Shore excursions listed on the RCI website for Halifax and St. John are pretty tame, and awfully expensive for such tame tours.
Would we do better to rent an Enterprise car or take a taxi into town? I just want to be sure we are back in time to the ship. Is Halifax easy to negotiate via car? Or is there a bus that people can get on and off at their leisure?
Just starting to look into tours for our Constellation trip--so far these boards are very quiet. You can get travel info from Hailfax Touriusm-we received several nice brochures. We will probably take the tours even though I agree with you.
There are ladies in the pier at Halifax and as you walk the boardwalk I've noticed a few taxi drivers. On our first trip we picked up a driver, Clark... and he took us to the graves of the Titantic victims..and it was one of the most moving experieces we've had. He then took us to the Citadel in time for the "parade".. and we called him when we were ready to go back to the ship.. I do have his phone #.. In St. John..there isn't much to see.. as the ship docks you will be entertained...the Lord Mayor will greet you, the women given a rose, the men a pin. and of course ladies handing out tourist information. There is a bus that will take you right into downtown.. The last trip we took a bus to the Reversing Falls...and took the new little ferry back and on the way we saw sea lions.. They let you off at a little area where there are pubs and shops..We have both times gone to the Public Market a few blocks away to buy gifts of special Canadian Tea my neighbor likes. A little (or rather big secret)..if you walk along the area towards where the cruise ships are set back from the street and the old buildings..you will find a great lobster shack...St. John is very laid back.. Halifax is swinging..lol This time we took the "duck tour"... not as good as Boston, but it gave us a great ride around the city.. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter they had the hurricane and the beautiful garden and the old trees have been destroyed.. Halifax is a lovely, city.. many colleges.. The boardwalk that you would walk along from the cruise ship is really lovely, it meanders along and you will find street people playing music and local artists... Halifax and St. John are wonderful. where else are you going?
Our cruise also goes to Quebec & Newport Rhode Island. Weather will be cool so I hope walking will be limited..It will also be a bit late for gardens but maybe a week or two too early for fall foliage to be brightest. husb is interested in the Fort at Lousiberg & any other historic sites. I just like to see some sights & shop a bit. This isour first non Carib cruise
Although we visit Newport very often...our unexpected cruise took us to Newport...we acted like tourists... and took a trolley tour......then we shopped onThames Street and the Mill Market..
There is a tourist center not far from where you will be tendered in....to the left...and there is a trolley station there.. also tours of the mansions...Don't overwhelm yourself trying to do too many of the mansions at one time.. My favorite is the mansion where the Great Gatsby was filmed.
I don't think I'm going to book any of those shore excursions. They really seem very overpriced for so little. PLUS: I checked into enterprise car rentals. It would be about 30 bucks to rent a nice size car! That's less than 1/2 the shore excursions price.
"A little (or rather big secret)..if you walk along the area towards where the cruise ships are set back from the street and the old buildings..you will find a great lobster shack...St. John is very laid back.. "
Where is this? I'm dying to go there! NAMES NAMES and DIRECTIONS!
There is a little touristy area on the waterfront with pubs, shops, etc. if you walk back to the ship...on the right side...on the opposite side...set back is a little lobster shack in St. John... have learned it is one of three restaurants owned by a family in St. John... there is a pub in the shopping center.
I live in rhode island, in newport there are many shops to go to. brick market place has alot of little touristy shops and great places to eat. Some shops and resturants are closed for different seasons so it depends on when you travel. If your into tennis the tennis hall of fame is a great place to visit and see the museum.
The mansions are also a nice place to visit but it can get a little boring for teens and kids...im 15 and i have been to them a few times but it isnt a great place to bring little kids there is alot of walking
We went on the Halifax and St john cruise a few years ago in Sep. The weather was cool but not cold. Typical fall weather. A light windbreaker or sweatshirt was good for the morings and nights, at about midday its get a little warmer -you may not need to wear it .
As for Halifax shore excusions-Our first cruise their {we have been there twice and going for a3rd time in Sep}was w/RCCL-we did the Peggys Cove tour which was nice it gave you a chance to see the sights and the "main tourist" attriaction. After that we walked on our own around town and it was nice. Alot of sightseeing can be done just a few feet away from the boat-it you dont mind walking. There is the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic-which is most noted for actual Titanic deck chair-Its about 6CAD plus for an extra i think 3CAD you get to watch a 3-D short clip. Also there is the Alexander Keith Brewery which you can tou, it is not like your avg factory tour. There is also the Citadel and Clock Tower which has a great view of the town. If you contact the Nova Scotia tourism board they will send you a vistors guide and map. It lays out a walking tour of the city ,plus other things to see and do. That was my "bible"the last time we went{we didnt do any excusions} and will be again. Also if you like to gamble check out the casino at the very end of the bordwalk. Its a little confusing with the mony change over and such but still.. If its a nice day the ricshore guys should be out-for about 10USDpp they took my husband and I back to the ship from the far end of the boardwalk. It was a nice treat after walking all over the city. They are mostly college boys earning extra money.
