We are cruising to Canada & New England out of NYC Oct 4 on NCL Dawn. Will visit Boston, Bar Harbor, Quebec City, Sydney & Cornerbrook Newfoundland and Halifax Nova Scotia. Anyone with any ideas as what not to miss? Would appreciate any info that can be shared.

I loved to go to Quincy Market in Boston.

Mayo, there is so much to do in each port -- are you interested in history, architecture, general sightseeing, nature, etc.? That could help narrow things down.

I wrote this review several years ago, yet much is still current. I didn't include Cornerbrook as it is not a frequent stop, but am happy to answer any questions (based on my one time there).

Lisa- enjoyed your newsletter! I'm just getting tons of good info on sightseeing! I have another question on our past topic of Acadia National Park- The free bus "The Island Explorer" does not go up to Cadillac Mountain. They recommend 2 other tour groups that off that but they are $25+ pp to go on their 2 1/2 hr tours. Should we just do the free bus to Sand Beach, Thunderhole, Otter Cliffs, Sir De Mont's Spring, Jordon Pond????

Mayo- We are going RCI on Sept 28-Oct 7 to many of the same places. I've been researching our stops that are the same as yours. In Boston we are going to do the Freedom Trail Walk (thefreedomtrail.org) and the Swanboats (www.swanboats.com) and visiting the marketplace (www.FaneuilHallMarketplace.com) You can call 888-SEE-BOSTON they'll mail you all sorts of things.
In Bar Harbor (207-288-9432) we're going to Acadia National Park (www.exploreacadia.com) via free Island Explorer Buses 207-288-5103 (park entrance $5 pp)may try to catch lunch at the Jordon Pond Rest (www.jordonpond.com)
Halifax 800-565-0000-Walking from the Pier 21 to the Halifax Public Garden Park then walking to St. Mary's Basilica and Old Burial Grounds then on to the Citadel ($7.25) allow 2 hours, A walk past the Old Clock Tower, St. Paul's Church 902-429-2240, and then to Maritime Museum of the Atlantic ($8) 902-424-6446

We haven't been yet but we are anxious to go!
Lisa has been a great help to us.

Thank you, cousins, for your kind words. I only wish the photos were still in the article -- they were hosted on a different site that is no longer active.

A couple of updates on Boston. Road construction is, for the most part, complete. And, there is now streetcar service from the pier to South Station if you don't want to walk. Check .http://www.mbta.com/

Another suggestion for Boston is to visit Faneuil Hall itself, not just the adjacent Quincy Market (which is not that special, IMO, now that lots of chain stores have moved in). But Faneuil Hall is beautifully restored as a meeting house, and the interior is beautiful. A National Park guide will be there to give the history and other facts.

As to your questions about Acadia NP, that's a tough call. What else, besides Cadillac Mountain, do the other tours offer?

National Park Tours and Oli's Trolley offer a tour to Cadillac Mountain and it has like 3 other stops for 15 min each I believe. I'd have to pull up their websites again to see what they are exactly. So now we have a choice to make. What do you suggest $29 and a stop on the Cad Mount or free and skip the mountian??

Lisa:
I went on the transportation line...they list bus and rail. How do I find out about the streetcar? Also, I couldn't put in info because I don't know an address for the "Pier" and "South Station". Not even sure why the stop is at South Station. Is South Station at Faneuil Hall? Do we need to catch a bus/street car to get to the park where the swans are? (My husband's gonna love the swan boats---not, but too bad)we're tourist!
The Acadia Tours are all within walking distance from the ship.

Hi Shari. Sorry about posting and running earlier...

Here's some information on public transit within Boston. First, a MAP.

The pier is on the Silver Line, on the right side of the map -- closest stop is Boston Marine and Industrial Park. Take that to South Station, and transfer to the Red Line -- inbound. Two stops later is Park Street, where you can either transfer to the Green Line (bound for Arlington station) or, preferably, leave the station and walk through the Boston Common (huge park), which then leads into the Public Garden, where the Swan Boats are.

By the way, I used to work near the Public Garden and loved riding the Swan Boats during lunch!

Faneuil Hall is at the Government Center stop on the Green Line. If you do the Swan Boats first, go to Arlington Station (close to the Public Garden), and ride three stops inbound to Government Center.

Also, the Boston Common and Faneuil Hall are both on the Freedom Trail, so you could also follow the red painted line (or red brick) path on the sidewalk to go between the two. It's about a 15-minute walk, and you do pass some interesting sites.

From there, Faneuil Hall, you can either take a taxi back to the ship (fastest), use the ship's shuttle bus (for a fee, if it's offered), or take the public transit (Government Center green line -> Park Street, change for red line outbound -> change for Silver Line route SL2. It's a lot less confusing than it sounds.

Quebec City is very nice - a mixture of old and new. I was there 11 years ago for my 4th year geology field trip.

the "Old City" is built within a wall and has 2 levels at the bottom of a hill and at the top, there is a tram way that
will take you between the 2 levels. A lot of the architecture dates back to the original French Colony- there are a lot of restaurants and boutiques within the old city.

