The official Quebec, Saguenay and Baie-Comeau cruise ports thread!

[cruiser21]

Those are great rates for Quebec! I'm surprised, they show up at a much higher price when I look.

Yes, the hotels in the Old Port of Montreal tend to be expensive. We are getting more and more tourists during fall and more cruises are departing from Montreal and it's starting to show... You can get better rates if you get a little bit close to downtown but the Old Port location is better, IMO.

I would invite you to check the prices more often because I am sure you can get lower rates for Montreal.

I'm pricing them through Orbitz.

 

[Pens Fan]

Does anyone have any experience with Hotel Le Priori in Quebec? We originally booked a round trip out of NYC on NCL, but they have cancelled all of their 10 day round trip cruises this fall and replaced them with one way cruises of varying lengths. We booked a 12 nighter from Quebec to NYC, so now I'm looking for a place to stay in Quebec for a couple of nights pre-cruise.

I found this hotel on Trip Advisor. It has great reviews and is pretty reasonably priced, considering it's in the heart of Old Town. I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about it.

Thanks!!

 

[cruiser21]

Does anyone have any experience with Hotel Le Priori in Quebec? We originally booked a round trip out of NYC on NCL, but they have cancelled all of their 10 day round trip cruises this fall and replaced them with one way cruises of varying lengths. We booked a 12 nighter from Quebec to NYC, so now I'm looking for a place to stay in Quebec for a couple of nights pre-cruise.

I found this hotel on Trip Advisor. It has great reviews and is pretty reasonably priced, considering it's in the heart of Old Town. I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about it.

Thanks!!

Just curious are you flying into Quebec or Montreal? Were booked on the NYC to Quebec, but I'm finding it cheaper to fly into Montreal then out of Montreal most likely to do international depart taxes. I may reverse my cruise.

 

[Pens Fan]

I'm not sure yet. I know we want to spend some time in Quebec City pre - cruise. Our cruise embarks on a Monday, so I'd rather just get to Quebec City and hang out there until we board the ship vs. having to transfer from Montreal. Prices for flights from Pittsburgh to Quebec City aren't all that bad, but they aren't the most convenient time wise (one or two stops will be required). We are just in the beginning stages of planning as NCL just cancelled our cruise yesterday.

But to answer your concern about pricing to/from Montreal, I was doing some reading on Cruise Critic today and I saw several references to this. It seems there are some extra taxes when you fly out of Canada vs. flying into it??? At least that is what some folks were claiming. I saw several people saying it was better to start your cruise in Canada vs. ending it there.

But honestly I have no clue if that is true or not. We chose our new cruise because NCL was offering price protection and we could get a 12 day cruise for the price of a 10 day!! Also, the timing was ideal and the cruise we chose begins on a Monday and ends on a Saturday which offers a nice travel buffer for my husband as far as burning vacation days.

 

[mevelandry]

Does anyone have any experience with Hotel Le Priori in Quebec? We originally booked a round trip out of NYC on NCL, but they have cancelled all of their 10 day round trip cruises this fall and replaced them with one way cruises of varying lengths. We booked a 12 nighter from Quebec to NYC, so now I'm looking for a place to stay in Quebec for a couple of nights pre-cruise.

I found this hotel on Trip Advisor. It has great reviews and is pretty reasonably priced, considering it's in the heart of Old Town. I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about it.

Thanks!!

There was a fire at Le Priori there in december... Don't know if it's going to be fixed on time for your cruise.

 

[mevelandry]

Just curious are you flying into Quebec or Montreal? Were booked on the NYC to Quebec, but I'm finding it cheaper to fly into Montreal then out of Montreal most likely to do international depart taxes. I may reverse my cruise.

It's definitely less expensive to fly to Montreal than flying to Quebec.

 

[cruiser21]

I'm not sure yet. I know we want to spend some time in Quebec City pre - cruise. Our cruise embarks on a Monday, so I'd rather just get to Quebec City and hang out there until we board the ship vs. having to transfer from Montreal. Prices for flights from Pittsburgh to Quebec City aren't all that bad, but they aren't the most convenient time wise (one or two stops will be required). We are just in the beginning stages of planning as NCL just cancelled our cruise yesterday.

But to answer your concern about pricing to/from Montreal, I was doing some reading on Cruise Critic today and I saw several references to this. It seems there are some extra taxes when you fly out of Canada vs. flying into it??? At least that is what some folks were claiming. I saw several people saying it was better to start your cruise in Canada vs. ending it there.

But honestly I have no clue if that is true or not. We chose our new cruise because NCL was offering price protection and we could get a 12 day cruise for the price of a 10 day!! Also, the timing was ideal and the cruise we chose begins on a Monday and ends on a Saturday which offers a nice travel buffer for my husband as far as burning vacation days.

