Page 31 - Travel Guide to Canada 2019

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home port drew over 900,000 passengers that showcase its natural beauty are magnetic pull. Quark Expeditions and
in 2018 alone, most of them travelling emerging as destinations in their own Adventure Canada, for instance, both put new
north on big-name boats; however, this right, while two marquee stops routinely vessels into service on the Arctic Route in the
vibrant city isn’t just a convenient embar- win rave reviews. past few years; tellingly, the first of these
kation point. It delivers a full slate of urban Québec City, after all, is famous for its also refurbished one of its polar expedition
enticements—top-rated restaurants, UNESCO-designated fortifications and ships in 2017 (the Ocean Adventurer, formerly
theatres and oh-so-trendy shops among beautiful heritage buildings; while Montréal Sea Adventurer) in order to provide intrepid

them—along with easy access to the area’s (one of the world’s largest French-speaking passengers with a greater degree of comfort.
parks and peaks. Victoria, meanwhile, cities) has a storied past that is accented Admittedly, such voyages aren’t for
mixes a “high tea” tradition with high with cosmopolitan élan. The vessels that everyone. Specific destinations can be hard
adventure opportunities. If you really want visit these ports, moreover, cover an impres- to pinpoint due to the vagaries of tides or
to go wild, eco-oriented outfits like Maple sively broad spectrum in terms of size and weather; and landing places, sometimes
Leaf Adventures, Bluewater Adventures, style. Luxury lovers, for example, can live accessible only via Zodiac, aren’t necessarily
and Outer Shores Expeditions all have large on Cunard’s renowned Queen Mary 2, ports per se since the population might
sailings that include Haida Gwaii, “The or opt for intimacy on Victory Cruise Line’s consist solely of walruses. The upside is
Galápagos of the North.” boutiquey M/V Victory I and II. The mere that the “Great White North” has great
arrival of the latter—a pair of 202-passenger white wildlife (think polar bears, beluga
ATLANTIC IDYLLS sister ships which began plying the St. whales and snowy owls), unspoiled

On the opposite side of the country, Lawrence River and Great Lake routes in scenery, plus a rich Inuit culture; and the
historic communities, towering tides and 2016 and 2018, respectively—further vessels that sail here can get cruisers up
legendary Maritime hospitality make the illustrates the way that new entries on the close to it all. As an added bonus, the majority
Canada/New England Route another classic Canadian cruise scene are maximizing the have resident experts well-versed in subjects
choice from late April to early November. potential of the inland waterways. like natural history and Native customs
The scenery does not disappoint, especially who will share their knowledge through
in autumn when forests blaze with brilliant NORTHERN DELIGHTS formal lectures and guided excursions.
foliage; nor do the distinctive ports. The once-frozen Arctic is heating up as well,
Leading the list in passenger traffic is and in summer, when seas are navigable, With choices like that available, there’s
Halifax (coincidentally, the birthplace of there are ever-increasing possibilities for never been a better time to come aboard in
cruise pioneer Samuel Cunard). Notable bucket listers and nature buffs who feel its Canada!
for its deep harbour and charming
waterfront attractions, Nova Scotia’s capital

received more than 316,000 cruisers last
year. Charlottetown (home to Anne of Green
Gables and world-class golf), Saint John and
Sydney (gateways to the Bay of Fundy and
Cabot Trail, respectively) are other top calls.
Specialty sojourns that focus exclusively
on this area—like One Ocean Expeditions’
“Fiddles and Sticks” trip—are increasingly
available; however, most cruises begin or
end in New York or Boston, meaning you
can see key ports in as little as four nights.
Extended itineraries are offered, too. So
boats may veer across open seas to
Newfoundland, where ports like St. John’s
(a centuries-old city that also features on
transatlantic trips) and Corner Brook (the
launch pad for Gros Morne National Park)
extend a warm welcome; or they may head
through the Gulf of St. Lawrence and follow
the eponymous river.

INLAND ADVENTURES

This second alternative is rapidly growing
in popularity, and rightly so because the
fabled St. Lawrence has much to recommend
it. Woods, whales, fjords and photogenic
headlands make it an eastern answer to B.C.’s
Inside Passage—one infused with Québécois
charm. Consequently, pocket-sized ports