What Fiona Could Bring
Fiona is expected to reach Atlantic Canada on Friday evening, and the region will begin to experience deteriorating conditions earlier in the day.
Here is the latest update on #Hurricane#Fiona. Hurricane Fiona has the potential to be a landmark weather event in Eastern Canada this weekend, and we encourage the public to continue to monitor the forecasts regularly.Read the new bulletins at:
ECCC Canadian Hurricane Centre
Fiona is purely a hurricane right now. As it begins to interact with a cold weather system and jet stream, it will transition into a superstorm with characteristics of both a strong hurricane and a strong autumn cyclone with hurricane-force winds, very heavy rain, and large storm surge and waves, explained Tang.
The National Hurricane Center is forecasting the storm to continue producing hurricane-force winds as it crosses Nova Scotia and moves into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In fact, the storm could still carry winds over 100 mph when it slams onshore.
We want people to take it very seriously and be prepared for a long period of utility outages and structural damage to buildings, explained Fogarty.
Life-threatening storm surge and large waves are forecast for the region.
Throughout our entire Halifax region you should be prepared for downed trees, extended power outages and local flood conditions, the mayor added.
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Seafood And Much More
The Haligonian food scene has been shaped by its proximity to the sea and its French, English, and Scottish settlers. In particular, this Atlantic region of Canada is renowned for its bountiful fresh seafood. Throughout the fall, guests can enjoy lobster served with butter in the traditional Nova Scotia style. Don’t worry most places provide plastic bibs for the somewhat messy process of consuming this delicacy.
The region is known for its wild blueberries and freshly harvested apples, which are used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes. Casual eats include a donair, which consists of spicy meat in a pita with a genuinely unique creamy garlic sauce. A product of the Scottish influence are oatcakes a perfect afternoon treat with coffee. And, before you leave, make sure to pick up some authentic, locally made maple syrup for those who weren’t lucky enough to cruise with you.
Shopping Near The Sydney Cruise Port
The Big Fiddle Market within the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion houses nearly 50 vendors and artisans. Whether for shopping, galleries, or enjoying a bite to eat, theres something for everyone at Big Fiddle Market.
Try Hatties Heirlooms for vintage fabrics or the Cape Breton Curiosity Shop for souvenirs. Craving ice cream? Head into The Kilted Moose Trading Company to experience a locally owned ice cream parlor, complete with fudge and candies.
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Princess Cruises From Brooklyn Nyc
Take the whole family on a Princess Cruise from Brooklyn, New York. Kids will enjoy their childrens and teens centers. Professional youth counselors organize a full schedule of activities to keep toddlers, pre-teens and teens occupied throughout the cruise. Princess Cruises also feature family suites with two adjoining cabins with two bathrooms that can house up to ten people.
Couples will have a great time too. These Princess Cruises have three show lounges that present a changing array of entertainment choices, including Broadway, Las Vegas and cabaret-style productions. Dance the night away at the nightclub at the very top of the ship and accessible only by a glass-enclosed skywalk. This dramatic space becomes an observation lounge during the day. The Caribbean Princess is one of their ships sailing from Brooklyn.
Princess cruises from NYC go to New England & Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, and Australia. They specialize in longer trips to adventurous destinations.
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Shocking Devastation From Fiona On Nova Scotia Could Lead To Days
Crews are scrambling to restore power in Nova Scotia as nearly three-quarters of the province is without electricity due to post-tropical cyclone Fiona, Premier Tim Houston said this afternoon at a news conference.
The situation right now is where none of us want us to be, Houston said. I dread to think of where we would be had Nova Scotians not taken every single possible precaution to protect themselves and their families.
Houston described the damage across the province as shocking, with communities facing washed-out roads and downed trees and power lines.
Peter Gregg, CEO of Nova Scotia Power, said weather conditions are still too severe in many areas for workers to begin assessing and repairing damage.
According to Gregg, over 900 power technicians are on the way to Nova Scotia.
