Passage of passengers after a cruise to Bermuda to Halifax

HALIFAX – Vacationers who packed swimsuits for Bermuda grabbed sweaters as their cruise ship docked in Halifax Sunday morning.

Norwegian Dawn, which has a capacity of 2,300 people, originally had to spend seven days for a round trip between Boston and Bermuda, but it spread to Halifax on Sunday morning rather than at his first stop in the Maritimes. Florence.

The ship will also visit Sydney, NS, Saint John, NB and Bar Harbor, Maine before returning to Boston.

In Halifax, it was over 10 degrees, compared to almost 30 degrees in Bermuda, when Cristi Legare got off the boat with his family around 8 am.

Speaking of the breezy waterfront of Halifax, Mr. Legare said that Norwegian Cruise Line, which operates nearly 20 cruise ships, told him about the change around 10 pm. the day before leaving Boston on Friday.

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"We did not really have time to re-pack or anything, so it was frustrating, that's the least we can say," said Legare. of Lowell, Mass.

"We understand why they did it, but we are all disappointed – it would have been better if it was another tropical destination, but going somewhere north when we were expecting sunny weather and beaches."

Instead of white sand and palm trees, Atlantic Canada's beaches are best known for their rugged coastline and cold water.

The problem is that Legare's mother uses a wheelchair.

"We like to plan ahead and where we went to Bermuda, we planned everything, knowing what we can and can not do with my mother," she said.

"Coming here, it's completely unknown – we do not even go on trips because we do not know what is accessible to her."

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Legare said she had asked for a partial refund, but Norwegian Cruise Line said its passengers would not be compensated. According to Mr. Legare, a cruise in Canada and New England costs several hundred dollars less than Bermuda.

The cruise line has also changed the route of another ship: originally planned to travel from New York to Bermuda, Norwegian Escape will dock rather in Florida and the Bahamas.

In a statement sent by e-mail, the company indicated that it reserved the right to cancel or modify the itineraries if necessary, and that its guests were informed of this stipulation and would receive their terms and conditions at the time of the reservation.

"The safety of our guests and our crew is always our priority," they said.

"While we recognize that these route changes may be disappointing, our crews are ready to ensure the best vacation experience possible given these necessary weather-related changes."

Not unusual for Halifax

According to Halifax Port Authority spokesman Lane Farguson, it is not uncommon to host last-minute stops during the hurricane season.

"It's one of those things that happens a few times during the season," he said. "It really depends on the situation and what the captain and the cruiser decide to do, and we will work accordingly to do our best to meet them.

He said the port can see more than five cruises on a busy day, not to mention the smaller boats heading for the port.

Mr. Farguson added that this year would be one of his best seasons, with about 200 calls for cruise ships expected for a total of about 300,000 passengers.

"Halifax is a destination for cruises because of the excellent tourist offerings there," he said.

"It's a waterfront very conducive to walking and sightseeing, and companies that offer cruises really extend this season until September and October."

We are really happy to have made the call. They are the experts, they know what the ship can handle.Lee Boulanger

Despite Sunday's beautiful morning weather, the sun was shining above our heads, casting waves of light into Halifax's world-renowned harbor.

It was a nice show for cruise liners Lee and Daniel Boulanger of Connecticut, who said the diversion was not a problem for them.

"A very nice alternative"

Although they were eager to enjoy Bermuda's good weather, Lee Boulanger trusted the cruise line's decision to head north to avoid the hurricane that should continue near Bermuda and parts of the United States.

"We are really happy to have called in. They are the experts, they know what the ship can handle," she said. "We would have had a very uncomfortable cruise if we headed south."

"We are both drivers, we understand the weather and safety, so we totally agree with the change of plan."

Although her husband is from Canada, none of them have ever been to Nova Scotia, so Lee Boulanger says he is delighted to have a new experience.

"We are here to enjoy places we have never been to," she said.

Daniel Boulanger added: "It's a very good alternative and we're going to enjoy it."

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