Any country you fly out of and back to the US is going to have depart taxes. Canada actually isn't too bad roughly 54.00 dollars. London is insane with their depart taxes around 175.00 usd for coach and 275 usd for a premium cabin. Barcelona is cheap around 40.00 dollars. If you fly with points you still have to pay the depart tax. Normally people don't look at the taxes on their tickets just the overall price.

 

[Pens Fan]

There was a fire at Le Priori there in december... Don't know if it's going to be fixed on time for your cruise.

Thanks for the heads up. I did notice that they said they were closed until sometime in February. I think I need to do some more digging into this.

 

[Pens Fan]

Is anyone familiar with Auberge Du Tresor in Quebec City? It looks to be pretty centrally located and isn't too crazy price wise.

For those of you familiar with Quebec City, do you think it's better to stay in the Lower Town or Upper Town? Or does it really matter? I'm not too worried about being close to the port, and would rather be able to enjoy a couple of days just walking around and enjoying the Old Town and visiting all the normal tourist areas. We won't have a car, so being in a central area and having things within walking distance is what we are looking for.

Thanks!

 

[mevelandry]

Is anyone familiar with Auberge Du Tresor in Quebec City? It looks to be pretty centrally located and isn't too crazy price wise.

For those of you familiar with Quebec City, do you think it's better to stay in the Lower Town or Upper Town? Or does it really matter? I'm not too worried about being close to the port, and would rather be able to enjoy a couple of days just walking around and enjoying the Old Town and visiting all the normal tourist areas. We won't have a car, so being in a central area and having things within walking distance is what we are looking for.

Thanks!

I don't know that hotel but it seems like a reasonably priced hotel in an excellent location.

I would personally stick to Old Quebec or "Haute-Ville" (Upper town)... With the exception of the Quartier St-Roch (which is at the limit... it used to be a poor neighborhood but is now pretty popular). Quebec is very walkable but some parts are a bit "hilly". Definitely doable but it will keep you in shape!

 

[Calgary3]

We're booked for the fall 2018 DCL NYC to Quebec City cruise and wondering if the any ports were cancelled on the 2017 cruises because of whales. Anyone know?

Thanks

 

[cruiser21]

We're booked for the fall 2018 DCL NYC to Quebec City cruise and wondering if the any ports were cancelled on the 2017 cruises because of whales. Anyone know?

Thanks

This will be a maiden voyage.

 

[3fish]

Hi!

I come from the province of Quebec (Born and raised, lived in many regions and currently lives in Montreal) and I just learned that Disney Cruise Line will do a cruise coming and/or departing from Quebec including two other Quebec ports in 2018 which are Saguenay and Baie-Comeau...

So I thought maybe I (along with some of my fellow Quebecois(e) DISers) could help.

Feel free to ask any question you want regarding ports, excursions, etc. We are most likely going to be able to help! There are no stupid questions. I can also help you with the pronounciation. (Kay-Beck, Sag-Nay, Bay-Como)

EDIT:

Two sailings so far...

-From NYC to Quebec City: September 20, 2018

-From Quebec City to NYC: September 27, 2018


TRANSPORTATION FROM MONTREAL FOR THOSE WHO WILL FLY TO MONTREAL

My boss (76 yo) takes the Via Rail train from Montreal to Quebec almost every time he has to go to Quebec. He usually picks the Business section in order to be able to work. Apparently the seats are very comfortable, there is room for the legs, there is free wifi (actually all sections have free wifi and power outlets)... It takes about 3h30 by train but both train stations have a very practical location. My office is right in front of the Gare Centrale (train station) and I help tourists finding the sites they are looking for all the time.

The tickets usually go from 70 to 215$ depending on the moment you use it and the section you pick but be sure to subscribe to the newsletter because they go on promotion all the time (especially on tuesday mornings). They can go as low as 33$.

If you need to go from the Montreal (YUL) airport to the train station, it should be a 38$ flat rate by cab.

Or you can take the STM (Public Transportation) line 747 that will cost you 10$ and be valid for 24 hours. It's an interesting route for tourists because it stops near the most important subway stations, hotels. The "Gare Centrale" (train station) would be stop number 5.

RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN QUÉBEC

Near Old Quebec (10 to 20 min walk from Old Quebec neighborhood):

The Delta, the Tryp Pur & Marriott Quebec would be good and affordable options. (I will try to find out if they offer shuttles).

Old Quebec (very close to the port):

Hotel du Capitole is right in the Old Quebec, in front of Place d'Youville. This hotel is an historic monument and has cachet (Beaux-Arts style). The rooms are comfortable. It is situated next to a theater. I love that hotel!

If money if no object, go for Château Frontenac or Château Laurier.


RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN MONTRÉAL

Airport:

-Mariott Airport (it's quite nice for an Airport Hotel and it's right inside the Airport!)

