Cruising From New York To New England and Canada
Taking a cruise that departs from New York and travels to New England and Canada isn’t necessarily at the top of my list of must-do cruises, but I’m going to explain why it really ought to be.
When I think of northeastern America, I imagine those iconic fall scenes, where the landscapes and trees undergo a dramatic change in color, going from green to an array of vivid colors and shades.
The vacation actually exceeded my expectations in terms of its overall awesomeness, which was a genuine surprise to me. It really does offer something for everyone, whether you’re interested in discovering world-famous cities, gaining insight into the history of the United States, appreciating the splendor of nature, or being enlightened by other cultures. You don’t even need to look very far to find all of this to experience it.
The Anthem of the Seas cruise ship, which is operated by Royal Caribbean, is an excellent choice for a vacation following this route. During this excursion, we started out in New York and sailed all the way up to Boston, Massachusetts, then traveled to Portland and Bar Harbor in the state of Maine, and ended our journey in Halifax and St. John in the province of Nova Scotia. So, let me explain to you why I believe that this excursion ought to be at the very top of your list of potential cruises.
The State Hymn of the Big Apple
I have previously cruised on Anthem of the Seas when she was in the United Kingdom in 2015, and I have always been a big fan of the Quantum Class of ships (… in fact, I got engaged on one of them!). They are some of the largest ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, and they are packed to the gills with interesting things to do and see. This makes them ideal for someone like me who enjoys staying busy.
You are spoiled for choice with all that is available on board, regardless of whether you are traveling alone, as a couple, or with your family. Anthem has a vibe that is at once ultra-modern and homey, with stylish venues and open areas that never appear to be overrun with people. Whether it is the one-of-a-kind Two70 lounge, where during the day you can sit and watch the world go by while reading a good book or enjoying a good cocktail during sunset, or experiencing the incredible technology that makes this a world-class theater venue – including six Roboscreens that perform for guests or the Vistarama, which transforms the huge windows of Two70 into a 12K experience – there are many things that make this a world-class theater venue. One of my personal favorites, the Music Hall is yet another enjoyable location that can be found on board. It is a dark and dingy music establishment that stays open late every night and features live performances, dancing, and parties.
SeaPlex is the place to go for anyone who wants to get more exercise. This multi-purpose location plays host to a wide range of activities throughout the day, including ball games, bumper cars, and a circus school. By night, it transforms into a disco complete with a floating DJ booth and can even hold a circus school. In this area, you’ll also find the additional outdoor activities that are available aboard the ship, such as rock climbing, surfing on the flow rider, and the Ripcord by iFly skydiving simulator, which is exclusive to the Quantum Class ships. If you ever find yourself on a Quantum ship, you absolutely have to participate in the sky diving since it is an incredible amount of fun.
Royal Caribbean takes great pride in the variety of activities it offers. If you are a kid at heart or a kid at heart yourself, the ship has plenty of activities to keep you occupied at all hours of the day. At addition to the excitement that can be found in the SeaPlex, there are a variety of other events, including as game shows, trivia, and other contests, that take place all across the ship. Why not take to the skies on North Star, a capsule that soars 300 feet above the water and offers vistas in all directions around the ship? This attraction was inspired by the London Eye. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a must-do while you’re on board.
Because she can sail in any kind of weather, Anthem is an excellent choice for a northern route like this one. Because the vast majority of her activities take place indoors, the weather won’t have much of an impact on the things you do during the day. Whether it be the two indoor pools, the multi-functional SeaPlex, shopping via the indoor Royal Esplanade, or enjoying watching the world go by while sipping a cocktail in Two70, this hotel has something for everyone. Having said that, the weather throughout our trip was perfect, so we were able to enjoy spending the majority of our time outside at the pool, at the bars, and in other areas.
This is the place to go if you enjoy seeing concerts that are performed on the West End. To start things off, let’s have a look at We Will Rock You, an iconic jukebox musical that is based on the music of the British rock band Queen. Or, if you’re in the mood for something a little more eclectic, you might always check out Spectra’s Cabaret. This performance is going to take place in Two70. This one-of-a-kind performance takes the audience on “an eclectic multi-dimensional cabaret” full with singing, dancing, and robots, among other things. It is highly recommended that you watch it.
If you’re interested in food, you won’t be let down in any way. Anthem offers a wide variety of dining options, including delicious Italian cuisine at Jamie’s Italian (ask for the anti-pasti plank!), steak at Chops Grille, sushi at Izumi, or a post-modern style of cooking that is categorized by theme rather than course at Wonderland. If you’re looking for a culinary adventure, you can head down the rabbit hole at Wonderland. Boleros is a pleasant bar where you can drink a wonderful mojito and listen to live Latin music. If you appreciate a decent cocktail, there are plenty of great bars on board. One of my favorites is Boleros. The Music Hall is an excellent location for enjoying live music in the evening, sipping a cocktail or two, and getting your dancing on till the wee hours of the morning.
