Official Thread For Upcoming Eastern Canadian Cruises

[Honeystar120608]

I do have a question for you New Brunswick folks....

We have decided to rent a car in Saint John. How feasible is it for us to drive up the coast to Saint Martins, then on the Fundy Trail, then up to Fundy National Park? Does the Fundy Trail dead end, or does it now connect to the National Park (a guide book from a couple of years ago said that there were plans to have it go through, but it didn't yet)? Is this drive scenic? Are there other places we should be driving instead?

I just don't know how much time to allow for all this. We are in port all day, from 9:30 to 5:30, but I don't want to take chances. It's one thing to see distances/topography on Google maps, it's another to experience it first hand!

I have never been to St Martin's, so I looked up their website. Honestly, if it takes up more time on your day, I'd go directly to Fundy. Especially if you are wanting to do some of their hiking trails (which are fantastic!)

There is a place just outside of Fundy called Alma, and when i say right outside, literally 3 min drive. I haven't been here in YEARS, but they have THE best sticky buns. I remember getting them as a child, the locals flock there just for the sticky buns. We have a trip planned for the long weekend in May to kick off the camping season, this will be our first stop before getting into Fundy.

http://www.bakersjournal.com/content/view/738/38/
Seriously, YUMMY!

There are a few local restaurants along the entrance to the park. Seafood is served fresh and delicious. Nothing frilly, but that's how we like it here, good food, lovely people, and a beautiful view. I recall one restaurant where you can sit out on their deck with the fresh ocean air on your. ACK! I want to go now!

Unfortunately you do have to drive around through Sussex. There are no other highways even though they speak of it often. Honestly, it's a pretty drive. It will go by quickly. Sussex is known for it's COWS. Sounds fun right? But it's a hilly farm area that is postcard worthy. We will be going to Sussex this summer (not far from Moncton!) to camp as they have a huge flea market one week in the summer. I believe it's in August. The camp ground has a Halloween in the summer that the kids are SO excited about!

Since you are in port from 930-530 I highly suggest going straight to Fundy and relaxing. Hike, swim, rent a canoe, drive around to the covered bridges, there is a pool that has the sea water flowing in it...would have to dbl check to see if it's open to the public. Walk along the coast, the kids can pick up shells, There might even be horseback rides offered there. Grab a fresh cooked meal, soak up the sun.

If you really want the little fishing village feel, Saint Andrews is PERFECT for that. Nothing against Saint Martins, but the idea of going to these beautiful places is to take it all in. You can't do that if your are in a rush and worried about the time, kwim?

I hope this helps!

 

[Honeystar120608]

Another option for those where renting a vehicle is an option.

http://www.kingslanding.nb.ca/english/index.htm

Kingslanding is one of our FAVORITE spots. It would be about 1hr 45min drive from Saint John and you could easy do hours and hours here. the walking around is lovely and fresh. The views are so nice, the houses are beautiful, ALL ages would love this. My son loves the farms and animals and the the old Saw Mill with the water wheel. You get horse and wagon rides from the main buildings to wherever you want to get off(the main buildings has some good local arts and crafts that make me proud!).
There is a little corner shop to buy little mementos too. The 'characters' love to explain how everything works and our kids from a young age took to this like nuts. In one barn, 2 years ago, they saw a litter of kittens. Well! That resulted in us coming home and 3 weeks later we caved and got them a kitten.

Seriously, if this is your'thing' I HIGHLY recommend it.

There is also a restaurant, it's all in that time period, even the food! i've never tried it but have friends who just love doing it yearly.

I'm not sure if this will work, but this is the album on FB of our Kings Landing trip 2 summers ago. (boy how the kids have grown!)
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.215245395525.283184.683590525&type=3&l=8de646b70c

 

[Kristina - Mom]

sounds like St. Andrews would be great. How far away is that from the port in St. John's? We so want to get out and explore, but with a 10 and 5 year old we don't want to spend significant time in a car or on a bus. I am also originally from the coast of Maine so some pictures seem really similar/familiar to maine so want to find something different!!!

Love all this information....thank you!

Kristina

 

[Honeystar120608]

sounds like St. Andrews would be great. How far away is that from the port in St. John's? We so want to get out and explore, but with a 10 and 5 year old we don't want to spend significant time in a car or on a bus. I am also originally from the coast of Maine so some pictures seem really similar/familiar to maine so want to find something different!!!

Love all this information....thank you!

Kristina

St Andrews is about 1hr 30 mins from Saint John (Not to be confused with St John's which is in Newfoundland...there have been people flying in to the wrong province! lol)

It is worth the drive, I promise. Especially where you have 2 children at different ages to entertain. I would highly recommend this...
http://www.jollybreeze.com/
If whale watching is interesting to you, this is perfect for your kids! Very kid oriented. I have family who have done it and I can't wait to do it ourselves!

Here is Saint Andrews By The Sea...
http://www.standrewsbythesea.ca/visit/

 

[llqool]

I have never been to St Martin's, so I looked up their website. Honestly, if it takes up more time on your day, I'd go directly to Fundy.

When you say "Fundy", do you mean the trail or the National Park? (b/c it seems like they are two different places, right?)

If you really want the little fishing village feel, Saint Andrews is PERFECT for that. Nothing against Saint Martins, but the idea of going to these beautiful places is to take it all in. You can't do that if your are in a rush and worried about the time, kwim?

I agree about not wanting to rush and be in a panic about missing the boat! But Saint Andrews is in the opposite direction from Fundy national park, so I don't know that it's feasible to do both.

