Bar Harbor Epicurean Experience
Bar Harbor, Maine
Duration 2.5 hours
- Adult from: $279.00 USD
- Child from: $229.00 USD
Duration 2.5 hours
OVERVIEW
Discover why Bar Harbor attracts so many foodies by sampling a variety of delectable dishes and treats made with locally sourced seasonal ingredients. As you walk about a mile or so around the Village Green in the heart of the city, you will sample imaginative and classic Maine dishes at four different venues. Your guide will be local and the entrepreneurs will be happy to share the histories of their businesses, so the experience will be enlightening. One of the most fascinating aspects is learning how Bar Harbor’s cuisine has evolved yet kept true to its roots. Maine’s official berry is the wild blueberry, so it may well be used in some of the signature dishes and treats. You can also expect to learn about Maine’s thriving lobster industry during this epicurean experience. You might hear how lobsters are caught and how their numbers are sustained to ensure that the industry continues to flourish.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Sample classic Maine delicacies at four venues around the Village Green.
• Discuss the details of the dishes with the entrepreneurs, who will happily share the recipes.
• Realize the importance of wild blueberries and lobsters to Maine’s cuisine.
• Gain an historical perspective of Bar Harbor as you walk downtown.
HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.
Duration 3 hrs
Join Rising Son Cruises for Bermuda’s ultimate sailing experience. Lounge in the roomy shaded cockpit, or lie out on one of the huge trampolines. Chat with the crew about Bermuda's past and present as you cruise toward beautiful and secluded swim sites.
The catamaran will anchor in six feet of water, where you may choose to swim up to the nearby beach, kayak or kick around with the crew's snorkel gear.
After 1.5 hours of playtime, you’ll be welcomed back aboard for unlimited complimentary Rum Swizzles. Let the island music get you into the vacation spirit as you head out for another hour of true catamaran sailing.
Duration 2.25 hours
Experience one of the most scenic drives on the East Coast of the United States during this memorable visit to Acadia National Park, the second-most visited park in the United States. Boarding your coach at the pier, you will set-off on the drive to Acadia National Park, first passing through the quaint town of Bar Harbor to view some of the charming Victorian mansions built by America's rich and famous at the turn of the 20th century. Upon arrival at Acadia National Park, you will proceed along the 27-mile Park Loop Road taking in spectacular coastal, mountain and forest views.
Next, you will travel along the ocean's edge, passing Sand Beach, Schooner Head Overlook, and the High Seas Estate, a beautiful mansion built by a wealthy gentleman whose wife perished on the Titanic before ever stepping foot in her dream home. Continuing on, you will pass Otter Cliffs and the gulf of Maine with beautiful views of the off shore islands, as well as travel through pine wood forests and past the Jordon Pond House. A beautiful view of the Penobscot Mountains and Bubbles Hill can be seen from this location. The park is home to over 50 species of mammals so keep your eyes peeled for moose, black bear and white tail deer as you make your way around the Park Loop Road. Weather and traffic/crowd conditions permitting, there will be a photo stop from atop the 1,530-foot Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on North America's eastern seaboard. Here, you will have the opportunity to take in spectacular panoramic views and enjoy photo opportunities of Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island. This wonderful vantage point allows you to see how glaciers have carved through the granite cliffs to form a breathtaking landscape of lush forest, lakes and valleys. In the event the weather or traffic prevents a stop here, an alternate scenic photo stop will be made in the park at the tour guide's discretion.
Following this last stop, you will re-board your coach and transfer back to the pier.
Duration 3 1/2 hrs
Cruise to Hamilton and explore the capital however you please by shopping on your own, enjoying a walking tour. After departing from the pier, you will soon settle in for a delightful cruise across the Great Sound, a body of impossibly turquoise water that fills the bend in the is lFgland’s distinctive fishhook shape. A coral reef at the mouth of the sound shelters the inner waters, making for a typically calm cruise to the pastel-colored capital of Hamilton. Upon disembarking, you will have several options. If you choose to shop on your own, you can expect to find one-of-a-kind jewelry, vivid artwork celebrating the island life, and classic Bermuda shorts in every color of the rainbow. You might also pick up a tasty treat like rum cake or a jar of jam flavored with Scotch bonnet peppers. Another option is to split your time between exploring on your own and an enlightening walking tour of Hamilton. Either way, you may see the glorious Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, leafy Victoria Park and the Bermuda National Gallery, a showcase for centuries of outstanding island artwork.
Duration 2 hrs
We’re bringing NCL’s “White Hot” Party to Bermuda on the beautiful 60 ft. award-winning Rising Son II Catamaran. Wear your white, silver or gold attire and dance the night away as you sail into the sunset.
After departing from the pier on the Rising Son II, you will sail into the Great Sound, a body of impossibly turquoise water that fills the bend in the distinctive fishhook shape of Bermuda. A coral reef at the mouth of the sound shelters the inner waters, making for a typically calm cruise on the open-concept catamaran.