In St John we did the Reversing Falls and MooseHead Beer tour. The bus leaves you at the public market. After that we again walked the city. It was nice but there is not that much to do. One cool thing is when you come into port there is a band and a giant lobster to wish you hello.
Another thing that was cool was at the end of the brewery tours they let you sample their beers. Unlike other tours I have took in the US where they give you little cups to sample -here they gave us mugs and you were able to try as many or as much as you wanted. If you dont drink{my husband doesnt}they had lemonaid/koolaid, sodas etc... My father wanted to know why we always go to brewerys when we travel but thats another story ...lol...
Anybody been up to Sydney, Nova Scotia? Ive done a lot of research on the Nova Scotia tourism sites, and it sure doenst look like there is much to do up there....
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks!
~Carey
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Victory, here I come!! - October 2, 2004
" Also there is the Alexander Keith Brewery which you can tou, it is not like your avg factory tour"
Hmm...What does this mean exactly? I thought this sounded like fun, but now I am not so sure. Anyone have any info on this tour? Is it worth spending some of our very limited time in Halifax doing this tour? Any idea how long it is (time wise)?
Thanks!
~Carey
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Victory, here I come!! - October 2, 2004
Carey,
I was the one who wrote that. I didnt mean to say it was bad-in fact it was good just diffrent.
When you go on a factory tour they usually give you a history of the beer show you were the fermenting barrels are-the hops etc..they also show you the main room with the moving machines {like they show in the opening credits from Laverne and Shirely }with the bottles going around and the beer filling them up, boxing them etc....which is cool-I enjoy it. This is kinda more like a museum type tour "to guide visitors through the smells and tastes of a working brew house". {This quote is from the Halifax visitors guide}. The guides are dressed up like they were in the 1800s and you get "transported"to that time as well. You are considerd part of the guests for that nights party in the tavern that Mr Keith is giving. You wind up at the tavern at the end to sample the local brew.You can have as much or as little as you like-they serve it in either beer mugs or beer glasses. If you dont want to drink or have kids they also serve lemonade. You dont see the acutual factory itself-but my husband and I enjoyed it. I think it was about 90mins maybe shorter{I am sorry I dont remember excatly} I think it was about 13USD/15CAD to get in,again I sorry but I dont remember excatly. They have a website-I am not sure what it is, I pulled up the link from the Nova Scotia visitors website. That is also where I got a number to call to get a Halifax Visitors guide book that had a map of halifax in it as well as othe things in that area to see.do,eat etc.... It was helpful to us{the guide book} for it was our 2nd time to Halifax and we didnt want to do any of the boats shore excusions{been there done them}We kinda like to do off the beaten path{so to speak}touring especially if we have already been to a place and already did the "main tourist" sites.
Thanks for all the helpful info--the Celeb site now shows tours for Newport--not sure whihc would be best in Fall--cliff walk or one of the mansion tours--probably will not be time to do both but will check it out. We take the excursions to avoid worrying about whether or not we'll make it back in time to sail! They cost more but it's worth it to us..some are better than others but we have always felt we got something out of it. We are starting to get excited about the trip--Constellation has been a very highly rated ship---& this is a good opportunity to try her without leaving from San Juan.
Hi, I live in Halifax and will be cruising Western Caribbean in November, but seeing those of you interested in Halifax caught my attention. The Brewery tour is a great tour, but I would recommend other things first, especially if you're only here one day. I think you can't miss the Peggy's Cove tour -- it's a beautiful spot. Also a walking tour of Halifax is a great way to see the city. Just exit the ship and turn right, locate, the boardwalk and follow it. There's lots to see (depending on the time of year), from the Maritime Museum (where there's lots of stuff on the Titanic), to great shopping and even better food. Cows ice cream is not to be missed (that a small store on the waterfront with wonderful ice cream and the best souveniers), and beaver tails (a pastry that makes my mouth water thinking about them). There's also a lot of local tours that can be booked either on the spot or via the internet -- check out www.murphysonthewater.com -- it's a great site. One of the best is the "Harbour Hopper", an amphibious (sp?) vehicle that was used during the Vietnam war that gives a land tour and then drives into the harbour for a water tour. Great stuff. Anyway, hope this helps.
Thank you so much! We have those tours in the US.. they are called "duckie tours". I have always wanted to go on one! I guess I can exit the cruise ship and walk to the Harbor Hopper? Must I make reservations? Their website seems to suggest you can do either or.
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