Judy in Texas 150 Posted September 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2013 The pictures keep getting more and more spectacular. Funicular! That's a great name! Except I can imagine using it in snarky ways. "That Bob has a terrible funicular!" In French it's even Snarkier... That Bob has terrible FuniculAIRe! Wow, Quebec is beautiful. Love your photos of the sun hitting the fronts of the buildings. Thanks, Gwen. My eldest wants to own Canada. They only want us to visit. Most of us don't qualify to move there. Oh, they might sell him the territory of Nunavut. (They might take FortWindernessGuy since he is a dentist.) More stunning Quebec pics! We have friends in Quebec who have repeatedly invited us up to visit. We didn't know what we were missing! But years ago they warned us never to visit without being with them. They said even though the people can speak English, they refuse to do so to tourists. They can be very cold toward American tourists. I'm guessing that since you were relatively close to the cruise ship and they people were expecting visitors from the ship, they welcomed you with open arms (hoping you would open your purse). The lady who went up the Funicular with us refused to speak English even after my poor attempt to say "Anglais si'l vous plait". The Quebec Citadel was the only place that wouldn't take US dollars in an equal exchange for Canadian dollars. They would take it; but, added a service charge. I just handed them my Mickey credit card. More points for my next WDW trip. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Judy in Texas 150 Posted September 5, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2013 All right, Judy. It took you several pages, but I have to tell you...that drone is creeping me out! It looks like a giant spider in the sky. Yep. I thought about you when I posted it. :rofl2: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
alexwyattmommy 181 Posted September 5, 2013 Report Share Posted September 5, 2013 ROFL, he doesn't care what they want. He is going to be president of the US and then do a military take over. I think he plans on kicking everyone in Quebec out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Judy in Texas 150 Posted September 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 ROFL, he doesn't care what they want. He is going to be president of the US and then do a military take over. I think he plans on kicking everyone in Quebec out. Good luck to him; but, our Canadian Fort Fiends might have input. :rofl2: OK, it's Friday, we're back on the ship ready to set sail for Montreal. Right away we have two more bridges ahead. This time one right after the other: The evening newsletter recapped the cruise... our ports, the tempuratures, the arrival and all aboard times, etc We spent the evening packing. Luggage that the staff was taking into the terminal for us had to be outside our doors by midnight. I woke up Saturday while it is still dark out and saw lots of lights through the crack in the veranda curtains. The shore was quite close by. We were already in the Montreal suburbs. Joyce wasn't interested so I went out outside. It was beautiful out there: I think this is the Olympic Stadium: The St Lawrence Seaway is narrowing: Another bridge: Any Molson fans? There was an amusement park at a Y in the river: Containerized shipping - the containers are transferred here from ships to trains: A Biosphere: This is our pier: Docking the ship here was THE MOST AMAZING feat of the entire cruise. The pilot had to stop the ship with its bow as close to seawall on the left as possible (Note the boat ramp. Anyone want to put their boat in there?) ... then pivot it 90 degrees in place, then BACK in next to the pier. I was in awe of the entire process. Our Group was Brown 1. We were called to go ashore at 8:30 for our bus to the airport. Ship managment was on the gangway to say goodbye and thank us for choosing HAL. It was all very organized, just like the entire trip. I'm glad my name and cabin number didn't get called for holding up the ship, a bus, etc. We decided to check our luggage on the way home since we were changing planes at LaGuadia. We weren't charged. No clue why. It was American and they are supposed to charge for each checked bag. Pictures of our bags were taken and everytime someone checked our tickets, passports, etc, a picture of our bags came up on the computer. I hadn't seen that before. At LaGuardia, to change terminals you have to go out through security then get cleared again. What a pain. We had a wonderful time. I highly recommend Holland America and this cruise in particular. Notes: >No clock in the room. We used the automated wakeup call when we wanted to make sure we were up at a specific time. It worked fine.>The hairdryer was in a desk drawer and it had a non-standard plug. To keep people from stealing it? It's outlet was under the desk.>There was only one single standard outlet in the entire cabin and it was at the desk. None in the bathroom.>Luggage was stored under the beds.>We had plenty of closet space.>The bathroom had a jetted tub. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CDNCruiser 14 Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 Yes, that is the Olympic Stadium. The Expo's played MLB there for many years! The amusement park on those two islands in the St. Lawrence River is the site of EXPO 67 - the World's Fair which was held in Montreal in Canada's Centennial Year - 1967. The biosphere is a geodesic dome designed by Buckminster Fuller - the same design as Spaceship earth. It was built for EXPO 67. As for the USA invading Quebec . . . give it your best shot! The rest of Canada has been fighting the French-Canadiens since 1750. We have defeated them dozens of times but they just won't quit fighting. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DaveInTN 3,247 Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 Really enjoyed the report, Judy!! You are making me want to book a cruise for just INC and me. Anyone want to watch my kids?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