Get comfortable by lounging on the trampoline bow nets, ascend to the sun deck and relax under the covered stern cockpit. Your experienced tour guide will regale you with fascinating island legends, then as the sun descends into the sparkling bay, you'll enjoy spectacular twilight views, music and unlimited Rum Swizzle and champagne.
The “White-Hot” Catamaran Sail is the perfect way to end your day in paradise, or warm up for an exciting night on the town.
Duration 4 1/2 hrs
This well-designed ‘off the beaten track’ excursion will have you navigating the island’s Eastern End rail trail, truly a perfect fit for those adventure lovers looking for their next most memorable experience. The joys of cycle touring is now within easier reach for people of varying fitness levels thanks to the Electric Bicycle. E-bikes give cyclists a helping hand - or push over the hills making cycle tours more leisurely and difficult terrain more manageable. Our tour bus will pick-up ship-side and provide a scenic drive to the cycle depot.
. After an orientation and observed test ride by your guide, you will be ready for your electric-enhanced bicycle riding experience that will boost your pedal power, getting you up and over hilly terrain with ease. Your guided coastal cycle expedition will cross the island combining off-road Rail-Trails, trestle bridges and some shared main road-side routes that explores and uncovers shoreline beaches and gorgeous landscapes. Participants must have intermediate to advance riding skill with the desire for fun and adventure! Arrive in the Old Towne of St. George's and finish tour with return high speed Tender ride to your ship pier at the Royal Naval Dockyard.
Duration 4 hrs
Enjoy a carefree and immensely scenic ride on an electric bike from St. George’s to Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve, where you will be free to enjoy the beach as you please.
Departing from the ship pier, enjoy the high-speed tender service across the mouth of the Great Sound before arriving thought the narrow ‘Town Cut’ into St. George’s, settled in 1612. UNESCO has designated St. George’s a World Heritage site as it is an authentic example of an English colonial town in the New World.
After an orientation, instructions and observed test ride by your guide, you will be ready for your electric-enhanced bicycle riding experience. You’ll find the extra boost in your pedal power offered from the bikes allows for an effortless ride over hilly terrain and across bridges to pristine Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve. Once occupied by the U.S. military and later used as a NASA space tracking station, this serene 12-acre reserve is now protected public land that is extraordinarily beautiful.
Before long, you will reach Clearwater Beach, where you will have time to enjoy the lovely coastal setting however you please. You might take a refreshing swim in the shallow waters, stretch out on the sand and enjoy the serenity, and walk to the nearby salt marsh to observe the wildlife. Herons, egrets and kingfishers are abundant, before the return ride back to the St. George’s to meet your return tender back to the ship. Participants must have intermediate to advance riding skill level with the desire for fun and adventure!
Duration 2 hrs
OVERVIEW
Observe the wonders underwater through the transparent bottom of your kayak while paddling through the sheltered waters off Ely’s Harbour in the West End. After a brief orientation to ensure that you maximize the experience, you will ease into a two-person kayak and paddle off into the harbor’s typically calm and clear waters. You will glide past shores lined with environmentally friendly mangroves, pause to admire the dramatically eroded cliff known Cathedral Rock and gaze out over Wreck Hill, where the Sea Venture supposedly wrecked in 1609 stranding its English crew and passengers. You may also paddle around the beach-rimmed islands that dot the natural harbor and stop to swim. Even so, the most unusual part of this adventure is watching the marine life through the kayak’s clear bottom. You may see brightly colored blue angelfish, striped sergeant majors, princess parrotfish and spotted eagle rays, all of which are native to Bermuda.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Paddle around Ely’s Harbour and observe the marine life through the kayak’s clear bottom.
• Look for schools of brightly colored fish and other native species such as eagle rays.
• Pause at coastal wonders such as Cathedral Rock and paddle past mangrove-lined shores.
• See the spot where the first inhabitants of Bermuda were shipwrecked.
HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.
Duration 3 hrs
OVERVIEW
This Walking tour lets you see how Bar Harbor has changed over time by visiting key landmarks that tell the story. Beginning with the intriguing exhibits at Abbe Museum, you will gain an understanding of the indigenous Wabanaki people. The Indigenous people were the fabulously rich who built Gilded Age mansions in the late 1880s and how the Fire of 1947 – which burned for nearly a month, often out of control – instigated the rebuilding of the city that stands today. To add texture to the story, you will also see some of the historical buildings that reflect different architectural trends, including the Art Deco-designed Criterion Theatre, the Victorian-style Shore Path Cottage and St. Saviour’s, a 19th-century American Shingle-style church that boasts the largest number of Tiffany stained-glass windows in Maine. Urban oases such as the Village Green and seaside Agamont Park have also been prominent elements in Bar Harbor’s layout, which pays homage to the past while embracing the future.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Visit landmarks that show how Bar Harbor has evolved over the centuries.
