Your Nova Soctia Tour

The final result of James Cameron’s National Geo investigation into how she went down!

We found this gem on YouTube. A film made in the late 1950’s about Halifax.  It’s amazing to see how much the city has changed – and what didn’t change!

Part 1

Part 2

Blue Diamond Tours offers shore excursions for everyone.  Whether you’re looking for child-friendly excursions or amazing hiking along the most rugged, scenic coastline in the world, we can arrange it!  From unique salt-water marshlands to treks along the Atlantic Ocean or Bay of Fundy, you can experience it all!

This year marks the 100^th anniversary of the Titanic disaster, so if you’re interested in maritime history, we have the excursion for you!  Our ‘White Star Line Excursion’ is named after the company that built and owned the tragically famous vessel.

Whether you’re interested in vineyards, orchards, llamas, goats, bagpipes or ‘tonging for oysters’, we’ve got a shore excursion for you!  Have you ever walked on a pure marble beach?  What an experience, and it’s yours to discover!

Or perhaps you’d like to “Live Like Anne Shirley” for a day to experience the true life of this Lucy Maud Montgomery heroine!!

So for different, dynamic, exciting, and customized shore excursions designed just for you, book with Blue Diamond Tours at www.bluediamondtours.com !

Visit our website at http://www.BlueDiamondTours.com to start planning a shore excursion that’s perfect for you!

In 2012, passenger and cruise ship over-crowding at Atlantic Provincial ports will continue again this year, meaning that multi-ship days are now a fact of life.

Port of Halifax

• First cruise ship arrives April 12 – a new early start for Halifax
• Multi-ship visits begin July 10 with two ships in port
• September will see ten multi-ship visit days
• First three ship day is September 10
• First four ship day is September 17
• October will host fifteen multi-ship visit days
• October 1 is the first five ship day
• Last cruise ship day is October 30

Port of Sydney

• First cruise ship arrives May 5
• 61 cruise ship visits are scheduled for 2012
• September will host three multi-ship visit days
• September 19 is the first two ship day
• October will host eight multi-ship visit days
• October 2 is the first three ship visit day
• Last cruise ship day is October 29

Port of Charlottetown

• First cruise ship arrives May 6
• 56 cruise ship visits are scheduled for 2012
• September will host three multi-ship visit days
• September 20 is the first two ship day
• September 25 is the first three ship day
• October will host eight multi-ship visit days
• Last cruise ship day is October 28

What does this mean for you as a cruise ship passenger? It means that most sites in-and-around each port will be over-crowded with fellow cruisers, especially so on days when there are three or more cruise ships in port at the same time. This is not a new factor but a growing trend each year with more and more multi-ship days, and more ships on these days.

Another growing trend is cruisers arriving with infants and young children. Most ship excursions will not take infants and/or young children. Additionally, many private operators also decline to escort tours with children.

Blue Diamond Tours has designed excursions for both Halifax and Charlottetown for families with children. These can be and will be modified to fit the requirements of each client.

Additionally, Blue Diamond Tours has created new and exciting excursions that tend to travel in areas not frequented by other tour operators. In fact, many times ”we” are the only visitors at these sites.

Please visit our web-site at www.BlueDiamondTours.com and look for the “new for 2012” flag for these exciting outings at all three of the ports we service, Halifax, Sydney and Charlottetown.

It is also true that many of our established excursions consist of travel to less crowded sites year after year.

An insider’s TIP:

1. Small, private custom shore excursion providers are more agile and better able to stay away from the crowds as they are not in the “cookie cutter shore excursion” game!
2. Book early: both personnel and equipment are always in short supply, especially on multi-ship visit days. These days tend to “book out” very early in the year.

Blue Diamond Tours has excursions that will meet the exacting requirements for 99% of cruisers.

Recently Blue Diamond Tours took several Japanese Student on a tour of P E I to see Anne of Green Gables.  They snapped a photo of moose and her calf just  before Confederation Bridge.

Harbour cruise offers abound on Halifax’s colourful, historic, waterfront.   Most do a reasonably average job, but tend, perhaps, to be pricey.

