Cruise Port Halifax Nova Scotia

Halifax is the capital and largest municipality in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, and the largest municipality in Atlantic Canada. It was the first permanent European settlement in the region on the Halifax Peninsula and the town, establishment in 1749, was named after the 2nd Earl of Halifax. The port of Halifax is a favorite port of call for Fall cruise itineraries visiting the Canadian Maritime provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, the St. Lawrence Seaway and Quebec.

Where Your Ship Docks

Halifax is a major seaport and there are several piers available. Most cruise ships dock at Pier 20 or 22 located just south of downtown. Pier 21 is historically the “Ellis Island of Canada”. This area of piers are known as the Cunard Piers, named for Samuel Cunard who is the Father of Passenger Cruise Ship Travel.

A Bit Of History

The City Where the United States Attacked Canada

The United States declared war against Britain in 1812 over maritime rights and the British seizure of American neutral ships and their cargoes on the high seas. A number of American politicians believed that the war could be the opportunity for the United States to achieve the annexation of Canada. The United States attacked the Halifax Royal Navy’s Canadian supply base in the city but British regulars and Canadian colonial militia defeated the American attack.

The city is also famous particularly for historic disasters. In December 1917 one of the greatest disasters in Canadian history occurred when the SS Mont-Blanc, a French cargo ship carrying munitions, collided with the Belgian Relief vessel SS Imo in “The Narrows” near Halifax Harbour. The resulting explosion, the Halifax Explosion, devastated the Richmond District of Halifax, killing approximately 2,000 people and injuring nearly 9,000 others. The blast was the largest artificial explosion before the development of nuclear weapons. Significant aid came from Boston, strengthening the bond between the two coastal cities.

The other was the sinking of RMS Titanic in April 1912, on her maiden voyage. Rescue attempts were based out of Halifax. Many of those who lost their lives aboard the ill-fated vessel were brought to Halifax, Nova Scotia where they were laid to rest.

Transportation

Downtown Halifax is about a mile from the cruise ship dock and taxis are plentiful with a flat rate of C$10 to downtown. The easiest way to see the city is through a ships excursion or with a Halifax tour company. Tours can also be arranged with a taxi (C$45 per hour). One private tour company with custom tours and good reviews is Halifax Tour Guys HERE. There aren’t any public transportation visitor passes and the local bus rates are about C$2.75 per trip. Route maps and additional information HERE.

Currency

The local currency is the Canadian Dollar (US$1.00 = <C$0.80) but often American Dollars are accepted by local shops. Major credit cards are welcome and ATM’s are readily available.

Attractions

Halifax Maritime Atlantic Museum

Located on Halifax’s historic waterfront and not far from the cruise piers, this is the best place to familiarize yourself with Nova Scotia’s rich maritime history than this museum. From small craft boatbuilding to World War II Convoys, Days of Sail and the Age of Steam, the Titanic to the Halifax Explosion, you’ll find exhibits that tell the history of the city and its connection to the sea.

Fairview Cemetery

This cemetery in Halifax is where the majority of the recovered victims of the Titanic sinking are buried. The Titanic section is a well maintained area in the cemetery with several rows of headstones that even today attracts a large number of people interested in the stories surrounding this famous tragedy.

Peggy’s Cove

Take a short trip out to Peggy’s Cove to take a look at one of the world’s most photographed lighthouses. The recently added deck is an open space where you can view the lighthouse and experience the waves and rocks of this iconic location. The area includes public facilities, walkways leading to the lighthouse, and nearby parking.

The Halifax Citadel

A Living history program celebrates the 78th Highlanders and the 3rd Brigade, Royal Artillery, and features activities like changing the sentries, the noon gun, nad regular performances of the pipes and drums.

Enjoy the Halifax Citadel walking tour with a guide dressed in historic clothing. This complimentary guided tour is a great place to start your exploration of the many period rooms, exhibits, films, and different perspectives on the history of Halifax, the four successive versions of the fort and the role the Citadel had in the protection of the British Naval Base.

Town Clock, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Halifax Public Gardens

One of the finest examples of classic Victorian Gardens in North America. Created in 1837 its sixteen acre include iconic plantings, shrubs, flowers, a bandstand, fountains, numerous statuary and wrought iron decorations.

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Visiting The North Carolina Arboretum

This Arboretum in the Blue Ridge Mountains is a feast for the senses in any season.

If you’re spending time in Asheville or traveling The Blue Ridge Parkway, treat yourself and spend an hour or two in this incredible mountain garden.

