Cruising From New York To New England and Canada – Part 2
Following our departure from New York City, we set sail on the magnificent Anthem of the Seas, bound for Boston, Maine, and Nova Scotia in Canada. Read more here to learn about the first leg of our journey, which took place in New York and included a tour of the Anthem of the Seas.
Boston, Massachusetts
Following our departure from New York, the first stop on this cruise was in Boston. This trip provided the ideal opportunity for me to get to know Boston, which is a very well-known city. I have wanted to go there for a very long time. If you only have a few hours to spend in port, the hop-on, hop-off bus is always the best method to see everything the city has to offer. Boston is not an exception to this rule. We went on the Old Town Trolley Tours, which cover the entire city and take you to a variety of different neighborhoods. You will see the USS Constitution, which is the oldest commissioned ship that is still afloat; the Old State House, which is one of the most important buildings in the United States; it is the oldest surviving public building in Boston; the picture-perfect area of Beacon Hill and the public gardens; the Massachusetts State House; and you will have the opportunity to jump off and visit MIT and Harvard if you so choose. In all honesty, this is the most effective approach to acquire a feel for the city.
Both Bar Harbor and Portland are located in Maine.
Maine was, without a doubt, the most memorable part of this vacation for me. The first stop was at Portland, which is the most populous city in the state of Maine. To get the most out of everything there is to see and do, my best recommendation is to take two separate excursions. We took a morning trolley-bus tour around the city and the famous Portland Head Lighthouse (offered by Portland Discovery Land & Sea Tours) – Here you’ll learn first-hand about the history of this city, its role in the history of the United States, as well as the four devastating fires that have repeatedly destroyed parts of the city over the course of its existence. Take a harbor tour in the afternoon to get a better look at the assortment of forts and lighthouses that are located across the region.
Spend some time appreciating the city by going for a stroll through its charming neighborhoods and the bustling waterfront district. You cannot leave this place without first sampling the local craft beers and a lobster roll made with fresh local lobster. The state of Maine is famous for its lobsters, and you’ll find that eating them is considered a special treat there. In point of fact, if you are a fan of lobster, this trip is perfect for you because you will be able to find it just about wherever in the majority of the ports.
We were on our way to the next port when we found ourselves at the stunning city of Bar Harbour. It is the ideal location to reconnect with mother nature and take pleasure in the great outdoors due to the breathtaking beauty of its coastline. Acadia National Park is the first national park established east of the Mississippi River, and it is located to the southwest of Bar Harbor. You may get about the park in a number of different ways, including a free shuttle bus, renting a car, or using a bus that allows you to get on and off at several stops; whichever option you pick, you will not want to miss out on visiting the park.
You can easily understand why so many wealthy and renowned people chose to spend part of the year living here. One of the highlights is getting to walk along the breathtaking coastline, which is known for its peculiar pink granite and the Thunderock, which can be heard roaring at certain times of the day when the tide is just perfect. Or, you could pay a trip to the breathtaking Jordan Pond, where you can admire the sight of the bubble mountains, relax in the well-known tea house, or, if you have the time, stroll through some of the breathtaking scenery. Last but not least, you won’t want to skip out on visiting Cadillac Mountain, which, during certain times of the year, is the first place in the United States to witness the dawn. This picture-perfect vantage point, which is perched high above Bar Harbour, offers breathtaking panoramas of both Maine and Nova Scotia.
The Canadian cities of Halifax and Saint John, Nova Scotia
The last of our calls took us to the province of Nova Scotia in Canada. To begin, we will travel to Halifax, which is often regarded as the cultural capital of Canada and is home to a diverse selection of museums, theaters, and art galleries. As is the case with many of the locations described in this article, spending just one day in the city is not nearly enough time to see and do everything. There is a cruise ship pier in the downtown area, and it is well worth the time to disembark and take a stroll along the boardwalk that runs along the water. The Boardwalk is home to a variety of local brewers and markets in addition to a number of restaurants that look amazing and activities that take place throughout the day. If you find yourself in the area, you should definitely sample some of the local poutine.
We made the decision to go to the Citadel Hill, which is one of the National Historic Sites located in the city (Fort George). Since the arrival of the first British settlers in the 18th century, it has maintained a protective vantage point over Halifax. Visitors to the site will have the opportunity to learn about the history of the fortress as they stroll about the grounds and learn about the many features and the troops who served there. In addition to that, it still provides fantastic views of Halifax.
Peggy’s Cove is a great place to visit if you feel like venturing further out. This location is well-known not just for the natural beauty of its surroundings but also for the wide variety of activities that can be enjoyed there. This includes activities such as golf courses, whale watching tours, kayaking trips, beautiful beaches, and hiking paths.
In the end, our very last port of call was in Saint John, New Brunswick. This is another another center of cultural activity in Canada, and throughout the year it plays host to a variety of performances and productions. Because the cruise docks smack dab in the midst of town, getting around and seeing the sights of the city is very convenient. Take some time to explore the city’s architecture and unique stores by going for a stroll through the City Market.
Visit the Reversing Falls if you are looking for something that is a little bit more exciting. The name of these set of rapids gives the impression that the water is moving in the opposite direction than it actually is because of the tidal currents. This can be experienced in a number of different ways. You have the choice of observing the roiling water from either Fallsview Park or Reversing Falls Park, or you may take in the scene from a vantage point higher up on the rooftop viewing platform (all of these options are free). Many people suggest defying gravity by going on a zip line tour if you want to get up close and personal with the animals. Unfortunately, I did not get the opportunity to go on one of these tours, but they look like a lot of fun!
We count ourselves quite lucky to have had Adam Goldstein, the Vice Chairman of Royal Caribbean, visit us today. In order to bring attention to the significance of tourism in St. Johns, he boarded the ship in St. Johns to compete in a friendly game of table tennis against local officials.
When we first started out on this journey, I had no idea what to anticipate or what I would see along the way. However, thanks to this cruise, I was able to experience and learn about a great deal of culture and history, try local food and drink, and go outdoors into nature. All in all, it’s a cruise that really does offer something that anyone and everyone can enjoy. The fact that I had an encounter like this one demonstrates why I enjoy cruising so much. I feel like I barely scratched the surface of what was available on our trip, but I would absolutely love to do this itinerary all over again.