Gregg said theres still an active storm in many parts of the province despite some weather and wind improvements, so some customers might see power outages for a couple of days.
Were working to restore power as quickly as we can, as soon as its safe to do so, Gregg said.
Halifax Regional Municipality Mayor Mike Savage said communication has been a challenge during the power outage.
The magnitude of this storm has been breathtaking, Savage said. It turned out to be everything predicted.
Savage said an apartment roof collapse caused 100 people to evacuate, but hes grateful there have not been too many injuries or any reported deaths.
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The 1917 Harbor Explosion
Just over five years after the Titanic sunk, Halifax was the site of another tragedy. On the morning of Dec. 6, 1917, the Mont-Blanc, a French ship carrying a large cache of explosives, collided with a Norwegian vessel in the citys harbor.
The collision resulted in a massive explosion that killed more than 1,600 people, injured 9,000 others and flattened more than one square mile of the city. It remains the biggest disaster in Canadian history.
There is a comprehensive exhibit devoted to the harbor explosion at the Maritime Museum, and several monuments and works of art around the city pay tribute to the victims. The clock at Halifax City Hall near the waterfront is permanently set at 4 minutes and 35 seconds after 9, the exact time of the explosion.
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Hurricane Fiona Strengthens Continues Cruise Impacts
Hurricane Fiona has had a significant impact on Puerto Rico, and will affect further cruise ports and itineraries throughout the week.
Hurricane Fiona continued to strengthen over the weekend, crossing over Puerto Rico and moving over the Dominican Republic as of Monday morning. The storm is now a strong Category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 90 miles per hour , moving northwest at eight miles per hour .
The storm is forecast to continue turning north and strengthening in the next few days, with strong impacts on Bermuda expected by the end of the week.
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Fiona Continues To Produce Hurricane
Fionas sustained winds have dropped slightly to 80 mph, which is still equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center.
The center warns that significant impacts from high winds, storm surge, and heavy rainfall are still expected from the storm, now considered a post-tropical cyclone.
Fiona is currently in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, roughly 100 miles west-northwest of Port Aux Basques, Newfoundland, and is moving north toward Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador. The highest recorded wind gust for Fiona so far is 111 mph in Arisaig, Nova Scotia.
Fiona continues to produce hurricane-force winds, heavy rains, storm surge, and rough marine conditions across Atlantic Canada and the surrounding waters, the hurricane center said. Surface observations suggest that the minimum pressure has been rising, and is not estimated to be about 945mb, which is still extraordinarily low.
#Fiona continues to produce hurricane-force winds, heavy rain, and storm surge in Atlantic Canada. Here are the 11 AM AST Key Messages. Visit for more details.
Watch The Leaves Turn On Our New England Cruises No Raking Required
Along the coastline of Canada & New England is where the deep-blue sea meets rich autumn hues. Witness the changing fall foliage, one of nature’s amazing spectacles. It’s also where you’ll travel back to the Gilded Age and explore Bar Harbour, an opulent summer retreat built for the 19th-century elite. Québec Citys iconic Chateau Frontenac is where youll find the best views of the Saint Lawrence River. And be sure to save an afternoon for a true “downeast” lobster bake. Experience it all with North America’s Leading Cruise Line .
^Buy an air ticket and the 2nd guest flies for free. *View for full terms and conditions.
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Transportation In Sydney Nova Scotia
Walk from Sydneys port to sights downtown, or wait outside the cruise terminal to hail a taxi. You can also get a guided tour from the cruise port, or look into renting a car. Avis, Alamo, and Budget are three car rental services available in Sydney. Reserve a car in advance, and the rental car company will pick you up from the cruise terminal. Theyll then take you to their office, where you can secure your rental car from there.
Local Currency & Tipping Customs
Youll use the Canadian dollar while on your stop in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Some shops will take U.S. currency as well, but be sure to ask. There is also an ATM conveniently located at the cruise pavilion. Youll get the best exchange rate at a bank rather than a local ATM, which tend to charge withdrawal fees.