alexwyattmommy 181 Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 LOL, I don't think he has a shot of being president. I'm sure Canada is safe from his grasping greedy paws. If he wants a steady diet of Canadian Bacon, he can buy himself a farm or marry a pretty Canadian girl. Great trip report! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blm2003 2 Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 Great report Judy. I really enjoyed all your photos. Thanks for sharing your trip with us! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Judy in Texas 150 Posted September 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 Yes, that is the Olympic Stadium. The Expo's played MLB there for many years! The amusement park on those two islands in the St. Lawrence River is the site of EXPO 67 - the World's Fair which was held in Montreal in Canada's Centennial Year - 1967. The biosphere is a geodesic dome designed by Buckminster Fuller - the same design as Spaceship earth. It was built for EXPO 67. As for the USA invading Quebec . . . give it your best shot! The rest of Canada has been fighting the French-Canadiens since 1750. We have defeated them dozens of times but they just won't quit fighting. Thanks for the info. It's nice to have someone on board who can fill in some of the blanks. :) Really enjoyed the report, Judy!! You are making me want to book a cruise for just INC and me. Anyone want to watch my kids?? I could watch 4 of them; but, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to keep up with Anna for a week. LOL, I don't think he has a shot of being president. I'm sure Canada is safe from his grasping greedy paws. If he wants a steady diet of Canadian Bacon, he can buy himself a farm or marry a pretty Canadian girl. Great trip report! I like your plan. Great report Judy. I really enjoyed all your photos. Thanks for sharing your trip with us! After reading the TR, does it sound like something you and your wife might like to do? In comparing the HAL and DCL cruises, they are apples and oranges. Depends on what you are looking for. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
momof3kids-Yvonne 594 Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 After reading this, I am convinced that this cruise would perfect for my mom. As I mentioned she does have mobility issues, so to make sure she has a great time and can do as much as possible I believe I should go along with her. Now I just need to let her and DH know my plans. She would probably be for it. DH well....not so sure. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
blm2003 2 Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 After reading the TR, does it sound like something you and your wife might like to do? In comparing the HAL and DCL cruises, they are apples and oranges. Depends on what you are looking for. It sure does! I really want to do a DCL trip with the kids. It's just a cost thing at the moment. I love the sunrise and sunset pictures you are putting up. They are so nice, I can only imagine how much nicer they would be in person....I have to get the wife over here to read your report (and TCD's latest cruise report)....maybe then she will open the purse strings a little bit for me Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Judy in Texas 150 Posted September 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 There was lots of stuff to do on this cruise that I didn't take part in or utilize. There was a movie theater, wine tastings, a casino (that was never very crowded), a library with lots of books and all the current magazines, computer and photography classes, a coffee bar with baked goods, cooking demonstrations, bridge classes (cards, not structures), dance lessons/contests, a gym, a full service spa, a 5K walk for breast cancer, a club for kids. In addition to all of the photos they take as you leave the ship in the ports (with the Mountie, Anne of Green Gables, the bag pipper) and around the ship each evening, there was a black and white portrait studio that did beautiful work. If you are in one of the deluxe suites, you have use of a special lounge with your own concierge, snacks, coffees and teas. I didn't note all of the TV channels but they did have two ESPNs and several movie channels. The hallways were always quiet. The only noise that made me take notice (other than standing right under the ship's horn when it went off) was when the kids played basketball on the deck above the Lido dining room. If it bothered me enough, it would have been easy to move to the another seating area. Each of the ports had a tourism desk so if you didn't want to take a ship sponsored excursion, there were other options available. There were also taxis lined up waiting to take people on more personalized tours. PS: I forgot about the jewelry stores. A large one with the more affordable stuff that you could check out at your leisure. One small one with a manager to personally assist you with more expensive items. There was an art auction one evening, too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
