Official Thread For Upcoming Eastern Canadian Cruises

[jkpmac]

My wife's cousin and her husband live just out side of Saint John, I figured if anyone had done it he would of, or one of his friends, but I guess they haven't. One thing I can say about it is that I found more good reviews then bad.

As for walking, I will get a map uploaded with the route highlighted and a scale to indicate how far it will be.

 

[jkpmac]

You most likely would see them on the Whale Watching and Fundy Coast excursions, no promises though! Before you finalize let me check it out!

 

[jkpmac]

This link will take you to some pdf files of Historic walking tours of Saint John

http://www.saintjohn.ca/en/home/cityservices/communityenrichment/heritageconservation/historicwalkingtours.aspx

This is the bus route link:
http://www.saintjohntransit.com/index.cfm?event=page.view&filename=routes-schedules.cfm

And finally a Map of uptown Saint john witch shows where the cruise ships dock, and a walking trail to Reversing Falls, as well as other local sites!

http://www.tourismsaintjohn.com/contentfiles/file/Uptown%20SJ%20Map%2007.jpg

 

[jkpmac]

I have e-mailed a Fundy Research facility, to see if they can tell me about the best viewing locations in this area. I will let you know what I find out.

Also, still looking for Dr. Who stuff, although we are part of the Commonwealth, we don't get a lot of BBC stuff, save for late night, although I personally think Dr. Who rocks, and I like the British version of Being Human over the North American one. I will keep looking!

 

[sabrecmc]

Thanks for the info on times! That is hugely helpful.

Now a more general question for our northern neighbors...I have a 6 year old daughter with me...anything that really jumps to mind as a "must-do" for that age? I was looking at the Tall Ship Silva sailing in Hallifax...but, we live on the Gulf Coast of FL and have a "pirate ship" that does essentially the same thing. Then I was thinking of whale watching....but, the reviews seem to say that the waters off Hallifax aren't the best bet. That's a boring 2 hours with a 6 year old if there are no whales! I'm pretty sure I'd be paying $$$ for her to play Angry Birds, lol.

In St. John, I was thinking of the Alice tea party, but then I think, well, they have the Alice tea party right down the road at WDW, why not do something I can't do here? So maybe the Hopewell Rocks? Or the Bay of Fundy RR? Or would whale watching be better there?

I am

 

[ksloane]

Can anyone direct me to the closest post office at each port? We like to send a post card home from every vacation.

Also, any idea about what we can expect to pay to mail post cards from Canada to US?

THanks

 

[jkpmac]

Bad news about Dr. Who items, nothing in Saint john that carries BBC stuff. I am not sure about Halifax. however, my mother-in-law used to get a bbc catalogue, I looked around (honestly she never throws anything away) but couldn't find one. However here is the link for BBC Canada, you can compare prices to your sources.
http://www.bbccanadashop.com/

As for postage, right now a standard letter from Canada to the US is about $1.05 Canadian. They can exchange at the store I imagine. Just about any store sells stamps, but I can`t say if they carry ones for posting to the US.

Here is the link to the Canada post, you can locate post offices by clicking on the Post Office locator tab.

http://www.canadapost.ca

 

[jkpmac]

Thanks for the info on times! That is hugely helpful.

Now a more general question for our northern neighbors...I have a 6 year old daughter with me...anything that really jumps to mind as a "must-do" for that age? I was looking at the Tall Ship Silva sailing in Hallifax...but, we live on the Gulf Coast of FL and have a "pirate ship" that does essentially the same thing. Then I was thinking of whale watching....but, the reviews seem to say that the waters off Hallifax aren't the best bet. That's a boring 2 hours with a 6 year old if there are no whales! I'm pretty sure I'd be paying $$$ for her to play Angry Birds, lol.

In St. John, I was thinking of the Alice tea party, but then I think, well, they have the Alice tea party right down the road at WDW, why not do something I can't do here? So maybe the Hopewell Rocks? Or the Bay of Fundy RR? Or would whale watching be better there?

I am

Actually if you are going to go whale watching, I would save it for Saint John. We have gone several times with different providers in that area and have always seen whales, some close, some far.

If your daughter doesn`t mind looking at bugs then she would enjoy the critter adventures in the bay of fundy too. ( I mean if she isn`t scared of bugs she wouldn`t mind crabs and starfish.) In Halifax, I think the Pink Bus tours might be a plus. That way you could go to the museum, there is a Discovery center for kids, I will have to check that it is on the route, and Duck Boat tours of the harbour which are fun like Theodore, with the plus of having a land based tour. Finally along the harbour there are these.......

http://www.beavertailsinc.com/

Don`t leave Halifax without trying one!!!

Hopewell Rocks is a 50 50 for going down to the beach, it all depends on the tides and Disney can`t control them (yet). Still Fundy is a beautiful National Park!!