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Sydney Nova Scotia Port Guide
Sydney, Nova Scotia is an undiscovered gem of a harbor town. Once a coal-mining community running on back-breaking industrial labor, the town has gradually shifted its focus to a burgeoning tourism industry. For a number of Canada and New England cruises, let Sydney be your introduction to Nova Scotias history, stunning coasts, and charming culture.
Cruises to Sydney, Nova Scotia are perfect for the laid-back cruiser who loves taking walking tours of scenic Nova Scotia, or hopping along Sydneys many preserved sights like the Cape Breton Miners Museum or the Cossit House Museum. Sydney is lined with tributes to earlier times, reenactments honoring its rich Celtic heritage, and its signature foods range from fresh seafood to all your pub favorites.
Beyond the port town of Sydney, venture out to find hikes and natural excursions for every level of nature loverfrom scenic drives along the Cabot Trail where you can take in 185 miles of Cape Breton Island to challenging hikes at the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
Cruises to Sydney, Nova Scotia
Bermuda To Be Impacted
Hurricane Fiona is likely to make a slight eastern turn late Wednesday or early Thursday, putting Bermuda quite central to the storms predicted path. If the storm remains on its predicted track and at forecasted speeds, it will reach its closest approach to Bermuda early Friday morning, September 23.
The Breakaway-class Norwegian Getaway is scheduled to visit Bermuda on Saturday, September 24. The storm is forecast to be moving much more quickly at that time, however, and may be far from Bermuda at the scheduled port of call time.
Whether or not Norwegian Getaway changes its visit times or drops the call altogether will depend on how the storm behaves in the coming days, and any damage that may occur at port facilities.
No other ships are scheduled for Bermuda in the coming days while the storm is a concern.
Stay tuned to Cruise Hive for further updates on Hurricane Fiona and the storms impact on cruise travel and ports of call, as well as any other storms that develop.
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Canada & New England Cruises From Brooklyn Ny
There are cruises to Canada and New England from Brooklyn, New York. The departures are in the autumn for viewing the changing leaves. Sail on comfortable Princess Cruises or on the luxury Queen Mary 2 ship.
Some of these Canada cruises are round-trip and a few are one-way to Quebec City. Other popular ports of call are Saint John, New Brunswick and Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Cruises Going To Halifax
For cruisers wanting to explore the picturesque East coast with a stop in Halifax, Royal Caribbean offers a variety of fall itineraries and ships to choose from:
- Liberty of the Seas 4 nights leaving from Cape Liberty, New Jersey
- Oasis of the Seas 5 nights leaving from Cape Liberty, New Jersey
- Voyager of the Seas 7 nights leaving from Boston, Massachusetts
- Serenade of the Seas – 7 nights leaving from Boston, Massachusetts
- Adventure of the Seas 9 nights leaving from Cape Liberty, New Jersey
- Liberty of the Seas 9 nights leaving from Cape Liberty, New Jersey
- Vision of the Seas 9 nights leaving from Baltimore Maryland
- Jewel of the Seas 11 nights leaving from Quebec City, Quebec
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Crash Of Swissair Flight 111 Near Peggys Cove
The tiny fishing village of Peggys Cove, 26 miles southwest of Halifax, is the site of one of the most recognizable lighthouses in the world the iconic Peggys Point Lighthouse. Built in 1915, the 50-feet-high, red-and-white beacon is perched on an outcrop of granite rocks. Its still a working lighthouse and is operated by the Canadian Coast Guard.
In 1998, Swissair Flight 111 en route from New York to Geneva crashed 5 miles off the coast of Peggys Cove. All 229 passengers and crew members were killed. An investigation determined the crash was caused by an in-flight fire.
Once again, Nova Scotia became the hub of search and recovery operations for a transportation disaster.
