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Damen Water Bus 2407 Passenger Ferry

Dutch shipbuilding company Damen Shipyards unveiled its new-generation multi-purpose passenger ferry, the Damen Water Bus 2407, in September 2016.

Manufacturer

Damen Shipyards

September 2016

Maximum Passenger Capacity

The vessel features a modular design to allow for a wide range of configurations, including public transportation, sightseeing, river cruising and VIP shuttle activities.

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A prototype was configured for passenger transportation and underwent sea trials in September 2016.

The prototype represented the first waterbus to be produced by Damen Shipyards Antalya for public transportation.

Damen Water Bus 2407 vessels orders and deliveries

Belgium-based ferry operator Aqualiner placed an order with Damen for four Waterbus 2407 vessels in June 2017.

An additional contract for a further three vessels was signed in November 2017.

The first ship will be known as Aqua Diamond and was commissioned in June 2017, while the second vessel entered service in October 2017.

The remaining units are currently under construction at Damen Shipyards Antalya in Turkey.

Aqualiner is expected to use the vessels to provide public transport services in the city of Antwerp, Belgium, as part of an arrangement with the Port of Antwerp.

The boat’s route will connect the centre of Antwerp with the southern and northern reaches of the city in half-hour intervals.

Damen Water Bus 2407 design and features

Damen Water Bus 2407 features lightweight and slender catamaran hull and superstructure, which was built using fibre-reinforced polymer composite materials.

The hull has been optimised to reduce wave resistance and drag at higher speeds, while increasing fuel efficiency.

The boat’s size varies from 16m to 24m in length depending on the type of application.

It can also be configured to incorporate various interior options such as bicycle and cargo space, 20-120 passenger seating arrangements, entertainment facilities and climate control options.

The commuter ferry has a length of 24.5m, beam of 7m, depth of 2.3m and a draught of 1.6m.

It is able to carry 2m³ of fuel oil, in addition to 0.2m³ of fresh water and sewage each.

Deck details

Damen Water Bus 2407 offers spacious accommodation for up to 100 passengers, 50 bicycles and two wheelchairs.

It is outfitted with large windows on either side to provide occupants with unobstructed, panoramic views of the surroundings.

The boat is controlled by a two-person crew from the spacious, functional wheelhouse using a simple joystick control unit, which provides precise manoeuvring.

The vessel’s wheelhouse comprises two helm seats and is cooled by an air-conditioning unit.

Its aft deck features a spacious boarding area and offers easy boarding for passengers.

In addition, the sight-seeing variant of the ship can be outfitted with open seating areas on the top deck to offer views of the sea.

Communication equipment aboard Damen Water Bus 2407

A variety of nautical and marine communications systems are installed on-board the vessel to provide safe navigation and reliable communication , even in difficult environments.

The equipment includes the AlphaGSM Box GSM, Alphatron JMA-610 river radar, JVC KD-G161 CD radio and two Sailor RT-2048 VHFs.

An Alphatron AlphaDepth MF echo sounder is also included to provide accurate depth information.

Additionally, the ship incorporates a JRC JLR-20 GPS compass for determining the ship’s heading, position, course and speed characteristics in all weather conditions via the JRC 0J-NAV 500 global positioning system.

Propulsion and performance

Damen Water Bus 2407 is powered by two Volvo Penta IPS-650 / D11 diesel engines , which generate 375bkW of output power each at a rate of 2,250rpm.

Its engines are coupled with twin, forward-facing, double-screw, counter-rotating Volvo IPS-2 pods to provide increased efficiency and high manoeuvrability.

The catamaran passenger ferry is also equipped with a Caterpillar C 2.2. 50Hz, 22.5kVA marine diesel generator set and 24V DC power supplies.

The boat has been certified by Bureau Veritas and offers a maximum speed of 21.5k.

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Catch a sea breeze on Long Beach’s water taxi

The ferry is one of LA’s hidden gems. Can it be more than a tourist attraction?

Standing on the deck of Long Beach's AquaLink water taxi , I was reminded of a story my grandmother once told me about riding the Staten Island Ferry back and forth to stay cool during the muggy New York summers of her childhood.

