Because the Volendam is a small ship, I thought we would be able to dock at the Old Town port like we did once on the Zaandam. Instead, we were at the industrial port like when we were on the Zuiderdam which is a larger ship. The City did provide shuttle service this time from the industrial port to a couple of different places in Old Town.
We started with a breakfast in the main dining room. Then we walked a mile around the promenade.
It was a pretty day today and lots of people got off of the ship. We didn’t however. We disembark tomorrow and the suitcases needed to be packed. It didn’t take too long. I watched the Clooney and Pitt 2024 movie Wolfs.
We spent the rest of the day enjoying the Sea View area. We said good-bye to the friends we made. Found out they will be on our April cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Vancouver through the Panama Canal.
Tonight, we had a reservation at the Canaletto. We usually don’t eat at a specialty restaurant on the last night of the cruise but tonight was the only time I could get a reservation earlier than 8:00. It was a delicious dinner. I had the shrimp and lobster puff pastries. Chuck had the beef tenderloin.
We ended the evening in the Casino playing off the casino points we had accumulated. Time to get the bags finalized and out in the hallway.
There were many bags in the hallway last night and they were gone this morning. Because we were taking the ship back to Boston, today was not disembarkation day for us. We would have liked to have slept in, but the disembarkation announcements started at 7:00. Because we were here overnight, the ship had been cleared so people could disembark as early as 6:00 if they carried their own bags.
Once the announcements were over, we knew that it wouldn’t be long before new passengers would be embarking. If we wanted to get off the ship and go back to Quebec City, we could have as we had received our in-transit tickets. Those tickets let you by-pass some of the lines of people getting on today. However, you still have to go through security, and it is always the longest line.
We opted to stay onboard because the day was overcast and drizzly. I was pleasantly surprised that we did not have to report somewhere and get counted for Customs. We’ve always had to do that on previous B2B cruises.
We told our room stewards not to worry about cleaning our room today as they were very busy getting rooms ready for the new guests and would then have to start delivering luggage. They just exchanged our towels for us. I think they were grateful they could check us off their list for the day.
We took advantage of the hot tubs this morning. Once we saw people walking through the area with their backpacks and/or carry-ons we knew the embarkation had begun and the area was getting ready to be crowded again.
We were too wet from the hot tub to go into the Lido restaurant. We saw that the Dive-In had opened so we just went to a table near the pool. I tried out the feature on the HAL Navigator app to order us some lunch. Worked just fine. I got notified when our order was ready, and I could pick it up. Nicer than having to stand in line to order and get a beeper to let you know it’s ready.
After lunch, Chuck thought it was a good time for a nap. I decided to take my book and go to the Crow’s Nest to read. After a while, he found me up there and we decided to play a game of Scrabble. Many people bring their own card games, etc., but the Crow’s Nest has a nice selection of games also. He wanted me to be sure to let you know that he beat me by 13 points. 😒
The sailaway on the SeaView deck was subdued because of the weather but we left promptly at 5:00.
We had a couple of cocktails in the Ocean Bar and decided to eat dinner in the main dining room tonight. We always choose “Anytime Dining” which allows you to go to the dining room between the hours of 5:00 and 9:00. You can also make reservations on the Navigator app. However, we don’t usually think that far ahead and just show up when we decide we are hungry. The line to get in is usually short.
We typically don’t eat dinner in the main dining room on the first night of the cruise because it always seems so hectic. I was hoping tonight would be different. It was not. The waiters and their assistants were working hard to keep all the guests happy. I had the haddock, and Chuck had the pork medallions. We skipped dessert.
Google photo of pork medallions – got distracted by the hustle and bustle and forgot to take a photo
By the time we finished dinner, the Casino was opened so we played some slots. We didn’t go to the comedian’s show because it was a repeat for us from last week. We listened to two sets of the Rolling Stone Lounge Band and then called it a night.
The last time we were in Quebec, we were on the Zaandam which is a smaller ship than the Zuiderdam. The Zaandam was able to dock right at the city center within a short walking distance of the Old City. The Zuiderdam had to be a few miles away at an industrial port. The port offered a shuttle to the Museum of Civilization.
Our destination was the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. The last time we took a tour of Quebec, we got to see a lot of places. However, we only drove by this famous hotel.
I wanted to see the inside and decided to take one of the hour tours that are offered by various companies. So, we took an Uber directly to the hotel. The meeting place was on the Dufferin Terrace in front of the hotel.
Tour Description: Guided Tour of the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City – With a grand perch in the heart of the Old City, the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is among Québec City’s most iconic and historic places—and you don’t have to be a guest to check out the interior. Join a guide in period costume for a tour that explores the outside and inside of the grand chateau, and learn about the landmark’s history, architecture, and colorful characters.