At Chebucto Landing, you may take the best harbour cruise or cruises.  One will cost you about $2.00 per person and two will cost about $4.–

The Halifax-Dartmouth Ferry – the oldest operating salt-water ferry in North America – since 1752 – will give you a great harbour cruise.

From Halifax ( Chebucto Landing ) to Alderney  be sure to tell the turn-sty operator you wish to come back on the same boat.

From Halifax ( Chebucto Landing ) to Woodside again, be sure to tell the turn-sty operator you wish to come back on the same boat

We get this question often, below are three main reasons why we do not post prices on the website.
Reason 1: We do not offer public tours.

All tours are private, customized and pre-arranged.
Reason 2: We do not have a standard tour.

Our tours are not standard tours in length or itinerary. We do not offer “cookie cutter“ excursions. Every excursion we modify to suit the needs and requirements of each individual client.
Reason 3: Our Prices are based on five factors

1. Time to complete the excursion
2. Number of persons that will touring
3. Entry fees to attractions or destination.
4. Customization of the tour
5. Special considerations

Since most of these factors are initially unknown, we post no pricing.

Looking for a price? Contact us today for a quote.

World’s Highest Tides – The Bay of Fundy

Five Islands Provincial Park

The Glooscap Trail of Nova Scotia , come and explore this special place, where the power of the world’s highest tides have shaped a landscape of unforgettable splendour.

Legends from the Mi’kmaq tell the story of the Maritime provinces with tales of the  Glooscap, who created the Bay of Fundy and taught them how to survive in this land we know as Nova Scotia.

At times it will be possible to walk on the ocean floor at low tide; and/or experience the thrill of whitewater rafting upriver on the tidal bore.  These experiences are subject to tide times.

Awhile ago, as part of a Nova Scotia Day Trip, we incorporated a part of Glooscap Trail into a Mystery Tour and still later as a trip for Nova Scotia tours, where there are endless views of the Bay of Fundy, at times from high atop towering sea cliffs.  Plus, the probability of discovering eagles and osprey soaring over-head, seeing a moose grazing in a quiet marsh and in the fall seeing/experiencing migrations of hundreds of thousands of shorebirds. This is a trip way back into time, a journey of unsurpassed scenic beauty, including an area rivalling the Cabot Trail: in the autumn the fall foliage is the equal of anywhere: history abounds – the Mi’kmaq creator Glooscap – the Acadians – the New England Planters – wild-blueberry fields – sugar maple stands – the powerful Bay of Fundy tides and Tidal Bores – WWII sites – semi-precious gemstones – dinosaur fossils – mastodons, plus fossils of other plants and animals: and Anne Murray.

This Nova Scotia Excursion, start from Halifax, but, can be started from any number of places. Leaving Halifax, our first stop is at Stewiacke, (Highway 102 ), Mastodon Ridge Showcase featuring a life-size replica of a mastodon, based on the 89,000-year-old mastodon bones discovered nearby at Carroll’s Corner, in a gypsum mining operation.

This trip by its very nature must include a visit to the Mi’kmaq Heritage Museum near Truro.   Kluskap (Glooscap) is an Abenaki word meaning “man from nothing”. Glooscap, the first human, was created out of a bolt of lightning in the sand and remains a figure that appears in many of the Mi’kmaw legends. These legends are stories that are passed down from generation to generation and tell of the Mi’kmaq culture. You’ll discover the intertwining of the Bay of Fundy with the Mi’kmaq peoples.

The next stop is Salmon River Tidal Bore Park, near Truro.  A “tidal bore“, is where a wave front of water “bores” its way up a river against its normal flow.  One of the best examples of a tidal bore can be viewed here at the Salmon River.  While visiting here you may also view a ten minute video that clearly explains and illustrate’s the who, what, when, where and why of the Bay of Fundy and its tides and bores.  Thus, the reason why it is one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.

As we travel along the northern coastlines of Cobequid Bay and Minas Basin (inlets of the Bay of Fundy), a reminder that there original European settlers were the Acadians, expelled from their lands starting in 1755.  The current occupants of these lush, rich farmland are descendents of a group called The New England Planters – to be clear – the original Planters did not expel the Acadians.

