Canada & New England Cruises: Excursions

Let a costumed guide take you on a historic stroll through the downtown Charlottetown area. Learn about the famous conference of 1864 which gave this city its designation as the Birthplace of Canada. Discover street after street of beautiful historic Victorian era homes as you experience part of our Canadian heritage. You’ll learn about the famous Conference of 1864, which gave the city its designation as the Birthplace of Canada. Discover beautiful churches, quaint shops and cobbled streets as you learn about the Fathers of Confederation. Note: Participants must be at least 10 years of age. Distance covered is approximately 3/4-mile. Walking is on paved surfaces, sidewalks and cobblestone streets with slight inclines. Not all venues are wheelchair accessible. less

Talley-Ho! The Halifax Horse-Drawn Trolley will take you back into another era. This one hour tour is a very relaxing horse-drawn trolley ride through the Halifax of the 1900s where you’ll see the old Warehouse District, the harbor front, the Halifax Citadel Hill Fortress and Founders Cemetery, the final resting place of 1812 British War Heroes. Then return to your ship passing through the downtown area. less

Travel back to revolutionary Boston with a walk along the Freedom Trail. Your experienced guide will reveal the sites and scenes of critical events that paved the way for American independence. Highlights include the Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church and the Granary Burying Ground, the final resting place of many famous Americans including John Hancock, Samuel Adams and Paul Revere. You’ll see the Old Corner Bookstore where the nation’s greatest authors often gathered, including Emerson, Longfellow and Hawthorne. In the heart of Old Boston is the Old South Meeting House, where angry colonists met on the eve of the Boston Tea Party. Near the circle of stones in front of the Old State House, you’ll hear the story of the Boston Massacre, the first bloodshed of the Revolution. Passing Faneuil Hall, continue to the North End, Boston's oldest surviving residential neighborhood and home of Paul Revere. Before returning to the pier, a visit will be made to the Old North Church where Paul Revere ordered two lanterns hung in the steeple to signal that the British redcoats were approaching. Your guided walk will end at Quincy Market for your return transfer back to the pier. Note: Total distance covered is about two miles, with approximately three hours of slow walking and standing. Not possible for guests in wheelchairs or with limited mobility. less

Best explored on foot, your experienced guide will make the history of Quebec come alive as you walk the charming cobblestone streets of the Old Town. In the heart of the Lower Town, and site of the first settlement of Quebec, is Place Royale. The typical stone buildings surrounding this historic square were once the homes of wealthy merchants. Along its narrow cobblestone streets you'll find an array of quaint boutiques, specialty shops and outdoor cafes as well as strolling musicians, jugglers and street performers. From Lower Town to Upper Town, enjoy a short funicular ride to reach the Chateau Frontenac area. Perched on a hill overlooking the St. Lawrence River, the castle-like Chateau is the most well-known landmark in Quebec. It was here that Roosevelt, Churchill and Mackenzie King met to discuss their strategy during WW II. In front of the Chateau lies the romantic boardwalk of Dufferin Terrace. From here, enjoy a spectacular view of the St. Lawrence River, Ile d'Orleans and the Laurentian Mountains. Continuing through the walled city, pass Place d'Armes, the Seminary of Quebec and the Ursuline Convent before returning to your ship. Note: Tour involves approximately 2 1/2 hours of slow walking and standing on cobblestone streets or uneven pavement for approximately 1 1/2 miles. less

Board a trolley for a historical and cultural tour of Charlottetown. Begin with the Fathers of Confederation route called Great George Street, where the Fathers of Canada formed the country in 1864. Visit the Province House Legislative Chambers and pass by historic homes dating back to the 1820’s, including the Lieutenant Governor's mansion. During the stop at Province House, stroll down Victoria Row with its quaint boutiques including the Green Gables Store. Note: Trolley is not wheelchair accessible. Participants must be able to get on and off the trolley themselves. Not all shops are wheelchair accessible. 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