Trip Report!! ABD Canadian Maritimes: Nova Scotia/Prince Edward Island/New Brunswick 8/25 - 9/1/24 - COMPLETE! 5/11/25

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Very much enjoyed the trip report. I know it's hard, but have you done an updated ranking for all your ABD trips? For a long time, I think the Southwest trip was your #1? I've lost count of how many you've been on now ... 13 ish?

For me it's still Original China/Original Scotland as neck-and-neck for top with original Japan a close third. I'd love to hear @calypso726's list, too. I've added "original" to all of them as Scotland is unrecognizable from the one I went on, Japan is very different (so sad to see they changed the hotels!), and China is also different now (no more Chengdu and Pandas for one, along with different hotels). For years that one didn't change much.

IMO the bigger ABD has become he more adept it has become at maximizing profit by eliminating days, meals (soooo many "on your own" now), changing/downgrading hotels and limiting the moving around. It makes me sad because in the "old days" the itineraries were really special. I know I sound like a curmudgeon, LOL. That ship has sailed (ie. the days of private planes to Lewis and hotels like the Tokyo Peninsula) but ... I miss them. For me the extreme luxury hotels was a huge part of some of these trips. I will never forget that Tokyo Peninsula room. Both DH and I separately came on the bus and said we wanted to move there.

 

[sayhello]

Very much enjoyed the trip report. I know it's hard, but have you done an updated ranking for all your ABD trips? For a long time, I think the Southwest trip was your #1? I've lost count of how many you've been on now ... 13 ish?

For me it's still Original China/Original Scotland as neck-and-neck for top with original Japan a close third. I'd love to hear @calypso726's list, too. I've added "original" to all of them as Scotland is unrecognizable from the one I went on, Japan is very different (so sad to see they changed the hotels!), and China is also different now (no more Chengdu and Pandas for one, along with different hotels). For years that one didn't change much.

IMO the bigger ABD has become he more adept it has become at maximizing profit by eliminating days, meals (soooo many "on your own" now), changing/downgrading hotels and limiting the moving around. It makes me sad because in the "old days" the itineraries were really special. I know I sound like a curmudgeon, LOL. That ship has sailed (ie. the days of private planes to Lewis and hotels like the Tokyo Peninsula) but ... I miss them. For me the extreme luxury hotels was a huge part of some of these trips. I will never forget that Tokyo Peninsula room. Both DH and I separately came on the bus and said we wanted to move there.

I've been on 15 ABDs now. (I just got back from #15 - the SoCal trip - I should be starting that Trip Report soon!)

#1 is New Zealand. I'd go back in a heartbeat. The trip had a few challenges (that day ziplining on Waiheke Island just didn't work!) but overall, it was an amazing trip. And an amazing country. And amazing people. #2 is Japan. LOVED it! It gets dicey after this. Numbers 3 - 5 are awful neck-and-neck (Greece, China and Scotland). Then the American Southwest. Not sure I can rank the rest, as they all had different excellent parts & OK parts.

I can sound like a curmudgeon, also. I know a lot of people complain about travel time and moving from hotel to hotel, but while it's not my favorite, I totally get that it's necessary to have the best experience. We definitely lose a lot of that exceptionalism in deference to people's complaints. And costs, too, I'm sure. The Park Hyatt Auckland was truly amazing (location, location, location!) and second (third?) only to the Tokyo Peninsula and the Rosewood Beijing, neither of which ABD uses anymore. So not all the trips have been cheaped out, but it does seem to be a trend. I may be wrong, but I think if something is logistically hard, and people complain about it, they just get rid of it rather than figure it out. Although I was told on good authority that the Isle of Lewis was cut because the locals there did not like ABD invading once a week...

Oh, and the good news about the China trip is that although they don't go to Chengdu anymore, they *do* still visit a Panda reserve, but it's in Xi'an. I do like the extended time in Xi'an now, making it not a death march day, but it's too bad it was at the expense of the face-changing opera.

ABD does piss me off. But I still love the product. I'm pretty sure I'm getting to a point where I won't be traveling with them as frequently anymore. I will still travel with them, but I don't see it happening every year. I don't have an ABD booked for 2026, and I ended up cancelling the Holland cruise I had booked for September. But we'll see. I'm playing everything by ear right now. Who knows?

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I've been on 15 ABDs now. (I just got back from #15 - the SoCal trip - I should be starting that Trip Report soon!)

#1 is New Zealand. I'd go back in a heartbeat. The trip had a few challenges (that day ziplining on Waiheke Island just didn't work!) but overall, it was an amazing trip. And an amazing country. And amazing people. #2 is Japan. LOVED it! It gets dicey after this. Numbers 3 - 5 are awful neck-and-neck (Greece, China and Scotland). Then the American Southwest. Not sure I can rank the rest, as they all had different excellent parts & OK parts.

