How cold/foggy is Summer Canada Cruise?

[FrannyK]

I have to book my FREE 5-nite Carnival cruise (won it at bingo on the Imagination last week!) within the next three weeks. There aren't many to choose from. Since we are in Philly, I am considering the NYC to Canada this summer on the Victory since I'd like to try a newer Carnival ship (taking the teens this time). I have read many reviews, and for some odd reason, most of them never mention the pool area or weather. A few mentioned lots of fog, cold weather (in July?), annoying fog horn sounds? and boring ports. Does any one out there have any experience/comments on this cruise in summer? Thanks!

 

FrannyK

 

Costa Riviera 1985

NCL Seaward 1987

Carnival: Fantasy 1/2000

Sensation 2/2001

Imagination 1/2002

RCI Explorer 6/2002

RCI Monarch 4/2003

Sensation 2/2004

Imagination 2/2006

Bingo FREE Carnival Cruise! 2006/2007

[nspm_1956]

Canada is hot in July and August. We use metric for our temps but it can be converted to yours which would be high 70's to mid 80's. There may be fog in the morning but burns off with the sun.

[nybumpkin]

The fog came and went for us; it certainly wasn't a constant. The day we were in Saint John (6/30) was cloudy and cool, but the next day in Halifax (7/1) was sunny and warm. I would have to say that the pool area was not nearly as crowded as it was on Conquest, but it was well used. Kids loved the waterslide. At night, they closed the magrodome over the aft pool, allowing for night swimming. We really enjoyed this cruise. Hope this helps!

[FrannyK]

The fog came and went for us; it certainly wasn't a constant. The day we were in Saint John (6/30) was cloudy and cool, but the next day in Halifax (7/1) was sunny and warm. I would have to say that the pool area was not nearly as crowded as it was on Conquest, but it was well used. Kids loved the waterslide. At night, they closed the magrodome over the aft pool, allowing for night swimming. We really enjoyed this cruise. Hope this helps!

 

Wow, that makes me feel better. I had no idea there was a magrodome over one of the pools, I will have to check out the ship layout more. Did you take any excursions? I'm wondering if they have much for teens on the ship. Is there a special "pay" restaurant, and did you try it? Did you drive to NYC pier and how is/what charge is parking there? I'm thinking about going the same time you did, over July 4th. Thanks!

 

FrannyK

 

Costa Riviera 1985

NCL Seaward 1987

Carnival: Fantasy 1/2000

Sensation 2/2001

Imagination 1/2002

RCI Explorer 6/2002

RCI Monarch 4/2003

Sensation 2/2004

Imagination 2/2006

Bingo FREE Carnival Cruise! 2006/2007

[justme_123]

I went on the Victory to Canada only to Halifax. We had one sunny day out of the 4 or 5 days we went. The sunny day lasted for 3 hours lol. You looked out to sea and it was so foggy that it looked mystical, almost as though the ship was floating. The weather was cold, rainy and just crappy the whole cruise. You could any deck chair that you wanted those days! lol In halifax, we rented a car for 50 dollars and toured around for the day. Canada is warm and hot during the summer, I lived in Canada for 13 years. I guess it was just our luck with the cruise that weekend. Halifax turned out being sunny and nice, then later on that day before we left port, started to rain. They kept the ship overly cold, and found that the majority of the passengers were complaining about the coldness. Found many people bundled up lol. I have never spent that much time in my cabin before on a cruise lol. It was still a good cruise, don't get me wrong, just remember your cruise is what you make of it. The weather sorta just depresses it a little bit =( hopefully your weather will be much better.

p.s- the fog horns were really annoying. Never heard them from my cabin, but all day when you were on deck.. its all you heard!

[SAYHEYRENEE]

I think it is a trip worth taking and heck it is free.

Yes the pool is covered but the water they fill it with is cold. The hot tubs are warm. The crowd is very different then a Miami cruise. Not much fun on the pool deck-the band was playing to about 10 people on our day at sea. Don't bother upgrading to a balcony. It is very foggy and your balcony will be wet so you can't sit. You wouldn't want to sail at night with the balcony door open or your cabin will have condensation.

Now the Positives.

Your on a cruise. Entertainment and meals are plenty. Sail away is beautiful out of NYC. You need to experience this at least once! The city is beautiful as is Lady Liberty. Also past the bridge and Coney island-where you can see the old structures.

