Wondering if there is a ferry service from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth - other than the CAT? Have not read too good of comments posted re: the CAT! Thanks!

Yes there is, from Portland to Yarmouth. The Scotia Prince does this trip. Takes 11 hrs.

Thanks, Liz. Knew about the Scotia Prince, but need to know if there is one other than the CAT from BAR HARBOR, vs. Portsmouth.

Just curious, what do you have against the CAT? We took it and thought it was great -- fast, super clean, and terrifically organized loading and unloading.

A year and a half ago went to Nova Scotia - took Cat from Bar Harbor over and 11 hr ferry back to Portland. The Cat was having engine problems that summer, so it was a little slow and late. I have heard this has been much less of a problem since then. It is not luxery-level travel, but was fine for the few hours we were aboard. At the time that was the only option from Bar Harbor, and I doubt they have added anything else. The day-ferry from Yarmouth to Portland (nite-ferry going the other way) was more spacious with more amenities, but we were there for 10-11 hours so it was more necessary. We had no problems with the Cat, but thought of it as transportation, not a cruise. Better than a bus, train or plane ride of the same duration - at least you could walk around.

Patrick - have read many posts about how everyone was seasick, no where to be outside, seas typically very choppy, bathrooms unclean ... etc. Kind of scared me away. Would rather head to NS from Bar Harbor than Portsmouth, for time savings, and also because want to spend time in Acadia, before NS - which will be the majority of our vacay.

Jill, that's interesting because I had never heard those complaints. I do like being outside on a boat, but at the speed the CAT goes, there's no way they'd let you do that, or you'd even want to -- unless there is a small protected spot in the back, I'm not sure. I suppose any boat can cause seasickness if the seas are rough, but I'd think that problem would be much less on the high speed CAT than on a smaller or slower boat that rides the waves. The boat was spotless when we went -- or at least it was at the beginning of the trip, but you know as well as I do what pigs some people can be. I'm not trying to sell the CAT, I was just curious as the reason we did it was because everyone we knew told us it was great, and we found it so too.

As far as seasickness on the Cat - I have ferried to Nova Scotia several times over 30 years (including the low-speed ferry from Bar Harbor). I am prone to sea sickness and each time the seas seemed rough to me. I remember going as a kid and being very sea sick on the big ferry. I took Dramamine before I went on the Cat 2 summers ago, but because of schedule changes we left so late that the medication had long since worn off - and I was not sick. I think that must be an area of rough seas. I don't think the Cat is the problem.

I I were to travel on both options, I'd want to go from Portland to Yarmouth on the overnight trip. I love being able to sleep in a cabin and wake up nearly in NS. Then, take the CAT back during the daytime for the shorter distance/speed. I find the 11 hour crossing back to the US very long. I did hear in the past that there were problems with the CAT, and I even watched as it limped into Yarmouth on half power. But, if this has been fixed, then I see no reason to avoid the CAT.

The only problem I'd see in taking each line as a round trip is that they're not owned by the same company, and therefore you wouldn't be able to take advantage of round trip deals or discounts.