We are booked for a 7-night cruise on HAL's Maasdam leaving Boston on May 29. Stops include Martha's Vineyard, Halifax, St. John's, Bar Harbor and Portland.
We're from Florida, so are wondering how cold it will be, and what type of clothing we'll need. Cool weather won't bother us, we're just looking to see something different!
Also wondering if there are any side trips we should consider, maybe reachable by taxi to avoid the high cost of the organized tours. This is our first trip to this area, so we really don't know what to expect. We are spending 2 days in Boston post-cruise.
Thanks for any advice.

Hello,

As a travel agent/cruise specialist, I usually advise my cruise clients to take a little bit of everything for Canada in the late spring. Take a couple of pairs of shorts, but also take jeans, sweaters, a rainproof jacket. Dress in layers and then, take the layers off as needed. If the weather changes, you can always put the layers back on if you need them.

Check with the visitor's bureau in each of the ports of call for information on good tour companies to do independent tours or good taxi services. I have personal contacts in most port cities to do private shore excursions for my clients and I would expect that most cruise specialist travel agents would also have personal contacts, as well.

Please feel free to e-mail me if I can offer any further assistance!

Best Regards,
Julia

We cruised to St. John's and Halifax from New York City four years ago. We left New York on July 15th. I thought we would be okay because it was the middle of summer. We had rain, fog, wind, cold, etc. We couldn't even sit on deck until the last day and even then we had our coats on. Once we got to the ports, it was a little better. It stopped raining and we had some sun, but you have to be prepared.

We arranged our own bus trip to Peggy's Cove in Halifax rather than booking through the cruiseline. It was much cheaper - worked out fine. We found a place within walking distance of the dock in Halifax.

In spite of the weather, it was a fun trip.

Have fun!

That maybe a cool time on the water.. In Bar Harbor which is charming.. right to the left of the dock if your looking up the hil...is a great lobster shack..and if the weather is gorgeous eat on the deck or if not outside. Thre is a greatcandy/fudge ice cream shop.
St. Johns..we on our last trip took the free bus from the dock (the Lord Mayor greets women with roses and men with pins)...into town and picked up a bus to the Reversing Falls and took the little ferry back...the Captain has just bought the boat ad was pointing out the seals...and as you wait for the boat to take off..there are begging ducks at the on the dock which he "hands" will give you bread to feed them.. The boat docks at a tourist area where there are many outside pubs and a new huge bronze moose. We also went to the City Market to pick up Canadian teas.. Here is a great secret...as you walk along from the pub/waterfront area back to the ship...on the left hand side is set back is a lobster shack... Halifax...my favorite city...you can rent a care.. there are ladies at the dock inside who can give you all sorts of information. But, if you walk along the meandering boardwalk you will find Arcadia fiddlers, mimes, painters, jewelry etc... You should rent a taxi... If you don't live near the water you can go to peggys Cove which is highly overrated as a tourist trap with a greasy restaurant.. and if your unlucky you will have the fog role in. We found on our first trip a taxi driver (have his phone #) who took us on a tour of the graves of the Titanic victims.. I wasn't thrilled about that, but in the end it was one of the most moving moments I've experienced in 18 years of cruising. He then took us to the Citadel in time for the Changing of the Guard and the pipers... When we were ready, we called him.he came back and dropped us of at the waterfront whee we had lunch adn walked back to the ship. Our last trip in September we took their version of the Duck Tour...definetely not as good as the Boston one..and went to the Maritime Museum. Portland has a great Old Port.. little shops ad restaurants On the main street is an LL Bean outlet..and there is also a wonderful museum. We also went to the City Market..took a cab...and picked up some Stone Wall jams...and some other goodies.. it's an actual market. You might want to go through the ship on a whale Watch.... ifyou've never been on one.. it's wonderful. If your doing a pre-cruise in Boston let me know.. You can write me at [email protected] We have done this trip twice...once accidently and I just love the ports.. As for Martha's Vineyard I dont know what they are offering, but its a small island..and of curse you want to go to the Black Dog...and get a t-shirt

Thanks to all for such great advice, I'm printing it out! And ParrotMom, I'd love the # of the taxi driver if you still have it, sounds like he was honest and reliable.
I'm sure it will be cold and damp, but we've been working ourselves to death the past 6 wks. renovating a house and are just looking forward to relaxing. Maybe this will be a good time to enjoy the INSIDE of the ship!

The gentleman was Clark...Car #33 at 499-4583 his home or at Casino Taxi ask for him 429-6666-- His son is also a cab driver..nice man. He wouldn't remember us, but wer absolutely enjoyed and appeciated his tour