Looking at the pictures of Hopewell rocks, I really want to go up there. If we have our own vehicle, we could stop along the way and we would also be going right by Fundy National Park (and those sticky buns you mentioned in Alma!). Am I right in thinking those rocks are pretty unique? That although the tides are dramatic all along the coast, that is the only place where it looks like that?

So does that sound like a feasible drive? Two hours each way in our own vehicle doesn't really put me off -- we are a family that often makes roadtrips.

 

[mkmommy]

Hopewell Rocks and high tides. I checked tide schedules and the day we would be there high tides are at 11:00 AM, so walking on the ocean floor would be out, would it still be worth 4 hours of driving?

 

[llqool]

I was wondering the same thing about high tides. But I looked on our date, and while the high tide is at 1:20 (much later - yikes!), the low tide is at 4:26. And it says on the Hopewell Rocks tide table:

"The seven hour time frame to safely walk
on the ocean floor at the Hopewell Rocks
has been established around the exact
low tide time (3 ½ hours before and after
each low tide)."

So that would mean that the tide comes in and goes right out? So almost right after the high tide, it would be safe to walk on the ocean floor? Very confusing. I may try and call up there!

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

Thank you, Honeystar, for joining in with all of your great local information! You "locals" are making this a very special experience for us all!

 

[Ted in Halifax]

This is usually where cruise ships dock .... right beside these buildings

 

[peachygreen]

Wow! That looks beautiful. I can't wait to be there!

 

[SUZI]

Our children (elementary age) are not really excited about the Saint John excursions.
Does anyone have any thoughts on "Trolley Round Saint John"
I was looking for something low-key, something where we can see Saint John and not bore the kids. I thought this excursion might give us a "taste" of the place, and afterwards we could do whatever we were in the mood.

 

[jkpmac]

For anyone planning on doing things on their own when the Magic stops in Saint john, and for that matter anyone at all, go to this link at the bottom of the page you can request them to send you the Touring New Brunswick Booklet, for free. YOU NEED THIS RESOURCE!!!!!! It is published by the Provincial Government, and is an excellent source of information.

Here is the Link:

http://www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca/

It can help you identify things to do, and may generate some interest for the kids when they aren't being wowed by the Cruise Port Adventures.

 

[taximom00]

Our children (elementary age) are not really excited about the Saint John excursions.
Does anyone have any thoughts on "Trolley Round Saint John"
I was looking for something low-key, something where we can see Saint John and not bore the kids. I thought this excursion might give us a "taste" of the place, and afterwards we could do whatever we were in the mood.

We are leaning toward the train ride. Seems like something different. Traveling with my 78 year old mother and 13 year old daughter so definitely hard to find things appealing to all.

Honestly, I wanted to go to Hopewell Rocks but the thought of spending the entire time in port on that excursion (1 1/2 hour bus ride each way) just wasn't doing it for me!

Considered the whale watch but felt it was too pricey for what it is!

 

[taximom00]

For anyone planning on doing things on their own when the Magic stops in Saint john, and for that matter anyone at all, go to this link at the bottom of the page you can request them to send you the Touring New Brunswick Booklet, for free. YOU NEED THIS RESOURCE!!!!!! It is published by the Provincial Government, and is an excellent source of information.

Here is the Link:

http://www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca/

It can help you identify things to do, and may generate some interest for the kids when they aren't being wowed by the Cruise Port Adventures.

Thanks for the link. I just ordered it.
Last week I ordered the one for Nova Scotia and it came within a week! I wish I remembered the link but for those of you interested, google Nova Scotia Tourism and I'm sure you can find it. I've enjoyed reading the magazine and realize that I really need to visit for more than a day to enjoy it!

 

[DonnettaR]

Anybody heard anything about this hotel? Only review I found is negative about staff, which I can live with.

 

[pjstevens]

.

Here is the Link:

http://www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca/

It can help you identify things to do, and may generate some interest for the kids when they aren't being wowed by the Cruise Port Adventures.

Thank you so much for the link. I just requested the booklet. Do you know if there is something like that for Halifax? We are looking to rent a car at each port and venture out on our own.

 

[jilljill]

Thank you so much for the link. I just requested the booklet. Do you know if there is something like that for Halifax? We are looking to rent a car at each port and venture out on our own.

Check taximom00's post above.

 

[Ted in Halifax]

Thank you so much for the link. I just requested the booklet. Do you know if there is something like that for Halifax? We are looking to rent a car at each port and venture out on our own.

Try this
http://www.novascotia.com/en/home/default.aspx

 

[disneypal218]

What great advice from all posters. But here's one questin I have not seen:

Can we use US dollars in the stores and restaurants in Canada? I'll admit I am ignorant on this matter - I have never been to Canada before.

Also, what will the weather be like - traveling on the 6/17 Magic cruise.
Do we need heavy jackets for touring the cities?

Thanks,

 

[jkpmac]

What great advice from all posters. But here's one questin I have not seen:

Can we use US dollars in the stores and restaurants in Canada? I'll admit I am ignorant on this matter - I have never been to Canada before.

Also, what will the weather be like - traveling on the 6/17 Magic cruise.
Do we need heavy jackets for touring the cities?

Thanks,

My best advice for exchanging is that most will, some may not, but there are a dozen banks all within walking distance that will change money over for you. Credit Cards are an option, visa and mastercard are the most frequent, but most places take american express.

As for the weather a spring jacket will be fine I imagine, but likely by then the weather will be very comfortable.