Thread: Eurodam 9/21/08 NE/Canada NYC-Quebec

I guess my first question to KK is in her opinion, which cities should we plan to do on our own without a tour???
I would think that would be a fine option for many of the cities we are visiting. I find I learn so much more generally to do the research and then enjoy the places without a tour. Allows you to go at your own pace and spend more time with the locals!

Thought I'd post the websites I find helpful in researching our stops. I have always preferred touring ports ourselves vs. the organized tours if they can be avoided. You rarely get to meet the locals on organized tours, and that is part of the fun I think!

Here is a website for Newport, RI:
http://www.gonewport.com/

Here is another great site about the Newport Cliff Walk...
http://www.newportcliffwalk.com/

Sounds like a great way to justify a nice lunch afterward!!! LOL

Thanks, Sher, for posting those sites. The great thing about cruising with friends is we can feel free to do what each wishes and still get together later.

Especially helpful is your question to KK on which ports to do on our own and which are best by taking a ship's tour.

KK is so nice to help us out with this!

Originally Posted by LuLu

Thanks, Sher, for posting those sites. The great thing about cruising with friends is we can feel free to do what each wishes and still get together later.

Especially helpful is your question to KK on which ports to do on our own and which are best by taking a ship's tour.

KK is so nice to help us out with this!

Yes she most certainly is!!

I agree, it's always fun to get together with friends and share stories at the end of the day!!

Sher and KK .... I always HATE it when folks ask about a Caribbean Port and don't say what sort of thing they'd like to do.

On this one ... I'm equally as bad ... because I really don't know!

I think Step A is to figure out what all of these towns have to offer, then we can decide what to do and where to eat!!

Newport, R. I.- 'Lifestyles of the Very Rich and Famous' Great shopping, lobster , great Pier area, did I mention Lobster, as well as big and very audacious summer homes (32 bedrooms and 35 baths), you know, similar to our homes!!

Bar Harbor is a place to go on your own.

Two sites to check out:
Island Explorer Home - free shuttle and several diferent tours.

Acadia Island Tours: Oli's Trolley - Oli's Trolley - we are looking at doing the 2 1/2 hour tour. The one time we did a tour from HAL we didn't get to Jordan Pond and this tour does stop there.

This is where you should get a lobster roll. Seems there are 2 types. The ones we had in Kennebunkport were great. Big chunks of lobster on a roll with butter drizzled over them. Since then I have been told that they really should have mayo and celery added as well. Then a couple of weeks ago our newspaper carried an article about lobster rolls and said that a real lobster roll is one without the mayo and celery and at the same time on CC I was told differently. Now I am really confused. Okay - just did another quick check. If you want the lobster meat without thr mayo and celery, I have been told to ask for Lazy Lobster. Don't know if all places will prepare it or not. Maine is the only place to get them.

Remember that Bar Harbor is a tender port.

Also I have been told that if you go halfway up the hill from the tender pier, there is a restaurant by the name of Testa's that serves lobster. We have never eaten there. Right at the tender pier there is a restaurant that serves excellent steamed clams.

KK-
I just cut and pasted your last post into my travel file!!
Thank you for that great information.
Of course, you are gonna have to try that lazy lobster on your upcoming trip!!

Bar Harbor sounds great!!
Now I know I want to ask for Lazy Lobster!!

I'll be posting more on the other ports. Our first Canada/New England cruise was in 1999 on the Maasdam and I did a review of it on a site called Cruise Opinions which is long since gone and so is my review.

Then in May 2004 we went from Ft Lauderdale to Montreal on the Maasdam. Also did some posts on that cruise on CC but can't find them. Guess they got lost when CC had some major problems and a lot of posts were lost. So I am going through scrap books and pictures and trying to put together what we saw at the various ports.