• Delve into Bar Harbor’s fascinating past by browsing Abbe Museum.
• Recognize how the architectural trends have changed since the opulent Gilded Age.
• See greenspaces that have played important roles in Bar Harbor’s history.
HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• This is a walking tour and we recommend to Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.
Duration 4 hrs
OVERVIEW
Walk the cobblestone streets of thoroughly charming St. George, the oldest inhabited town of English origin in the New World. Because of that distinction, UNESCO named St. George a World Heritage site and it is well worth exploring. The guide will elaborate on the town’s intriguing past as you tour one landmark after another, beginning with the Tucker House, a family home that hasn’t changed one iota since being built in 1750, you will then learn about the origins of the island at the Towne Hall. The Mitchell House was built even earlier and is now a museum full of extraordinary artifacts. As you explore the State House, you will hear details about Bermuda’s Parliament, which met there for nearly 200 years until Bermuda’s capital moved to Hamilton. Other highlights include St. Peter’s Church, the Globe Hotel – the headquarters of a notorious Confederate arms runner during the Civil War – and Somers Garden, a lush greenspace named for Admiral George Somers, who is considered to be the founder of Bermuda.
HIGHLIGHTS
• Take a meandering walk-through St. George, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Tour historical homes and buildings that haven’t changed enormously over the centuries.
• Meander through Somers Garden, a palm-shaded urban park known for its tranquility.
• Hear fascinating stories about Bermuda’s history, which dates to the early 1600s.
HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.
Duration 3 1/2 hrs
Snap selfies at the most photogenic spots in and around Bar Harbor, many of them iconic attractions that define the city. To ensure the best possible results, a selfie expert guide will offer tips so you can capture just the right angle, lighting and composition for every shot. Your pictures will be ideal for posting on social media and sharing in other ways.
As you walk and ride through Bar Harbor, you will pause at designated selfie stops that include:
• Otter Cliff.
• Jordan Pond
• Shore Path
• Village Green
HIGHLIGHTS
• Get ready to be blown away by the breathtaking views of Acadia National Park!
• Take inspiring selfies at the most photogenic attractions in Bar Harbor.
• Follow tips from your selfie expert guide to ensure the very best pictures.
• Learn the historical significance of the locales while enjoying their dramatic settings.
• Stand before precipitous Otter Cliff, a dramatic vertical wall of granite along the sea.
• Walk along the scenic Shore Path that hugs the rocky coastline.
HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.
Duration 6 hrs
Explore the geological wonders and eerie formations in Crystal Caves and then spend hours relaxing at a series of beaches linked by footpaths and surrounded by a nature reserve.
After departing from the pier, you will enjoy a leisurely tender ride to St. George’s Island, the northernmost point of hook-shaped Bermuda. A short scenic drive will bring you to Crystal Caves, which were discovered in 1907 when a teenager tried to retrieve his cricket ball from a hole and found it led to a huge series of caverns.
You will have the opportunity to explore the wonders underground, which include a crystal-clear lake and a profusion of white stalactites eerily illuminated for added drama. Parts of the caves are accessed along a pontoon boardwalk that floats atop the lake, allowing a closer look at the geological formations underwater. As an alternative, you may remain above ground and meander the gardens and browse the gift shop.
. Continuing, you will soon arrive at the Clearwater Beach & Cooper’s Island Reserve, a secluded wedge of undeveloped land on Bermuda’s eastern end. The area contains six interconnected beaches, an idyllic setting to enjoy hours relaxing in the sun, doing whatever you please.
You may take a refreshing swim in the shallow waters, observe the marine life while snorkeling or simply lie back in a lounge chair and enjoy the serenity.
*Prices vary by ship and sail date. See Terms & Conditions
NCL makes arrangements for Guests for shore excursions solely for the convenience of the Guest; NCL does not act on behalf of or supervise the parties or persons who own, furnish, or operate such excursions, and the same are provided by independent contractors. NCL assumes no responsibility for, nor guarantees the performance of, any such excursion provider, and Guests acknowledge that NCL shall not be liable for losses or injuries arising from the acts or omissions of such provider.
Participation in activities and excursions may involve physical exertion, and may be potentially hazardous or dangerous. It is the responsibility of each individual to determine whether you are capable of engaging in any activity. Participation in any activity or excursion is at your own risk.
Photographs are for illustration purposes only used to represent the excursion experience and may not accurately depict the excursion, location, or activity indicated.
Our group shore excursions are offered in English. Depending on the booking situation, various excursions are also offered in German, Spanish, French, Italian or Russian (minimum number of 30 participants). The tours offered may vary from cruise to cruise. Please see the detailed information for your shore excursion on board.