At Portaupique, you’ll see the remains of Acadian dykes can be seen in the created salt-marshes, a favourite feeding ground for shorebirds. At the watercolour studio in the village, you may wish to purchase a painting or merely view paintings in progress and/or browse through the gallery

Bass River was once home of the Dominion Chair Company factory, world-famous for its Bass River chairs, the original company store is still in operation. The Bass River Heritage Museum and the Interpretive Park highlights the history of the company as well as other local points of interest.  A local artist, a stone sculptress turns rough rock into pieces of art, some of which are displayed throughout her exquisite gardens.

Clams

I always thought Economy had something to do with Clams, however, it appears it was named by the Mi’kmaq word kenomee meaning “a piece of land jutting out into the water”. This is a great place
to “walk on the bottom of the sea” when vast red sand flats are laid bare at low tide. Yes, I was correct , Clam digging, rockhounding and bass fishing are popular activities. The nearby Cobequid Interpretation
Centre in Economy offers interpretive displays on the geology, history and culture of the area, as well as information on the 30- km (18-mi.) Economy River Wilderness Hiking Trail Network. Here at the Centre is a World War II Observation Tower, where you may climb to the top to enjoy the view of the bay, Acadian
dykes, and surrounding area.

Five Islands

Our Nova Scotia tour itinerary brings us to Five Islands.   Legend says that Glooscap created the
Five Islands—Moose, Diamond, Long, Egg and Pinnacle—when he threw handfuls of sod at Beaver. One of these islands is currently ( February 2011 ) for sale – asking price $5 M.

The Five Islands Provincial Park has campgrounds, a picnic park, a beach, and interpretive signs that relate the geology of the area. The park’s 13 km (8 mi.) of hiking trails feature look-offs that offer splendid
views of the islands and shore. Five Islands Lighthouse, located at Sand Point Campground, has interpretive panels and access to good swimming and clam-digging.  Yes, clams are popular.

Parrsboro

Parrsboro, the largest community along the north shore of the Minas Basin. From the late 1700s to the early 1900s Parrsboro was the busy mercantile centre of a vast shipbuilding industry that stretched up and down the coast. Today, this picturesque town is headquarters for rockhounds who come to the Minas Basin looking for zeolites and semi-precious stones, such as agate and amethyst, that are found on the
beaches and in the cliffs. A place we’ll visit, to learn about the minerals, fossils and fascinating geology of the region is at the Fundy geological Museum. The museum’s displays include a large collection of the
minerals that can be found locally, as well as dioramas that reconstruct the prehistoric world that existed along this shore millions of years ago. The most popular are the Jurassic-age dinosaur bones and fossilized footprints that were discovered at nearby Wasson’s Bluff in 1985.

Leaving Parrsboro, we head west passing through the communities of Port Greville, Spencer’s Island. Many of the small communities along this route made their names in the 19th century building some of the largest and fastest tall ships the world had ever seen.  At Port Greville, The Age of Sail Heritage Centre recalls the era when this shore was a beehive of shipbuilding activity. The museum features displays of shipwrights’ tools, a recreated chandlery shop and numerous marine artifacts. Multimedia displays relate what life was like for the builders, captains and crews of the world-trading windjammers that were launched along this shore Spencer’s Island, you’ll view a cairn on the waterfront commemorating the famous mystery ship Mary Celeste, which was built here in 1861. Photos of the shipbuilding era are ondisplay in a decommissioned lighthouse.

Just before Advocate Harbour, we take a marked side road leads to the very scenic rugged Cape d’Or, featuring the Cape d’Or Lighthouse, situated on a rocky projection of land that extends into the Minas
Channel with sheer cliffs rising 150 metres behind it, is one of the most spectacularly located lighthouses in Nova Scotia.  Built in 1922 and manned until 1989, the lighthouse now serves as a restaurant and bed-and-breakfast. You may walk down to the lighthouse, or ( more to my liking ) enjoy the hiking trails
along the cliff edge above it. The water just beyond the light, known as the Dory Rips, is always turbulent with the violent meeting of the currents from the Minas Basin and the Bay of Fundy.