Minutes earlier I had been sweating at the city’s downtown marina, wondering why I hadn't worn shorts. But once the boat got moving, the cool sea breeze became a natural air conditioner—more refreshing even than the climate-controlled confines of the cabin (where riders can purchase cocktails).

I looked around at the crisp blue water and watched clusters of office buildings and beachfront high-rises fade into the distance.

“Not a bad way to travel,” I thought, as a pair of dolphins emerged from the surf.

Bright orange catamarans and cabin cruisers have ferried riders around the Long Beach’s waterfront since 2001, and hopping aboard the vessels is one of the most accessible seafaring experiences available in Los Angeles County.

But I wanted to find out if the water taxi system could be a true form of public transportation. As Los Angeles County grows its transit network —and deals with the effects of crippling traffic congestion —should local leaders consider how sea routes might be used to move people throughout the region?

In the last decade, several coastal U.S. cities, including New York and San Francisco , have adopted ferry systems or expanded existing ones in an effort to bypass gridlocked streets and provide commuters with new ways to get around.

In the Los Angeles area, proposals for ferry systems connecting the region’s beach cities have been explored by local officials for at least a century. In 1991, Santa Monica planners explicitly pitched ferry service as an alternative for drivers afflicted by traffic on the 405 freeway.

Former USC student David Bailey mapped out a similar concept in 2017 that would provide an aquatic link between Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Santa Monica, and Malibu .

“LA has the car alternative figured out, we’re working on rail, but the ocean is a huge opportunity, and we’re not using it,” Bailey told Curbed last year.

Long Beach is the only Los Angeles County city that’s incorporated ferry service into its transportation system. Though technically operated by ferry company Catalina Express , the water taxi is funded by the city’s public transit agency and operates in the same network as its buses (fares can be paid through the same mobile app used to purchase bus trips).

Up until now, the ferries have only been brought out during summer months and for special events. But Long Beach Transit announced earlier this year that it would begin offering year-round weekend service on the boats.

The city operates two lines: the longer-distance AquaLink ferry and the AquaBus, which serves mainly as a link between the Queen Mary ocean liner (permanently moored at the mouth of the Los Angeles River) and the other tourist attractions positioned around the city’s downtown marina.

A ride on the AquaBus costs just $1 and lines for the boat wind around the dock during special events and seasonal attractions onboard the Queen Mary. But its limited route clearly has more appeal for tourists than residents trying to get around the city.

The $5 AquaLink travels between the downtown harbor and Alamitos Bay, close to the Orange County border. Complete with a small park-and-ride lot near the Alamitos marina, the ferry is a more viable option for commuters—or, it would be if it offered rides during the morning rush hour.

Even during the summer, when the AquaLink runs on weekdays, the first boats don’t launch until 11 a.m. (final departures are between 9:45 and 10:30, depending on the day of the week). Long Beach Transit also has just two AquaLink vessels, meaning that boats can only depart every 45 minutes

Long Beach Transit spokesperson Michael Gold says the agency has mulled the possibility of expanding service hours attract riders who work in downtown Long Beach, but right now there’s no budget for those additional trips.

The ferry probably also wouldn’t save any time for passengers who could otherwise drive. On my recent trip, the journey to Alamitos Bay took about 35 minutes. A car ride back to downtown lasted 19 minutes, complete with a missed turn.

Time savings by boat would probably only be realized over longer distances and in places where the region’s geography makes a trip by sea more direct—like the journey from Santa Monica to Malibu.

A 1979 landslide that buried part of Pacific Coast Highway offered residents a brief preview of what that service might look like. During a weeks-long road closure, Caltrans ran a ferry between Malibu and Santa Monica, at a cost of $2 for a one-way trip.

As the Los Angeles Times reported at the time, the service was far from seamless. On the first day, boats departed behind schedule and encountered rocky surf, leaving at least one rider seasick. The ride from Malibu Pier also took 50 minutes—longer than a bus trip today.