One sight to see is the citadelle - it is a fortress that was buit by the British in the 1830's and overlooks the Plains of Abraham - which is where the battle was fought and lost and handed Canada to the British. The big difference between the Citadelle in Qubec with other sites like fort Henery in Kingston or Louisberg in Nova Scotia - it still is an active military base with a regular force infantry batallion stationed there. They do offer guided tours:

http://www.lacitadelle.qc.ca/section.php?lang=en&id=4

Lisa,
If we leave the ship at 9 am and walk to Boston Marine Ind. Park we can get on the Silverline bus ??? The map said "subway" do we just pay cash to the bus driver? Do we pay cash every time we switch bus color/lines? I'm trying to figure out a time frame. Are these buses running every so many minutes at each stop? What time would we arrive at the swans?
After the swans approx. what time would we arrive at the Gov Center? This is where we would walk the freedom trail- The Visitor's Center is at that Boston Common (What is the Boston Common?). Do you recommend us just walking the Freedom Trail ourselves(approx 2.5 miles... I believe you can rent a tape player of some sort??, or pay $12 for a guided tour? I believe it ends at Quincy Market- which I'm not sure what that is, and if that is near/or the same thing as Faneuil Hall. Allowing also time to shop at Faneuil Hall. Approx how much would it be for a cab to return and time wise. We would like to be back on the ship by 4pm.
Again, I can't thank you enough for your input!

Lisa- looking for some feedback? Are you out there or cruising somewhere???

Sorry for the delay, Shari. I haven't been around...but not because of a cruise.

I'll have to look into your question on the Silver Line. Fare structure changed recently, along with method of payment -- some lines take cash, others take tickets, and as we haven't had any ship visits yet, I haven't been to the terminal. I'll let you know when I return from my upcoming biz trip, in about 2 weeks.

Boston Common is a large park in downtown Boston, and is located between the park where the swan boats are located (the Public Garden) and Government Center. I'd suggest visiting the Swan Boats first (I'll have to check on timing), then walking to the Common to get the Freedom Trail map (or you can also find one online). Forget about the $12 guided tour -- this is easily done on your own.

Quincy Market is adjacent to Faneuil Hall -- and is now pretty much an shopping mall in historic buildings with stores that will be familiar to you. Faneuil Hall is far more interesting (see my post above). Quincy Market is good for a quick lunch, though. I'd leave at least an hour to get back to the ship due to traffic and to have a cushion in case you don't find a taxi right away.

I can't help to comment on Quebec City as that is a very favorite location. The last time we were there, we walked along the inside of the wall of the Old City. It was a wonderful walk, and I highly recommend it.

Thank you so much for your insight!! I love to cram in as much as possible at ports and unless you are well-detailed organized it doesn't happen.
Earlier you said something about there being a street car to take you to South Station. Is this in place of the SilverLine?
Any idea on how much a taxi will cost from Faneuil Hall to the pier? Will there be taxi's outside or should we have a phone number to call for one?
Thanks again for alllllll of your help.

shari, sorry for the confusion about the Silver Line... some refer to it as a streetcar, others a subway or bus. Taxi from Faneuil Hall to the pier should be about $15, and there will be plenty of taxis in the area.

I still need to look into Silver Line fares for you.

I'm sorry- I've never rode on a bus before where you pay to ride. This is very foreign to me. Do you pay every time you get off one bus to transfer to the next? Do you have to pay exact cash?

Exact payment is required, but I'll have to look into how this is paid as the system recently made some changes in this regard. Transfers should be at no cost, but I'll look into this as well.

Thanks Lisa- there are 4 of us so were trying to see if a taxi isn't the cheapest way anyway. Also, I believe the swanboats aren't open in Oct. when we're there. I guess we'll go straight to the Boston Common Visitor Center and walk the Freedom Trail to Faneuil Hall and shop. I have a question about Acadia National PArk also--you've been there right?
Here's my email- deepsea29c@yahoo.com

My husband & I visited Boston in Oct. '06. We walked the Freedom Trail. This is very easy to do, and you can do it at your own pace.

I think I answered another post about New England with this same information, so forgive me if I sound like a broken record.

On the Freedom Trail you will see Paul Revere's house (must buy ticket to go in), the Old North Church, and several cemeteries where Paul Revere, Samuel Adams & other notables of American history are buried. Also you'll see monuments. It goes right through downtown, so there's plenty of opportunities to browse in a store or stop for coffee.

I highly recommend this, and even more so for those who love history.

Welcome any and all cruise travelers to the New England region!
Don't forget that the North End is also known for the Italian heritage and great food. If anyone is in Beantown on a Saturday, don't miss walking through the market place near Faneuil Hall. It is neat to see the various venders selling fruits, vegetables, fish and various meat markets. People watching in and around this area is so much fun; it is a melting pot of many cultures and nationalities. Be prepared for a very crowded area at this time of year. Oh yes, for seafood lovers after working up an appetite walking the area, don't miss out on another piece of culinary history; eat at the Union Oyster House near Quincy Market. This is reported as the longest continuously operated restaurant in the United States and has been frequented my many notables such as favorite place of John F. Kennedy to brunch on Sunday's while reading his paper. If you eat raw oysters, check out the raw bar and some of thr original furnishings here. Oh Yes, don't forget to get your fill of the famous Maine Lobstah!! Enjoy.

Peter1