Cape of Gold

Samuel de Champlain named this “Cape of Gold” in 1604. The rocks here actually contained glittering veins of high-quality copper, which was actively mined a century ago. At nearby Horseshoe Cove some people have found nuggets of almost pure copper on the beach, as well as jasper and other semi-precious stones.

Advocate Harbour is one of the oldest villages in Atlantic Canada. The Acadians who settled in the area built extensive dykes between the shore and the barrier beach to recover rich farmland from the sea. One
of the nicest beach walks in the province begins near the bridge in Advocate Harbour and follows along the top of an Acadian dyke to the beach, best known for its impressive tidecast piles of driftwood, Advocate Beach is a 5-km (3-mi.) natural barrier beach that extends from the rocky promontory of Cape Chignecto to the harbour entrance below the cliffs of Cape d’Or.

Cape Chignecto, Nova Scotia’s largest provincial park, covering over 4,000 hectares (10,000 acres). A 48-km (30-mi)hiking trail circumnavigates the cape along rugged cliffs that rise up to 200 metres (600 feet) above the Bay of Fundy. The first 8 km (5 mi.) of the park trail are well-developed , making a popular day-hiking destination. However, the rest of the trail may take up to three days to complete. This is an old-growth forest where deer, moose, and eagles are frequently seen.

Fossil Cliffs

Your itinerary travels along the shores of Chignecto Bay (upper Bay of Fundy) travelling through Apple River – Sand River – Shulie – before arriving at the Joggins area.  You’ll be able to tour the famous fossil cliffs at the Joggins Fossil Centre. The Joggins Fossil Cliffs are renowned for extensive deposits of 300-million-year-old fossils. With careful observation, you’ll see fossils including large fossilized tree trunks, and  sometimes ferns and animal tracks, in the multi-hued layers of the cliff. With correct timing you’ll be able to join the Joggins Fossil Centre guides who relate the story of the fossils’ formation while escorting regular interpretive tours of the fossil cliffs.

From Joggins your Nova Scotia tour leads you River Hebert, there is tidal bore park on the River Hebert, plus you may wish to visit the miniature version at Heritage Model Collection depicting of the town of River Hebert at this unique attraction. There are 43 miniature models in the museum. The models depict education, history, culture and heritage and industry of the surrounding community.

Touring through the communities of Mccann, Athol, Southhampton , we will arrive at the Town of Springhill, famed for many different things including being the home town of Anne Murray.  The Anne Murray Centre is a worthwhile stop.  Springhill is noted as well for coal (no longer mined here) and has some major industrial manufacturing still being carried on here.

This itinerary can be done in a single day or you might wish to have a more in-depth and leisurely  pace and do it over two days. Depending on your circumstances, your tour could return to the Halifax area or take you further afield with your Nova Scotia excursion.  One route will lead to Amherst, then to New Brunswick and/or Prince Edward Island.  Another might take you along the Sunrise Trail of Nova Scotia and/or the Trans Canada Highway could take you to Cape Breton Island and the Cabot Trail.

You will have discovered an interesting and sometimes forgotten area of Nova Scotia, one that I believe you will agree, that is worth the time and effort to tour in Nova Scotia

A hidden part of Nova Scotia

Hector Heritage Quay

There’s a special feeling of welcome all along the Sunrise Trail. It’s a part of everything, from the warmth of the gentle surf that caresses broad sand beaches to the friendly people you’ll meet everywhere you go.

Truly an area of Nova Scotia that is somewhat unknown and hidden, a place of gently rolling farmlands with emerald green fields located on the sparkling blue waters of the Northumberland Strait, that separates Nova Scotia from Prince Edward Island.

Old country roads winding their way along a sandy shoreline , broken at times, by bright red bluffs and tidal salt-marshes that are vibrant with life. A place, where generations have harvested the bounty of land and sea, and now wait to be explored by you.

