11 Mistakes to avoid so you won’t hate your Canada, New England Cruise!
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- čas přidán 13. 06. 2024
- Complete guide to planning and picking your best Canada & New England cruise. 11 of the top mistakes guests make when cruising to this region. This video gives a full explanation of what to expect on different itineraries and cruise lines. If you are planning a cruise to Canada / New England then you need to watch this! #celebritycruises #newengland #cruiseblogger #cruiseship #cruise
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Chapters: 00:00 Intro
02:58 Itineraries
04:07 Cruise Lines
06:25 Cruise Season
07:16 #1 Fall Foliage
08:30 #2 Comparing to Alaska
09:26 #3 No Mega Ships
10:05 #4 7 - Night
10:46 #5 Take longer cruise
11:28 #6 Cultural Cruise
12:28 #7 Ship Excursions
13:32 #8 Walking Estimates
14:33 #9 Overplanning 15:21 #10 Embracing Seafood
15:53 #11 International Roaming
Your suggestions are really good.
FYI Nova Scotia is a Canadian province. Also, there is no “s” in Prince Edward Island. Both provinces are amazing.
Yes, I do realize that both Nova Scotia and P.E.I are smaller Canadian Provinces and should have consolidated that more rather than treating them as other countries. It actually annoys me when Americans do that with Canadian provinces and here I did it. Thanks for pointing it out. I also realized that I put a "s" in P.E.I. a couple of times and just didn't redo those segments. Thanks for watching though!
Newfoundland stops are very unique & interesting..but not on this route!
Awesome Video!
Thanks for watching!
I have never gone to Canada's east coast by cruise ship, but I have gone by car and motorcycle a few times. I would consider that as a seafood travel destination the Maritimes and New England are on par with Alaska. Replace King crab with Atlantic lobster and you are absolutely Golden. I had the best bowl of clam chowder ever in Charlestown P.E.I.
Could not agree more! I love the region and am excited to finally visit Nova Scotia and P.E.I. to get the freshest mussels I have ever had! Thanks for sharing as always!
I thought my 7 night roundtrip from and back to NYC was a great itinerary: Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor, St John (NB), and Halifax. One sea day. Each port superb. This was my first cruise some I can't make comparisonsm
So glad you enjoyed your cruise! Those are great ports! You just don’t get the St Lawrence River & Québec. A strong itinerary though. Thanks for sharing & for watching!
Wonderful video! I have been on several Canada/NE cruises, and this is excellent advice. Seeing so many of the places that you have in the video that we have visited was exciting. I would like to add that one may want to check what other ships are docked at the same time, as that greatly effects crowding of activities. Research is your friend! If there are several ships, Peggy's Cove and Bar Harbor (town and Acadia Park) will be so crowded one can hardly move. Being from the East coast, fall foliage is not much of a draw for us, but the culture is wonderful. Canadian are so friendly and polite. Just walking and experiencing the architecture is memorable. Sampling the local food we found to be could require one to wait in line for ages, usurping a lot of port time. Acadia has become the WDW of national parks. It is beautiful, but exceptionally crowded, even on weekdays. Most Canadian ports have a visitor's center in the port terminal, where they can help you with planning and maps.
If you feel it would work in your videos, showing and/or mentioning the hotels in which you stayed in Boston, Quebec or New York (and transport to the port) would be most helpful.
Thank you so much for your post! I am thrilled that a long time visitor of these ports was able to enjoy it and add such wonderful tips. I will take a look at where I can add the hotel information in the future. That is a great idea. I'll see if I can add some port details and links in the description so viewers can research who is in port that day! Thanks so much for sharing and for watching!
We were in Bar Harbor on Nov. 4, 2022 and had our lobster dinner at Main Street Cafe. (This was on the Boston-Bermuda-Bar Harbor-Boston cruise). There was almost nothing else open at that late date. So I told our server that almost everything was closed except them and asked her how late in the season they were open. She told us that when our ship left the "harbor," they were officially closed for the season!....Our next cruise in September is the 11-day Boston-Quebec City (overnight)-Boston on Celebrity Eclipse that was mentioned here. We have been cruising this size ship for the last 20 years, started cruising in 1988.
@@seemoreseascruises3791 I will look for your video on the 11-day Celebrity Eclipse cruise. In case it wasn't available to you when you took that cruise, Royal Caribbean has a matching program with Celebrity and Silversea. So although we have only been on Celebrity once--in 1996!--we went up a grade on Celebrity and get more benefits because of our many Royal Caribbean cruises. It gets better all the time.