I loved St John more so then Halifax. The history in St John and the gardens are beautiful. I would love to live there. You must try a lobster salad sandwich - their specialty. Very good.

[c85f9]

I loved St John more so then Halifax. The history in St John and the gardens are beautiful. I would love to live there. You must try a lobster salad sandwich - their specialty. Very good.

 

Sayheyrenee: Thanks! I'm From Saint John, and it is always nice to hear comments like this.

To the OP, East Coast Canadian Weather can change on a dime...most days if you wake up to fog, it will burn off by noon. You can also usually escape the fog by taking excursions further inland!! As previously mentioned, you will not have the same experience on this cruise as on say a Caribbean cruise, but it's free, and the trip will be one of a kind!! Hope to see you up our way this summer!!

Cheers!

[gamecockvic]

My family did a New England/Canadian cruise last July. Temperatures are great! They ranged from highs of about 60 (New Brunswick) to 80 (Bar Harbor). Nights are cool, but not cold. Take a jacket or two. On the top deck going into a breeze, it can also get chilly.

 

Fog was not a problem for us except one day. We were on the Bay of Fundy and encountered fog. It was literally like a wall and visibility was only a few yards.

 

Take binoculars, you will likely see whales, dolphin and other animals. The key is to be on alert at all times. I hope you enjoy your trip there as much as we did!

[SAYHEYRENEE]

Sayheyrenee: Thanks! I'm From Saint John, and it is always nice to hear comments like this.

The homes and lawns were kept so nicely there.

We took the City bus tour (the one you walk off the ship and grab the city bus route in front of the General store). The drivers are very informative and it is a cheap tour about a third that the ship charges. We really liked going to the court house. The court was closed and the officer gave us a tour. The marble spiral steps are a sight to see. We enjoyed walking through the cemetary and gardens.

[FrannyK]

I went on the Victory to Canada only to Halifax. We had one sunny day out of the 4 or 5 days we went. The sunny day lasted for 3 hours lol. You looked out to sea and it was so foggy that it looked mystical, almost as though the ship was floating. The weather was cold, rainy and just crappy the whole cruise. You could any deck chair that you wanted those days! lol In halifax, we rented a car for 50 dollars and toured around for the day. Canada is warm and hot during the summer, I lived in Canada for 13 years. I guess it was just our luck with the cruise that weekend. Halifax turned out being sunny and nice, then later on that day before we left port, started to rain. They kept the ship overly cold, and found that the majority of the passengers were complaining about the coldness. Found many people bundled up lol. I have never spent that much time in my cabin before on a cruise lol. It was still a good cruise, don't get me wrong, just remember your cruise is what you make of it. The weather sorta just depresses it a little bit =( hopefully your weather will be much better.

 

FrannyK

 

Costa Riviera 1985

NCL Seaward 1987

Carnival: Fantasy 1/2000

Sensation 2/2001

Imagination 1/2002

RCI Explorer 6/2002

RCI Monarch 4/2003

Sensation 2/2004

Imagination 2/2006

Bingo FREE Carnival Cruise! 2006/2007

p.s- the fog horns were really annoying. Never heard them from my cabin, but all day when you were on deck.. its all you heard!

 

 

Was your cruise in June, July or August? I'm hoping you're going to tell me Spring or Fall.

[FrannyK]

I think it is a trip worth taking and heck it is free.

Yes the pool is covered but the water they fill it with is cold. The hot tubs are warm. The crowd is very different then a Miami cruise. Not much fun on the pool deck-the band was playing to about 10 people on our day at sea. Don't bother upgrading to a balcony. It is very foggy and your balcony will be wet so you can't sit. You wouldn't want to sail at night with the balcony door open or your cabin will have condensation.

Now the Positives.

Your on a cruise. Entertainment and meals are plenty. Sail away is beautiful out of NYC. You need to experience this at least once! The city is beautiful as is Lady Liberty. Also past the bridge and Coney island-where you can see the old structures.

I loved St John more so then Halifax. The history in St John and the gardens are beautiful. I would love to live there. You must try a lobster salad sandwich - their specialty. Very good.

 

That is a great tip! Thanks for saving me some $--I was considering upgrading to a balcony but now I realize this is the wrong cruise for that.