In his proposal, Bailey points out that, at a speed of 27 knots (31 miles per hour), a ferry trip from Santa Monica to Malibu could be made in just 23 minutes—including two minutes docking time. At that speed, a boat ride might be more appealing to travelers seeking to avoid rush hour traffic.

But Move LA director Denny Zane, who sat on the Santa Monica City Council when the city considered reviving the ferry idea in the 1990s, says he’s skeptical that a ferry service would ever draw in a high number of commuters.

“As difficult as our traffic is, I seriously doubt a ferry service would be a competitive alternative [to driving]—except as a see-the-sea recreational option,” he writes in an email.

One major reason why ferries might not be well-suited as public transit workhorses relied upon by daily commuters is that they are relatively inefficient as a form of transportation. A single AquaLink vessel in Long Beach’s fleet can carry 75 passengers; Metro’s Blue Line train, which departs from downtown Long Beach every 12 minutes, can hold almost 400 riders at maximum capacity.

Of course, Long Beach could buy bigger boats—or run mid-size vessels more frequently—but these options come with new costs and challenges. Gold says that the city’s transit agency has considered adding new ferries to its fleet, but that the service “hasn’t grown yet to that point.”

Right now, Gold says that the water taxi service has a farebox recovery rate of 34 percent, meaning that passenger payment covers only about one-third of the cost of operating the ferries. That’s actually far better than the farebox recovery rate for the city’s bus network ( 17.1 percent in 2018 ), but it does suggest that the purchase of new boats would be unlikely to pay for itself.

As it is, Long Beach already spends almost three times as much per rider subsidizing the ferry service as it does the local bus system.

For now, then, the water taxi system is likely to mainly draw in out-of-towners and locals looking to beat the summer heat.

“We get people coming from all over LA—even the Valley,” AquaLink deckhand Steve Bebich told me as he tended the ferry’s onboard bar. “I think a lot of people see it as a little vacation, and I guess it kind of is.”

How to ride

The AquaLink ferry can be boarded at Alamitos Bay, at the Rainbow Harbor in downtown Long Beach (the dock is close to the Aquarium of the Pacific), or at the dock alongside the Queen Mary. A fourth stop at Belmont Pier is closed indefinitely pending repairs to the pier.

Fares are $5 and can be paid in cash or with the Long Beach Transit mobile app . Boats depart roughly every 45 minutes between 11 a.m. and 9:45 p.m.—daily during summer months and on weekends in the off-season. Check the schedule for more information.

The AquaBus travels between the Aquarium dock, the Pine Avenue Circle dock (near the Q Smokehouse), Shoreline Village (near Parkers’ Lighthouse), the Queen Mary, and the Hotel Maya.

Fares are $1; as with the AquaLink, they can be paid with cash or by mobile app . Boats depart between 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.—daily during summer months and on weekends in the off-season. Check the schedule for more information.

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Electrification of a large catamaran water bus for everyday commuting in the Venice Lagoon

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Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda: Waterbus

Connecting isolated communities through safe marine transport

The Lake Victoria region is home to 40 million people living around the Lake in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Access to transport between Lake Victoria’s various mainland and island communities is limited. To reach mainland services and to transport their produce to market, passengers are largely reliant upon open wooden canoes with diesel-powered motors. These unscheduled vessels travel only when they reach capacity, are slow and lack shelter, with fish and fresh agricultural produce vulnerable to spoilage. Storms can capsize open canoes which have few, if any, safety measures in place for their passengers.

Established in Kisumu, Kenya, in 2010, WaterBus is operated by Globology Ltd. The company designs builds, owns and operates safe and affordable catamaran ferries serving isolated mainland and island communities. Waterbus is the first passenger-focused service to deliver scheduled ferry routes on the Lake, currently operating two 132-seater vessels and two 80 seater safe, modern catamaran vessels for passengers and light cargo on two Kenyan routes, with one further 100 seater ferry under refit. The vessels are fuel-efficient and give passengers access to drinking water, toilets and well-ventilated indoor seating areas which shelter them from inclement weather and protect their cargo.