Great video thanks! We're doing the Canada/New England 14 day from Quebec to Ft. Lauderdale mid-October and appreciate the tips! We did the same cruise the opposite direction 2 years ago and just love this cruise. Great job on this informative video!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for sharing and for watching! I have several clients on the HAL Volendam Montreal to Ft. Lauderdale in October!
@@seemoreseascruises3791 We'll be on the Emerald Princess... so we'll wave to the ship if we see it! 😁
Am so envious of your next cruise! Please don't tell me that one of your ports is in Bermuda. Have done 4 cruises to Bermuda since 2022. Missed it during Covid, but that sounds too selfish.🤐
@@LesMotschman-ti9ft Not getting to Bermuda... Just east coast and ending in Ft. Lauderdale. I actually haven't been to Bermuda yet. Guess I need to add that to the ol' bucket list!
This was very helplful! Trying to decide where to go out of New York or Boston for a fall trip and best dates to see the fall foliage.
Aslo need hotel recommendations for before and after the cruise. Tentatively we are looking at a round trip cruise, but am reconsidering that now.
Glad that you found it helpful! We chose the roundtrip out of Boston just for the ease of flights and we like Boston more than NYC. The ports visited normally guide my itinerary choices. Go with your gut on the places that you are visiting. Also the ship and its amenities also is a big component of that final decision. Thanks for sharing and for watching!
@@seemoreseascruises3791 Now I am even more excited to find your video of the Boston Cruise!!!
There was pretty much nothing to Hate about any where we went on that Cruise !
I always love to hear that!
Any input on land and sea cruises? I have not found any reviews on that. We are taking one in October that goes from Boston to Quebec then on to Niagara Falls by motorcoach. Enjoyed your video! Very informative!
I really do not have much experience with the Canada Cruise Tours. I have clients that have been interested in the Alaska cruise and land combinations which have a lot of online reviews. Your tour sounds like a good one. I hope it consists of a stay at the great hotel on the Canada side. Thanks so much for watching!
You head UP the St. Lawrence River to reach Quebec City.
Thank you! We are really looking forward to that!
One other tip for choosing any cruise itinerary is to check how long you will be at each port. This varies by cruise line and impact what you will be able to see and do.
That is an excellent point! That Victoria, BC stop on Alaska cruises out of Seattle is a big drawback. Thanks for sharing and for watching!
Halifax is very hilly, take that into consideration, if you can't walk for a long time it's best to take the Hop On Hop Off tour bus.
Great information! Thanks for sharing and for watching!
Hubby and I are doing the Boston to Montreal cruise on board the MS Volendam this June. We're looking for a relaxing time, with a bit of adventure, and are happy to stay on board during the Quebec City port day (he's from there, and has dragged me all over during those dating years). We're now in southern Ontario (after his 33 years in the Canadian Armed Forces). I got a good giggle about your mention of Alaskan cruise comparisons. Bar Harbor is a tender, so we used some of our Have it All credit with an excursion there, and Charlottetown. I think we're going to put our phones in airplane mode.
We know Boston & Mass coast well but the rest will be new for us. It’s funny that so many people told us to bring the winter coats and cold weather gear. Thanks for sharing & for watching!
@@seemoreseascruises3791 That is why I love the solarium pools!
thanks for the info. Is it worth getting an outside cabin on these cruises.?
And can you see the shoreline most of the time, or are you mostly far out in open water?
On most of these cruises that travel north into Nova Scotia and then down to Quebec City, you will see land most of the way. It is a great idea to get an Oceanview or a Balcony stateroom on the port side - left hand side face forward. The last few days traveling back south you will be somewhat further out. The reverse is also true when starting in Quebec City and sailing south. Make sure you check your itinerary so that you can determine the best location. Also traveling down the St. Lawrence River gives you spectacular views on each side of the ship. Thanks for asking and for watching!
I think as someone who has been to most of these ports on land, they are great places to visit but been there, did that.
That is a great point Mark. I have been all throughout Mass and NH but not that much in Maine. I know Maine is going to be just like Northern Mass coastal but I'm looking forward to Nova Scotia, P.E.I. and Quebec City. It will be nice to see the coastline from the ocean but, like you, I have done that from small ships and day yachts before. I don' think this attracts east coast cruisers just like nobody from St. Louis would do a Mississippi river cruise. Thanks for sharing and for watching.