The North Carolina Arboretum is located on The Blue Ridge Parkway near the Asheville entrance at mile marker 393. The site offers acres of cultivated gardens and groomed trails featuring some of the most beautiful, native plants in the region. Admission is free but there is a $14 per car parking fee.

The Arboretum is situated in one of the most environmentally diverse and beautiful locations in America. The North Carolina Arboretum composes 65 acres of cultivated gardens with a number of themed areas and major exhibits. Visiting the Arboretum’s gardens is a perfect way to reacquaint yourself with nature in the incredible North Carolina mountains.

Bonsai Exhibition Garden – These small trees have provided a blending of the world of horticulture and art in a Japanese tradition that goes back centuries . Established in 2005, the Arboretum’s Bonsai Exhibition Garden is celebrated as a world renowned garden hosting up to fifty bonsai specimens at any one time.

Wildflowers – The Arboretum is home to a wide variety of native wildflowers scattered across its 434-acres. From Spring to Fall, stroll along ten miles of trails and gardens filled with wildflowers like bloodroots, azaleas, fire pinks, yarrows and dozens more.

If Winter in the mountains attracts your interest The Arboretum has something special for you. Winter Lights Features the Arboretum in Seasonally Festive Lights! Winter Lights features beautifully displays and illuminated landscapes sited along the Arboretum’s woodlands and garden areas. A walk-through experience, with plenty of sights and displays designed to celebrate the holiday season with the entire family. For dates and tickets click and current information click HERE.

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Port of Call Esperance, Australia

Esperance is 434 miles southeast of Perth but in a world all its own. Esperance is a remote town in the south east of Western Australia. Because of its remoteness the town has a self contained character with the next significantly sized town being 275 miles away. Also, Esperance is not located on any major highway meaning it is actually the destination for most town visitors. The town has taken advantage of the ‘destination’ character and the surrounding area by developing a significant tourism industry focused on the remarkable beaches and incredible scenery.

One of Esperance’s major claims to fame is that on July 12th 1979 America’s space station, Skylab fell out of orbit with pieces raining down on the area.

Where Your Ship Docks

Because the town is the only port facility for several hundred miles of coast, it hosts a developed deep-water port. Smaller cruise ships can tie up at the towns pier but larger ships will be required to tender in with only a short walk into town.

Transportation

There is no public transportation in town but it does offer a couple of rental car options. If you would like to tour the area on your own there are a couple of rental car agencies in town. Avis has an office in Esperance, where you can select from a range of car options and seasonal specials but it’s recommended that you make a reservation in advance.

Currency

Australia has its own Dollar (A$) and US Dollars are generally not accepted. Most major credit cards are welcome and there are ATM machines available in town. The recent exchange rate is about A$ 0.81 = US$1.00.

Attractions

The amazing scenery of Esperance attracts Australians from all over the continent. Clear turquoise waters wash up on miles of white powder beaches, kangaroos freely roam the area and a nearby island has a lake so pink, it challenges belief.

There are a few tours available and attractions in the area that include the Esperance Stonehenge, the Great Ocean Drive circular loop recommended for seeing the beautiful coastal scenery and perhaps a walk or swim at some of Western Australia’s best beaches.

Esperance Walking Tours – is a pleasant stroll thru Esperance’s past by local guides. Discover the cultural and historical points of interest around Esperance. An easy walk on flat terrain.

The Esperance Stonehenge is the only full size replica of the original UK Stonehenge in the world. It appears as the original would have looked around 1950BC and consists of 137 stones of Esperance Pink Granite that were quarried locally.

Esperance Eco-Discovery Tours – an Award winning tourism business that offers Unique Four Wheel Drive Beach Tours. Limited availability.

The town beaches and the nearby National Parks are a major attraction and if you’re looking for some beach time you can’t do any better than Esperance with its pristine white sand and some of the clearest, bluest water anywhere.

Silver Springs Florida Lives On

 

Florida’s Classic Attractions

Florida has always attracted visitors to its’ ocean beaches but, years ago, it also had an assortment of popular inland tourist destinations. Those old Florida attractions have been dying out, pushed aside or even replaced by theme parks. Unfortunately, history and gardens cannot compete with movie attractions, roller coasters and fantasies.

Cypress Gardens

While Cypress Gardens once drew huge crowds, it was sold several years ago and replaced by a Legoland theme park. Silver Springs, on the other hand, has seen a revival under Florida State Parks’ new ownership and management. Of the over fifty natural springs in Florida, the largest by far is Silver Springs. The spring is pushing out five hundred million gallons of clear 72° water every day.