Demand is growing for more ferries to operate additional routes in Kenya and for new routes to be made available in Tanzania and Uganda. In 2022, InfraCo Africa invested to scale the Waterbus offering allowing it to deliver five new ferries serving five new routes by 2025. Waterbus generates 95% fewer hydrocarbons per passenger per hour than the most common outboard diesel engines used by canoe operators. To further reduce fuel consumption and cut the emissions of each crossing, the company has secured US$800,000 of grant support to pilot retrofitting of a solar boost system to two of its vessels. If the expected reduction in fuel consumption of around 15% is achieved, solar boost systems will be fitted to the wider Waterbus fleet.

Manufactured in Kenya, Waterbus vessels provide onshore jobs in welding, plumbing, electricals and painting, as well as jobs for well-trained vessel crew members. InfraCo Africa’s investment will also enable Waterbus to finance a new boatyard in Kisumu and retool to improve production speed and quality.

InfraCo Africa brings expertise in passenger and freight transportation on Lake Victoria to the project derived from its Kalangala Infrastructure Services and East Africa Marine Transport projects. InfraCo Africa’s investment and support will ensure that Waterbus continues to meet international Health, Safety, Environmental and Social standards and embeds high quality workforce policies, crew qualifications and standards, including efforts to attract more women to jobs in the marine transport sector.

The new vessels will support SDG 9 that focuses on the development of regional infrastructure, to support trade enablement and human well-being. Based on survey data, 40% of passengers are expected to live on or below the international poverty line.

By mobilising investment to enable Waterbus to scale it’s offering, it is anticipated that the company will be well positioned to attract private sector investment and to use internal revenues to scale further in the future.

Being developed by InfraCo Africa, Dutch Oak Tree Foundation /  DOB Equity, Hooge Raedt Social Ventures BV, LER Investment Company Ltd, ESOP and John Malcolm Ormiston with Globology Ltd.

Friedrich Neser

Providing business integrity training

Friedrich Neser is CEO of Waterbus which provides safe passenger transport on Lake Victoria. InfraCo Africa delivered Business Integrity training to his team in early 2023.

Clara Koech

Prioritising safety and integrity

Clara Koech is the Safety, Health, Environment and Quality Control Officer at Waterbus . Clara undertook training delivered by InfraCo Africa’s Business Integrity team.

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Project news

28th September 2023

Market Insights: Replicating marine transport success.

18th May 2023

Behind the scenes: Establishing a culture of business integrity

22nd March 2022

InfraCo Africa invests in safe, affordable passenger ferries

Privacy Overview

Business solution

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Agena Marin has introduced a significant change in hull design for small passenger and cargo catamaran industry.

The shallow draft provides more anchoring opportunities – you can enter shallow docks, away from the crowds and closer to shore – and access the places others cannot reach.

A catamaran’s shallow draft is an often underrated safety advantage. Many of the planet’s most beautiful anchorages and harbors are in the remotest regions.

With the hull design and construction, we have reduced needed engine power. The weight reduction improves various other aspects of the boat’s ride.

Taxi Cat has less hull volume, higher displacement, and shallower draft.

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Taxi Cat has an incredible balance due to the two hulls and the beam.

Boat design

Innovation design of the Taxi CAT represents an exciting new generation of the catamaran. We are making and designing catamarans that are safer, faster, and more visually appealing than ever before.

UDH (Ultrafine Displacement Hullform) connects catamaran bows with a high bridge deck and parallel lines aft of amidships. The result is minimal drag and excellent sea keeping manners.

With our hull design and construction, we’ve reduced engine power to a fraction of what conventional hull designs need.

Composite materials

We build lightweight and durable catamarans by combining high-performance composite materials with sandwich sheets.

We’ve used composite panels to optimize structural weight and decrease development time in the production of lightweight composite structures. With this, we have avoided time-consuming steps typically required to fabricate high-performance composites and reduced material waste and tooling costs.

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Applying vacuum infusion with unique hull and deck composite engineering enables the lightest, most durable, most robust vessel possible. The result is maximum stability with industry-leading fuel efficiency.