@@seemoreseascruises3791 it will be fun for someone who hasn't been there before for sure. Halifax I spent a week in last summer (my daughter lives there) and it is worthy of more than one day. Same with Quebec City, or Boston for that matter
@@marklittle8805 There will obviously be a CZcams review and I find that there are many places that we would stay longer if we could. We fly back to San Juan often for an extended stay since we loved it there our first time when on a cruise. I still have family up there so a longer trip to Halifax may absolutely be in my future.
We LOVE Oceania Cruise Line. You didn’t mention their first class 600-1200 passenger ships. All inclusive with air. We have enjoyed destinations around the world. Our next cruise is Montreal to Miami on Oceania🤗🎶🎶
Oceania is wonderful! They have some amazing itineraries for Canada and New England on very small intimate ships with exceptional service and cuisine. I just booked a couple on a one way between Montreal and Fort Lauderdale. It was also a fantastic value with airfare included. Thanks for sharing and for watching!
We did a back to back Boston to Quebec City 10 years ago with Norwegian. I appreciate your advice re not over dressing; however, I made the mistake of thinking that the weather would be like Southern Ontario and wished I had taken warmer clothing. As a Canadian I should have known better. Incidentally, I made the same mistake on the trip to Calgary in June. You would think I would know my own country.
Thanks for sharing your experiences! We go in late August into Sept so I'll make sure to bring at least a sweatshirt. Thanks so much for watching!
I'm from Saint John, New Brunswick that had 76 ship calls this cruise season. Often listed as "Bay of Fundy". Our Fall colors is usually peak the 2nd week of October. The biggest mistake people make coming to this port is going to see the sea caves or flower pot rocks that are 2 hours away from the town, there is similar just 20 minutes to the west by the nature park. Also most of out waterfront is under construction and the Museum and Martello tower are closed in 2024 and should be ready for 2026. We do however have a zip line and ropes course, and glass floor over Reversing falls open if you like that.
Thank you so much for this information! This is so helpful. I can't wait to visit in late August! Thanks again for sharing and for watching!
Have only been there once, but loved it there. Took the hop-on, hop-off bus twice. Each time, I stopped at the Reversing Falls. So beautiful. I did see the zip line.
The Province is called Prince Edward Island not Prince Edward's Island
Thank you so much for the correction. There were a few on this one that I could have corrected. Thanks for watching and for sharing!
Silversea Silver Shadow also cruises New England
Thank you for adding that! Silversea would be amazing for these smaller ports!
AND Silversea is in RCCL's share program, along with Celebrity. If you've done a bit of cruising on RCCL or Celebrity, you could get more bennies on Silversea ( or vice versa)!
Sorry but when we docked in Quebec City we had a snow storm, light jacket won’t work.
Oh wow, that is something to think about. I am sure in the later fall, this would be very true. We are sailing at the end of August but I am sure when you get into late Sept or into October this will be the case. Thanks for sharing and of course for watching!
We leave very soon for Holland America New England cruise, and I do have one question. Do we need some Canadian money?
Though most retailers and port areas will accept US Dollars, I would recommend that you use a credit card that does not have any type of international transaction fee associated with purchases. If you do want to have some local currency to tip cab drivers or tour operators, you can get a small amount from your BANK prior to leaving. Do not wait until the airport since the exchange rates will be horrible. Tour operators not associated with the cruise should be able to be paid prior to the cruise using your credit card. Tour guides will gladly accept any type of tip. They can deal with the exchange rate. It is not necessary but if you want a small amount, get if from your bank before you leave.
I noticed an Indiana plaque. Are you a Hoosier or IU grad?
Yes! Graduated in the 80’s. Bloomington
@@seemoreseascruises3791 IU ‘72
We're on the 9/19/24 Eclipse cruise. If that's yours, maybe we'll see you!! Looking forward to great weather.
Shoot, we are the next cruise after you! That would have been fun! I love meeting those watching on cruises! I hope that you have spectacular cruise. I love this itinerary!
