Crystal Cruises’ fall voyages through America and Canada’s “East Coast” roots offer dozens of new boutique adventures ashore; new chic spaces onboard; and a brand new, exotic Québécois itinerary with three off-the-beaten-path maiden calls.
Beginning September 19 aboard Crystal Symphony – freshly redesigned during a $15 million extreme makeover – five seven- to 11-day cruises will sail between Boston, Manhattan and Montréal.
The season’s centerpiece, Crystal’s first-ever round-trip from Montréal, is an easy, seven-day intimate exploration of European-flavored French Canada, including a maiden call to France itself.
Twenty-nine new Crystal Adventures offer novel ways for foodies, adventurers, and culture-hounds to experience the historic region’s most iconic and less-expected areas, like:
• Saint-Pierre & Miquelon: Visit North America’s last vestige of the French Republic and see Al Capone’s “home-away-from-home” during the island’s golden era of Prohibition profiteering.
• Québec City: Join Huron natives in a Friendship Dance and sacred ceremonies following a traditional feast of bison, wapiti meat and Indian bannock bread.
• New York: Sail past the Statue of Liberty to the newly-completed 9/11 Memorial or enjoy an exclusive, private visit to the American Museum of Natural History while closed to the public.
• Havre-Aubert Island (from Magdalen Is.): Listen to a Madelinot fisherman’s tales of maritime life of yore.
• Halifax: Look for the majestic North American bald eagle during a Shubenacadie River Zodiac ride.
• Bar Harbor: Glide over Acadia National Park’s treetops in an open-cockpit biplane.
• Magdalen Islands (maiden call): Learn about the distinct Acadian culture and taste local specialties like porto-style fortified wine, Pied-de-Vent cheese and bagosse “island beer.”
• Montréal: Jet boat away from the Old Port, down the Lachine Rapids.
• Sept-Îles (maiden call): Train-ride to a marshland Innu camp for immersion into traditional First Nations life, from chanting and smoked salmon secrets to moccasin and medicine-making.
• St. John: Heli-fish in the footsteps of Prince Charles on the Miramichi River or have “Tea with Eleanor” Roosevelt at her and Franklin’s former summer residence.
• Boston: See what some call New England’s most well-preserved (and picturesque) Colonial town during a half-day in Marblehead and witch trial-famed Salem.
Aspiring photographers can also learn pro tips to capture the “perfect shot” of Halifax or St. John during photo excursions there, and bike-riders can work off their sea legs through NY’s Central Park, or Montréal’s 236 miles of bike paths.
Additionally, Crystal’s You Care, We Care voluntourism program offers complimentary opportunities to assist with local Canadian food banks or help low-income and homeless Bostonian children.
“New England/Canada is one of the most storied and stunning regions in North America and offers so much to explore and discover. Each year, we strive to not only expand our offerings with new ports, but also re-invent the journey with new experiences in traditionally popular destinations,” says John Stoll, vice president, land and port operations.