Briefly, we explore/tour this hidden gem of Nova Scotia in two separate ways. First, as part of an excursion that includes touring Prince Edward Island, where we cross into Nova Scotia from New Brunswick on the coastal route following along the edge of the Amherst Marsh, a part of the vast Tantramar Marsh. Covering over 123,500 acres, the Tantramar is an endless network of tidal waterways, grassy wetlands and low farmlands recovered from the marsh by 18th-century Acadians. The original Acadian name for this marsh, “Tintamarre”, refers to the din raised by huge flocks of waterfowl, particularly Canada Geese, who use the marsh as a stopover as they migrate along the North American Flyway.

We tour along Route 6, passing numerous small communities such as Northport and Heather Beach before arriving at Pugwash, a quaint village located on a scenic harbour at the mouth of the Pugwash River.

A popular holiday area, Pugwash offers visitors a unique gallery, craft shops, award-winning golf courses, and saltwater bathing on fine sandy beaches that feature some of the warmest waters in Nova Scotia. At one time, years ago the salt water of the Northumberland Strait were the warmest north of Florida, today they are merely the warmest salt water north of Virginia.
We should add, just outside the village, is a great diner, where you may enjoy a lunch of freshly caught local seafood, something else more to your liking, home-cooked – home-made meals.

For many, Pugwash gained world attention in 1957, when millionaire industrialist and humanitarian Cyrus Eaton convened the first Thinkers’ Conference at Pineo Lodge. The “Pugwash Movement” became synonymous with the themes of global cooperation and nuclear disarmament, and in 1995 shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Joseph Rotblat.

The town’s strong Scottish heritage is reflected in the street signs, which are in both Gaelic and English. Each July 1, Pugwash hosts the colourful Gathering of the Clans, which attracts thousands of visitors who come to enjoy the festival’s traditional music, dances and highland games.

As well, Pugwash is the home of a long-established producer of decorative pewter giftware , and the site of a major salt mine that produces over one million tonnes annually of some of the world’s purest salt. Sometimes we have been able to watch the salt being loaded into large bulk carriers destined for a world-wide market.

Our routing along this hidden treasure of Nova Scotia takes us to the village of Wallace, situated on the shore of Wallace Bay.

Originally settled by Acadians in the 18th century, (Acadians Expelled starting in 1755) and later resettled by New England Planters after the deportation of the Acadians, Wallace was a thriving commercial centre in the 1800s.

Wallace is also known for Wallace sandstone that has been quarried and finished for the last 150 years. Used widely in new buildings, restoration and landscaping. Known as one of the most durable sandstones in the world this Nova Scotia sandstone has long been the first choice for architects, stone carvers, and homeowners. Gracing buildings like the Canadian Parliament, churches, universities, government buildings and private homes across North America with its classic olive grey colour.

The area is also noted for agriculture and fishing plus due to its locale, it is a some-time home to over 168 species of birds which have been recorded in and around Wallace Bay. A great place to see them and enjoy the quiet tidal beauty of the region is the Wallace Bay National Wildlife Area located 2.5 km (1.5 mi.) west of Wallace on the old Bidou Road. This 1450-acre wildlife area is a popular breeding and staging area for a wide variety of waterfowl. Nature trails wind throughout the site’s tidal and freshwater wetlands, woodlands and open fields.

On this trip from P E I to Halifax, we sometimes drive east of Wallace to the area of Malagash a community located in on the Malagash Peninsula and is best known as the location of Canada’s first rock salt mine, (the deposit was accidentally discovered by a local farmer, trying to dig a well )which operated from 1918 through 1959. Despite there being a large amount of unmined salt left under Malagash, the mine was closed due to the shallow Malagash Harbour. A better harbour and rail spur existed at Pugwash , where a new shaft was sunk in 1956. We visit the Malagash Salt Museum.

Another stop is Jost Vineyards, situated on the Northumberland shores of Malagash Harbour/Bay. The Jost Vineyards history begins with Hans Wilhelm Jost and family in the Rhine region of Germany. The Christinenhof was a successful family-run vineyard and cellar, highly praised for its wine quality.

In 1970, in search of vast lands and new freedoms, the Jost family, Hans, Erna and children, Hans Christian and Ellen, immigrated to Nova Scotia. It wasn’t until 1978 that the Jost’s returned to the family tradition and began experimenting with grapes. With the success of these grapevines, more vineyards were planted and a use for the resulting harvest required. Jost Vineyards became a licensed winery in November 1983 and the first cellar was built in 1984.