Taxi Cat offers fast and safe boarding and disembarkation of the vessels.

The catamaran is excellent for commuters traveling between islands and land. The bow also incorporates the boarding steps for immediate access to the local beaches.

Wave-piercing

Taxi Cat is designed to wave pierce and never “slam.”

Wave-piercing bows are designed to cut through waves and increase performance by reducing pitch resistance. The result and advantage is comfortable ease of motion and higher speed.

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The catamaran’s two outboard engines can help with maneuvering.

Also, we have achieved better speed and ease of maintenance by using two motors.

Boat handling is so much easier than the conventional vessel. Anyone can quickly learn the basic maneuvers on our catamaran. The high helm position of a catamaran and outboard motors considerably help docking and tight harbor maneuvers.

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We provide worldwide shipping with the possibility of disassembling some parts making the boat to be easily transported in a container.

Taxi Cat has higher speed capabilities in rougher sea conditions than most boats can cope.

We listened to our customers and realized they need “a bus line” between the islets and the main island. In a way, for us, this was a “back to basics” project that would offer a simple, yet fast, reliable, and safe means of water transportation. When Mladen Peharda and Agena Marin announced this new attractive vessel for short trips, we didn’t hesitate in ordering one for our business

In the press

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catamaran design for water bus

Discussion in ' Boat Design ' started by heruzen , Nov 20, 2005 .

heruzen New Member

hi there.. i am a naval architect student at university of indonesia, i am trying to build a water bus using catamaran hull.i am going to use a comparisson method and for that i will need information about LOA,B,H,T for the hull because it's really hard to find such information in here, the water bus that i'm going to build has a LOA: 50'-60', B: 13'-15'. i have build a boat using monohull and also hovercraft but this is my first time build a passenger boat with catamaran hull. for all, thanks.  

Deering Senior Member

Take a look at this site - they make something similar to what you're asking about. http://www.goldcoastyachts.com/wavep.htm  

thank you for the information..  

Beginner Builder, designing a sailing catamaran for Blue Water

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Select a Water Taxi

Fare: $5 one-way

Where to Board (Departure Docks):

• Dock 4 by the Aquarium
• Alamitos Bay Landing, Berth 3

Additional Information:

• Snack and beverage bar (menu)
• Space for bikes, strollers, and wheelchairs

To avoid citation or tow, AquaLink customers are encouraged to use the designated long-term parking area when departing from Alamitos Bay Landing.

Fare: $1 one-way

Fare: $1 one-way Take a short and scenic trip to Rainbow Harbor’s hot spots. One full round-trip is about 20 minutes.

• Shoreline Village, Dock 9
• Limited space for bikes, strollers or a single wheelchair

Follow Catalina Express parking signs to the Queen Mary Dock.

• What to Know Before You Board
• Accessibility
• AquaLink boarding begins 15 minutes prior to departure times. Please plan to arrive at least 20 minutes before your planned departure time.
• AquaBus boarding begins 10 minutes prior to departure times.  Please plan to arrive at least 10 minutes before your planned departure time.
• Boarding is on a first come, first board basis  and boats often meet full capacity.
• Service is subject to weather conditions. To confirm if service is operating, please call Customer Care at 562.591.2301 or check LBT’s Twitter for more information.
• Strollers, bikes and wheelchairs are welcome aboard both vessels. However, space is limited on the AquaBus.
• When bringing a bike on board AquaLink,   check out this how-to video.
• Food and beverages are available for purchase on the AquaLink.   Click here for a full menu.
• Service animals are permitted aboard water taxis. Companion animals are also permitted aboard if they are secured in an appropriate carrier.
• Visit the “How to Pay” section to learn how to purchase Water Taxi passes.

AquaLink and AquaBus are accessible, including people in motorized and non-motorized wheelchairs. This includes:

• Ramps at all stops
• A hand-crank chairlift at Aquarium of the Pacific, Dock 4
• Reserved space inside and on the back deck of AquaLink
• Accessibility at all points of pickup for the AquaBus

If you plan on paying with the RideLBT app, please review the How To Pay section before your trip. If you plan on paying fare with cash, ensure you have exact change before boarding. Water taxi crew is not able to make change.

