Canada & New England Cruises: Excursions

Nestled between the mountains of Acadia National Park and the Atlantic Ocean on Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor has attracted visitors, naturalists and scientists for decades. Pass the College of the Atlantic, devoted to marine biology with an emphasis on whale management, and learn about Jackson Laboratory, a unique medical research facility working to help solve some of the world’s most urgent medical challenges. Catch a glimpse of Bar Harbor’s attractions including the Village Green and beautiful ‘summer cottages’ originally built by wealthy Victorian era residents that survived the Great Fire of 1947 and now operate as Bed and Breakfast Inns. Your guide will share the intimate secrets and tales of a magnificent era when fabulously wealthy residents tried to outdo each other with their lavish parties and opulent lifestyles. Pass by the impressive St. Saviour’s Church featuring 10 original Tiffany stained glass windows. The backdrop to Bar Harbor is the famous Cadillac Mountain, centerpiece of Acadia National Park. Enjoy a journey to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on North America’s Eastern Seaboard. With a 360-degree panoramic view, you’ll see how glaciers carved through the granite cliffs to form a beautiful landscape of lush forest, lakes and valleys. From this vantage point you’ll have magnificent views of Frenchman Bay, the Porcupine Islands, the Atlantic Ocean, Acadia National Park and your cruise ship. Note: Walking is at your discretion. Most surfaces are paved but there are some uneven, slippery-when-wet areas and some steps. The photo stop at Cadillac Mountain is paved and partially accessible by wheelchair. However, there is very limited time for unloading with a lift at each stop. In adverse or foggy weather conditions, the Cadillac Mountain stop will be substituted with a visit to the Acadia National Park Visitors Center. The order of the stops might be reversed to avoid congestion. less

Three great tours for the price of one! Enjoy the sights and sounds of Halifax with your full-day pass aboard an authentic, fully-guided, London double-decker bus painted pink to support Breast Cancer and with three great loops/tours and over 12 stops to choose from. Your fully-guided tour allows you to take in all the cities main highlights or if you prefer, hop off at many of the stops along the route and enjoy what’s exciting for you. The 'All About Town Loop,' a 30-minute tour, takes in all the city's main highlights such as stops at the Spring Garden Road shopping district and the Museum of Natural History. Why not treat yourself to a walk through one of nicest Victorian Public Gardens intact and unspoiled in the heart of this modern city. See the Town Clock and learn about Canada’s oldest Anglican Church, St. Paul’s as you see first-hand the famous silhouette of a man’s head in the window. If you choose, take in the 'Boardwalk Loop' or the 'Changing of the Guard Loop' which highlights the Halifax Citadel, Canada's most visited national historic site, or stop at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic with its Titanic Exhibit. There are also plenty of stops, if great shops and rooftop pubs are what you are looking for. Whatever you choose, this tour allows you the flexibility to enjoy your day in Halifax the way you want to see it. Note: Admissions are not included on this tour and are at the discretion of the guest. Double-deckers depart from the pier approximately every 15 to 30 minutes. On occasion, big pink motorcoaches may be used in conjunction with double-deckers on the Hop on, Hop off portion. Double-deckers operate from the pier every 15-30 minutes. A dollar of the proceeds from this tour will be donated to the Breast Cancer Foundation. less

Featuring one of the most scenic drives on the east coast, Acadia is one of the most visited National Parks in the United States. You’ll first pass through the quaint town of Bar Harbor to view some of the charming Victorian Mansions built by America’s rich and famous at the turn of the century. Entering the National Park, your journey along the 27-mile Park Loop Road will take you along the ocean’s edge passing Sand Beach, Schooner Head Overlook, and the High Seas mansion built by a wealthy gentleman whose wife perished on the Titanic. Continue past Otter Cliffs and the Gulf of Maine with beautiful views of the offshore islands. Travel through pine forests and past the Jordon Pond House with a beautiful view of the Penobscot Mountains and Bubbles Hill. Keep your eyes open for bald eagles and white tail deer as you make your way around the Park Loop Road. Your tour culminates (weather permitting) with a photo stop atop the 1,530-foot (466 meters) Cadillac Mountain, offering a 360-degree panoramic view of granite cliffs, coastal mountains, forests, lakes, and valleys. Note: At Cadillac Mountain, walking is at your discretion. Walking surfaces are paved and partially accessible by wheelchair, but there are some uneven, slippery-when-wet areas and some steps. If weather conditions dictate, Cadillac Mountain will be substituted with a stop at Jordan Pond or the Visitors Center. The order of the stops might be reversed to avoid congestion. less