With this excursion (from PEI), we return to Wallace to turn south to tour through the scenic Wentworth Valley (sugar maple trees, wild-blueberry fields and cattle and sheep farms) to reach the Trans Canada Highway and our routing back to Halifax.

Another way we explore/tour this hidden gem of Nova Scotia :

Departing Halifax, we drive to The historic harbour town of Pictou, one of the largest communities on the Northumberland Shore.

The town’s charm stems partly from the wealth of historic architecture that dates to the town’s earliest years. On September 15, 1773, Nova Scotia’s first boatload of Scottish Highlanders—33 families and 25 unmarried men—arrived on the ship Hector; thus began the wave of Scottish migration that has had such an impact on the development of the province.

On the Pictou waterfront, you will see a full-scale replica of the immigrants’ ship built at the Hector Heritage Quay. The quay’s colourful displays and costumed guides bring to life the history of the Scottish immigrants, the voyage of the Hector and the early years of their pioneer life. You might also tour the restored blacksmith and traditional carpentry shops. The Hector Exhibit and Research Centre features local historical exhibits and is a centre for genealogical research.

While in Pictou, you may wish to tour Grohmann Knives, makers of the world-famous Russell Belt Knife.

Handy the Hector Heritage, is the deCoste Entertainment Centre that hosts a wide variety of events featuring top entertainment,including lively ceilidhs in July and August.

Leaving Pictou, we pick up Route 6 West, a very scenic and interesting drive, mainly along the coastline of the Northumberland Strait , touring through communities suck as River John,whose local economy is based on the seasonal industries of fishing, agriculture, and tourism. The area is a popular summer cottage location for residents of Halifax.

Another popular summer cottage area we pass by is Brule, on the scenic shores of Tatamagouche Bay and is noted for its parks, campgrounds, golf course and sandy beaches. The Brule Fossil Centre displays conifers and footprints preserved fossil discoveries (circa 1994) dating to 290 mya, in the late Triassic or early Jurassic Period. The Brule Fossil Museum contains examples of local finds. The Brule fossil forest is composed of the ancient tree species: Walchia sp. The forest contains fallen logs, as well as about 90 in-situ-(standing) tree trunks, and leaflets or branch fossils. The ‘Brule Forest’ is the only example of standing trees, or in-situ tree-trunks.

Soon we arrive at Tatamagouche ( a name from the native Mi’kmaq term Takumegooch, roughly translated as ‘meeting of the waters.’ ) a charming village situated where the French and Waugh rivers flow into Tatamagouche Bay. Tatamagouche (also known from the TV series “The Week the Women Left “) has become a popular travel destination, partly for its bright craft and gift shops, restaurants, museums and marina, and partly for the beauty of the surrounding countryside and unspoiled coastline. The Trans Canada Trail (not to be confused with the Trans Canada Highway) offers a great opportunity for hiking or biking along the coast.
It is here you will find the Sunrise Trail Museum displays highlight the region’s history from Mi’kmaq and Acadian settlements, to 19th-century agriculture, shipbuilding and pioneer lifestyles. The Fraser Cultural Centre has exhibits of local artists’ works.The Tatamagouche Creamery is home for community festivals and events, a Saturday morning farmers’ market, the North Shore Archives, and an interpretive centre on the famed giantess Anna Swan.

From Tatamagouche, we continue westwards to Wallace where we again turn south to the Wentworth. Occasionally, we will tour the Sunrise Trail into New Brunswick. This coastal area of northern Nova Scotia is a hidden treasure and is worth the time and effort to explore.

Not all are created equal

Cruise ship docked at Peir 21, Halifax, Nova Scotia

By way of introduction, the author, is a tour operator who creates custom, private shore excursions for three ports in the Maritime Provinces. His career started in 1995 when for the first six years he was working as a tour guide for a firm conducting cruise ship shore excursions at Halifax.

Cruise lines offer organized shore excursions on all ships for profit, they are one of their “profit centres ” along with selling liquor, gambling, selling merchandise and taking pictures). These tours can be booked onboard at the excursions desk or before you depart on your trip.

