Halifax and Sydney, NS - docking question

We are on the Carnival Triumph on September 17. Should I expect to dock or tender at these ports?

How far is the port from any downtown area where we might do some sightseeing or walking around/shopping on our own, or is a taxi necessary?

Joy - Can't comment on Sydney, but Halifax is an easy port to navigate on foot. There is a walkway along the waterfront from the piers to most of the sightseeing areas, and there are a number of tours available along the waterfront. We went to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, had lunch at a restaurant on the waterfront, and walked to the Citadel. Had a great time - my oldest son wants to go back to explore some more!

Hi Joy,

Unless there are more than a couple of ships in that day, you will dock very near downtown. A nice walk if the weather is good, a some history along the way. Be careful about ship excursions, most are a major rip-off here. If it's your first time up this way, a visit to the Fortress Lousibourg is really something to see, and if its late September, early October, then a trip around the Cabot Trail will amaze you with the colourful scenery. If you have anymore questions, let me know. If you haven't guessed, I live here.

Reg

I too live in the Maritimes, but in in Halifax. The ship docks and there's lots of shopping and sightseeing within walking distance of the ship (not to mention the great food). If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

I will be on the Carnival Triumph, sailing 7/2/05. I'm taking my 18 yr old nephew (his HS graduation present) and would like suggestions on what might be of interest to him. I know he can keep himself entertained on the ship, but the ports are another thing.

We'll be early as we are visiting mid to late May. I expect that Canadians will have planted some flowers by then, although I might be wrong? We are looking forward to going when it is not peak, and then staying several days in Montreal at the end of the cruise. First time for my spouse, and I know that she will really enjoy it. After multiple trips to Europe, Western Canada, Asia, Central and South America, and Africa coming up in the Fall, she should really enjoy what Eastern Canada has to offer. I have always enjoyed it. It's just that it is so convenient now that the US air rules have given into fair competition. Rd

We'll be early as we are visiting mid to late May. I expect that Canadians will have planted some flowers by then, although I might be wrong?

The daffodils and tulips should be out by then, and you might just catch the beginning of Lilac season... Alas, I'm not courageous enough to plant my annuals anytime before June 1st...:rolleyes:

Halifax -- If you want to get out to Peggy's Cove, Lunenbourg, or Mahone Bay, it is very easy to rent a car. Enterprise just a block or two away from the pier in the train station. We reserved in advance and rented from them this fall. Last fall (2003), we did not have reservation and were in Halifax on Canadian Thanksgiving and Enterprise was closed. Hertz has a kiosk at the pier and shuttled us to their office at the Casino Nova Scotia hotel.

Sydney -- I was in Sydney in 2003. Absolutely charming and friendly place. I reserved a car from Budget. The tourism office at the pier called Budget to come pick me up, and I drove out to Louisbourg. The rest of my group stayed in town and walked around.

The waterfront is an excellent starting place for visiting Halifax. Murphy's on the Water can co-ordinate whale watching tours, as well as schooner trips. The tall ship Silva is beautiful and can be booked (although I am unsure if Murphy's handles the bookings for this.) The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic is also located on the waterfront. Head down towards the Casino and you will hit Cows icecream shop. Mmmmmmmm. Expensive but very yummy.

A cheap way to get out on the Harbour is to take a ride on the public transportation ferry that sails to Dartmouth and back (you will have to get off and then back on). It only takes about 12 minutes each way, and currently costs $2.00. It's a nice ride. Also located by the ferry terminal is Perk's coffee shop, which is a nice spot to grab a coffee and a pastry. Or if you are hungrier, also located by the ferry terminal is the Harbourside. There is a nice food court and a couple of nice shops further in.

Mother Tuckers on Lower Water Street is also a great place for lunch (I think the prices start at 5.95 or so.) They have an awesome pasta bar on Fridays.

There are tons of restaurants and pubs in the waterfront area (or up a block or two).

