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

This leisurely paced walking tour carves a path through the streets of the charming “Old Port”. One hundred years ago this was an industrial area home to fish houses, canneries, factories and textile mills. Today this picturesque little town is fragrant with the fresh ocean breeze and scents of coffee houses, bakeries, and award-winning restaurants, tempting passers-by as they wind their way through the scenic narrow streets.

Your friendly and engaging guide takes you to several venues to sample delectable, Maine inspired foods and for a behind-the-scenes look at those who craft these culinary delights. Along the way, learn about the colorful local history unique to Portland, that Bon Appetit magazine crowned as “America’s Foodiest Small Town” for 2009. As you sample the fare at the various stops, your guide and proprietor reveal the history behind their industry, the uniquely Maine products that are used and a little hint or two as to why they are simply award-winning year after year.

Join this spectacular nature cruise among the islands and along the shores of beautiful Acadia National Park. You’ll cruise past some of the most breathtaking scenery in New England. From the shear granite cliffs of Great Head to smooth rock beaches, you'll see a rugged maritime landscape etched by glaciers and battered by sea and wind. Here the ocean teems with life - seals raise their pups on ledges, eagles build enormous nests and pods of porpoise chase schools of herring. You’ll sail in the protected waters of Frenchman Bay, home to the Abanaki Indians for thousands of years and discovered by French explorers Champlain and Cadillac in the 1600’s.

View magnificent summer homes along what was “Millionaires Row” during the golden age of Bar Harbor. See properties owned by the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, Astors and Pulitzer. Since 1875, Egg Rock Island Lighthouse has served as a sentinel to mariners and today it is part of the Maine Coastal Islands National Wildlife Refuge and an important stop on our tour. An on board professional naturalist will share interesting stories of natural and human history with you, as you take in the crown jewels of Acadia National Park.

See the best of Saint John by land and sea. Depart the pier with your local guide and explore the city’s highlights, including the colorful streets of Saint John’s historic uptown and the breathtaking view from Fort Howe. Stop for a photo at Fallsview Park, where the mighty St. John River meets the powerful tides of the Bay of Fundy, creating the renowned Reversing Falls Rapids. Next, board an enclosed sightseeing tour boat for a view of the rapids from sea level and a cruise of the Saint John Harbor, including Harbour Passage, the Port of Saint John and of course, your cruise ship. Both on land and sea, your guide will entertain you with tales of Saint John’s fascinating personalities and historic events. Disembark your sightseeing boat at Market Slip and enjoy the walk along the waterfront to return to the pier or stay uptown to explore at your leisure. Note: Participants must be able to descend 60 steps onto a floating dock with an incline that varies with the tides and walk back to the pier after your tour for approximately 1/4-mile. less

Enjoy a scenic harbor cruise to Rose Island where you will have an opportunity to visit the fully restored lighthouse, see the remains of the 200-year old Ft. Hamilton and learn about the Island’s new role as an important wildlife refuge and bird sanctuary. First lit in 1870, the lighthouse was lovingly restored to its original turn-of-the-century ambiance in 1993 and remains an inspiring example of classic American maritime architecture. A visit to this 'living museum' offers insight into a bygone way of life in which lives were spent tending the light and raising families in dedicated self-sufficiency. You will have an opportunity to explore the station from the windmill to the cellar cistern and learn about the working lives and amusements of lighthouse families through their own possessions and photographs. Following your visit to the lighthouse, you will join your naturalist guide for a leisurely walk of the island. Due to its strategic location, Rose Island has an interesting history dating back to the Revolutionary War. Today, the island plays an important role as a wildlife refuge and home to a number of migrating birds including Little Blue Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Great and Snowy Egret and Glossy Ibis. En route to Rose Island, you will enjoy a scenic harbor cruise of Narragansett Bay. With fresh sea breezes and beautiful coastal scenery, your Captain will be happy to share with you the 350-year history of the city-by-the-sea and how it earned the title 'yachting capital of the world'. Rich in maritime heritage, past and present, a scenic cruise on the bay is an excellent way to fully appreciate the colonial heritage, yachting history and opulent summer 'cottages'. Note: You’ll board the harbor cruise boat from the ship’s tender pier. The nature walk involves approximately 35 minutes of slow walking over dirt paths. The visit to Rose Island Lighthouse involves two flights of stairs. Sightseeing boat as well as lighthouse and pathways on the island are not wheelchair accessible. Please dress in layers. less

On this Moosehead Pub Crawl, you’ll visit three local pubs, including the city’s most popular Irish pub and try the most popular Moosehead brews, all of which are brewed in Saint John. You’ll also have the chance to sample a few other types of beer that are popular with the locals, including some local microbrews. Enjoy entertainment in each pub, ranging from local beer drinking games to live music by a local musician. Three full beers plus samples are included in the tour and you’ll have the option to purchase additional beer at each pub. Note: Participants must be at least 19 years of age to join in the beer sampling. This is a walking tour that requires an approximately 10 minute stroll with some steep inclines near the beginning of the tour, although fortunately, your return walk to the ship is all downhill! This tour is not recommended for guests with difficulty walking. less