Massachusetts/Maine/Prince Edward Island/Nova Scotia/Québec

Northern Shores: Québec, the Canadian Maritimes and New England

Program No. 21517RJ
Explore the shores of Eastern Canada and New England, learning about the regions’ history, visiting historic sites and discovering Old World charm in modern cosmopolitan cities.

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At a Glance

The rocky shores of what are now Eastern Canada and New England have been landed on and settled by Vikings and explorers sailing from Scotland, England and France through the centuries. Discover this fascinating history plus the timeless charm of colonial cities, the Celtic culture of the Canadian Maritimes and the rugged natural beauty of the Atlantic coast on this voyage from Quebec City to Boston.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
I like to spend much of the day exploring. Whether walking through historic neighborhoods at a moderate pace or out and about on a coach, I prefer to keep my days full. Stairs don’t bother me, and I love to keep up with the group.

What You'll Learn

  • Experience the Old World grandeur of Québec City, the only intact walled city on the continent north of Mexico.
  • Discover Acadia National Park's majesty by trolley.
  • Learn about Halifax’s connection to the Titanic as well as the Great Explosion of 1917 during an expert-led walk of Nova Scotia’s capital city.

General Notes

This voyage combines Road Scholar’s trademark education and camaraderie with access to Holland America Cruise Line’s wide variety of activities and dining and entertainment options. While you’ll spend much of your time with the Road Scholar group, please consider that you’ll be on a large ocean liner with passengers of all ages when deciding if this program is right for you.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
All itineraries and excursions are subject to change. Weather and water conditions may affect the progress of the ship, and we may miss ports if it is not safe to dock. The operators reserve the right to change the content and duration of excursions without prior notice and so the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. Whenever possible, Road Scholar’s published daily schedule will indicate port arrival and departure times. Prior to departure, if there is a major change, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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10 days
9 nights
25 meals
9 B 8 L 8 D
DAY
1
Arrive in Quebec City, Check In, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Quebec City
D
Best Western Plus City Centre/Centre-Ville

Activity note: Hotel check-in begins at 3:00 p.m. Dinner and orientation will be hosted at an off site restaurant.

Afternoon: Program Registration: 2:00-5:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table in the hotel lobby to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. This program is staffed with a Study Leader who will provide private lectures aboard the cruise ship. We will be walking an average of 2 miles per day throughout the program, often over uneven, narrow, or hilly terrain. Days at sea will be a mix of independent and group activities. In addition to lectures and field trips exclusively for our Road Scholar group, you are invited to take advantage of the many activities and events aboard the ship that are separate from the Road Scholar program. “Free Time” and “At Leisure” indicate when you can choose to do what you like and make your experience as personally meaningful, rewarding, and memorable as possible. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: Dinner will be served at a local restaurant.

Evening: Orientation will be held after dinner. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. The rest of the evening will be at your own leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

DAY
2
Quebec City Field Trip, Free Time
Quebec City
B,L
Best Western Plus City Centre/Centre-Ville

Activity note: Walking approximately 2 miles, standing at field trip sites; city streets and sidewalks, some uneven terrain.

Breakfast: A plated breakfast is included at the hotel.

Morning: We will depart the hotel by motor coach for a a tour of Old Quebec - covering the provincial parliament buildings, the Quebec Citadel, an overlook of the St. Lawrence River, and the Plains of Abraham.

Lunch: Lunch will be served at a local restaurant

Afternoon: Enjoy a narrated walking excursion of Old Quebec with views of Dufferin Terrace, Chateau Frontenac, and many other beautiful historic locations.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Evening: The evening is at leisure. Prepare to check out of the hotel in the morning.

DAY
3
Field Trip, Embark on the MS Zuiderdam
Quebec City
B,L,D
MS Zuiderdam

Activity note: Hotel check-out by 12:00 p.m. Please keep your passport and medications in your hand luggage. There may be waiting lines for embarkation. The time available in each port is set by the cruise line. Whenever it's possible, the Road Scholar daily schedule will indicate port arrival and departure times (subject to change by the cruise line). Road Scholar delivers a robust educational program in each port, and this may mean that free time in port is limited.

Breakfast: A plated breakfast is included at the hotel.

