Snow On A Cruise? Heading To Quebec City On A Canada New England Cruise

Despite the fact that I’ve been to Quebec City a number of times, this was my very first fall cruise in Canada and New England. There was a whiff of autumn in the air when the Celebrity Constellation set sail from Bayonne, New Jersey, but it wasn’t quite there yet. Beautiful weather for the fall.

On this vacation, I never in a million years imagined that I would actually witness a significant winter storm. Because I’ve spent the last almost 22 years in Florida, I’d forgotten how unpredictable the autumn winds can be, particularly at the end of the month of October.

The city of Quebec, located in Canada Autumn Cruise Around New England

On our fall cruise that sailed from Boston to Quebec City and back again for a total of 14 days, our first stop was at Portland, Maine.

The weather in Portland was perfect; there was a gentle breeze and the sky was clear and blue. There was almost little breeze, and the temperature stayed at 70 degrees throughout the day. Everyone left to go on a shore trip or to explore the town that they had just arrived in. On that particular day, I seriously doubt anyone lingered onboard.

Activities Available in the Portland, Maine Area

I try to avoid going on shore excursions whenever it is at all possible. I rather prefer to explore unfamiliar territory on my own. The city of Portland is one of these locations.

When the ship docks at the pier in the old downtown area of Portland, it is one of my favourite times to visit the city. I was in the mood for some genuine Maine fare for lunch, as is my custom, so I set out to find some. Gilbert’s was recommended to us by one of the store’s proprietors as the best option.

Overhearing some locals having a lively conversation while I was enjoying some freshly caught lobster and a steaming bowl of creamy seafood soup allowed me to listen in on what was going on. My interest was immediately peaked by what they had to say.

The New England weather forecast predicted that an unusually early winter storm was on its way out of northern Canada. This storm was expected to bring snow to the region. Blizzard-like snowfall was forecasted for the next hours.

The time has come to go shopping in Portland.

I was only carrying a light jacket, and I didn’t have a hat or gloves, so I made the executive decision to make a quick dash around town in search of something that was both warm and waterproof.

My calculations show that our ship will sail right into the unexpected first snowstorm of the season.

It was my good fortune to stumble onto a charming consignment shop, and it was there that I made the acquisition of a London Fog felt-lined winter coat in its full length. Both the hat and the gloves were purchased at a nearby knit store.

I made my way back to the ship while lugging my shopping bags behind me. The sun was just beginning to set behind the buildings in the downtown area, and when it did so, it produced a warm glow on the older brick facades.

Surprisingly, even though we were out at sea for two days and cruising the expansive Gulf of St. Lawrence, we experienced more of the same pleasant sunshine that we had in Portland. It’s possible that the weather will clear up by the time we get to Quebec City.

Autumn Canada Cruise A Cruise, as Well as an Alteration in the Climate

My purchase at a thrift store of a lightly pre-owned London Fog overcoat was one that I knew I would need very soon. The climate underwent a dramatic shift as we travelled from the Gulf of Mexico to the Saint Lawrence River, and it continued throughout our journey. The wind sped up its speed as it increased its howling, and the temperature continued to fall.

It had begun to snow by the time daybreak arrived. As the Celebrity Constellation made its way slowly westward on the St. Lawrence River, it was pounded by snow and sleet that fell from the sky in horizontal bands.

I had to go check it out for myself, so I went outside.

A member of the crew could be seen removing snow from the pool deck while wearing a broad grin on his face. Because he was born and raised in Jamaica, this was his very first time seeing snow.

The chilly late-fall weather lingered all throughout the day. As our ship navigated the expansive St. Lawrence, we were met by headwinds that pounded the bow of the vessel.

In order to prevent falling down the stairs if you went outdoors, you would need to grab onto the railing. It was like trying to manoeuvre across an ice rink while wearing shoes while the wind was blowing.

An Adventure Through Quebec City During a Snowstorm

We arrived at Quebec City bright and early just as the dawn’s gloomy dark grey sky were beginning to open up. Warnings of a blizzard have been issued.

