Boarding and First Day

So boarding at pier 30 goes like this. You can make your way to the port:

- taxi

- uber or left

- princess transfers

- head to pier 22 and there will be shuttles that will take your bag and you and go to the pier.  They run continually.

- or you could walk, which would take at least a half hour but it is level ground but in areas there are cobblestone and not always a sidewalk to walk on.

Check itn was quick and staff were super friendly.  All spoke English and French.  I will add that this is the first time Princess has stopped here and the staff were not up to date on things like people in transfer (those on from last cruise). 

The terminal is new and flows great.  Also free wifi!

Note we had to pick up our medallions here and it was very quick.

Once on board I unpacked and started making my rounds.  So many people to check in with.  Get my schedule, chat with staff re lecture times, meeting cruise staff, shorex etc etc.  Figure out desk hours, where my desk is.

And I help the guests.  Although no guests know who I am, although I had a few who ran into me and were on some of my previous voyages and it was lovely to reconnect.

The ship I believe is close to full.  I don't know the numbers.  There are quite a few families.  It is so lovely to see these groups.  Young and all enjoying Princess and Canada New England.

The staff are amazing!  So patient and helpful.   The first few days are always crazy but they make it work.  

We overnighted in Québec and many got off on the 2nd day.   You could walk to town, again about a half hour.  There was a shuttle again but it drops you off at the end of the swing bridge then you have to walk about a mile to old town.  Of course you can still take a taxi or uber/left.  I do wish the shuttle ran to pier 22 all the time as it was much better for access to the city.  Note if you are not able to walk much you should take a taxi.

Of course ship's tours come right to the pier for pick up.

The pic below is for after you have checked in and there are just shuttles for those wanting to explore Quebec not for check in. 

If you want to walk 

I didn't get off the 2nd day here.  I just had too much to do. I am back a few times this season.

I don't know how often I can put up a blog, but when I know something can be helpful for others I will try and report.

I am on this cruise with my sister.  We celebrate our birthdays me August 4 and Lynette August 8.  She lives in British Columbia and I hadn't seen her since 2018!  

First Day in Quebec With Travel From Airport Info.

After almost no sleep the alarm sounded at 2 am.  I am renowned for not sleeping before any trip.  My mind just wouldn't shut off.  We were on the road just before 3 for the drive to the airport.

Flights went smoothly.  First plane was so small that almost all carryon roller bags had to be checked as they don't fit in the overhead compartments.  So I had to pull out my laptop, hard drive and put in knapsack.  I can manage without my clothes if my bag goes elsewhere but laptop is necessary for my lectures.

A short flight to Montreal then a 1,5 hour layover before my very short flight to Quebec,

Thankfully both my suitcase and carryon were there when I got to Quebec. Although my android airtags gave me peace of mind as I checked their location and knew they were nearby.  Definitely worth getting for peace of mind.

Although princess had transfers for me to a hotel and a nights accommodation I told them I did not require it and would stay with my sister at her airbnb.

After collecting my bags I went out looking for transport to Vieux Quebec.

I originally was going to do Uber but when I pulled it up and saw the price of $74 I quickly closed the app and decided on a taxi.

For those of you coming into Quebec, there was an information booth right outside baggage claim and they assisted guests with info.  Note there was also a Princess table set up for those on ship's transfers.

The taxi stand is at the other end of the terminal, but there was no wait.

Taxis are regulated and travel from airport to the city is a fixed price of $41.50 and they take debit and credit cards.

Once at her airbnb and big hugs I was able to have a good nap that left me refreshed and ready for the day.

It is raining off and on.  But still warm so a light rain jacket worked.  

The first thing I needed to figure out was how to get to the ship.

Normally the ship docks right in town at pier 22.  But today it docked at pier 30 which is further away and more industrial.  

So I had a few questions.  Do we check in at pier 30 or pier 22?  Do we need to take a shuttle to the ship from the terminal?  Can we walk back and forth from pier 30 to town or is the shuttle mandatory?  

The ship is overnighting in quebec.  All guests get off tomorrow the 4th and we board, then we have another overnight and leave at 5 on the 5th.  

I did see guests walking to the area with blue circle and catching a shuttle bus.  Lines were long.

We walked over to the cruise terminal to see if I can ask anyone but it was all locked up and no one was there.  I may head out early tomorrow to ask at the cruise terminal, where to go for check in.

In the meantime I took my sister Linette and her husband Al on their own private tour of the city showing them lower town and the sites.  Then we walked all around upper town and found a spot for dinner called shakers.

It was a lovely day and night and was topped off with fireworks.