Added: 08/29/2005 |
The dream of your life comes true with American Canadian cruise line American canadian cruise lines now offer sailings from closer-to-home ports such as Norfolk, Philadelphia, New York, Boston and Montreal along with Vancouver and Seattle, Wash. Many ports are within a day's drive of millions of Canadians who previously would have flown to Florida, California or a Caribbean island to board.
Cruises leaving Montreal and the U.S. east coast travel to such american canadian cruise destinations as Bermuda, the eastern and southern Caribbean, Panama Canal and transatlantic, along with the traditional Canada-New England voyages. From Vancouver, ships leave for Hawaii, the Mexican Riviera, and South America, Alaska and through the Panama Canal. There's a new option even in late fall and through the winter - to sail round trip from Norfolk, Va., deep into the Caribbean to some less-visited ports.
Holland American Canadian Cruise Lines have seen the number of Canadians growing on these cruises, as Norfolk is within a day's drive for many in Ontario and Eastern Canada. The historic seaport has many enticing amenities for tourists in a less-hectic setting.
The weather-beaten coasts of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador present extraordinary visual drama, with the added probability of seeing icebergs and whales reasonably close to the shores during the spring and summer.American canadian cruise lines arrange tailored trips in the area using the myriad ferry services that link the isolated villages here. Accommodation options are limited in Newfoundland and can be fairly eccentric, which is all part of the charm of travel in this region.
Passengers of the American canadian cruise lines are discovering Norfolk, a growing player as a major cruise-ship port.
Within a day's drive, or short flight, from Eastern Canada and the U.S. northeast, 110,000 people will pass through Norfolk cruising to the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda this year.
The temporary cruise-port is at Nauticus, the National Maritime Center, while a $36-million cruise ship terminal is being built nearby.
This allows cruisers a chance to explore the interactive science and technology centre, which features 150 exhibits, films on a giant screen, exotic aquaria, touch pools, shark petting and the Hampton Roads Naval Museum. Outside is the battleship Wisconsin on the downtown waterfront. As one of the most historic port cities in the U.S., Norfolk is the home of the world's largest naval base. There's also the bayfront Ocean View Park and Colonial Williamsburg nearby.
There are typically several hundred Canadian passengers on board each of these cruises. On the island, there's a day of water and beach activities, a barbecue lunch on the beach while a Bahamian steel drum band plays, and sipping rum punches under a shady palm tree. Recently expanded island activities include a horseback riding and swimming tour, stingray adventure, a personal watercraft park and family aqua park.
The weather-beaten coasts of Newfoundland and mainland Labrador present extraordinary visual drama, with the added probability of seeing icebergs and whales reasonably close to the shores during the spring and summer. arranges tailored trips in the area using the myriad ferry services that link the isolated villages here. Accommodation options are limited in Newfoundland and can be fairly eccentric, which is all part of the charm of travel in this region.
The Maasdam's ports of call in the eastern Caribbean are Half Moon Cay; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; St. John's, Antigua; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and San Juan.
There are the idyllic beaches of St. John's and the Dutch flavours, including chocolates and cheeses, of St. Maarten. Shore excursions feature such activities as the America's Cup regatta, a sailing lesson and race, in St. Maarten and the off-road 4x4 safari to explore the backroads of Antigua.
The southern Caribbean itinerary ports are Half Moon Cay; St. Thomas; Dominica; Bridgetown, Barbados; Basseterre, St. Kitts; and San Juan.
In St. Kitts, there are beautiful old churches, bustling Fort Street, a former slave market and shore excursions such as an ATV tour and catamaran-snorkel adventure.
Cruise fares for american canadian cruise destinations start at $1,279 Cdn per person, double occupancy. .
Canadian "snowbirds" are also flocking to Tampa where Holland America this fall began regular Caribbean cruises of seven to 14 days on the Veendam. Its new western Caribbean cruise itinerary features Belize City, Belize, and Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala.
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