Canada/New England Fall Cruise 2011

The Clam Shack

The Clam Shack

Portland Head Lighthouse

Portland Head Lighthouse

My husband and I along with another couple, Mic and Missy Johnson, sailed the northeast at the beginning of October.  Nine nights at sea, sailing out of Bayonne, New Jersey was sometimes a little rough because of the wet weather.  This cruise was vastly different in so many ways for us.  The weather was the most obvious difference, most days were rainy and cold.  This is what I had expected considering the region that we were sailing.    In fact, for me anyway, this added to the ambiance of the scenery.  Rocky coasts, lighthouses, fog and mist were a common theme.  I loved it!  Although after six straight days of this, we all were in need of a little sunshine.   Nine nights was also something new to us, usually we do the seven night sailings, the two extra days were a bonus.

This particular cruise had a culinary theme as well.  The northeast is, of course, famous for seafood.  I had my very first lobster in Kennebunkport, Maine, yum!!  Lobster rolls at the Clam Shack, highly recommend!  Maine is also famous for their blueberries.  We had a couple of desserts that were absolutely fantastic,  Blueberry Apple Crisp, amazing!!  The northeast is also known for their Whoopie Pies.  We managed to eat them in every port :)  So a lot of fun with the food and the lighthouses, this cruise has left us wanting to go back.  Our last port was Boston.  I loved that city so much that we agreed to go back and spend a few days.  We plan to do that along with a drive up the coast to Maine for more scenery and culinary delights.  We were a couple of weeks early for peak colors this year.  They said the very wet summer lead to a late color change.   We know to go around Columbus Day to get a little closer to seeing the vibrant fall foliage.  Acadia National Park was gorgeous, even though we were there just as the leaves were starting to change.  We missed going to the top of Cadillac Mountain, it was completely covered in fog.  Next time 🙂

This was an incredible cruise vacation, one I highly recommend if you have already experienced Caribbean cruising and are looking for something different.

Happy Sailing 🙂

Considering Your First Cruise?

My First Cruise, October 2006 out of San Juan

My First Cruise, October 2006 out of San Juan

1. Yes, you need passports.

2. Cruising is priced per person based on double occupancy. If you are travelling as a single,
expect to pay almost double.

3. Consider arriving the day before your ship departs so you are on the ship the day it leaves
port. This is highly recommended when taking into account the unpredictability of the
weather and the airlines.

4. You will find some of the best service on a cruise ship. Gratuities are very much earned and
are customary. Most cruise lines allow you to pay them in advance so you won’t have to
worry about them when your cruise is over.

5. Once you board the ship, you will be on a cashless system with the exception of the casino
or extra tipping if you wish. In port you may need cash for souvenirs, cabs and such.

6. Hurricane season officially runs from June through November with September being the
peak month. Keep this in mind when planning. You will find some great value sailing during
this time, just be flexible as itineraries can change at the last minute when a hurricane is in
the area.

7. Cruise insurance is highly recommended. You want to protect your investment in the event
something comes up such as a cancelled cruise or missing the ship for weather reasons. Trip
insurance will cover you if there is an emergency.

8. What does the cruise fare include? All of your food, coffee, tea, some juices and milk.
Your fare also includes your stateroom and all of the onboard entertainment you could want
such as Broadway shows, karaoke, dance lessons and more.

9. What doesn’t the cruise fare include? Airfare, transfers, excursions, cruise insurance,
alcoholic beverages, sodas, specialty restaurant surcharges, bingo cards and any onboard
shopping such as souvenirs or photos.

10. Pack an extra bag/tote for any extras you made need for days in port or for all of those
souvenirs to take back home.

Happy Sailing!!  🙂