Cruising Atlantic Canada

Nova Scotia is a beautiful cruise destination, with the main ports of call being Halifax and Sydney. Check out our video above, which was shot in Atlantic Canada, including Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, but prominently featuring Nova Scotia.

At Peggy's Cove on a shore excursion from Halifax, Nova Scotia.

I love cruising the beautiful region of Atlantic Canada. And let be the first to tell you that Atlantic Canada offers much, much more than the blazing colors of the fall foliage. So don’t think of cruising this region only during the fall. Atlantic Canada is an exciting destination at any time.

Atlantic Canada is about much more than fall foliage: Beautiful Newfoundland scenery at Norris Point, in Gros Morne National Park, a call on cruise ship itineraries.

First and foremost, this is a region of extremely hospitable people. I was once told before disembarking a ship in Halifax that the people there were among the world’s friendliest. That sentiment was validated when I sneezed stepping off the ship and five people responded to my sneeze with “Bless you.”

Friendly people: Our crew with Bonnie at Lobster Cove Lighthouse in Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland

The warmth and friendliest of the people in Atlantic Canada is only one reason to visit this beautiful region. Another reason to visit is that Atlantic Canada is rich in history, culture and scenic beauty — plus, it’s a fun place to explore.

Chris Stanley and Ralph Grizzle harnessed and ready for their zipline adventure in Corner Brook, Newfoundland.

You can get your adrenalin going on ziplines, kayaks and jet boats. Or for a more relaxed adventure, board a boat for lobster excursions or for sailing adventures. I did all of this during my visit to Altantic Canada and loved it.

That's me! Ziplining over Steady Brook Falls, the highest zipline in all of Canada.

Reliving history at Fortress Louisbourg on a shore excursion from Sydney, Nova Scotia.

You can relive history at sites operated by Parks Canada, such as the Fortress of Louisbourg or the Halifax Citadel, where you can dress up to be a soldier for a day. I put on the soldier’s uniform and even got to fire a vintage rifle.

I fired a vintage rifle at the Halifax Citadel while being a Soldier for a Day.

Snap a photo of the lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove, reputed to be the world’s most photographed lighthouse.

Peggy's Cove Lighthouse, reputed to be the most photographed lighthouse in the world.

Hike in beautiful forests, travel along scenic highways, witness the world’s highest tides at Hopewell Rocks and ride through the rapids created by those tides on a jet boat in St. John. You’ll never forget these experiences.

Shooting Reversing Rapids in the Bay of Fundy. Exhilarating! Currents here can be more than 20 knots during the world's highest (and lowest) tides.

There’s much more. Marvel at majestic Gros Morne National Park. Watch eagles soar.

Tiny, the big lobster, will find a home at a new aquarium scheduled to open in 2012 in New Brunswick.

Chris Stanley and Ralph Grizzle enjoying lobster in St. John, New Brunswick.

Dine on delicious lobster. Eat a timbit. Don’t know what a timbit is? You need to go to Atlantic Canada.

Don't know what a Timbit is? Get going to Atlantic Canada.

Atlantic Canada comprises four provinces – Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Prince Edward Island. All can be reached on an easy cruise from New York City or Boston. I love the idea of sailing past the Manhattan skyline or Boston’s cityscape to a place as remote as say, Corner Brook, Newfoundland.

Not that far from New York: Beautiful Newfoundland scenery at Norris Point, in Gros Morne National Park, a call on cruise ship itineraries.

Warm and welcoming people, history, culture and breathtaking landscapes. Lots of fun activities — and all within easy reach from the gangway of your ship in Atlantic Canada.

Out with the lobster fishermen in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

Atlantic Canada Ports Of Call