For the kids, (and the kids at heart) a couple of streets up on Barrington St is a candy shop called the Freaky Lunchbox. They have all kinds of stuff I used to eat 20 years ago and thought were lost forever! :D

You can also take a stroll up Spring Garden Rd (about a 15 minute walk). There are lots of shops and restaurants on this street, and Park Lane mall which has a movie theatre. Keep going up the street and you will hit the Public Gardens, which is a great place for a nice stroll. If it is later in the day do not miss La Cave restaurant on Spring Garden ...for dessert. They have the best cheesecake in town. (My fave is triple chocolate decadence.) Spring Garden is an excellent place for people watching.

You can also walk up to Citadel Hill. It isn't very far, but it is UPHILL. Eat your wheaties :D

I have lived here all my life and my husband and I still take a day here and there to stroll around downtown.

An easy bus ride can also take you to Point Pleasant Park on Tower Road by Saint Mary's University. Though severly damaged by Hurricane Juan it is still a great place for a walk. In the summer you can catch a play by Shakespeare by the Sea.

You will have no problem finding things to fill your day!

You may have already read through this one, but here's a link to it

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=48217

If your coming to sydney anytime soon please let me know I will be happy to answer all of your questions from the tours offered by the ships to locating local honest tour operators. As for docking in Sydney on thw 17th there is only one ship in on that date so you'll have the harbour all to your self. Its approx. a 5 to 10 min. walk from the wharf to downtown sydney. As for sights in Sydney its self you have Cositt House one of the oldest house on Cape Breton Island Jost house you will see 3 different time periods with this house going back generations. St. Patricks church the oldest Roman Cath. church on the Island and was built with stone from the fortress of louisbourg. If your planning on going to Louisbourg or Baddeck or , The cabot trail please email me and i will be happy to answer all of your questions. I hope this helps. :)

I would like to drive the entire Cabot trail. How long would this take with stops for photo taking? How close to the pier is the car rental? Is the highway clearly marked? Is there a chance for getting lost? Many years ago, I was on a ship excursion on the Cabot trail. The bus drove us up the trail for about 2 1/2 hours, stopped for lunch and drove back. I would hate to drive the Cabot trail based upon a ship excursion.

Can anyone comment on Kiwi Kaboodle's Nova Scotia Tours and Travel ?

Their site is: http://www.novascotiatoursandtravel.com

Thanks.

I would like to drive the entire Cabot trail. How long would this take with stops for photo taking? How close to the pier is the car rental? Is the highway clearly marked? Is there a chance for getting lost? Many years ago, I was on a ship excursion on the Cabot trail. The bus drove us up the trail for about 2 1/2 hours, stopped for lunch and drove back. I would hate to drive the Cabot trail based upon a ship excursion.

There's no way you could drive the entire Cabot Trail during a port call in Sydney unless you are there overnight. You have to allow for rental time (some may have for pick up at the port, others are in town which is just up the hill) but the trail also doesn't start in Sydney ..see link below

http://www.tourcanada.com/cabottrl.htm

I have friends who have driven it and they told me to allow two days to fully enjoy the drive, allow for stops etc. I agree that the way to do this is not a ship tour but there are other things (Louisbourg, Baddeck) that you can do from Sydney that IMHO are wonderful..

We could use some suggestions from you please. We are 6 ladies who will be on a cruise ship that will be in Sydney on Sept 28th, 2005 from 7am until 6pm. We would like to do some whale watching, if that is possible. Can you suggest how we might do that?

When we were in Sydney two years ago in late September there were no whale watching cruises.. or at least we couldn't find one for a member of our group. If one is offered by the cruiseline that might be your best bet. A lot of things like that don't seem to operate much past Sept. 15

If your coming to sydney anytime soon please let me know I will be happy to answer all of your questions from the tours offered by the ships to locating local honest tour operators. As for docking in Sydney on thw 17th there is only one ship in on that date so you'll have the harbour all to your self. Its approx. a 5 to 10 min. walk from the wharf to downtown sydney. As for sights in Sydney its self you have Cositt House one of the oldest house on Cape Breton Island Jost house you will see 3 different time periods with this house going back generations. St. Patricks church the oldest Roman Cath. church on the Island and was built with stone from the fortress of louisbourg. If your planning on going to Louisbourg or Baddeck or , The cabot trail please email me and i will be happy to answer all of your questions. I hope this helps. :)

We will be in Sydney on the Silver Whisper. We could take a tour offered by the ship or perhaps you could offer a better tour.