-Sheraton Montreal Airport (I have a gym/spa/pool membership there and it's very nice and clean, the gym and pool are nothing to write home about but I like them).


Near the Old Port:

*If you chose an hotel on St-Paul Street. ALWAYS ask for a room that does NOT give on St-Paul St. The soundproofing of the windows is usually pretty bad and St-Paul St. is very noisy. I've made that mistake once and we moved room at 2 AM because we simply could not sleep.*

-Marriott Château Champlain (about 15 minutes walk from the Old Port of Montreal, metro Bonaventure is connected directly to it)

-Hôtel Nelligan (in the Old Port of Montreal, very charming BUT ask for your room to be in the back of the hotel.


Downtown:

*I wouldn't recommend hotels near the Metro Berri-Uqam station. It's not a nice place to be after dark. Lots of homeless people, junkies and drug dealers at night. If you have to be around, just go from point A to point B, don't engage into conversations with strangers and you'll be fine.*

-Hyatt Regency Montreal (it's a nice comfortable hotel, situated right in front of the Place Des Arts, very close to the metro Place Des Arts, lots of restaurants and boutiques at Complexe Desjardins where it is situated)

-Hotel Renaissance Montreal Downtown (less than 1 minute walk from St-Catherine Street, right in the action, wonderful rooftop terrace and great restaurant name "East").

-Hotel Reine Elizabeth (the hotel is fresh out of major refurbishment and is absolutely stunning. If you enjoy afternoon tea, I recommend their tea service at Rosélys).

 

[3fish]

Thank you for the information. Very useful

 

[cruiser21]

Has anyone researched excursions. I haven't been able to find any online and DCL hasn't posted them. I'm looking for something that would interest a teen. He likes animals, aquariums, science, active things like kayaking, canoeing, climbing etc. Tours and historical sights aren't really his thing nor mine.

Also if you were going to spend a couple days in Quebec or Montreal which would you choose? Again what might be more interesting for a teen. Voiles en Voiles in Montreal looks fun.

 

[mevelandry]

Has anyone researched excursions. I haven't been able to find any online and DCL hasn't posted them. I'm looking for something that would interest a teen. He likes animals, aquariums, science, active things like kayaking, canoeing, climbing etc. Tours and historical sights aren't really his thing nor mine.

Also if you were going to spend a couple days in Quebec or Montreal which would you choose? Again what might be more interesting for a teen. Voiles en Voiles in Montreal looks fun.

They both have their charm but living in Montreal, of course I find Montreal a bit more exciting!

If he likes animals and science, I would definitely see him visiting the "Biodôme", the "Centre des sciences" (which also presents IMAX 3-D films), we have a very nice Planetarium and Insectarium (if he likes bugs).

If he likes theme parks, Montreal also has a Six Flags theme park on Ile Sainte-Hélène (easily accessible with public transportation), however, depending on when you come, it could be closed on week days if your cruise happen during school time. Île Ste-Hélène itself is great for activities.

Yes, Voiles en voiles looks fun. They also added a zipline in the Old Port two years ago.

 

[cruiser21]

They both have their charm but living in Montreal, of course I find Montreal a bit more exciting!

If he likes animals and science, I would definitely see him visiting the "Biodôme", the "Centre des sciences" (which also presents IMAX 3-D films), we have a very nice Planetarium and Insectarium (if he likes bugs).

If he likes theme parks, Montreal also has a Six Flags theme park on Ile Sainte-Hélène (easily accessible with public transportation), however, depending on when you come, it could be closed on week days if your cruise happen during school time. Île Ste-Hélène itself is great for activities.

Yes, Voiles en voiles looks fun. They also added a zipline in the Old Port two years ago.

Thank you this is very helpful. I wish I could find more info on the ports. I'll try checking out other cruiselines and see what they offer, maybe DCL's will be similar.

 

[Pens Fan]

Thank you this is very helpful. I wish I could find more info on the ports. I'll try checking out other cruiselines and see what they offer, maybe DCL's will be similar.

I do this all the time with Princess's website. I really like their shore excursion section.

Have you checked out tomsportguides.com? He has a lot of great info on many cruise ports, including the Canadian / New England ones. You can download the guides to your phone or tablet and they have a ton of great information.

 

[cruiser21]

I do this all the time with Princess's website. I really like their shore excursion section.

Have you checked out tomsportguides.com? He has a lot of great info on many cruise ports, including the Canadian / New England ones. You can download the guides to your phone or tablet and they have a ton of great information.

Thanks I'll check it out. I did use his guide for the Med. It's been a while I forgot about him.

 

[javiermb]

Hi, we are getting ready to book the cruise and can't decide on oceanview or balcony, are the views as good as the Alaska cruise? just want to make sure is worth the extra money. Thanks!