@@seemoreseascruises3791 If you ever discuss Boston as a port, let me know (unless you live there, of course). We lived there (ancient history) and have been cruising out of there since 2000, when Falcon Terminal was just a big, open one-level room. With a total of 25 chairs. We were going on a 3,000-passenger ship (Carnival Destiny) that was limping in 10 hours late and we got on the ship for 2 days, but never left the port. 3,000 people waiting in a terminal with only 25 chairs. Anyway, it's a long story. We've now done 15+ cruises out of Boston on 5 different cruise lines and each time, there's changes in both embarkation and disembarkation, etc. And, of course, changes in Boston, especially with Covid--where we lived while in college and my husband drove a taxi. Unfortunately for you, I could go on and on with stories about Boston and about cruising! I will stop!
@IrvingFrank, We are also on that cruise. Do you know about the Royal Caribbean match/share program with Celebrity and Silversea? If not, your TA should be able to handle that for you. I have only been on one Celebrity cruise, but many on RCCL and am Platinum. So I get equivalent status on this Celebrity cruise, meaning more amenities....Are you on Cruise Critic for this cruise? It's not a lively group, but you never know when some interesting info will pop up...Let me know if you care to chat. Susan Motschman, on my husband's account right now.
Did an 11 day Caribbean on NCL last December and OMG…that was too long. 7 maybe 8 days max.
Our longest to date is a 10 day so our 11 night is going to be interesting. I normally get into the full swing around day 3 or 4 so we shall see. We just did an 8 night and I was ready when it was over. Thanks for watching!
I love the longer cruises, which we rarely do. After a 7-day cruise, I'm always thinking I could a few more days, while my husband is chafing at the bit to get back to work. I'm hoping there will be more 10-day+ cruises in our future. Well, at least you found out what is not meant for you, right?
I am a pure vegetarian. Does the cruise offer veg options? Want to book in October
Most all cruise lines will have a vegetarian menu option or completely separate vegetarian or vegan menu. We love to eat clean single ingredient foods as well and stay completely away from highly processed fake foods containing manufactured inflammatory ingredients such as canola oil, vegetable oils and highly processed flours and grains. You can find all of these options on the main dining room menus as well as in the buffet. Just make sure that you tell your server at dinner how you want it prepared and make wise single ingredient food choices at the buffet. All fried foods on a cruise will have highly manufactured and inflammatory processed oils containing chemicals and additives so I would refrain from any of that. Be advised that most salad dressings on a cruise contain manufactured, chemical based, inflammatory oils so go with the pure olive oil and vinegar as a dressing. It is normally sitting right there beside the salad bar. The others are not good and you have no idea what is in them. Thanks for watching and for sharing!
@@seemoreseascruises3791 A terrific dressing is olive oil, rice wine vinegar, chopped garlic and 100% pure maple syrup. I've given the recipe out to so many people who now make only that dressing for home use. It's fantastic and low fat.
It’s PRINCE Edward Island not Princes 😊
Thank you for the correction.
As a New Englander, my best advice is to NOT see the region from a cruise ship. That’s the biggest mistake. Trains and cars will do it. Fly to Boston, spend time there. Take the Amtrak Downeaster to Portland and see Portland. Rent a car. See Kennebunkport, maybe Portsmouth, drive north to Camden and then Bar Harbor and also see Arcadia National Park from there, and then maybe do a cruise to Quebec from there. From a car, you’ll get the best views of foliage in any case. The Eclipse is a great ship and you’ll have a great time, but . . .
I completely get it! I have family that had lived outside of Boston for years, and most have moved to NH or along the coast. I have visited them many times and know that region very well. We love Boston and spent a week in Manchester by the Sea a few summers ago. I grew up visiting my cousins in Sudbury and actually worked for a company in Rochester, NH for several years exploring Portsmouth (traffic circle HoJo) and my Aunt and Uncle's compound on Lake Winnipesauke in Wolfeboro. With all that said, I AGREE with you 100%. You will not see New England the way that you know it or even the way I know it on a cruise. It is a great opportunity to sample the areas and plan to go back. I am doing that with Nova Scotia, PEI and Quebec City. Of course anytime I can spend 11 days on a Celebrity Solstice Class ship is something that I am not going to pass up. GREAT ADVISE and thank you for sharing and for watching!
I agree with you to an extent, but we traveled by car twenty years before taking a cruise, then another 15 or twenty years doing both. While we sometimes do a driving trip, we mostly cruise. Guess it's that time in our lives for that and we enjoy the pampering as we work so hard at home..
And don’t expect to see a whale on the whale watching boat trip! Chances are you will not, sadly to say… 😳
I’ve heard that it is very hit & miss. My cousins lived near Gloucester / Manchester by the Sea & said the same.