The day was gorgeous – sunny and hot. We got there about 45 minutes before the start of the tour. We sat in the shade and watched the action on the river. The Volendam, the sister ship of the Zaandam, was docked at the City Center. Lucky her.
Our guide arrived right on time and we ended up with about 15 people in our group. He was funny and very knowledgeable.
He talked about its history while we were outside and then he was able to show us some of the public rooms inside. The hotel was very busy. We may have thought it was expensive to stay there but apparently many people didn’t share that view.
I especially liked the last story that talked about a couple who spent their honeymoon there, walked down the split staircase, each made a wish, and kissed when they both got to the bottom of the staircases. They never told each other their wish until they celebrated their 60th anniversary when they came back to the hotel. He encouraged each person to walk down the staircases, make a wish, and then come back to the hotel. Of course, Chuck and I emulated the couple in the story and took separate staircases, met at the bottom and kissed. We have not told each other our wish.
Once the tour was over, we took another Uber back to the ship. It was still so warm that Chuck actually got into the pool. I got into the hot tubs, but I thought the pool was too cool.
It was soon time to get ready for our second Pinnacle Grill dinner. Tonight, I ordered the Lobster Bisque and Halibut. Chuck ordered the crab cakes again and Beef Tenderloin with Lobster Dumplings. I had the Creme Brulee for dessert. He had some vanilla ice cream.
Because we were docked in Quebec City overnight, the Casino was closed. We participated in the Music Trivia: Songs of the 80’s. You have to know the song title and the artist. Three other people let us join them. We did okay but didn’t win. We went to the second comedy show of John Wing. We listened to one set of the Rolling Stone Lounge Band and then called it a night.
Tomorrow: Quebec City, Quebec (Disembarkation/Embarkation)
So, I am trying to get ready for our last dressy night and as I was drying my hair, I heard a pop. Both the hair dryer and the makeup mirror suddenly quit working. I called Guest Services, waited on hold for 15 minutes, and then gave up. Sigh. I used my flat iron to finish my hair. I was glad my hair was short.
I saw the room steward as I was leaving for dinner and told him about the problem. He said he would call the electrician.
The main dining room was very busy. We shared a table with a couple from New York and one couple from Oregon. I chose the duck and Chuck had the sole.
HAL was hosting a second Orange Party of the trip because today was the King of Netherland’s birthday. We chose not to go because it wasn’t going to start until 9:30 and we had an early and long tour in Quebec. Chuck wanted to play some cards. I bought a hot chocolate and went to the room to read.
There was a knock on the cabin door at 8:30. The electrician was there to check the outlet. He confirmed it was now working and said a fuse had blown.
I set the alarm for 7:00 a.m. but I was up at 6:15. I got us some coffee and then breakfast was delivered at 7:45. We watched the sail-in to Quebec City. We were finally having a beautiful sunny day.
We were supposed to be able to get off the ship at 9:00 but the Cruise Director came over the loudspeaker and said they were still trying to get the gangway in place and please don’t come to the gangway area. He said he would make an announcement when it would be okay to disembark.
Our HAL tour was supposed to begin at 9:30. At 9:15, we went to the 5th floor to look out the port side to see how they were coming with the gangway. Much to our surprise, the gangway was set, and people were streaming off. We headed to the gangway, got in the line, and were just about off when the Cruise Director came back on the loudspeaker and said we could go to the gangway now. Faster communication between the personnel at the gangway and the CD would have been nice. By the time we got on the bus, it was 3/4 full. Sigh.
The HAL tour we were on today was called: The Best of Quebec and Countryside with Lunch.
The tour description: Learn the fascinating history of Québec as you are whisked back in time to relive the city’s 400-year legacy, followed by a journey along the St-Lawrence River to the Beaupré Coast. This is one of the most picturesque areas of the Province of Québec.
You will first visit the Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré Shrine, where popular belief holds that Ste-Anne saved numerous shipwreck victims off Cap Tourmente. If time permits, you will stop at the family-run Albert Gilles Copper Museum to view the amazing works of the artisan who created the copper doors of the Basilica.
As you make your way back to Québec City, you’ll stop at Montmorency Falls. Cascading down a 272-foot cliff, the falls are 1.5 times higher than Niagara Falls. See the powerful forces of nature as the water of the Montmorency River roars down the cliff to eventually meet with the St Lawrence River.