From the lighthouse, I hiked a mile along the coast to pay my respects to the victims at a memorial overlooking the sea. Part of the inscription etched into a large gray stone written in both English and French read: They have been joined to the sea and the sky.
While I thought about the victims who perished nearby, I could see the lighthouse in the distance. The contrast of two sites in such close proximity one serene and alluring, the other a reminder of a calamitous accident was difficult to grasp.
As I walked from the Swissair memorial to join my fellow passengers back on the tour bus, a cold front blew in from the Atlantic, bringing biting wind and freezing rain.
Reflecting on the tragedies I had learned about during my time in Nova Scotia, the gloomy weather seemed only fitting.
Canada & New England Cruises From New York City
Your journey to Canada and New Englandâs striking and vast landscape begins in New York City. A view of the Big Appleâs key landmarks quickly transitions to the changing leaves of New England â youâll notice vibrant reds and yellows as you travel up the coast â and once in port, youâll discover the Northeast regionâs historical aspects, be it forts from the Revolutionary War or long-standing French and English influences in Canada.
Come fall, the foliage attracts many to this itinerary, and New York City lets you into a range of traveling choices.
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Culture & History Of The Sydney Cruise Port
Sydneys convenient harbor location meant that the area was open to a variety of industry and trade, from aluminum to concrete, or fishing and ship-reparation. Sydney is a city that isnt a stranger to hard work, and its in the process of catching up to 21st century sensibilities while retaining its rough edges.
The British founded Sydney in 1785, and was the capital of Cape Breton Island until 1820, when the island became part of what we now know as Nova Scotia. Today, the capital of Nova Scotia is Halifax, four or so hours from Sydney in the center of Nova Scotia. During the 19th century, Scottish immigrants began migrating to Sydney for work in its growing industries, particularly coal mining and working in steel plants. Over time, the population grew, and today nearly 32,000 call Sydney home.
Cruises to Sydney only depart from Boston, primarily focused on excursions you can get to from Sydney, like exploring the greater Cape Breton Island or the town of Baddeck. Now, however, the town is shifting its focus. Today tourism to Sydney itself is growing due to the areas quaint, small-town feel and lovingly maintained historic sites.
Winner: European River Cruises
From Bordeaux to Porto to Vienna, the list of potential destinations on tend to encompass at least one wine region and a gastronomic capital or two. That makes a European river cruise a must for foodies and oenophiles alike. Consider itineraries such as a , cruising or a for spectacular food and wine. Many food and wine cruises have excursions centered on local specialties and vineyards. Whats even better is that you can bring your finds back on the ship with you feel free to uncap that Burgundy and drink it on your balcony.
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Top Things To Do In Sydney
Take a Walking Tour of Historic Sydney
Exploring Sydney on foot is easy with this many historic sites just blocks from the cruise pavilion. After you exit the cruise port, take a walking tour of Sydney. Start at the St. Patricks Church Museum. Alongside the multi-colored homes on Charlotte Street, youll find the Cossit House Museum, a preserved home from 1787 featuring tours from guides dressed up in the eras traditional apparel. Then, walk on to the Jost Heritage House, which has an apothecary and pays tribute to Sydneys maritime legacy.
Go Off the Beaten Path Along the Cabot Trail
For a driving tour of Nova Scotias Cape Breton Island, rent a car and take the Cabot Trail, which is 185 miles of scenic highways and cliffside roads. Stop to go whale-watching along the Atlantic Ocean, or come in autumn to experience epic views of the changing leaves and landscape. If you have time, multi-day tours are available too for even more hiking, whale-watching, and stops in small coastal towns along the way.
Take a Hike to Cape Breton Island
About an hour and a half drive away from Sydney is Cape Breton Island, one of Nova Scotias most beautiful destinations. Hikers come from all over the world to backpack the trails, where youll stumble upon waterfalls, rolling hills, and landscapes that only Nova Scotia can provide. Hikes are available for all skills levels, and guided experiences can be arranged too.
Go Back in Time at the Fortress of Louisbourg
The Bite House