Steve and Jan

If your coming to sydney anytime soon please let me know I will be happy to answer all of your questions from the tours offered by the ships to locating local honest tour operators. As for docking in Sydney on thw 17th there is only one ship in on that date so you'll have the harbour all to your self. Its approx. a 5 to 10 min. walk from the wharf to downtown sydney. As for sights in Sydney its self you have Cositt House one of the oldest house on Cape Breton Island Jost house you will see 3 different time periods with this house going back generations. St. Patricks church the oldest Roman Cath. church on the Island and was built with stone from the fortress of louisbourg. If your planning on going to Louisbourg or Baddeck or , The cabot trail please email me and i will be happy to answer all of your questions. I hope this helps. :)

Hello Capebreton! Thank you for the info. Are you able to recommend any local tour companies with whom I could book a day tour for me and my traveling companion? I suppose you could say that I'm looking to do all of the "touristy" things being a first time visitor. I appreciate anything that you might have. Feel free to e-mail me directly if you'd like as well.

Does anyone know the name of the tour operator for the Bird Island excursion in Sydney offered by Holland America Line? We will be travelling the end of this month via the Maasdam and I am trying to find out more about the tour itself.

Does anyone know the name of the tour operator for the Bird Island excursion in Sydney offered by Holland America Line? We will be travelling the end of this month via the Maasdam and I am trying to find out more about the tour itself.

Hello there,

Writing from Halifax, N.S. I found this website link that might be helpful (http://www.birdisland.net/). Enjoy your visit to Cape Breton.

Valère

I am just back from Halifax (non-cruise trip). The city is a joy to visit. A little planning and you can make a nice day of it without spending a huge pile of money.

Theordore Too was in dock when I was there, but his shop was not open as yet. The Maritime Museum has a fine Theordore exhibit and sells some of his books and t-shirts.

I walked nearly everywhere I wanted to go in Halifax, but I do love walking.

Hello there,

 

Writing from Halifax, N.S. I found this website link that might be helpful (http://www.birdisland.net/). Enjoy your visit to Cape Breton.

 

Valère

I called this tour operator. They are the exclusive vendor for Holland America for this excursion. You cannot book them independently if your onboard a HAL ship. The difference in price is $102pp ($37pp v. $139). The guy I talked with said that once you figure in transportation to their location, it will cost you about the same as the ship's excursion. If you do book independently and HAL has an excursion, they cannot allow you on the excursion boat. The guy I talked to was a real nice guy. I guess he does not want to anger his biggest customer by undercutting them.

I called this tour operator. They are the exclusive vendor for Holland America for this excursion. You cannot book them independently if your onboard a HAL ship.

How do they know? What if you just book and show up without a big hat saying "HAL" on it?

How do they know? What if you just book and show up without a big hat saying "HAL" on it?

Good point. Maybe when the ship is in port,they do not take reservations. That is just a guess. If you don't advertise it, I suppose they wouldn't know.

If your coming to sydney anytime soon please let me know I will be happy to answer all of your questions from the tours offered by the ships to locating local honest tour operators. As for docking in Sydney on thw 17th there is only one ship in on that date so you'll have the harbour all to your self. Its approx. a 5 to 10 min. walk from the wharf to downtown sydney. As for sights in Sydney its self you have Cositt House one of the oldest house on Cape Breton Island Jost house you will see 3 different time periods with this house going back generations. St. Patricks church the oldest Roman Cath. church on the Island and was built with stone from the fortress of louisbourg. If your planning on going to Louisbourg or Baddeck or , The cabot trail please email me and i will be happy to answer all of your questions. I hope this helps. :)

I would like the names of tour companies that operate out of Sydney. We will be on the Dream on Sept. 25, 2008. We would like to see some areas around Sydney. Our ship is there from 11:30-8PM. My email is: pdoeringer@yahoo.com. The ships tours are usually such rip-offs but I can't find any tour operators in Sydney. There must be some. Where can I find out the cruise ship schedule for Sydney?

Thanks