I am going to look at each adventure and give what info I can on it from a local point of view, as soon as I can. If my wife hadn`t got me addicted to CastleVille on Facebook, I would be done by now

 

[joannalh]

Thanks for the info on times! That is hugely helpful.

Now a more general question for our northern neighbors...I have a 6 year old daughter with me...anything that really jumps to mind as a "must-do" for that age? I was looking at the Tall Ship Silva sailing in Hallifax...but, we live on the Gulf Coast of FL and have a "pirate ship" that does essentially the same thing. Then I was thinking of whale watching....but, the reviews seem to say that the waters off Halifax aren't the best bet. That's a boring 2 hours with a 6 year old if there are no whales! I'm pretty sure I'd be paying $$$ for her to play Angry Birds, lol.
I am

Yeah, I wouldn't do Silva if you can do something similar at home. And I've never actually done whale watching, but I've heard the same thing, that Halifax isn't the greatest place to do it.

My kids are 8 and 5 (and 3 months) and if I were you I would stick around the harbour and do the Maritime Museum and/or Theodore tugboat. There is a nice brand new playground right by the museum as well. And I agree with suggestions to eat a Beavertail (Killaloe Sunrise is my favourite kind-sooo yummy.), and also have a Cows ice cream and check out their store:
http://www.cows.ca/

If you do decide to do Theodore tugboat it may be fun for your daughter to watch him on youtube first:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0IhhhPUtQ0&feature=related
(It used to be a TV show, kind of like Thomas the tank engine but with boats.)

You can easily do these things on your own. This is a pretty good map:
http://www.cruisehalifax.ca/our-city/city-map.html
The ship will be at #22
Maritime museum/playground at #15
Beavertails and Theodore between #15 and #10
Some nice shopping at #13
Cows store just after #13.
The walk would be about 25 minutes each way with a six year old. Many places to eat lunch on the way. If you're coming in summer there's often some kind of festival going on in which case there'd also be people doing face painting and that kind of thing.

 

[estewart0901]

So I've cruised outside of the US before (Mexico, Belize) and have been able to use US Cash or my credit cards do I need to exchange for Canadian currency?

Thanks in Advance!

 

[peachygreen]

For the locals could you critique my plans in Halifax with 2 adults in decent shape and a 2 and 6 year old? We will have a stroller for the 2 year old - the 6 year old will have to walk.

Magic ashore time in Halifax is listed at 8:30am Local time - I confirmed this with the time listed on the Halifax Port Website. Magic is the only ship scheduled to be in Halifax on July 17th. Pier 22 - 8:30 to 16:30

Option 1 - On our own - Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Harbor and Theodore Too.

Leave at our leisure and walk along waterfront to Maritime Museum. The museum opens at 9:30am on Tuesdays in the summer time. We can take our time exploring the harbor on the way there and possibly play at the playground before it opens.

Go to the museum from 9:30 - 11:30. Enjoy exhibits.

Get lunch somewhere nearby.

Book either the 12:30 or 1:45 Harbor Tour on Theodore Too.

Go back to the museum if there was anything we missed. Enjoy a walk back to the ship. Get some ice cream at Cows.
Option 1 Cost for our family excluding meals and incadentals (including 15% tax) is $99.14 CND

Option 2 - On our own walking tour of Halifax including Maritime Museum of Atlantic and Citadel.
Leave at our leisure and walk along waterfront to Maritime Museum. The museum opens at 9:30am on Tuesdays in the summer time. We can take our time exploring the harbor on the way there and possibly play at the playground before it opens.

Go to the museum from 9:30 - 11:30. Enjoy exhibits.

Get lunch somewhere nearby.

Wander up the hill walking by several sights including St. Pauls church, the Grand parade, Neptune Theater, Old Town Clock, Carlelton House etc on our way to the Citadel.

Visit the Citadel.

If time and legs permit walk to the Public Gardens - otherwise walk back to the ship. Approximately distance (not including exploring) for walking tour with Public Garden's is 6.0km without Public Gardens 5.2km.

Option 2 Cost for our family excluding meals and incadentals (including 15% tax) is $59.17 CND

 

[joannalh]

I think those are both good options. I'd probably pick the first one with kids that young, although Theodore is a bit pricy for what it is. If you do go with that you may want to have someone go ahead and book Theodore for later before you do the museum to make sure it doesn't get all booked up. On the other hand with option 2 you'd get a bit more of a feel for the city and my kids like the Citadel too. My main concern is that there are a lot of steep hills on the way to the Citadel. My kids could do it but there would be some whining.