The city that was considered so desirable that it was given two names: New York and New York
New York is a wonderful place to embark on or disembark from a cruise, not to mention merely visit on its own, as evidenced by the fact that I have done it a number of times during the course of my travels. Since there is a lot to see and do, you might want to get there early (or stay later), and spend a few days taking in the sights and sounds of the city. It is essential that you see a musical on Broadway, try some of the delicious food that can be found (don’t forget the pizza!), and explore the sights and sounds of the city. Central Park, Fifth Avenue, and Times Square are some of the places that you should visit. Because there is so much to see and do, it is possible that at times it might be a little overwhelming; thus, here are a few top recommendations that I have gleaned from my experiences over the years.
Hotels
In New York, there is a hotel to suit any traveler’s preferences, no matter their budget or preferred neighborhood. The Yotel in Hell’s Kitchen, which is located between Times Square and the primary New York cruise port on the River Hudson, is one of the establishments that I enjoy the most. It is perfectly located for access to the commotion that can be found surrounding Fifth Avenue and Times Square, while still being removed enough to avoid becoming overly chaotic. I also really enjoy spending time in Hell’s Kitchen since the neighborhood is always developing and adapting to new things, and there are stores, restaurants, and other things to do around every corner. I’ve been in a few different rooms, and regardless of which one you choose, you’ll be treated to an unforgettable panorama of the city and the river.
Getting around and the activities available
Although navigating the subway at times can be challenging, it is a very convenient method to go throughout the city. Apps like City Mapper are quite helpful when trying to orient oneself in a new environment. If you have the time, walking around the city is another fantastic method to get a feel for it. Walking the streets and gaining first-hand experience has helped me become more knowledgeable about New York and uncover previously unknown facts and information.
The High Line should not be missed. You can travel all the way from Hell’s Kitchen to the Meatpacking District using this aerial park in Chelsea (see some comparison pics below in both Summer and Winter). This gorgeous walkway, which was formerly a New York railway spur, is now a wonderful place to take a leisurely stroll and take in the reclaimed industrial area’s natural splendor. It is a true hidden gem of New York City since it offers plenty of space to sit, hosts impromptu performances, and allows visitors to easily return to the frenetic activity of the city (so much so it has been copied across the world). Did you know that there are five million people who visit it every year? No of the season, Central Park is an excellent place to take a stroll and spend some time in the company of friends and family.
The Brooklyn Bridge offers visitors yet another picture-perfect location to explore on foot. In point of fact, strolling across the Brooklyn Bridge and paying a visit to that borough should be at the top of your to-do list. While you’re there, don’t forget to stop at one of the several parklets in the area, including the world-famous Jane’s Carousel. Visit the World Trade Center while you are in the neighborhood to pay your respects to those who were killed in the horrific attacks that occurred in 2001 and to gain knowledge about the history of the surrounding area. The observation deck at One World Trade Center is one of the best in the city, and it offers views from the city’s highest point. If you wish to enjoy lunch or dinner with a view, the hotel also has a restaurant that you can visit (although making a reservation is strongly suggested!).
In connection with this topic, one of the many reasons I adore New York is due to the abundance of delectable foods and beverages it provides. You are able to get literally any style of cuisine or fusion you can conceive of in this city, which is representative of the city’s multi-cultural nature. One of the many reasons why I enjoy watching Hell’s Kitchen so much is that it features a melting pot of a variety of dishes and cuisines. There are literally too many locations to discuss in this article, but during my most recent trip, I went to a restaurant that specialized in just meatballs, I went to Little Korea, I had some of the best Thai food, and I had one of the best bottomless brunches (click the links above to read more). Simply thinking about it has caused my saliva to start flowing.
A trip to the Intrepid Sea, Air, and Space Museum is something else that you really have to do, especially if you’re the kind of person who, like myself, is a bit of a nerd. This building is located right near to the primary cruise terminal in Manhattan. The museum is in fact an aircraft carrier called the USS Intrepid. It has a number of exhibits, the most notable of which being the Enterprise Space Shuttle. Other displays include a British Airways Concorde, numerous static aircraft, a submarine, and more. It is a wonderful destination for vacation.
It is impossible to go to New York without engaging in some form of retail therapy, even if it’s only window shopping. In New York, you truly do have an abundance of options available to you. Take a stroll along Fifth Avenue and relive many of the moments from the innumerable films that have been shot there; visit Tiffany’s or take a look around the many other shops and boutiques along the avenue. Make it a point to get to areas like the Rockefeller Center, which is always bustling with a variety of activities and events, especially during the holiday season when it is home to a well-known Christmas Tree as well as an ice skating rink.
On our most recent trip, we were only in the city for a total of three days. You can find out more about what we were up to by taking a look at my story on Instagram. Following our departure from New York City, we made our way to the Cape Liberty Cruise Port in the state of New Jersey, where we embarked on the magnificent Anthem of the Seas and began our journey to Boston, Maine, and Nova Scotia in Canada.
