We are taking our first Radisson cruise and wanted to know if there was any kind of CD player in the room or IPOD compatible device?

If anyone has taken the NYC to Montreal cruise on Navigator - are there any suggestions for attractions he/she would recommend (or not) in Halifax, Quebec City, or Bar Harbor? Any hotel suggestions for Montreal?

Thank you.

If you like lobster, get it in Bar Harbor rather than Halifax. We did this cruise and found it almost impossible to get it in Halifax. We took the city tour in Quebec and enjoyed it very much. We stayed a few days extra in Montreal and stayed at the Intercontinental and were very satisfied. Not sure about the CD player situation. Marilyn

Masaki posted a very detailed review of this cruise in 2004. He did the 7 day version. Here is a link to his reviews which were pretty right on:

http://www.luxurycruisetalk.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000048

I posted a review that I can't find in the review section. We did the 9 day version - it was a wonderful cruise. The best lobster we had was in Dalvey, PEI. We also had lobster on the Excursion in Bar Harbor, Lunch, Cadillac Mountain and Acadia. That excursion was quite nice. We enjoyed hte Peggy's Cove excursion since we are into photography; And there was not enough time in Quebec. We did the walking tour and high tea there.

We did our post cruise at the Ritz Carlton which was in a perfect location - close to everything. Amex Platnium had a special of $159 per night for a great room and included a high tea and breakfast.

Which itinerary are you considering?

Kathy, thanks for the link to last year's review by Masaki. I'm too busy to read it now, but it should be a good preparation for our Montreal to NYC cruise next Friday, 9/16. (Too bad we've been unable to find anyone from this board on our cruise - that would have been fun.)

A question about Peggy's Cove. We're debating between going on our own in Halifax (we had a great time the last time we were there, on our own) or going to Peggy's Cove. We're afraid that the cove will be too crowded and touristy. Your thoughts would be appreciated.

When we went last June, week after Masaki, really enjoyed Peggy's Cove; just beautiful! Crowded, yes, but weather conditions were such that it didn't matter - VERY windy and 60? degrees! Tour also included Halifax city tour and some countryside.

mpbear,in Bar Harbor, we did the Acadia Park, Cadillac Mtn. tour (sans lobster-I'm allergic) and it was beautiful; don't miss! In Quebec City, did the Montmorency Falls, St. Ann de Beaupre, Ile 'd Orleans tour, lovely, bucolic, very relaxing. may be too low-key for you.

There are now DVD players in the rooms that will play cds, mp3s, etc. Of course the audio comes across on the TV, but it does work!

Anthony

We started with the Montreal to New Your 7 day cruise last fall, in fact, we stayed on all the way back to Tampa. Before the cruise we stayed at the Bonaventure Hotel, which we loved! BUT, we used to live in upstate New York and visited Montreal often, 20-30 years ago, and often stayed at the Bonaventure then, so it was like 'deja'vu all over again' for us. The suggestion about the Ritz Carlton is great, particularly at the rate quoted! The Queen Elizabeth is also a great hotel, and very convenient if you take my next piece of advice, as it is right on top of the train station, and the bell-hops will (used to, anyway – inquire) take your luggage right to the train.

If you haven't finalized your to-from connection arrangements yet, or if they are changeable, may I make a suggestion? Amtrak runs a daily train, The Adirondack, from Montreal to NYC (and vice versa). It leaves both places in the morning, and the scenery is spectacular, particularly after the border as you travel down the west shore of Lake Champlain with the Green Mountains of Vermont and the lake itself providing wonderful views out the left (port side) windows. The train continues through Saratoga Springs and Albany where it crosses the Hudson River before hitting the next scenic wonder on the right (starboard) side as it runs down the east bank of the Hudson right into New York, going underground about 59th St. on the west side, just above the NYC Passenger Ship Terminal where you started your cruise. Less than an hour before hitting the city, you will pass West Point and then Bear Mountain across on the west bank of the river, and a bit later, go right through Sing Sing prison (at Ossining), although you can't see much except high walls on both sides of the train as it speeds through! Somewhere between Montreal and NYC you are almost guaranteed to see the brilliant fall foliage between about now thru late October. And taking the train from Montreal to New York City will allow you to book round-trip air to NYC, avoiding the need for open jaw tickets. The train trip takes about 10-12 hours, depending on the border delay, and costs ±$60 pp. It’s a very worthwhile and beautiful trip, but at times, it can be a bit slow, like most of Amtrak these days.

We used to go to the Winter Carnival in Quebec City, but we had never been there in good weather. We just took the free bus into town, walked around, and had lunch at the Chateau Frontenac. Peggy’s Cove is the big attraction in Halifax, but just walking into the city on the boardwalk along the waterfront and taking the hop-on/hop-off trolley tour from there can make a very nice day as well. The tour of Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor was one of the best, most impressive short tours we’ve taken in quite a while. Make sure you are on your balcony, or on deck, as you go through the Cape Cod Canal, as it is well worth seeing, and easy to miss (we almost did!)

Greetings from Sydney (not Australia) from the Navigator. Just found free internet access on the pier so thought I'd say hi! Suzie and I will send a detailed report through later. We've been talking about it for days but have been too busy having fun. The seas were too rough to land in Louisburg this morning so they brought us here - I can tell everyone I've sailed into Sydney Harbour!

Don't want to think about it, but we're staying at the Hilton when we arrive in Montreal and will be taking the train back to New York City, so was glad to read the above report.

Until Suzie and I hit the keyboard -

Lee

Thanks, Lee, for checking in. So glad you are all having a grand time. Can't wait for the full report!

Betty

Lee, so good to hear from you. I'v been watching the US Open and wondered about your time there as well as on the cruise. Can't wait to read your report.