CANADA

Today Port Suez is a modern city with three harbors on the Red Sea, but in the 25th century B.C.E., it was the site where the pharaohs protected their lands from marine invasions. From Port Suez, the Suez Canal flows 193 kilometers (120 miles) through the Isthmus of Suez, across saline lakes known as the Bitter Lakes, to Port Said on the Mediterranean Sea. Built under the guidance of French diplomat Ferdinand de Lesseps, the canal took 10 years to construct, opening in 1869. When the Suez Canal opened, it eliminated the need for ships to sail around Africa to reach South Asia.

Located where the Suez Canal flows into the Red Sea is the city of Port Suez. Although today Port Suez is a modern city with three harbors, in the 25th century B.C.E., it was the site where the pharaohs protected their lands from marine invasions. The Suez Canal is so narrow that large ships must travel through single file—and it has no locks, so water flows unfettered between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. When the canal opened, it eliminated the need for ships to sail around Africa to reach South Asia: It reduced the journey by 7,000 kilometers (4,350 miles).

The Gaspé Peninsula’s dramatic coastline is punctuated by Percé Rock, an iconic limestone formation that has inspired artists, writers and poets for years and remains one of the country’s top tourist attractions. The name Gaspé is thought to come from a word in the native Mi’kmaq language for \"land’s end,” not surprising because Gaspé’s biggest challenge—and the secret to its unspoiled landscape—is its lack of accessibility. Located hundreds of miles from Montréal and Québec City, Gaspé is in the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine region of eastern Québec where the Gulf of St. Lawrence meets the Gaspé Basin. The easiest way to visit is by cruise ship.

On your cruise to Canada, the port of Charlottetown is the capital of Canada’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island. Despite its modest size, the city has an impressive number of Victorian houses and great parks waiting to be explored.Nearby Prince Edward Island National Park is home to white-sand beaches and hiking and biking trails—visit the home which inspired the beloved book Anne of Green Gables on this fantastic Canada cruise.

In Halifax—Nova Scotia’s provincial capital, explore the waterfront on this part of your Canada cruise. Savor the culinary scene for fresh seafood at street vendors, casual joints and upscale eateries. The rocky coastline and charming villages just outside Halifax are worth the trip from downtown.

 

Québec City is steeped in history. Older than Jamestown, its original fortifications remain intact - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you visit historic sites and dine at restaurants that serve Québec’s distinctive cuisine, you'll discover a remarkable thriving culture on this part of your Canada cruise.