Killing time in Montreal

[Bop]

Dear Cruisemates Staff,
I am about to experience my first bad Princess Air schedule on our return trip from Montreal 9/24/00. Our flight out of Montreal is scheduled for 5:00 PM. I am anticipating leaving the Crown no later than 11:00 AM. Does Princess provide a tour or a comfortable place to hang out for 5 or 6 hours? Any suggestions on spending the time well in Montreal while we wait?
Thanks,
Bop

[Kuki]

Hi Bop,

I'm sitting in Montreal right now. Nope, not cruising
I was here for a soft ball tournament over the weekend.

Montreal is a wonderful city. Lots to do here. For something simple just head downtown and walk St. Catherines Street, or Sherbrooke.
Old Montreal is interesting to walk about as well. Very chic area.

Feeling a bit adventerous head out to Schwart'z Deli for the most remarkable old time deli experience. Great food for CHEAP.

Feeling lucky head to Casino Montreal.. not too far from the pier actually. I saw the Crown in port tonight on my way to/from the casino.

Regards,
Kuki
Features Editor
CruiseMates.com

[Donna]

Hi Bop,
My guess it that yes Princess will probibly have some day tours to kill the time before going to the airport. They should even have the tours end at the airport and if by chance you paid for the transfers, if you sign up for a tour they will credit your ship board account that amount. When we were on Ocean earlier this year we signed up for a tour just like that, a few days after we boarded, sounded like a much better thing to do that hang out at the airport. Its possible your travel agent would know specifically if they offer such tours. We had no information about them until we were already on the ship, so enjoy the cruise:-)

DOnnassei/Sealover

[Bop]

Thanks Donna and Kuki,
My TA said that Princess may have a tour for those who have the long wait before flight time. I will find out what the plans are and cancel the tour of Montreal that we had scheduled for the 23rd and take Kuki's suggestion. Sounds like there is a lot to see and do within walking distance of the ship. We sure didn't want to hang out at the airport for 5 hours but I bet it is a lot nicer in Montreal than the airport in Acapulco. Karumba!
Take care and expect a review when we return.
Ciao,
Bop

[Donna]

Hi Bop,
Forgot Kuki was in Montreal this week-end, lucky for you. Sounds like you know what to do, enjoy the city. Was there way back when and from what I remembered, it was a clean and easy City to get around in. At least checking out the city is better than sitting in an airport. Glad to hear you will write a review, thanks and have a great time.

Donnassei/Sealover

[Linda]

As a native Montrealer I would definetly recommend walking around Old Montreal which is where you walk off the ship.Make sure to take in Notre Dame Basilica just up the street.Which airport are you flying out of?
Dorval or Mirabel?The driving distance from the pier to Dorval is about 30km (if traffic is light say around 3pm it takes about 25-35 minutes)and to Mirabel its more like 50km with bad traffic most of the time due to much road construction on the way so leave ample driving time.(minimum 1hr to be safe).As to the recomendation to eat at Schwartz's -go for it! the place looks
like a total dump but believe me its the best authentic smoke meat served in the world (its been around over 40years and every politician/rock/movie star ever to hit town has eaten there)This is not American corn beef though-its much moister/fatter/spicier.Its about a 10 minute taxi ride from the pier and every taxi cab in town knows where it is.If eating isn't priority but touring is take a caleche(horse)ride at the pier.The drivers aren't cheap but they can take you all around Old Montreal and even up into downtown and
give you a lot of historical information along the way.
Hope you enjoy our city!