Re: U.S. cash: I think major tourist destinations (e.g. museums, guided tours) would take U.S. cash, but I'm not sure about small restaurants and that kind of thing.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

Option 2 >>> the Citadel is very interesting >>> just remember the noon gun fires at, of course, noon. It will shock you if you aren't expecting it!

noon gun > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoR9_4N9upw

There's some good info here on tours on the waterfront http://www.mtcw.ca/

 

[jkpmac]

I emailed the Huntsman Science Center with regards to Puffins. According to them there is a possibility of seeing puffins, but you really need to keep you eyes peeled as they are quite small. They also said there was a colony on a small Island near Grand Mannan Island, but I don't know if your tour will go to that area. FYI the island is called Machias Seal Island.

For anyone considering going to St Andrews, The Huntsman and its Aquarium are certainly worth a visit! here is some info:

Monday- Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m

Prices:

Adults $14.00

Seniors (65+) $11.50

Children (4-17) $9.75

Children (Under 4) Free



There are also group rates for group of 10 people or more:

Adults $11.50

Seniors (65+) $9.50

Children (4-17) $8.00

Children (Under 4) Free


and a link
http://www.huntsmanmarine.ca/index.html

 

[TaiTai1]

jkpmac: thank you so much for getting the information on the puffins. It will be hit or miss, I think. The Puffins may hang out on islands, so maybe we'll catch them on the St. John Bay of Fundy Whale & Wildlife watching. THANKS!

 

[ksloane]

My daughter learned about the Titanic today in history so that cinched our decisions on what to do in Halifax....we have to do Titanic excursions. So....I am thinking of doing the Learn the Ropes excursion which goes to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic (http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...ve-youth-activity-and-hop-on-hop-off-halifax/)

It also includes the Pink hop on hop off tickets so my question is would this bus go anywhere near the Fairview Cemetary? If not, how far away is this, how easy/hard would it be to get to it on our own?

I'm thinking we'll do this excursion and maybe try to catch a later Theodore Tugboat at the end of the day.

 

[joannalh]

Yes, the Titanic stuff at the museum is good and I think they're updating it a bit for the 100th anniversary. My daughter (8) is really interested in the Titanic as well. Fairview cemetary is a bit out of the way though and probably not worth the effort to get there. The pink bus wouldn't go there.

 

[ksloane]

Yes, the Titanic stuff at the museum is good and I think they're updating it a bit for the 100th anniversary. My daughter (8) is really interested in the Titanic as well. Fairview cemetary is a bit out of the way though and probably not worth the effort to get there. The pink bus wouldn't go there.

Thanks. I was trying to pull it all up on the map and I see it is a good distance from port. We will do the museum for sure though...at least that's one port planned!

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

I'm also finding Halifax easier to plan first!
The Titanic thing sort of freaks me out, though I think my teens would be intrigued by it. So here's what I'm thinking for my group:

Up, breakfast, off the boat.
Wander the attractions at the pier, then along the promenade/harbor walk.
Buy ice cream at COWS and/or a Beaver Tail treat, before and/or after the
Maritime Museum on our own. Opens at 9:30.
Afterwards, start uphill to candystore called Freak Lunchbox.
Depending on time/hunger ...etc ... options are:
*Go back to boat.
*Continue uphill to Citadel.
*Go back down to the port and catch a ferry-ride across to Dartsmouth and back, just to be on the water.
*Book a Tall Ship sailing ( 1 1/2 hours?)something like tall ship Mar
http://www.mtcw.ca/Schedules.php

Welcome any comments from those of you who know the city!!! Thanks!

 

[jkpmac]

I'm also finding Halifax easier to plan first!
The Titanic thing sort of freaks me out, though I think my teens would be intrigued by it. So here's what I'm thinking for my group:

Up, breakfast, off the boat.
Wander the attractions at the pier, then along the promenade/harbor walk.
Buy ice cream at COWS and/or a Beaver Tail treat, before and/or after the
Maritime Museum on our own. Opens at 9:30.
Afterwards, start uphill to candystore called Freak Lunchbox.
Depending on time/hunger ...etc ... options are:
*Go back to boat.
*Continue uphill to Citadel.
*Go back down to the port and catch a ferry-ride across to Dartsmouth and back, just to be on the water.
*Book a Tall Ship sailing ( 1 1/2 hours?)something like tall ship Mar
http://www.mtcw.ca/Schedules.php

Welcome any comments from those of you who know the city!!! Thanks!

That sounds like a nice day, I would suggest you drop the "or" between cows icecream and beavertails . Also, while you are exploring the town going to that candy shop, Stop at a pub, have an Alexander Keiths Beer, the kids can have a soda, you could also sample some local cooking. The Historic Properties along the Waterfront have all kinds of Crafts and Artisans.

The Museum not only has Titanic information, but also the Halifax Explosion information, this explosion literally wipped Halifax off the map. I believe that Nova Scotia sends a Christmas Tree to Boston every year ( a big one) in thanks for their help in that terrible disaster.

As for the Fairview Cemetary, the museum might actually have pictures, the next best thing.