Our friend Masaki definitely wins the Pulitzer Prize for Travelogues and Photography - Karen, do you think you can find the award for him??
But I thought i would share our impressions as first-time Radisson cruisers on the ship and shore excursions for the fall cruisers. We went to Montreal a day ahead, had beautiful weather, 80, and got a nice overview by taking the Hop on/Hop off bus. Lovely city, very clean and very friendly people! One caveat-make sure your cab driver speaks English! After 20 minutes or so, he called and handed us off to an English speaking driver.
Ship embarkation took maybe 5 minutes from entry to being handed glasses of champagne and directed tothe Pool Grill for lunch. Made resv for Portofino's, bridge tour, and galley tour and proceeded to Ste 819. Liquor and extra pillows as requested on online form in place and Asst Steward Ricky greeted us in about 5 seconds!
Cabin just as beautiful as in photos, quite luxurious! Dinner was lovely in Compass Rose with Vargas as our waiter.
Room service breakfast brought just 1 example of the "spoiling" you're in for! "Madame, I will open the preserves for you as I know you are weak in the morning," said with a big smile. ;) Dinner in Portofino's with Italian Steakhouse menu brought lamb chops with the most amazing sauce, probably the single best thing all week!
We had Vargas as waiter every night in Compass Rose and he was outstanding! The first night DH loved the saltsticks and inquired on the 3rd night. From then on, Vargas had them for him every night! On the next to last night, I made an offhand comment to DH that I wished they served a larger quantity of vegetables. I SWEAR Vargas was nowhere around but on the last night , he served me from a special bowl of steamed broccoli, cauliflower,etc. and said "I read your mind!" (Maybe they have hidden microphones?) On the last night, we considered Beef Stroganoff, but Vargas said we wold be much happier with filet and bearnaise sauce - we were! ;)
Jill was our charming wine stewardess, and after sampling different reds different nights, I asked for a Pinot Noir from a previous night. She always had it thereafter and even printed out the label info for me. She also served at tea and in the casino.
Had lunch in Compass Rose twice with excellent soups and fair sandwiches and another charming waiter, Rommel, "The Desert Fox!" Was unimpressed with Portofino's for lunch, but breakfast there last AM was fine.
We prebooked all excursions by fax and tickets were in cabin upon arrival, exception being for the next day. There was a note to call the Tour office who said not enough had signed up, but they callled a couple hrs later and said the tickets were being delivered. This was for the PM excursion to Montmorency Falls, St. Anne de Beaupre Basilica and Ile d' Orleans. Beautiful warm weather, a very relaxing, bucolic tour. Rode up to Falls in cable car, the church is spectacular inside and out and the ride on the island beautiful, farms and vineyards and lovely views. Excellent guide and very low-key.
Sydney was a challenge; probably the best tour is the all day one Masaki took to Bras D'Or Lakes, but we didn't want an all day, so settled for Historic Sydney & Coastal PM tour. We were greeted upon docking by a lovely young female bagpiper who played quite awhile. DH called to her from balcony and she played "Amazing Grace" upon request, just wonderful! I looked through the few shops and craft fair set up in the larger building, very nice things AND free HIGH SPEED Internet Cafe (3 computers.) The tour was a nice overview, but Sydney is rather bleak as their economy is poor; all the coal mines and steel factory are closed and the unemployment rate quite high. Two call centers, for LL Bean and Spiegal's have opened recently and have provided some jobs. We stopped at a point on the coast where huge 200-300 ship convoys would leave in total darkness carrying supplies to Europe during WWII. Also saw the ferry to Newfoundland which carries over 500 tractor trailers and 1100 cars!
Glad we took the tour as we got a feel for the area.
In Halifax, we were greeted by 2 pipers,a drummer and the town crier, complete with tricorn hat! Another beautiful day, but cold and VERY windy! Wore both sweater and jacket! Took the AM tour of Halifax and Peggy's Cove; very well done and just beautiful!
Had planned to sleep in at Bar Harbor, but everyone had to be up for US Immigration. Collected passport and showed to officer; that's it!
We signed up for the PM tour of Acadia Park which included the carriage ride, thinking if there were AM fog, PM would be better, No worries! Another gorgeous day; down at the harbor, probably 75 but was glad to have jacket in the park and up on Cadillac Mtn. Simply beautiful and the view from up top, spectacular! Reminded me a bit of Ireland.
Took the AM Boston city tour, very worthwhile overview, stops downtown, at Harvard, the State House, Old Ironsides and Old North Church. Excellent guide once again, who thanked all the taxpayers as the "Big Dig" budget is now over $14 BILLION! :rolleyes:
The tour director, Rachel, lovely girl from Tasmania, said there was an active group on board; she had to scramble to accommodate 24 for sea kayaking in Halifax, can't imagine what the wind chill was that day! :rolleyes:
Random thoughts....
Agree with Masaki about disembarkation, although it was great "people watching!" We went to Navigator Lounge as time got closer(we hoped.) A woman came down the corridor saying very loudly, twice, "Nobody's giving up their seats!" Others relaxed and read, others ate from boredom probably.
Service was truly outstanding, a few misses on food, but overall excellent. Agree that desserts could be improved, but some hits there as well.
We were blessed with excellent weather and calm seas. One "thrill" I missed; going through the Cape Cod canal DH went up to watch and said we went under a bridge he swears with 2 foot clearance!! :app:
