Canada & New England Cruises: Excursions

Picturesque, historic and entertaining, the lively city of Portland incorporates the character and charm of its past with a developing urban community. Your tour begins with a scenic drive through the quaint streets of the Old Port where street lanterns highlight a gracious mix of architectural styles. Once the home of the warehouse district, the red brick buildings have been transformed into charming restaurants, pubs, unique boutiques and galleries. Continuing to Munjoy Hill, enjoy terrific views of Casco Bay and the islands from Fort Allen Park before continuing past one of the city’s most celebrated landmarks, the Portland Observatory. Passing through the business and commercial center you’ll see Portland’s new Arts District, as well as the beautiful facade of City Hall before entering the Western Promenade, one of America’s best-preserved Victorian residential neighborhoods. Entered into the National Register of Historical Places in 1982, the Western Promenade is built on a cliff’s edge, rising 175 feet above sea level and remains one of the wealthiest areas of the city. Situated just outside the city center and along the beautiful rocky coast of Cape Elizabeth is Fort Williams. Once a military outpost for coastal defense, it is now the home of the oldest lighthouse in Maine. First illuminated on January 10, 1791, Port Head Light has since stood at the gateway to Portland Harbor for mariners traveling Maine’s perilous coast. A short photo stop will be made before returning to your ship. Note: At Portland Head Light, walking is at guest’s discretion; from the bus parking area to the lighthouse guests must walk approximately 200 yards over even and uneven terrain with a few steps. less

Welcome to New France! Discover the European charm and character of the first French City in North America as you explore the city sites and learn the fascinating history of Quebec's 400-year legacy. Perched on a hill overlooking the St. Lawrence River is the Chateau Frontenac, the best-known landmark in Quebec. Located just outside the Chateau is the romantic boardwalk known as Dufferin Terrace from where you'll have a spectacular view of the St. Lawrence River, Ile d'Orleans and the Laurentian Mountains. Passing through the St. Louis Gate, you'll next explore the National Battlefields Park, with a short photo stop at Cap Diamant. Continuing past trendy Grand Allee, the Champs-Elysees of Quebec lined with quaint shops, sidewalk cafes and boutiques, you'll pass the Hotel du Parliament, an imposing Second Empire-style building. less

At the tip of a majestic fjord where the waters of the Saquenay and Saint Lawrence Rivers meet lies the charming village of Saguenay. With a decidedly French atmosphere and a touch of the Old World, you’ll visit the district of Chicoutimi and learn about the area's cultural, historic and natural history. As you begin your sightseeing tour, you’ll discover the importance of the fjord, deeply chiseled in the Laurentian Mountains, as a natural trading route for the first Nations people of the area. In the 1600’s, France established its first fur trading post and colonization of the area soon followed. Passing the industrial area, you’ll see how the early 20th century brought exploitation of the river with logging, the pulp and paper industries, and aluminum production. Continuing to Chicoutimi, you’ll drive along its main street – rue Racine – and its Old Port. A photo stop will be made at the Cultural Quarter and the Little White House that miraculously survived the Flood of 1996. A photo stop will also be made at the Pulp Mill of Chicoutimi. Founded in 1898, the mill played an important role in the development of the area. Also noted as the first French Canadian owned Pulp Company the mill produced a high quality pulp that was exported throughout the world. You’ll then drive by the Ha! Ha! Pyramid in La Baie district where you’ll learn of the great flood of 1996 that devastated the region and proved to be one of Canada’s greatest natural disasters. less

Boston’s North End is commonly known as 'Little Italy' and has a multitude of hidden treasures that will whet the appetite of gourmet chefs and lover’s of fine food alike. Following your short transfer from the pier, you’ll arrive at Quincy Market and begin your gastronomic tour on foot. Your guide is a professionally trained chef with a wealth of knowledge about Italian foods, wine and the North End. You’ll learn the secrets of cooking in a healthy Mediterranean style, sample authentic flavors, and discover the traditions behind the food. Walk through a salumeria, a classic Italian deli, in search of olives, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, pasta, prosciutto and cheeses. Discover the pasticcerias offering the best biscotti, amaretti, cassata and cannoli and tour an enoteca to learn about apertivi, wine to compliment and digestivi to conclude your meal. You’ll get an 'insider’s view' of one of the premier food neighborhoods in the country. Buon Appetito! Note: This tour is very limited in capacity and includes approximately two hours of slow walking and/or standing. Distance covered is less than one mile. Minimum required to operate is 10 participants, maximum capacity is 20 participants. less

Experience ziplining like nowhere else in Atlantic Canada. It's a cross between parachuting and flying and it's the ride of a lifetime! Challenge yourself on this exciting zipline located at the base of Marble Mountain. The mountains and waterfalls of Corner Brook provide a dramatic, scenic back-drop to your adventure. The English speaking zip crew will meet you and transport you by van to Steady Brook.

Journey up Marble Mountain by mountain truck, to where nine ziplines and 10 platforms provide a thrill-of-a-lifetime over majestic 250 foot waterfalls and the scenic Humber Valley, at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. Marble Zip provides an unforgettable and thrilling adventure, in an environmentally friendly manner that can be enjoyed by all ages, from six to eighty. All participants will be required by the operator to sign an English language waiver prior to the start of the adventure.

Note: Participants must be at least 6 years of age, weigh no less than 65 lbs. (approximately 30 kg) no more than 275 lbs. (approximately 125 kg) and be in good physical condition. less

This fascinating tour takes you up-close to the world-renowned Bay of Fundy and its effects on Saint John, the Fundy City. Meet your local guide at the pier for your guided walk to the New Brunswick Museum, where a guide will introduce you to the wonders of the Bay of Fundy. During this exclusive program, discover the forces that work together to create the highest tides in the world here in the Bay of Fundy, which rise to over 40 feet, or the equivalent of a four-story building. Hear about the geology and geography of the Bay of Fundy region, including why the Reversing Falls exist and learn about the variety of birds, seals and fish species that make the bay their home. After your visit to the museum, step outside and board a sightseeing boat for a closer look at the Bay of Fundy and the famous Reversing Falls Rapids. This sightseeing boat has been specially designed to take you up-close to the famous Reversing Falls, where the mighty Bay of Fundy causes the St. John River to reverse direction and flow upstream and from the boat. You’ll cruise around the harbor, alongside your cruise ship and past a number of significant Saint John sights. This is a Bay of Fundy Experience you won’t want to miss! Note: This is a walking tour. Participants must be able to walk a total of approximately 1/2 mile from pier to museum to sightseeing boat, sometimes on cobblestone pathways or a wooden boardwalk, as well as be able to descend a ramp with an incline that varies with the tides and manage 60 steps at the boat landing. less