburg and feast on lobster and other wonderful seafood. Also, if you like bagpipes and rolling hills and the sea go to the northern part of NS which is Cape Breton and drive around the trail. WOW!

Hope this has been help to you......and as a fellow down in Chester NS told me once "yer lives 'til yer dies, doncha know."

thanks for the great tips. i am going to spend the day walking, shopping and eating while in halifax. i am sure i will be kept busy and enjoy the day trumendously.

thanks we will be watching this cam .

We will be there on Thursday on the Victory. Looks like the temp is going to be 59

We will be there on Thursday on the Victory. Looks like the temp is going to be 59

Besides something for warmth, pack an umbrella. It has rained everyday here in Halifax for the last two weeks :(