Shore Excursions from the Port of Sydney
What you should know…
All cruise excursion tours pickup and return passengers to the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavillion in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Your guide will be waiting for you at the dock where your ship disembarks; this will either be the Main Dock or Liberty Pier. Please note that our tour times fluctuate in accordance with ship schedules that change daily. Please ensure when booking that you are selecting the appropriate date and ship. Our vehicles are comfortable and air-conditioned, and include a ten or twelve passenger Ford Transit. Larger tour groups may also be accommodated. We operate on all cruise ship days, rain or shine.
Please Note: Our Shore Excursions are for passengers travelling to Sydney on a Cruise Ship and are timed to match the Cruise Ship’s schedule. We do not offer these tours on dates that there are no Cruise Ships at the Port of Sydney.
Mini-Cabot Trail Tour.
Highlights include:
Extraordinary scenic views
Duration tailored to time in port
Includes entrance to Cape Breton Highlands National Park
As far as iconic road trips go, the Cabot Trail is the "Crown Jewel" of Cape Breton Island. The 300 kilometre (186 mile) driving route offers spectacular coastal views, unspoiled natural beauty, encounters with wildlife, and warm hospitality in the Celtic and Acadian villages that dot the coastline. Although time constraints do not allow for the entire route to be travelled from the cruise terminal, we offer a "mini" tour that shows some of the best highlights with many scenic stops along the way. Your guide will travel to Cheticamp or Ingonish, with stops at Kelly’s Mountain and St. Ann’s Bay.
*Starts at ship arrival time.
Pricing:
Shared Tour - $175 pp + tax CDN
Private Tour - $700 to $1,750 + tax CDN
Great Scots Tour.
Highlights include:
Fantastic scenery and cultural heritage
Duration 5 to 6 hours
Includes entrance to museums and/or attractions
For a place that has been blessed with significant cultural diversity, no group has made more of an impact on Cape Breton Island than the Scots! Hear unique stories of Scottish settlers and discover the impact on our music, language, and culture in this 5 to 6 hour tour. We head toward the village of Baddeck on the shores of the Bras D’or Lakes, Canada’s largest inland sea. Visit the communities where Scottish Gaelic settlement remains vibrant and strong today. Highlights may include stops in the village of Baddeck, Colaisde na Gàidhlig - the Gaelic College or Highland Village, along with stops for photo opportunities along the way.
*Starts at 8am or ship arrival time, whichever is later.
Pricing:
Shared Tour - $180 pp + tax CDN
Private Tour - $720 to $1,800 + tax CDN
Taste of Sydney Tour.
Highlights include:
City tour + local food & drinks
Duration 3 hours
Includes tour & tastings at a local cidery, brewery and restaurant
Our Taste of Sydney tour is the perfect way to get to take in the highlights of Sydney’s charming character and fascinating history. We begin with a tour of the North End, close to the cruise pier and the site of original colonial settlement. We share the stories that have shaped the culture of Sydney through its rapid expansion and growth during the industrial era to today, where the entrepreneurs we will visit are changing the landscape from days gone by and bringing new vibrancy to the area. This tour is interspersed with stops at a local brewery, a cidery, and a local culinary treasure to give a Taste of Sydney that is truly memorable.
*Starts at 12 pm.
Pricing:
Shared Tour - $95 pp + tax
Private Tour - $395 to $790 + tax
Wish to make it a private tour?
All of the above options can be booked as a private tour for groups up to 5 or 12 people. For larger groups or customized tour planning please contact us!
FAQs
Is there a minimum number of passengers to confirm the tour?
For all of our shared tours, there is a minimum of 4 passengers required to operate the tour.
What is the duration of the tour?
The Taste of Sydney City Food Tour is 3 hours in duration. The Great Scots tour is approximately 5 to 6 hours in length. The Mini Cabot Trail Tour is tailored to your time in port so that we can show you as much as possible within the time you have. If you port time is from 8 am to 6 pm, and you are able to disembark right away, then the tour length would be approximately 9 hours. Of course, this varies by ship and by the length of time it takes passengers to arrive.
Will you return to the ship on time?
Our goal is to return passengers to the ship one hour prior to their scheduled departure. If there are known delays due to construction, or other delays we adjust accordingly.
Are there bathroom breaks on this tour?
All of tours stop at locations with public restroom facilities. However, if you would like to make a stop sooner, please let your driver/guide know and they will be happy to stop at the next available location.
Are your prices in Canadian or US Dollars?
All of our prices are in Canadian Dollars and are subject to 15% federal/provincial sales tax on top of the price. Additionally, there is a 1.9% booking fee applied by our booking software supplier.
What is your cancellation policy?
For shore excursions our policy is that if for any reason your ship does not dock, you will be fully refunded for the tour. Outside of this, our cancellation policy can be found here.