It’s been over a decade since we’ve visited Halifax, Nova Scotia and when our cruise ship docked on the waterfront recently we were pleasantly surprised. Not only is the modern terminal capable of handling a few cruise ships it also houses a crafts market and farmers marketplace on the street level, but that’s just the beginning of what’s in store along the harbour waterfront.
The new and still expanding Halifax Harbour Walk is a beautifully developed area that is obviously become a popular Halifax gathering place. Situated along almost a mile of downtown waterfront there’s lots of things to do and see. The attractions include two museums, a number of restaurants, a casino, historic ships, food concessions (don’t miss trying a Beaver Tail pastry), children’s play areas, boat rentals, and upscale shops. The Halifax Harbour Walk also regularly schedules concerts and entertainment.
Will Changes In Menus Have A Negative Impact On Cruising?
Note: Please add your comments concerning your recent cruise experience to our comments below.
My wife and I have taken over 65 cruises with almost 40 being with Celebrity. Our most recent Celebrity cruises were a trans-Atlantic on Apex in 2022 and a Caribbean cruise on Constellation out of Tampa in January 2023.
What a difference! And yes I know they are completely different classes of ship, but I have never before seen a serious difference in food quality between different ships. The Constellation cruise was a disappointment. In the main dining room food took a really long time to be served (the dining room staff were still excellent but obviously short staffed). In our opinion the dinner selections were nothing like what we have been used to. On previous cruises we often had trouble deciding between a few good choices. On this cruise we had trouble finding something we actually wanted to eat.
One night, in an effort to find a better selection, we went up to the Ocean View buffet for dinner. The changes there were a problem as well. The grill was closed – no steaks, or pork, etc… The stir fry station wasn’t open and overall the buffet selections were greatly reduced.
There’s been a LOT of grumbling about the food onboard over the past six months. Several people suggested that the best staff and food were being provided to the newer ships leaving the smaller ships to become step children. This may not be the problem as we got hold of Celebrity’s new fleet wide menus last week and it was the same as we experienced on Constellation*.
We have no problem with the service onboard except that it has been significantly reduced. It wasn’t unusual to spend over a half hour in a lounge before being waited on.
We have also made cruises recently on Royal Caribbean and we have also seen their new menus and we have similar issues with their. We did a back to back in Alaska in May/June on Radiance of the Seas and while the menu didn’t meet our expectations the food overall wasn’t a disappointment. In August/September we cruised on Jewel of the Seas and overall the food was veery disappointing.
We are also booked on Celebrity’s Millennium in February/March 2024 for back to backs lasting a month, and we are seriously concerned. Like the month on the Jewel, that’s a long time to not be happy with the food. The good news is, that gives Celebrity another six months to realize they have an issue and time to hopefully fix things?
We understand that the cruise industry suffered serious loses in the Covid years and that may explain some of the cost cutting now, but in July 2023 Royal Caribbean raised its full-year profit forecast on after posting a record for quarterly revenue. Perhaps they should be concerned about how much more their loyal customers will be inclined to put up with?
*We do have some evidence that Celebrity’s Edge class ships with their four themed dining rooms does have a better menu. We were certainly pleased with the meals on our September Apex cruise.
If you have recently been cruising we would welcome hearing your opinion in the comments below.
Holyhead Port, Wales is a commercial and ferry port located in the town of Holyhead on the Isle of Anglesey. It is the second busiest ferry port in the UK, and features regular sailings to ports in Eastern Ireland.
Wales itself is a beautiful place with a rich and complex history that dates back to prehistoric times. There are discoveries of a Neanderthal presence over 200,000 years ago. It has been inhabited by various Celtic tribes, was invaded by the Romans, and later was conquered by England’s King Edward I becoming part of the Kingdom of England. Today Wales is an independent country still holding onto its own language but is part of the United Kingdom. It has its own government, the National Assembly for Wales. Wales has a total area of 8,018 square miles making it smaller than New Hampshire with a population of approximately 3.15 million people.