Morning: We’ll check out of the hotel and board a motor coach for a morning of exploration to see Montmorency Falls. Next, we will visit Quebec City's art museum: Musee National des Beaux-Arts du Quebec. We'll then make our way to the port to embark on the M/S Zuiderdam.

Lunch: After settling into your cabin aboard the ship, you'll have different options of cuisine from around the world, including Asian stir-fry, gourmet sandwiches, pasta, pizza, sushi, and an extensive salad bar.

Afternoon: Upon completion of the ship's check-in, you will receive a ship identification card. It will serve as your identification for security procedures when embarking and disembarking the ship, and for making purchases onboard. It is also your access card to your cabin. Take some time to freshen up and relax. Then, along with everyone else on board, we will participate in the ship's mandatory safety drill, when announced.

Dinner: Each evening aboard the ship, Road Scholar participants are invited to have dinner together with the Study Leader at the early seating in the main dining room, where we will have reserved tables. There are tasty choices for each of the five a la carte courses to order from the menu. Coffee, tea, and water are included with the meal. Other beverages are available for purchase. For other meals, you can choose the Lido Restaurant or one of the several specialty restaurants. The specialty restaurants include an upscale option at an extra cost. Free round-the-clock room service is also available. There are bars in several different locations onboard.

Evening: The evening will be left free to enjoy the ship's amenities. A copy of the next day’s shipboard schedule — listing activities and events outside the Road Scholar program — will be placed in cabins each evening of the voyage.

DAY
4
Musée de la Civilisation, Free Time
Quebec City
B,L,D
MS Zuiderdam

Activity note: Walking approximately 2 miles, prolonged periods of standing; varying surfaces and gradients.

Breakfast: The Lido Restaurant is cafeteria-style for breakfast and offers dishes such as cooked-to-order omelets, pancakes, fresh fruits, cereals, yogurts, fresh-squeezed orange juice, coffee, tea, and water.

Morning: We’ll set out to the Musée de la Civilisation (Museum of Civilization), to explore the history of human society and learn about the aboriginal nations that Quebec is founded upon.

Lunch: Lunch is served aboard the ship. You are also welcome to remain in town and eat lunch at your own cost.

Afternoon: This afternoon, there will be a private Road Scholar lecture hosted by our Study Leader.

Dinner: Dinner will be served aboard the ship.

Evening: The evening will be left at leisure to enjoy the ship's activities and amenities.

DAY
5
At Sea, Road Scholar Exclusive Lectures
At Sea
B,L,D
MS Zuiderdam

Activity note: N/A

Breakfast: Breakfast will be served aboard the ship.

Morning: As we cruise, we’ll join our Study Leader for a private Road Scholar lecture.

Lunch: Lunch will be served aboard the ship.

Afternoon: We’ll regroup for another presentation led by our Study Leader. There will also be a private Road Scholar cocktail party later in the afternoon, prior to dinner.

Dinner: Dinner will be served aboard the ship.

Evening: The evening will be left at leisure to enjoy the ship's activities and amenities.

DAY
6
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Green Gables Place
Prince Edward Island
B,L,D
MS Zuiderdam

Activity note: Walking about 2 miles, standing at field trip sites; varying surfaces and gradients.

Breakfast: Breakfast will be served aboard the ship.

Morning: In Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, we'll head out via motorcoach led by a local expert, and enter the enchanting world of “Anne of Green Gables” at the restored Victorian house and landscape that inspired the novel. We’ll learn about the history of the area and hear stories while taking in the beautiful historical park.

Lunch: Lunch will be served aboard the ship or independently if you remain in Charlottetown.

Afternoon: There will be free time this afternoon to explore Charlottetown. There will also be a private Road Scholar lecture hosted by our Study Leader.

Dinner: Dinner will be served aboard the ship.

Evening: Enjoy the evening at leisure as we cruise towards Nova Scotia.

DAY
7
Nova Scotia, Fortress of Louisbourg
Sydney, Nova Scotia
B,L,D
MS Zuiderdam

Activity note: Walking and standing at field trip sites; varying surfaces and gradients.

Breakfast: Breakfast will be served aboard the ship.