Inside the fortress walls of Old Québec, you will discover the strength and beauty of the cradle of French culture in North America. This city is a remarkable mélange of Amerindian, French and British heritage, evident in its narrow cobblestone streets, stone gates and ramparts. Stop at Dufferin Terrace and the Château Frontenac Hotel — Québec’s most famous landmark — for panoramic views over the Old City, the Lower Town, the St Lawrence River and the surrounding countryside.
Notes:The Best of Québec & Countryside is a comprehensive tour. If you purchase this tour, you should not purchase Countryside of Québec or Historic & Modern Québec, as they visit many of the same attractions.
Our guide today was a history professor from the University of Quebec who grew up in Minnesota. He was very informative and entertaining. He said we brought good luck. A couple of weeks ago there was still snow piled up and the weather today was the nicest they had experienced since October.
The bus was okay, but the seats were narrow and the space between rows was like an airplane – tight. The sound system was excellent.
Our first stop was a short walking tour of Old Quebec. The guide said that you could find many English-speaking people in this part of Quebec City but get further away – French would be all that you would hear or see.
We were following the St. Lawrence River to our next stop. There seemed to be thousands of snow geese all along the banks.
Our next stop was Montmorency Falls. He said the Falls were wider than Niagra but not as tall. He encouraged us to walk up the path to the base of the Falls or we could stay on the boardwalk and view it. We opted to go to the base but found the path closed off. He later said the officials told him that they closed it because the water was rising, and they were afraid it would flood the path. Since we could see other people were walking on the path, that explanation was a little weird. We viewed the Falls a while and then went to the Visitor Center for a bathroom break and a cup of coffee.
We then traveled down the Royal Road – created in the 18th Century to link Montreal and Quebec – to our next destination. It was a very narrow and winding road and our guide said some of the land we passed had been in the same families for centuries.
Our stop was Ste Anne’s Basilica. He said that Ste Anne was said to have saved shipwreck victims and healed thousands of people during her life through prayer. The Basilica holds masses every day to accommodate all the people who make a pilgrimage here from all over the world. We got there at noon just as a mass was finishing and the bells were tolling.
The Basilica was impressive – granite structure, handmade copper doors, mosaic floors, walls and ceilings of hand-laid tiny tiles. The ceiling depicted the complete life cycle of Ste. Anne.
Even the lower level of the Basilica (to hold the overflow of people at mass) was ornate.
The shrine itself is said to hold the arm bone of Ste. Anne.
We had ample time to tour the Basilica and its grounds. We didn’t have time to visit the copper museum. However, the guide said that it was still run by the descendants of the copper artist who created the doors and should be visited if we ever come back to Quebec.
Our next stop was a restaurant for lunch. I never know what to expect when the tour advertises lunch. Will it be sandwiches or a complete meal? Today, I was hoping that the lunch would include poutine, but it did not.
However, we were squeezed into several long picnic type tables. We started with a very good vegetable soup. Then, we had a choice of either chicken or salmon, both of which came with a large portion of vegetables. The meal finished with a light purple dessert – I thought it tasted like blueberry mixed with Cool Whip. Your choices for drink – water, tea, or cola. You could purchase wine. One woman ordered a glass of wine and was very disappointed with the amount she received for the price she paid.
I thought it was a good meal but just kind of an ordinary meal you could get on the ship. We spent a long time for lunch so they could get everyone served. May want to rethink the tour. Shorten the tour time and just include a snack of some sort (hint – poutine).
After lunch, we went to Upper Quebec and stopped at the Parliament building. The building had statues of famous Canadians on the front.
We then walked over closer to the walled portion of the city and the guide talked about the Battle of the Plains of Abraham where the French lost to the English.
It was now time to go back to the ship. I was disappointed that we didn’t get to stop at the Chateau. We only drove by it.
They had us back to ship right on the dot at 4:30 which was the all-aboard.
I thought the tour was okay. The guide was very good. You could tell he loved his adopted city. I would have liked to have had more time in Old Quebec with a stop at the Chateau and less time at lunch.
Now, it was time to do some more packing and get ready for our last evening on board.
Travel Trivia
Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
The Algonquian people had originally named the area Kébec, an Algonquin word meaning “where the river narrows”, because the Saint Lawrence River narrows proximate to the promontory of Quebec and its Cape Diamant.
Quebec City is one of the oldest European settlements in North America and the only fortified city north of Mexico whose walls still exist. It is also the second-largest city in the province after Montreal.
Almost 73% of the world’s maple syrup comes from Quebec.
Quebec remains the oldest community in North America that speaks French.
Quebec is home to the Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Quebec. This is an important part of the Old Town UNESCO Site. It’s also one of the oldest Roman Catholic properties north of Florida.