Where Your Ship Docks
Cruise ships dock at a working pier in Holyhead Port. It is separated from the town by a long bridge and causeway with the distance into town of about a half mile. Holyhead is a small working town with only a couple of sights of interest. One is an interesting maritime museum about a mile from town center and the other is a coastal walking trail. This port is mainly a good opportunity to tour out into Wales.
Wheelchair Accessibility
Disembarking – This is a working industrial port without a cruise ship terminal. Disembarking varies by the individual ships gangway design and a steep ramp or even stairs can be encountered. For passengers using wheelchairs there can be a difficult time disembarking. Getting into town is a considerable distance but there may be shuttle busses running.
Transportation
Because of the distances involved getting out into the Welsh countryside it is probably a good idea to look into available tours. Should you prefer to strike out on your own there are Hertz and Enterprise car rental agencies located near to port entrance.
Currency
Wales uses the English Pound and some merchants may accept Euros but don’t rely on it. Credit cards are welcome and there are ATMs available.
Attractions
Wales itself is characterized by rugged mountains, large tracts of beautiful forest and a number of popular attractions that include:
Caernarfon Castle is a significant historical landmark in Welsh history. It was built by King Edward I of England in the 13th century as part of his conquest of Wales. The castle served as a symbol of English dominance over Wales and was used as a seat of government for the region.
In 1969, Caernarfon Castle was the site of the investiture of Prince Charles as the Prince of Wales, which was seen by some as a symbol of Welsh resistance to English rule. Today, the castle is a popular tourist attraction and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is considered to be one of the finest examples of medieval military architecture in Europe and is an important part of Welsh cultural heritage.
Betws-y-Coed is a popular destination town in North Wales known for its scenic beauty and outdoor activities. Part of the appeal is that it’s geographically near Snowdonia National Park. There are plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants to enjoy in the village itself. Explore the stunning Swallow Falls, take a hike in the Gwydir Forest Park, or go on a zip line adventure at Zip World Forest.
The town of Betws-y-Coed
Snowdonia National Park – This is a stunning national park with rocky mountains, lakes, and forests. It’s a popular destination for hiking, climbing, and outdoor activities.
Cardiff Castle – This is a medieval castle located in the heart of Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. It’s a popular tourist attraction and offers guided tours.
Conwy Castle – This is another medieval castle located in the town of Conwy in North Wales. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its impressive fortifications.
Brecon Beacons National Park – A beautiful national park in Wales, known for its rolling hills, waterfalls, and scenic views.
St. David’s Cathedral – This is a stunning cathedral located in the city of St. David’s in South Wales. It’s a popular tourist attraction and is known for its beautiful architecture and history.
As a cruise port of call, Dover England is an interesting stop worth a day visit. The towns main attraction being the White Cliffs Of Dover that dominate the landscape. They are indeed white and feature steep slopes terminating at the water and can be seen for miles. The height of the White Cliffs of Dover varies along the coastline, and reach up to 350 feet at their highest point. The cliffs are made of white chalk and stretch for about 10 miles along the English Channel in both directions from the harbor. They are the iconic symbol of Britain’s coastline and have been featured in songs, poems, and a number of movies.
Dover itself is a historic town and major ferry port that has a rich history dating back to Roman times and has played a significant role in many major events in British history, including the Norman Conquest, the English Civil War, and World War II.
Where Your Ship Docks
The cruise ships tie up out on the sea wall and the walk into town is actually shorter than it looks thanks to a pedestrian tunnel. Shuttle bus service is available for a few Pounds and usually offers two stops; one in downtown and the other at the castle with a return to the ship included in the fare.
Wheelchair Accessibility
Disembarking – This port has a developed cruise ship pier but the ease of disembarking varies by the individual ships gangway designs. The pier is part of the ports breakwater and disembarks about a mile from downtown. For passengers using wheelchairs there can be a moderate ramp incline to deal with.
Port City Characteristics – This port has an average wheelchair infrastructure typical of English cities. The downtown area has few inclines in sidewalks. Intersection crosswalks may, in places, have curbs or other wheelchair obstacles.