Morning: In Sydney, Nova Scotia, we'll head out with a local expert via motorcoach to explore one of Canada’s most impressive national historic sites, the Fortress of Louisbourg. Once among the busiest harbors in North America and a center of French trade and military might, it is now a living museum of cultural history. Many of the interpretive staff are dressed in period-style clothing that tell stories of 18th century class, gender, and occupations. We will watch a Compagnies Franches soldier do a musket firing demonstration, and learn how 18th century hot chocolate was made before sampling some ourselves. Buildings are furnished with objects from daily life, including reproductions of authentic originals. The gardens feature flowers, vegetables, and herbs of the 18th century. Since we are visiting during the low season, some of the buildings in the Fortress complex will be closed.

Lunch: Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Take in scenic coastline views as we return to the ship for a presentation by your study leader.

Dinner: Dinner will be served aboard the ship.

Evening: Enjoy the evening at leisure.

DAY
8
Halifax, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Free time
Halifax, NS
B,L,D
MS Zuiderdam

Activity note: Walking about 2 miles, standing at field trip sites; varying surfaces and gradients.

Breakfast: Breakfast will be served aboard the ship.

Morning: From the ship, we’ll head out on foot with an expert guide to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. Here, we will learn about factors and events that have shaped Canadian and Nova Scotian history including the “Titanic” connection, and the Halifax Explosion of 1917. Following the museum visit, we will have access to a hop-on/ hop-off bus to visit various sites of interest including the Halifax Public Gardens, the Halifax Citadel, and the Fairview Lawn Cemetery, where 100 victims of the Titanic were buried. Guides will be available aboard the double decker bus to share stories of Halifax's rich history. Please note: attractions and museums may have entry fees and/or timed tickets. The full circuit takes about 90 minutes to complete, not including extra time spent at attractions. Please be mindful of your free time and plan your morning and afternoon schedule accordingly.

Lunch: There will be options to eat lunch at a local restaurant at your own cost, or aboard the ship.

Afternoon: There will be free time this afternoon to continue on with the hop-on/ hop-off tour. You may also remain aboard ship to take advantage of the various activities and amenities the ship has to offer.

Dinner: Dinner will be served aboard the ship.

Evening: Enjoy the evening at leisure as we cruise towards Maine.

DAY
9
Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine
Bar Harbor, ME
B,L,D
MS Zuiderdam

Activity note: Walking approximately 1 mile, varying surfaces and gradients. Getting up and down the steps of a trolley bus to visit sites in the park.

Breakfast: Breakfast will be served aboard the ship.

Morning: There will be some free time this morning to explore Bar Harbor. While in town, you might want to take a stroll along Main Street to see the local shops, or one can visit places like the Abbe Museum, the Historical Society, the Pier/Boardwalk, and the Village Green. Some attractions may have entry fees. You may also remain aboard the ship and take advantage of the various activities and amenities the ship has to offer.

Lunch: Lunch will be served aboard the ship or independently at your own cost, if you wish to stay in Bar Harbor.

Afternoon: After we tender ashore in Bar Harbor, we’ll walk a few blocks to board a trolley that will take us on a field trip through Acadia National Park. Here, we will see a stunning intersection of sea-scoured shores, towering cliffs, and forested mountains. Highlights will include Cadillac Mountain, Thunder Hole, and Jordan Pond.

Dinner: This evening, we will have our final dinner aboard the ship. Share your favorite experiences with your new Road Scholar friends.

Evening: We will have one final night to relax aboard the ship. Prepare to disembark in the morning.

DAY
10
Arrive in Boston, Disembark from the ship, Program Concludes
Boston, MA
B

Activity note: The ship is scheduled to arrive in Boston at 7:00 a.m. Disembarkation will begin once the ship has docked and cleared customs. This usually takes approximately 1.5 hours, followed by one airport transfer for those on Road Scholar group flights.

Breakfast: Breakfast will be served aboard the ship.

Morning: The ship is scheduled to arrive in Boston at 7:00 AM. Disembarkation will begin once the ship is docked and has cleared customs. This usually takes approximately 1 - 1.5 hours. All guests must be off of the ship by 10:00 AM. If you are arranging your own flights out of Boston, we do not recommend flights that depart earlier than 1:00 PM. Public transportation and cab service is available from the terminal. We hope you enjoyed your Road Scholar learning adventure and look forward to hosting you on more rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys back home!






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