I can sound like a curmudgeon, also. I know a lot of people complain about travel time and moving from hotel to hotel, but while it's not my favorite, I totally get that it's necessary to have the best experience. We definitely lose a lot of that exceptionalism in deference to people's complaints. And costs, too, I'm sure. The Park Hyatt Auckland was truly amazing (location, location, location!) and second (third?) only to the Tokyo Peninsula and the Rosewood Beijing, neither of which ABD uses anymore. So not all the trips have been cheaped out, but it does seem to be a trend. I may be wrong, but I think if something is logistically hard, and people complain about it, they just get rid of it rather than figure it out. Although I was told on good authority that the Isle of Lewis was cut because the locals there did not like ABD invading once a week...

Oh, and the good news about the China trip is that although they don't go to Chengdu anymore, they *do* still visit a Panda reserve, but it's in Xi'an. I do like the extended time in Xi'an now, making it not a death march day, but it's too bad it was at the expense of the face-changing opera.

ABD does piss me off. But I still love the product. I'm pretty sure I'm getting to a point where I won't be traveling with them as frequently anymore. I will still travel with them, but I don't see it happening every year. I don't have an ABD booked for 2026, and I ended up cancelling the Holland cruise I had booked for September. But we'll see. I'm playing everything by ear right now. Who knows?

Thank you so much for the awesome reply. I didn't realize New Zealand had catapulted to the top. That must be a fantastic trip since Japan, China and Scotland are all so amazing.

Really appreciate the comments as well. Although I haven't been on an ABD since Japan, it is mostly because none of the new trips have completed grabbed me. There are a lot I would like to do, but just not anything that I can't wait to do if that makes sense. Like you, I will probably travel with them at some point in the future, but I sometimes feel nostalgic for the old days when they were really ... special? Not sure if that's the right word. I feel like the bigger they've gotten the more mainstream they've become. The around the world trip was the exception, but that didn't last long.

Oh well, just feeling a little wistful. Thanks for humoring me

 

[Mathmagicland]

. I will never forget that Tokyo Peninsula room.

Same here! Still the best I’ve ever had, and I don’t think anything else might ever top it. I know, never say never, but that hotel is so far out in front…..the Auckland Hyatt did come closest but still not quite there. It might take somehow winning a night in the castle suite LOL which will never happen.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

Same here! Still the best I’ve ever had, and I don’t think anything else might ever top it. I know, never say never, but that hotel is so far out in front…..the Auckland Hyatt did come closest but still not quite there. It might take somehow winning a night in the castle suite LOL which will never happen.

Totally! That room was something. We still talk about it. It seems like they've moved away from most of the Peninsulas. I was surprised to see both Hong Kong and Shanghai are no longer Peninsula hotels. The guides talked about that Shanghai room the whole trip... wait until you see it, that kind of thing. It was really cool, too. And the Hong Kong hotel was such a Grande Dame, it's sad it's not on the list anymore.

 

[sayhello]

Thank you so much for the awesome reply. I didn't realize New Zealand had catapulted to the top. That must be a fantastic trip since Japan, China and Scotland are all so amazing.

Really appreciate the comments as well. Although I haven't been on an ABD since Japan, it is mostly because none of the new trips have completed grabbed me. There are a lot I would like to do, but just not anything that I can't wait to do if that makes sense. Like you, I will probably travel with them at some point in the future, but I sometimes feel nostalgic for the old days when they were really ... special? Not sure if that's the right word. I feel like the bigger they've gotten the more mainstream they've become. The around the world trip was the exception, but that didn't last long.

Oh well, just feeling a little wistful. Thanks for humoring me

I've also not been "grabbed" by any of the trips since New Zealand. There are a few I would like to do at some point, but I don't feel any sense of urgency to sign up for them.

Honestly, the around the world trip didn't grab me, either. It just sounded exhausting to me. I do like the idea of jetting in to see the Taj Mahal and the Great Pyramid, and then jetting off, but the rest seemed too travel intense for me. Maybe I'm just getting old. It probably doesn't help that I've already been to all of the Disney Parks, either. No sense of urgency for that. According to our Adventure Guide, the interest in that trip just played out. Those who were going to do it signed up for it the first year, and a few for the second year, but the interest dropped off *significantly* for the second season. They might revive it in 10 years or so, when the audience would contain a new batch of people who can and want to spend that kind of money on that trip.

Same here! Still the best I’ve ever had, and I don’t think anything else might ever top it. I know, never say never, but that hotel is so far out in front…..the Auckland Hyatt did come closest but still not quite there. It might take somehow winning a night in the castle suite LOL which will never happen.

I loved the Tokyo Peninsula. The bathroom alone was the most amazing ever!

Totally! That room was something. We still talk about it. It seems like they've moved away from most of the Peninsulas. I was surprised to see both Hong Kong and Shanghai are no longer Peninsula hotels. The guides talked about that Shanghai room the whole trip... wait until you see it, that kind of thing. It was really cool, too. And the Hong Kong hotel was such a Grande Dame, it's sad it's not on the list anymore.

It really is too bad. I keep telling people that you know you've been spoiled with hotel rooms when the Ritz Carlton is "only" very nice.

Sayhello

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I've also not been "grabbed" by any of the trips since New Zealand. There are a few I would like to do at some point, but I don't feel any sense of urgency to sign up for them.