Transportation
Other than the cruise shuttle there is little need for taxis or buses to get around downtown. Rental cars are available at moderate rates. There are several bus services available in Dover with Stagecoach being the most popular. For Stagecoach East Kent the cost of riding a bus in Dover can vary depending on the distance and the type of ticket you purchase. Single tickets for adults typically range from £1.50 to £3.50, while day passes and weekly passes are also available.
Attractions
Some of the top attractions to see in Dover, England are the Dover Castle, White Cliffs of Dover, Dover Museum*, South Foreland Lighthouse, and Samphire Hoe.
Dover Castle is a medieval castle with construction that began in the 11th century, shortly after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The exact date of the start of construction is not known, but it is believed to have been around 1066 or soon after. Over the centuries, the castle was expanded and modified several times to adapt to changing military needs. Today, it is one of the largest castles in England. The admission fees for Dover Castle generally ranges from £20 to £25 for adults and £12 to £15 for children.
Not to be missed is the Dover Museum which is home to the worlds oldes open water vessel and admission is free.
The National Trust offers guided walks along the cliffs, providing visitors with information about the history, geology, and wildlife of the area. Additionally, there are several private tour companies that offer guided tours of the White Cliffs of Dover**. These tours typically include transportation to and from the cliffs, as well as a knowledgeable guide who can provide insight into the area’s history and significance.
The cliffs are composed of chalk a soft, white, porous sedimentary rock made primarily of calcium carbonate. It is formed from the accumulation of microscopic marine organisms called coccolithophores. These organisms have hard shells made of calcium carbonate, and when they die, their shells sink to the ocean floor. Over millions of years, the accumulated shells compact and harden into chalk. Chalk is commonly found in areas that were once covered by ancient seas, such as parts of England.
Cruise itineraries are always expanding to include new destinations. Greenland is currently enjoying an explosion in visiting cruise ships that both make port calls as well as sailing Greenland’s waters.
Cruising along Greenland’s coast, sailing into its inside passages and making port calls in its towns is one of those once in a lifetime experiences. Greenland is the world’s largest island with glaciers covering over 80% of its surface and a total population of about 56,000 people. Making port calls in its small towns and settlements scattered throughout the island is another amazing experience. You’ll feel as if you have traveled back in time to the world as it was years ago. The capital city of Nuuk is the largest and most populated city in Greenland, with a population of only 18,000 people. Other towns include Sisimiut, Ilulissat, Qaqortoq, and Tasiilaq. A small town feel doesn’t even begin to describe the experience.
Sailing into its inside passages is like visiting another world. Barren granite formations climb right out of the water hundreds of feet and numerous glaciers hang off the cliffs and calve icebergs into the channels. It’s a land of solid rock, glaciers, few trees and little other vegetation.
A visit to Greenland has a number of limitations as flights are very limited with maybe two or three daily flights into the towns of Kangerlussuaq, Nuuk, and Ilulissat. Most towns offer only one or two hotels. Cruising is currently delivering the majority of tourists to this island and you’ll find a growing list of itineraries.
This street sign was found during a walk around the town of Qaqortoq. A local young lady walking by was asked about the sign and how it’s pronounced. While her speaking the word sounded completely alien, it sounded pleasant and she explained it is a local favorite song that means “I think of you every time I pass by”.
Qaqortoq is a town in the Kujalleq municipality in southern Greenland, located near Cape Thorvaldsen. It has a population of 3,089 being the most populous town in southern Greenland and the fourth-largest on the island.
Tassuunnaqquunnerit became a popular song written by the Greenlandic musician Rasmus Lyberth. The song is sung in the Greenlandic language, which is the official language of Greenland and spoken by the majority of the population in Greenland.
A little research shows that Tassuunnaqquunnerit, does translates to “I think of you every time I pass by”. The origin of this word can be traced back in the Inuit culture and language, which has a long history in Greenland. Inuit language and culture have been passed down through generations, and many words are combined phrases of which “Tassuunnaqquunnerit” is just one example. Greenland’s language is Greenlandic with a unique and rich vocabulary with many of these old phrases are still found in the Greenlandic language even today.
Today “Tassuunnaqquunnerit” lyrics vary depending on the version but the general theme of the song is about longing for loved ones who are far away.
The Intentional Travelers 