Since the mid-19th century, the natural beauty of Silver Springs has attracted visitors from all over the world. Glass-bottom boat tours of the springs began in the 1870s. In the 1920s, W. Carl Ray and W.M. “Shorty” Davidson, leased the land from Ed Carmichael and developed the area around the headwaters of the Silver River into a tourist attraction. The area eventually became known as Silver Springs Nature Theme Park. The attraction featured native animal exhibits, amusement rides, with 30 and 90-minute glass-bottom boat tours of the springs. Upon Carmichael’s death he left the springs to the University of Florida in his will.

In 1993, the state acquired Silver Springs from the University of Florida, with the on site concessions still to be operated privately. In 2013 the state of Florida parks took complete control, merging the springs with the adjacent parkland to create Silver Springs State Park. With reduced cost of admission and lower boat tour prices, the park has seen a steady upturn in popularity.

The main spring area has water depths that range from very shallow to over fifty feet deep with water so crystal clear it is difficult to believe you are looking at a bottom that far down. The spring feeds the Silver River that flows for three miles when it joins the Ocklawaha River in the Ocala National Forest. It than flows into the St. John River. The area is a wildlife preserve and home to dozens of species of fish, birds, alligators and manatees.

The Creature From The Black Lagoon

In its’ commercial days, Silver Spring also played host to a number of movie and television productions. It was home base for underwater shooting of Loyd Bridges’ Sea Hunt TV show, James Bond’s Moonraker and Johnny Weissmuller’s Tarzan movies. It also was the set for The Creature From The Black Lagoon and hosted a number of scenes from the movie Smokey And The Bandit.

In addition to a nice concession area and the glass-bottom boat docks, the park is a favorite for kayakers and features great hiking trails. The Florida Park Service is developing a number of new areas like a creative kids playground. It also plays host to concerts and a number of nature programs. Admission is only $2.00 with the boat rides being an additional $11.00.

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Cruise Port Quebec City

Old Quebec City is on a number of fall cruise itineraries. Starting in New York or Boston these cruises visit a number of New England and Canadian Maritime ports, go up the St. Lawrence Seaway, usually with fall leaves in full glory, and spend a day or two in Quebec City. The old city is full of historic sites, art galleries, good restaurants and beautiful scenery.

Old Quebec Funicular in the distance

Where Your Ship Docks – There is a modern cruise ship terminal on the riverfront along with a good length of docking space right in front of the Old Quebec neighborhood. Both are good convenient locations that allow easy walking out.

Transportation – Since Old Quebec is not that large an area and cruise ships usually dock right in town, walking is the usual way to see the sights. The town does have a geography that rises steeply from the river so be prepared for a little climb. The city has an alternative to the steepest climb with the Old Quebec Funicular, a funicular railway that links the Haute-Ville to the Basse-Ville, climbing at a 45-degree angle, it climbs about 100 feet. A quick, convenient and scenic way to get to and from upper Old Québec. The “Funiculaire” is also a little piece of history, first opened in 1879 in order to link the lower and upper towns. Cost each way is C$3.00.

Taxis – There are a number of taxi companies and generally they do not cruise for fares. They usually are available at the cruise ships or you can call and they will send a car:

  • Taxi Coop Québec 418-525-5191
  • Taxi Coop Sainte-Foy-Sillery 418-653-7777
  • Taxi Laurier 418-651-2727

Uber – As of this writing you can make use of Uber from the Uber cell phone app.

Rentals Car – Readily available and a practical way to visit areas farther out from downtown.

Public Transit (local buses) – Réseau de transport de la capitale (RTC) serves Québec City. The Parcours 11 route serves Upper Town and the Old Port area and the ferry terminal.

Ferry – The ferry links Québec City and Lévis and runs 7 days a week, 365 days a year. It sails on the hour and half-hour during the day and every hour at night.

Money – Quebec uses the Canadian Dollar currently worth about 76¢ U.S. Also, do not count being able to use U.S. Dollars but credit cards are welcome.

Attractions –

  • Notre Dame des Victoires Church – a small Roman Catholic stone church in the Lower Town of Quebec City. Construction was started in 1687 on the site of Champlain’s habitation and was completed in 1723
  • The Historic Petit Champlain District – a neighbourhood in Quebec City, Canada. It is located in the district of Vieux-Québec–Cap-Blanc–colline Parlementaire in the borough La Cité-Limoilou – located near Place Royale. Its main street is the Rue du Petit-Champlain at the foot of Cap Diamant. It is the oldest commercial district in North America
  • The Port, Marina and City Market Area
  • The Musée de la Civilisation. – A modern Museum of Civilization located near the port.

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