The combination of ice, freezing rain, and strong winds can mean significant danger in this steep city that was originally built on two levels.

After finishing my breakfast, I made the unflinching decision to walk ashore. Since I moved away from Chicago in 1999, I hadn’t experienced winter weather like this—snow, sleet, or temps that low.

Cruise to Quebec City during the Fall Season

It was finally time to go ashore and see Quebec City, but this time it would be a lot cooler than everybody had anticipated.

In winds of up to 35 miles per hour, negotiating the frozen gangway to get ashore proved a difficult task. Because I currently live in Florida but have deep roots in Chicago, I knew that this was a chance that I could not pass up.

My brand-new winter coat, knit hat, and gloves that I bought in Portland were going to get a workout.

Dressed in a number of layers I was told that I looked a little bit like the Michelin (wo)man. I moved carefully down the ice-covered gangway, making sure to keep both of my hands on the chilly metal railing the entire time. The crew was unable to keep up with the pace necessary to maintain the gangway clear.

Confronting the Elements in Search of a Map!

After that, I put my laptop in my backpack and followed the crew members to the terminal in order to get a city map and information on things to do in the city. On that particular morning, I was one of only a dozen passengers who dared to step foot off the ship.

My journey through the blinding snow and sleet appeared to take an eternity, although it was actually only fifteen minutes long.

When I looked up from the cruise terminal, I saw that a Princess ship had moved into the ideal docking area just in front of the terminal. The lengthy trek now made more sense.

Because of this, the Constellation docked a considerable distance away, and in order to reach the terminal, we had to walk four blocks in the chilly weather.

Even though it was freezing, Quebec City was a Lot of Fun.

I gave up trying to access the internet at the terminal after struggling to do so for an hour.

After making my way back to the ship, I unloaded my backpack, which included my electrical equipment and laptop, and then I made my way back out into the storm.

This was, without a doubt, the weather that I remembered being most similar to Chicago.

A Snowy Hike to the Historic District of Quebec

The most enjoyable way to take in the splendour of Quebec City is on foot…during the warmer months. However, if you arrive in Quebec by cruise, the pier is conveniently located very close to Old Quebec.

The huge city that is Quebec City is something that the majority of cruise passengers never get to experience. Why? because there are a lot of very great day trips just outside the city limits to choose from.

Walking to Old Quebec and the historic district of the city takes just around ten to fifteen minutes from the port area of the city. While on a cruise to Quebec City in the fall, particularly given the weather conditions, the trek may be considered somewhat hazardous.

The majority of tourists are under the impression that Old Quebec is split into two levels: the Lower and the Upper.

My only option to reach the higher level of the famous Chateau Frontenac Hotel and check it out was to ride the funicular, which has been around for more than 130 years. Or you could try walking.

In the current conditions of the blizzard, neither option sounded appealing, therefore it was decided that the only option would be to walk on the lower level. The next day would be another full day for us here, and perhaps the weather would get better.

How to Get the Most out of Your Lunch in Quebec City

After wandering around for an hour in the chilly and wet weather of fall, I was longing for a good warm meal at a quaint French café.

When I had a choice between several places, I decided to go with Le Cochon Dingue (Crazy Pig). The other dish, Le Lapin Sauté, would be served at the next occasion.

While I was eating at a table for two at the window with a view of the snowy street, I had the distinct impression that I was participating in a scene from a movie.

I was curious about the woman’s meal at the table next to mine, so I looked over to check what she was having. My only response to the waitress was “I’ll have what she’s having,” which was in the style of the movie “When Harry Met Sally,” but without the sound effects.

It was referred to be a Seafood Pot Pie, but it actually contained much more than seafood. A puff pastry that was oh-so-crispy covered the dish that had large pieces of lobster, scallops, salmon, and potatoes baked together in a delicious cream sauce.

Not very salty, with a hint of tarragon and black pepper in the flavour. The already copious pot pie was supplemented with a dark green salad dressed with homemade vinaigrette and French fries.

Once I had the waiter pick out a Sauvignon Blanc for me, I felt like everything was back to normal.