 

We can also choose a Western Caribbean or Bahamas 5-night cruise for our freebie, and actually I would prefer the warmer weather of those ports, but they are the smaller class ship that we've been on a few times already. I would really like to try one of Carnival's larger ships and I think the kids would appreciate a larger ship also. Leaving from NYC would be a bonus since we wouldn't have to fly. Although airfare to Florida in the summer is pretty cheap. Since the kids are coming along this time we will have a family pow-wow to decide. I just really needed more info on Canada cruising since many of the reviews were missing the info I was most interested in. I really appreciate all of your info and opinions! Thanks!

 

FrannyK

 

Costa Riviera 1985

NCL Seaward 1987

Carnival: Fantasy 1/2000

Sensation 2/2001

Imagination 1/2002

RCI Explorer 6/2002

RCI Monarch 4/2003

Sensation 2/2004

Imagination 2/2006

Bingo FREE Carnival Cruise! 2006/2007

[Bahama Mamma]

Hi there!

 

I live in Halifax and think that July would be a wonderful time to take your cruise here. Yes we do have some fog...usually first thing in the morning, but it usually burns off.

 

There are lots of things to do while in port, you could go on a Brewery tour http://www.keiths.ca/ or spend some time at the casino http://www.casinonovascotia.com/new/halifax.php. Depending on the ages of your kids you could visit the Clay Cafe and create your own pottery www.claycafe.ca

 

Take a look at www.novascotia.com it might help you with planning your trip.

 

Cheers,

 

M.

[SAYHEYRENEE]

Hey-just noticed you are from Philly. Stop by our thread here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=44364&page=80

 

a bunch of us just get together every 3 months or so to chat about cruises we've been on and where we are going. Often we have pics etc.

[cruisinbuddy]

Any port town/city will have fog in the early am. We get roughly the same weather as you do. Heck about 8-9 times a year it goes to @ 105 degrees in my back yard.

No offence, but Americans have to stop thinking that it's all snow above the 49th parallel. I was in the Orlado aiport in '03 and met a couple from mid state NY. They said it must be cold up there in Ottawa, about 150-200 miles north of them. Well, I said, when we left NY was colder and had more snow. Do you think Minnesota,Michigan etc. are balmy all year round? They get as cold in winter and have as much snow as us, if not more.Come to Canada see for yourself.

[justme_123]

Was your cruise in June, July or August? I'm hoping you're going to tell me Spring or Fall.

 

We went July 22, 2004 lol sorry to tell you not spring or fall =(

Like everyone said the view from NYC was AMAZING! but the next day we woke up to cloudiness and fog, with a break through of sun for 3 hours tops, the rest of the cruise was all fog. When I got back from the cruise and chatted to different people on cruise critic who were on the cruise with me, we all agreed with the weather that there was not enough to keep everyone busy or entertained, especially considering everyone spent the days inside

Hopefully if you go during the summer, your experience will be much better than mine was

[nybumpkin]

Wow, that makes me feel better. I had no idea there was a magrodome over one of the pools, I will have to check out the ship layout more. Did you take any excursions? I'm wondering if they have much for teens on the ship. Is there a special "pay" restaurant, and did you try it? Did you drive to NYC pier and how is/what charge is parking there? I'm thinking about going the same time you did, over July 4th. Thanks!

 

Franny - We did drive to the pier; the Carnival Website says it's currently $24.00 a day. You'd likely come up the NJ Turnpike to the Lincoln Tunnel; it's not too bad if you're outside rush hour. (I'm originally from South Jersey and went to St. Joe's and Rutgers-Camden.) If there are other ships in port, it can be a madhouse, but we liked having our car right there. No specialty restaurant on Victory, I'm afraid - but Conquest had one, and we liked the dining room so much we didn't opt for it. Excursions - in Saint John, we just took a one-hour horse-drawn ride around town, walked around a bit, then had lunch at Steamer's across from the pier. We didn't opt for an excursion in Halifax - just went to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, walked around the waterfront, and then went up to the Citadel. Teenagers - My oldest was 13 on Victory; he did some of the Camp Carnival activities, but he was perfectly happy with visiting the arcade, getting pizza and ice cream, and swimming.

[Mask]

Hi Bahamma Momma, I live in Halifax. Nice to see a "neighbour" on the boards.

 

As previous posters stated, the weather here can change very quickly. We have a saying here: "wait 5 minutes and the weather will change". July is the best time to travel here. The weather can be beautiful with temps in the 80s. Loads to do in Halifax, including seeing Titanic artifacts, lots of great food and shopping.