The benefits of these, some say are many. No worries about making arrangements, the tour provider and the ship will wait even if your excursion gets back late. Most cruise ships prominently feature this fact – if you book privately and get back late — your ship will not wait. In my fourteen plus years escorting cruise excursions – the only late tours I am aware of were ship’s tours. Another added benefit is meeting other shipmates whose company you’ll enjoy back on the ship. Sometimes a ship excursion is a bus ride with stops at souvenir shops. But, you do know the cost, where & when you are to meet your guide (just follow the other 50 people) and you have been given a somewhat detailed outline of your tour, plus, you will never miss your ship but you pay for letting the cruise line make your arrangements.

In all of the Atlantic Provinces ports there are private tour operators not affiliated in any way with any cruise line who offer tours/excursions similar to ship offerings. As stated not all offerings are the same nor are the prices the same or similar.

Your first step is to plan ahead.

Learn about the ports your cruise ship will be visiting, borrow guidebook(s) on Atlantic Canada and/or the Maritime Provinces. The Internet, itself, can be a source of information. Make a list of sites – places – things you’d like to see and do for each port you will be visiting. Remember, you generally have about eight hours or less in any port. This means, you will be limited to traveling about 80 miles or less from the cruise ship dock area.

Next, check your ship’s offerings. Are sites, places, etc. on your list included in any of their offerings? At what price? Now, search for private tour operators - example www.HalifaxShoreExcursions.com look at what they offer. Are any of your list places, sites, items included in any of their tours/excursions?

Another determination you must make is, with any shore excursion, do you wish to travel with a group of 40 or so fellow ship-mates or would you rather be on your own? Each way has both pluses and minuses attached to them.

There are really only two types of shore excursions or tours

1.  “Cookie-cutter” excursions

For the lack of a better description the “cookie-cutter” trip: an excursion that takes a predetermined amount of time, including stops and returns to the ship’s docking area. Generally half-day (3 to 4 hour) trips or full day outings (5 to 7 hours). These are offered by both the ship’s themselves and by private tour operators. They will always give you a cost, in their on-line information. This the hallmark of ”cookie-cutter” tours, the price is included in any/all information. Another is no flexibility.

2. The custom tours and/or shore excursions:

The tour operator will change any of his ” suggested ” itineraries to meet your requests and requirements – to include your requested sites, places, things to do, trips really designed partly by you. The hallmark of these types of outings is a lack of a posted price, as there are numerous unknown variables involved. Additionally, these tours are noted for flexibility.

Some other things to consider:

• Is the tour operator or provider a full-time tour operator or are shore excursions merely a sideline to/for another business ie a taxi or limo business.
• Ask if you will be traveling with other people or will it be just you and yours. Public style excursions (where one or more “others” join you in touring) tend to slant towards a “cookie cutter “outing even if custom elements are included.
• Ask questions, learn as much as you can about the area, the attractions, the port itself, and the tour operator too. Also, ask about the level of activity involved with any excursion (whether of your design or not) how much walking, the terrain, hilly, level and how often you’ll be in and out of the tour vehicle. Stops, how many and rest stops – where and when — snacks – again where, when and for how long. Shopping or no shopping?
• What is most important to you? Quality or price? Generally many times it is one or the other. Have and set a realistic budget. Your ship’s tour prices are a good starting guide, but remember their prices are based on large numbers ie 40 to 45 persons.

The next step

Once you are satisfied and have made a decision . . . it is time to book your excursion, immediately. You may ask why, especially if it is February and your cruise is taking place in October. It is important especially if you have selected a private operator excursion. Most private operators have a limited capacity on any given day, and also operate on a first-come basis. By booking early you will be assured of taking your preferred excursion.

Early confirmed bookings are essential, for cruises arriving from late August through the end of October. In 2010, the Port of Halifax had about 114 cruise ship visits (in less than 70 days). The other ports of St John, Sydney and Charlottetown also saw a record number of cruise ship visits, in that time frame, too. This means, generally a shortage of tour capacity plus disappointment for many who wait to the last minute to book an excursion.