Honestly, the around the world trip didn't grab me, either. It just sounded exhausting to me. I do like the idea of jetting in to see the Taj Mahal and the Great Pyramid, and then jetting off, but the rest seemed too travel intense for me. Maybe I'm just getting old. It probably doesn't help that I've already been to all of the Disney Parks, either. No sense of urgency for that. According to our Adventure Guide, the interest in that trip just played out. Those who were going to do it signed up for it the first year, and a few for the second year, but the interest dropped off *significantly* for the second season. They might revive it in 10 years or so, when the audience would contain a new batch of people who can and want to spend that kind of money on that trip.

I loved the Tokyo Peninsula. The bathroom alone was the most amazing ever!

It really is too bad. I keep telling people that you know you've been spoiled with hotel rooms when the Ritz Carlton is "only" very nice.

Sayhello

The part of the around the world trip that really grabbed me was the Skywalker Ranch part. I would have loved to do that. But I was turned off by the no lie flat seating. I've talked to people who did the trip and they loved it. Pretty penny though. I suspect for that kind of money I would probably rather do something else unless it included all kinds of awesome access.

And totally on the hotel room spoiling, LOL. I remember the Ritz being "nice" but no where near the other three (Rosewood and 2 Peninsulas).

 

[AquaDame]

Loved your report, thank you for sharing! You really did luck out with the weather - it was gorgeous.

I'm glad you all gushed about the room in Shanghai; you sold it so well we paid OOP for our trip and loved it just as much. I never would have known if not for you.

Same here! Still the best I’ve ever had, and I don’t think anything else might ever top it. I know, never say never, but that hotel is so far out in front…..the Auckland Hyatt did come closest but still not quite there. It might take somehow winning a night in the castle suite LOL which will never happen.

You never know...! We won a sweepstakes and stayed for a night in 2015. It does happen!

 

[sayhello]

Loved your report, thank you for sharing! You really did luck out with the weather - it was gorgeous.

I'm glad you all gushed about the room in Shanghai; you sold it so well we paid OOP for our trip and loved it just as much. I never would have known if not for you.


You never know...! We won a sweepstakes and stayed for a night in 2015. It does happen!

Glad you enjoyed the report! I have no idea how other trips did weather-wise, but we were so lucky!

Sayhello

 

[sayhello]

I just noticed that ABD has definitely plused-up the rather bland farewell dinner for this trip! This is now the current farewell dinner for 2025 & 2026:

Private After-Hours Tour of the Halifax Citadel and Farewell Dinner
Ascend to the peak of Downtown Halifax and the storied Halifax Citadel. Learn about the Halifax’s importance for the region’s security and trade alongside a Scottish Highlander during this after-hours experience. Explore the on-site museum before being led to a private dinner featuring another amazing meal of hearty Nova Scotia flavors within the historic walls of the Citadel. Cap off the experience with your fellow Adventurers, dancing and singing to Celtic-inspired entertainment.

This sounds like a much improved experience for the farewell dinner! I'm assuming from the description that the entertainers will be the same ones that performed at ours (the entertainment was wonderful. It was the food & venue at the hotel that were kind of meh). Good job!

It *is* kind of sad, however, that they've gotten rid of the trip on the Tall Ship Silva that afternoon, but I can understand that you wouldn't be able to do both. I prefer them visiting the Citadel. And this sounds way more exclusive. They still do the Salt Marshes, so it's all good!

I hope someone reports back this summer on this farewell dinner!

Sayhello

 

[*WDW*Groupie*]

Totally! That room was something. We still talk about it. It seems like they've moved away from most of the Peninsulas. I was surprised to see both Hong Kong and Shanghai are no longer Peninsula hotels. The guides talked about that Shanghai room the whole trip... wait until you see it, that kind of thing. It was really cool, too. And the Hong Kong hotel was such a Grande Dame, it's sad it's not on the list anymore.

Kind of a funny story about the room we had at the Shanghai Peninsula. We stayed there overnight on July 3rd; when everyone *except dd and I* got back to their rooms on the 4th there were lovely cupcakes with an American flag on them for the holiday. When everyone was talking about them at dinner, I quietly asked the guides if there was a mistake because dd and I didn't get any and I was told that we didn't get any since we weren't American, yet the other Cdn family (of 4) on the trip got 4 in their room (and dd and I were living in the US whereas the other family wasn't, not that it matters lol). Not sure what happened there, but it wasn't the greatest feeling to be excluded when everyone was gushing about how nice they were.

 

[sayhello]

Kind of a funny story about the room we had at the Shanghai Peninsula. We stayed there overnight on July 3rd; when everyone *except dd and I* got back to their rooms on the 4th there were lovely cupcakes with an American flag on them for the holiday. When everyone was talking about them at dinner, I quietly asked the guides if there was a mistake because dd and I didn't get any and I was told that we didn't get any since we weren't American, yet the other Cdn family (of 4) on the trip got 4 in their room (and dd and I were living in the US whereas the other family wasn't, not that it matters lol). Not sure what happened there, but it wasn't the greatest feeling to be excluded when everyone was gushing about how nice they were.

I'm sorry, but I think that sucks!! You totally should have gotten them!

Sayhello