PureTcrazy...rita 380 Posted September 7, 2013 Report Share Posted September 7, 2013 Thank you, Judy! It certainly looks as if Joyce had a fantastic birthday cruise! I'm with Dave on the creepy drone thing! So many gorgeous pictures of Canada! I would love to take this cruise one day! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Seals 111 Posted September 7, 2013 Report Share Posted September 7, 2013 Really enjoyed this TR. Thanks so much for sharing your cruise. My husband and I drove to PEI in 1995, when the bridge was under construction but not finished yet so we took the ferry. I wondered what would happen to the island after the bridge but I guess the toll may help keep the riff raff out. I loved how beautiful and peaceful it was. And my grandfather was born there but moved to the US as a teen. I would love to go to Nova Scotia and Quebec too, even more so after seeing your pictures. I can't imagine not going on a shore excursion on this type of cruise. But I guess that's not for everyone. Were they comparable in cost to the DCL shore excursions? Oh, and my favorite of your pictures is definitely the ceremonial goat. He looks like he's saying "respect the goat." Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Judy in Texas 150 Posted September 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2013 Thank you, Judy! It certainly looks as if Joyce had a fantastic birthday cruise! I'm with Dave on the creepy drone thing! So many gorgeous pictures of Canada! I would love to take this cruise one day! Thanks, Rita. The drone was really surprising. I've been wondering how people would react in this country if drones started showing up keeping track of us.Really enjoyed this TR. Thanks so much for sharing your cruise. My husband and I drove to PEI in 1995, when the bridge was under construction but not finished yet so we took the ferry. I wondered what would happen to the island after the bridge but I guess the toll may help keep the riff raff out. I loved how beautiful and peaceful it was. And my grandfather was born there but moved to the US as a teen. I would love to go to Nova Scotia and Quebec too, even more so after seeing your pictures. I can't imagine not going on a shore excursion on this type of cruise. But I guess that's not for everyone. Were they comparable in cost to the DCL shore excursions? Oh, and my favorite of your pictures is definitely the ceremonial goat. He looks like he's saying "respect the goat."I don't know how much the DCL excursions cost. The prices of the HAL shore excursions were wide ranging. +/-$50 up to $150. The lower end ones were the walking tours. The upper end were all day trips that included a meal. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
flaboy1968 3 Posted September 8, 2013 Report Share Posted September 8, 2013 My wife and I went on the same ship for our honeymoon in 1998.It was the after it had won ship of the year.It is a great ship. Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Judy in Texas 150 Posted September 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2013 My wife and I went on the same ship for our honeymoon in 1998.It was the after it had won ship of the year.It is a great ship. TimI agree, Tim. Just big enough to offer lots of options. Small enough to allow it to get under all those bridges and to places larger ships won't fit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799 Posted September 8, 2013 Report Share Posted September 8, 2013 Great pictures! Looks like an awesome trip. While I love warm weather and beaches, that looks like a cruise I would like too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LWQuestie 0 Posted September 13, 2013 Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 What a wonderful report! Thanks for the beautiful pictures and the cruise review. I've been interested in this itinerary for quite a while. I sailed on one of the NYC/Canada cruises with DCL last year, and absolutely fell in love with the ports we visited. Would love to visit all of them again, in addition to PEI (Green Gables) and Louisbourg! The pre-cruise portion of your report was great, also. My aunt lives in Kittery, and I grew up on the south shore of MA, so all the Boston/Plymouth/Portsmouth/Kittery talk warmed my heart. And DaveinTN is absolutely correct about Niagara-on-the-Lake. In fact, I'm planning to visit again in about a week. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Judy in Texas 150 Posted September 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2013 Thanks LWQuestie: l lived on the Cape for several years after high school and in Portsmouth NH for 12 years. It's a lovely area. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mouseketab.....Carol 1,261 Posted September 17, 2013 Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 Wonderful report! Looks like an awesome time! I love cruising, but my wallet always argues with me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547 Posted September 17, 2013 Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 Wonderful report! Looks like an awesome time! I love cruising, but my wallet always argues with me. I totally understand. That's why I'm not cruising every year like I used to. Retirement has its drawbacks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Judy in Texas 150 Posted September 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 17, 2013 Wonderful report! Looks like an awesome time! I love cruising, but my wallet always argues with me.Thanks, Carol. The cost of an inside cabin on this cruise wasn't too bad. The veranda added x4. Yikes! It was a once in a lifetime trip. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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