Cruises
A Marquee Port
Halifax is a marquee port of call on the Canada-New England cruise itinerary. Geographically blessed, Halifax is ideally situated for cruise lines that operate along North America's East Coast - it's only a one day sail from both New York and Boston.
An international port of call with first class facilities, Halifax welcomes hundreds of cruise ships and luxury sailing vessels from the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, St Pierre and Miquelon, Atlantic Canada, and the St. Lawrence Region of Quebec.
Whether it's spring, summer, or fall Halifax offers cruise visitors diverse cultural heritage and natural beauty. Popular land packages include exploration of this world famous seacoast. Along Nova Scotia's Eastern Shore, beautiful white sand beaches provide a perfect venue for sand castle enthusiasts, picnics, beachcombing and surfing. World-class surfers flock to the area year-round for thrilling surfing competitions. The rugged coast of the Lighthouse Route, along the south shore, is home to quaint fishing villages like picturesque Peggy's Cove where you'll find the world's only post office in a lighthouse. In the village of Hubbards we find the famous Shore Club offering traditional lobster dinners. The opportunities for a seaside escape are sure to entice you back for a longer stay.
Back in Halifax, visitors can stroll the world's longest harbourfront boardwalk right from the dockside cruise ship terminal to the historic downtown where superb shopping, fine restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and museums abound. Passengers can explore the restored waterfront area of Historic Properties where privateers once gathered. Minutes away the Halifax Public Gardens and Point Pleasant Park offer peaceful spots for relaxation and rejuvenation. Halifax's cosmopolitan centre has plenty of transportation options, and is compact and safe for those who choose to see the sights on foot.
Cruise ship passengers always try to experience as many of the following sites as they can during their usual 8 hour stop over, or on an overnight Port of Halifax visit:
High above Halifax sits a star shaped citadel, one of the great British fortifications of the 19th century. It's one of the most visited national historic sites in Canada. Animators of the 78th Highlander Regiment greet all cruise ships dockside with an award winning cruise arrival program, featuring the Halifax Town Crier and the Citadel's pipers and drummers. Don't miss your opportunity to have your picture taken with these animators reenacting life of the 1860's. Be sure to ask on board for shore excursions like "Soldier for A Day" and "The Queen's Shilling" and experience life as it was in the 1800s. Or pay a shorter visit and catch the noon gun followed by lunch in the soldier's library. The historic site is about a 20 minute walk from the Halifax Cruise Pavilion. As your ship departs the Halifax port of call, the sound of the pipes will bid you farewell until we meet again.
Stroll in the footsteps of privateers - licensed pirates who stored their booty in these warehouses. Restored and redeveloped in the early 1970's this area is now the home of colourful shops, pubs, restaurants, and outdoor cafes. It's only a stone's throw from the oldest saltwater ferry service in North America, and the departure point for many of the city's harbour tours.
Visit Alexander Keith's Nova Scotia Brewery and step back in time for a fun-filled history lesson delivered by costumed animators. It's definitely not your run-of-the-mill brewery tour! People of all ages will enjoy visiting the beautifully detailed home & brew house of Alexander Keith, learning about the brewing process, singing a song (or two) in the Stag's Head Pub and, of course, sampling Mr. Keith's finest Ale.
Dive into Atlantic Canada's maritime history in the heart of the historic Halifax waterfront. Experience the life of a sailor, learn of the province's ship-building heritage and uncover the meaning behind colourful ship flags. See exhibits featuring the Halifax connection to the Titanic, North Atlantic convoys, Theodore Tugboat, the Halifax Explosion, Shipwreck Treasures, and galleries with Days of Sail and Age of Steam.
Discover the natural wonders of Nova Scotia's land and sea. See whales, fossils, dinosaurs, birds and even moose. Meet Gus, the 83 year-old tortoise and see live bees at work in their hive, safe behind glass. Each summer catch the magic of live exotic butterflies in the Butterfly Pavilion. At the Nature Centre, a naturalist will introduce live displays of local species of fish, frogs, salamanders, snakes and creatures from the seashore. Open year-round.
Located in Lake Charlotte, along the Seacoast Trail’s Marine Drive Nature Route, Memory Lane depicts life in a rural Nova Scotian village from 1940-1950. It was a decade of transition when roads, electricity, and new technologies were changing rural life forever. The village features restored buildings, complete with period artifacts and staffed by costumed hosts. Cookhouse meals available. Local handmade crafts retailed on-site.
Located on the second largest natural harbour in the world, Casino Nova Scotia is an exciting venue for gaming and special events. Open 24 hours a day. Accessible by strolling the waterfront boardwalk from Pier 21 Cruise Pavilion (approximately a 30 minute walk from the Cruise Pavillion).
Right at the cruise ship terminal you'll find Pier 21 - " Canada's Ellis Island". From the 1920's to the 1970's, Pier 21 was Canada's 'front door' to over one million immigrants, wartime evacuees, refugees, troops, war brides and their children. Experience the history of this national historic treasure which has been transformed into a testament to Canada's profoundly emotional immigration experience. The sheer impact of the interactive displays, virtual projections and abundance of fascinating images will overwhelm you. Genealogy enthusiasts will marvel at the resource information and library facilities on site.
One of the finest original formal Victorian Public Gardens in North America. Enjoy sparkling fountains, historic statuary, a natural pond system teaming with bird life, and summer Sunday afternoon band concerts in the red roofed gazebo. Winding pathways lead past magnificent specimen trees & shrubs and colourful formal floating flower beds in this 17 acre garden. Open May to October. Located at Spring Garden Road and South Park Street.
Shore Excursions
The cruise ships that visit Halifax offer many shore excursions some of which include:
- Titanic Treasure Tour
- Soldier for the Day at the Halifax Citadel
- Queen’s Shilling program at the Halifax Citadel
- Halifax Historic City Tour
- Tidal Bore River Rafting
- Outdoor adventure tours including nature, water and harbour tours
- Peggy's Cove & South Shore Visits
- Helicopter Tours
- Pier 21 Tours
- Evangeline Trail & Wine Tasting
- Golfer's Paradise
- Arts & Crafts Tours
- Black Heritage Tours
- Kids Only Tours
- Ghost Tours
- Cuisine and Wine Tours
The Port of Halifax welcomes cruise passengers from all over the globe as part of the Canada/New England Cruise itinerary or transatlantic voyages from UK and Europe. 2006 will see more than 185,000 cruise passengers visit Atlantic Canada's marquee Port of Call — Halifax. All passengers will be treated to an award winning welcome program featuring the Town Crier and world champion pipers & drummers of the 78th Highlander Regiment of the Halifax Citadel.
Cruise Lines Visiting Halifax in 2006:
- Carnival Cruises
- Celebrity
- Crystal Cruises
- Cunard
- Fred Olsen
- Hapag—Lloyd Cruises
- Holland America Line
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- P&O Cruises
- Princess Cruises
- Royal Caribbean Cruises
- Saga Holidays
- Seabourn Cruises
- Transocean
- Travelscope
For a complete Cruise Arrival schedule please click here.
For further information about these and other exciting cruising opportunities to Halifax contact your local travel agent or any of the major cruise lines directly, or visit Port of Halifax or Atlantic Canada Cruise Association.
Cruise lines and travel trade should contact: Lynn Ledwidge
For a complete listing of Destination Halifax members who serve the cruise market in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Atlantic Canada visit the suppliers section under tour operators.
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