With mansions representing more than 250 years of social and architectural history, this tour combines all the highlights of the Newport scenic drive tour with a visit to one of the grand mansions. Passing through the historic colonial section, your scenic drive will take you along the world famous Ocean Drive where you’ll have spectacular views of Newport’s rocky coastline. Continuing to Bellevue Avenue, immerse yourself in a world of wealth and power as it existed at the dawn of the 20th century with a visit to one of the grand summer villas that defined the era known as the ‘Age of Beauty’.

Depending on local conditions, you’ll tour either the Elms or Rosecliff, both of which represent the height of gracious living and entertaining by America’s elite. Imagine yourself at a fabulous party in a magnificent ballroom or perhaps at a fairy tale dinner as your personal headset audio guide offers insight into the life and artifacts of this fascinating time in American history.

Note: Due to the popularity of the Newport Mansions, please anticipate a wait of approximately 30 minutes. The actual tour involves approximately 45 minutes of slow walking or standing. The Elms is partially wheelchair accessible, the elevator is very narrow (27 inches) and will not fit motorized wheelchairs. There are six steps to enter the mansion. less

Enjoy the highlights of Boston as this panoramic tour takes you past the city’s most important and scenic sites by both land and sea. Departing the pier and passing by Boston’s busy waterfront, you’ll arrive at Long Wharf to embark on a 45-minute harbor cruise. As your Captain expertly navigates this historic waterfront, your knowledgeable guide will point out the many landmarks of the Boston skyline and the surrounding Boston Harbor. See the steeple of the Old North Church, where Paul Revere ordered two lanterns hung to signal that the British Redcoats were approaching, as well as an up close view of 'Old Ironsides' at her home in the Charlestown Navy Yard with the Bunker Hill Monument in the background. At the end of your cruise, you’ll reboard your motorcoach and continue by land to one of the city’s most attractive spots, Copley Square bordered by the architectural wonders of Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library. Continuing through the upscale residential area of Back Bay and along Newbury Street, you’ll pass a number of exclusive boutiques, and trendy cafes as you make your way past the Public Garden. In the heart of the city and overlooking the green oasis of the Boston Common, lies one of the most elegant and wealthiest neighborhoods of the city, Beacon Hill. During your scenic drive you’ll also pass by the gold dome of the Massachusetts State House as well as the Old South Meeting House where the Boston Tea Party began. At the conclusion of your tour, you’ll have the option to be dropped off at Quincy Market/Faneuil Hall on morning departures or return directly to the ship’s pier. Note: Tour itinerary may vary due to traffic conditions. Walking distance from the bus to the boat is approximately 30 yards each way. less

Experience a narrated excursion of Halifax, including a drive by historic properties, a restored section of the waterfront, Citadel Hill and the beautiful public gardens before heading out to Peggy’s Cove. On this tour you’ll travel along the scenic coastal highway to the tiny village of Peggy’s Cove, where less than 40 residents live year round. See the brightly colored houses nestled close to the water’s edge in this working rustic fishing village.

As you enter the cove, drive by the monument carved by local artist William deGarthe from a massive slab of granite and a tribute to the people of Peggy’s Cove. Your guide will also spin tales of the Cove, explain how it got its name, tell you the story of its lighthouse and talk about the lobster fishery, which is the backbone of the local economy. There is also an optional live lobster demonstration by your guide, if you wish. Explore the village on your own and if you choose, there is plenty of time to visit a few of the shops and galleries before you return to your ship.

Note: Walking at Peggy's Cove is optional. If you choose to explore the Peggy’s Cove area, wear warm clothing, a raincoat and sturdy low-heeled shoes, as the wind often carries salt water spray great distances. less