Canada & New England Cruises: Excursions

Cruise to Perce Rock and around Bonaventure Island sectors to see its gannet colony – the largest in the world – then explore Perce on your own. The Parc National de l'Ile-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Perce is an enchanting site. Sculpted by time and the sea at the tip of the Gaspe Peninsula, it makes an extravagant show of its rich historical heritage and amazing geological history. Its remarkable flora and fauna, including its world-renowned northern gannet colony, contribute to the park's reputation as a must-see destination. This rocky bastion is a prolongation of the Appalachian Mountains extending into the waters of the Gulf of the St. Lawrence and has for its fortress Bonaventure Island and Perce Rock, Quebec’s tourist-emblem, as its majestic vessel of stone. Bonaventure Island is home to a spectacular congregation of 300,000 sea birds, including razorbills, gulls, murres, and puffins. The island also has 223 species of avian wildlife. Perce Rock, one of the world’s largest and most spectacular natural arches, is proud testament to Gaspesie’s geological heritage. An unshakeable mass of rock and limestone 375 million years old, it measures 474 yards (433 meters) in length, 98 yards (90 meters) wide, and 96 yards (88 meters) at its highest point. Its weight is estimated at five million tons. The arch itself is 49 feet (15 meters) high. The rock is a nesting place for cormorants, kittiwakes and seagulls. One of the most popular activities in Perce is the boat tour around the Parc National de l’Ile-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Perce, which takes visitors to both sides of the famous Perce Rock and then out to see the thousands of birds nesting on the cliffs of Bonaventure Island. A boat excursion to the rock and around the island is an unforgettable experience. The highpoint of the visit is without doubt the sight of 250,000 birds nesting on the island. The island’s colony of 120,000 northern gannets is the most important and accessible in the world. Note: At Perce, walking is at guest’s discretion on mainly flat surfaces. At the marina, must be able to walk approximately 100 yards (92 meters) from the tender dock and manage a flight of stairs. less

Drive along the Atlantic shore of the Cabot Trail from the port of Sydney to Black Brook. This tour reveals vistas that inspired Alexander Graham Bell. View some of the most dramatic and unspoiled scenery in North America including spruce covered mountains, tranquil rivers and ocean beaches. Get a taste of the Cabot Trail as you travel a small portion of the Atlantic Shore from the port of Sydney to Black Indian Brook. This tour reveals vistas that inspired Alexander Graham Bell to observe, "I have traveled around the globe. I have seen the Canadian and American Rockies, the Andes and the Alps and the highlands of Scotland, but for simple beauty, Cape Breton outrivals them all." You'll experience wonderful scenery and know that this is an area where natural beauty is enjoyed by all. Picture stops along the way will help you remember some of the most dramatic and unspoiled scenery on Cape Breton Island. Enjoy a buffet-style lunch along the Cabot Trail before returning to your ship. less

Experience some of the world’s highest tides as you explore a world-class attraction. Travel along the picturesque Fundy coastal drive to the Hopewell Rocks. Your local guide will delight you with both facts and folklore surrounding the Bay of Fundy coastal communities. Pass through Fundy National Park, where you can often spot various bird species and even an occasional moose. Then get ready to discover the Hopewell Rocks, the icon of New Brunswick. Experience these flowerpot rocks created by the clash of continents, carved by melting glaciers, then sculpted by the highest tides in the world. Interpretation will be delivered to explain how twice daily one hundred billion tons of water creates tides that can rise up to 50 feet. Then, enjoy your lunch at the High Tide Cafe. Relax as you enjoy the scenic New Brunswick countryside on the route back to your cruise ship. Note: Please note that due to the extreme nature of the Bay of Fundy tides, the stage of the tide cycle during your visit cannot be guaranteed. Guests must be able to walk approximately 300 yards over pebbled and wet surfaces, and maneuver approximately 100 steps. This tour is not available for guests on the October 12, 2012 sailing of the Norwegian Dawn. less

Take a scenic drive through the vibrant city of Boston en route to magnificent Copley Square. Along the way you'll pass the spectacular Boston Common, the oldest park in the country and the start of the Freedom Trail. See the New State House with its magnificent gold dome, the Public Garden, famous for its century-old swan boats, and the Old South Meeting House where the most memorable gathering sparked the Boston Tea Party in 1773 and ignited the Revolutionary War. Drive along Newbury Street with its upscale boutiques, unique galleries and trendy cafes. Your first stop will be Copley Square which showcases stunning examples of medieval, classical, and modern design. The most prominent building is the Romanesque Trinity Church. Located on the south side is the magnificent Boston Public Library. Founded in 1848, it was the first free municipal library in the United States. Noted for its Italian Renaissance-style exterior, it is an important example of early 19th-century American architecture. Overlooking the square is the ultra-modern John Hancock Tower. Designed by world-renowned Chinese architect I.M. Pei, the building is the tallest in New England at 60 stories high and its modernist design transforms the skyline. Enjoy a picturesque drive through the town of Lynn and then the town of Salem where you'll begin with lunch in an elegant restaurant followed by a walk down Chestnut Street. Grand, old homes line this magnificent street, many of them built by sea Captains and merchants in the early 1800's during Salem's 'Great Age of Sail.' Enjoy a visit to the Salem Witch Museum which takes you back to the Salem of 1692. Using stage sets, life-size figures, lighting and narration you’ll learn about the Witch Trials of 1692. There will also be time to explore the "Witches: Evolving Perceptions" exhibit which examines the stereotypical witch, aspects of witchcraft in the 17th century, modern witchcraft and the phenomenon of witch hunts. Prior to departing, stop in the museum's gift shop for unusual mementos and souvenirs. Enjoy a picturesque drive on your return to port. Note: This tour will require walking and standing for approximately 40 minutes at the Witch Museum. Walking in Salem is at your discretion. There is a gift shop available in the Witch Museum and a variety of shops along Salem’s waterfront. Witch Museum is wheelchair accessible however some of the shops in town are not. less