Discovering Quebec’s Historic Core

On the somewhat icy cobblestone streets, both tourists and locals walked carefully, taking care not to fall or step in a grey slush-puddle. It would appear that the streets and sidewalks in Quebec City and Old Quebec are not shovelled until November 1 of each year.

Even though it was just October 22, business owners were already using shovels and brooms to clear away the snow and ice that had fallen early in the season.

The entrances of the shops were adorned with jack-o’-lanterns carved in the shape of pumpkins and dressed in finery resembling that of France for Halloween. Each pumpkin was more très chic than the one that came before it.

My Very First Trip ashore in Quebec, Canada

After lunch, as everyone returned to the ship, they all appeared to be drenched, chilly, and miserable. Even though it was raining heavily, most of the tours nevertheless went forward as scheduled.

After giving it a lot of thought, I came to the conclusion that I should sign up for a late afternoon coast excursion that would take us to St. Anne’s Winery and Montmorency Falls.

It was beyond my comprehension how anyone could be grumpy given the unanticipated autumn weather anomaly that we experienced. Especially considering the fact that everyone was offered free hot chocolate as soon as they boarded the ship.

After getting warmed up and getting dressed, I headed back outside to continue the tour.

Panic! I Was Not Able to Locate My Tour Group.

The instructions for the tour ticket stated that participants should meet at the pier at three in the afternoon. I arrived five minutes early, waited ten minutes past the scheduled time, and then… there was no one to be seen.

I went back on board the ship since I wasn’t sure whether or not my excursion would go forward. The tour did not end up being cancelled, but neither the passengers nor the personnel knew where the meeting spot was supposed to be located.

I was too late for the bus at this point (not the boat, thankfully). When I requested the girl working at the shore excursion counter for a refund, she gladly refunded my onboard account. This came as a surprise to me.

The location of the meeting had been moved, but unfortunately not everyone got the memo.

The Front Desk employees did not dispute with you if you wanted to seek a refund for a tour that you had booked in the nick of time due to the adverse weather. They probably did not want guests to become ill or hurt themselves by slipping and falling.

Staying the Night in Quebec City

Dinner onboard was delightful. It goes without saying that the cuisine was delicious, but what truly captivated me was the view of Le Chateau Frontenac, which was illuminated by glowing lights and included falling snow.

The evening’s entertainment was going to be relatively low key, but there were plans for it nonetheless. A good number of passengers decided to eat their meal on land instead.

Some guests, who had participated in this activity in the past, were staying the night at the ancient hotel.

Spending the night in port is one of my favourite things to do since the ship is at rest, there is peace and quiet, and there is no rush to go ashore the following morning.

And Quebec City the Following Day After That…

The ice and snow had completely melted by the middle of the morning. A trip on the funicular to the hotel and a tour of the Upper Level would be a delightful way to spend the day. That is precisely what I ended up doing.

Which kind of cruise is this—on the river or the ocean?

A Canada and New England cruise may more closely resemble a river trip than an ocean cruise, according to the technical definition.

You will spend more time on the St. Lawrence River than you will on the Atlantic Ocean if you take a Canada New England cruise that departs from either New York or Boston and ends in either Quebec City or Montreal.

Even the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Great Lakes are accessible to smaller boats, and you can sail Lake Michigan all the way down to Chicago from there. One of these ships is the recently launched Viking Octantis.

The Ideal Time to Visit Canada A Cruise Through New England

Be advised that the autumn weather in Canada and New England is very unpredictable on any Canada New England cruise that departs from Quebec City.

When planning a cruise for early autumn, set your sights on seeing stunning displays of fall leaves in dozens of different shades of red, gold, and orange. It is not uncommon to see large groups of birds flying south on their annual migration.

If you wait a week or two and then cruise to or from Quebec or Montreal, you might get lucky like I did and experience an early season blizzard. Who could possibly want anything more than this?

If you haven’t already planned a Canada-New England cruise to Halifax, Nova Scotia or Quebec City, then you should strongly consider putting it on your list of things to do on a cruise if you haven’t already.