Jacqui

I'm thinking about taking the Scotia Prince from Portland. Do you recommend it? What's it like? Thanks!

Liz

Did this a few years ago. It's fine, sort-of a mini cruise, with your car, if you like!

craig

We took it a few years ago, departing from Portland on a Friday. We had reserved a cabin, intending to sleep on the overnight cruise to Nova Scotia. Unfortunately, many of our fellow passengers were on the boat solely to gamble and return to Portland the next day. It was horribly noisy and we hardly slept a wink. Other than that, the ride was smooth and the boat departed and arrived on time.

molly

I've taken the Scotia Prince twice, and enjoyed it both times. <BR>I didn't experience any noisy conditions at night; actually was surprised not to be bothered. Perhaps Craig went to bed earlier than my husband and I did. However, between the activities, time change, and breakfast, don't plan on getting a whole lot of sleep!<BR>I took meds for seasickness the second trip {I felt awful the first time out}.<BR>The buffet breakfast the next am is pretty good. I was pleasantly surprised at how unhurried the meals are, considering the number of people and schedule.<BR>The show is fun, just don't mix it with their extra-large drink if you're prone to seasickness!<BR>

Patti

We did this 2 years ago. Our room was downstairs and the gasoline fumes from the ship were awful. I did not sleep at all with the rocking of the ship. If you do this, I would advise getting a room upstairs away from the engine. I would also make sure you get an upgrade with a shower and bathroom in your room. <BR><BR>We didn't like the show very much and the rocking of the ship with having several drinks was not a good combination. I would drive to Bar Harbor and take the Cat which is about a 3 hour ride.

gail

We drove Boston to Bar Harbor, took the Cat over and returned on Scotia Prince, which going west is an all-day trip (rather than all-night). This worked well for us - got to see some of Bar Harbor and Acadia. We found the day ferry pleasant. You can still book a cabin, which we did as a place to leave our junk, take a nap, etc. Food was decent, spent a small amount of time in casino, and used it as an opportunity to unwind after vacation. Even saw a few whales and lots of dolphins from deck.

ST

I just got back from a trip where I took the Scotia Prince. Good: we had smooth sailing the whole time, my husband who is prone to seasickness was fine with no meds. Bad: the ship was late in both directions. I guess they've been to capacity for some of these summer weekends and it created back up. On the way there it was about 2 hours late and on way home it was 1 hour delayed.<BR><BR>We had a cabin and slept fine on way over. Heard nothing, may depend where your room is. The shower is a bit comical, I've cruised before but never have I been in something that tiny! <BR><BR>Since the way back is during the day, you really have to have stuff to amuse yourself if you are not a day napper. Books, magazines & cards will get you thru the times where there is nothing else to do. I'm not a gambler so that is little interest to me, but many do spend there time that way. <BR><BR>They've got a hokey show "review". The kareoke (sp?) was fun to watch. Bingo seemed to be a big draw. <BR><BR>I came home the Sunday of the past heat wave and it was nice enough to sit outside on the deck in shorts, but still very windy. So, figure however the normal temperature is, on the ship will feel much cooler.<BR><BR>I recommend it if you are doing it to save on driving. We did so much driving when we got there that we were happy we did it that way. If you are doing it without a car, and plan to spend time in NS, I would not recommend that. Yarmouth is fine, but there are much more and better things to see that you'd require transportation to get around once you got there.

Lauren

I took the Scotia Prince both ways several years ago with my kids (well, if you must know, it was in 1992). They loved the boat especially watching all the gambling.<BR><BR>On the way home they were each given a $10 roll of quarters and told they could waste it gambling in the one machine kids were allowed to use or spend it in the shop. They, of course, lost all the money in the machine. I still remember my daughter coming to me for more money (which she did not get) and telling me, "You see before you the wreck of a fine woman. I lost all my money." She was 12 at the time and my mother and I got a huge laugh out of that. It was one of those stories you never let them forget.<BR><BR>The photo of the kids with the guy in the lion suit (the Scotia "Prince") is still on the wall.<BR><BR>I do, however, agree with the comments about difficulty sleeping on the night cruise to Yarmouth.<BR><BR>They used to give you a huge break on round trips because fewer people wanted the day cruise. We found that worth it for us. The price for a cabin during the day--which was very little when we went--was well worth it for the reasons cited in a previous post.