• AquaLink One-Way Fare: $5.00 (Roundtrip $10.00)
• AquaBus One-Way Fare: $1.00 (Roundtrip $2)
• Fare for children aged 2 and under is complimentary.
• Payment options:

RideLBT App

• Credit Card (Visa and Mastercard only)
• If you plan on paying with the RideLBT app, please review app information before your trip.
• If you plan on paying fare with cash, ensure you have exact change before boarding. Water taxi crew is not able to make change.
• Please note: TAP cards, including the GoPass TAP card, are not accepted on LBT water taxis.
• AquaLink One-Way: $5.00 (Roundtrip $10.00)
• AquaBus One-Way: $1.00 (Roundtrip $2)
• Payment Options:
• EXACT Cash (Water taxi crew cannot provide change)

Pay ahead of time and get water taxi passes straight to your phone with the RideLBT app.

Please note items below:

Each pass will need to be activated individually when boarding.

DO NOT ACTIVATE YOUR MOBILE PASS UNTIL YOU’RE ON THE BOAT to avoid the pass timing out.

The water taxi crews are unable to process refunds or adjust passes. For any requests, please call Customer Care at 562.591.2301.

If you have passes in your app wallet and lose or replace your phone, please call Customer Care to release your passes to your new phone.

Dock it, then Downtown it.

Customer care.

Open Monday – Friday 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. and Saturday – Sunday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at 562.591.2301  

Información y asistencia en español está disponible bajo a petición. Pongase en contacto con nosotros al 562.591.2301

33' x 11' 35 PAX Cat

For those who are serious about small passenger boats and know their territory, this is your best option. We make these models in many designs. First we can make for either inland waters with standard hull thickness for bay waters, or offshore sea conditions such as St Maarten to Hawaii where we make you hull super strong 16mm on the bottom and 8mm on the sides. In addition to hull thickness options we provide outboard or inboard engine set up. For those who need a C.O.I. vessel in many cases the standard plus model will work as an inboard diesel set up. If you need a C.O.I. fort outboard application we also make with fire retardant materials. Time to build and deliver range from four to seven months so order well in advance. For additional information and pricing discounts answers can be found on our

Instant Online Quote

Seebelow for details.

• 1. Three months build time
• 2. Fiberglass Hull construction
• 3. Made for semi protected waters (See attached US Reg. SUBCHAPTER T-SMALL PASSENGER VESSELS PAGE 184: Partially protected waters is a term used in connection with stability criteria and means: (1) Waters not more than 20 nautical miles from the mouth of a harbor of safe refuge)
• 4. 100 gal fuel tank
• 5. Hydraulic steering
• 6. Canvas rails (39" high)
• 7. Twin counter 150 Hp Evenrude E Tec engines (propellers, controls, key switch, throttle extra)
• 8. Bench seats for 36 to 45
• 9. captains chair
• 10 steering console
• 11. 40" x 40" restroom with manual toilet, 25 gal (plastic) waste tank
• 12. navigation lights
• 13. two 1500 gph RULE bilge pumps
• 14. two economy 12 v engine batteries
• 15. 6 10" ss ceats=
• 1. steel cradle for shipping ( Instant Online Quotes )
• 2. engine installation [ Instant Online Quotes ] (engines included in vessel are not installed but supplied with vessel, if we install we remove after installation for shipping)
• 3. two aluminum engine brackets installed ( Instant Online Quotes )
• 4. 14 gal fresh water spray outside restroom ( Instant Online Quotes )
• 5. fresh water basin in restroom ( Instant Online Quotes )
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• 7. lights under canopy other than navigation lights ( Instant Online Quotes )
• 8. spot light remote control ( Instant Online Quotes )
• 9. Lowrance GPS Depth Sounder Elite-5X or compatible ( Instant Online Quotes )
• 10. All synthetic construction, no wood used, includes through bolting accessories ( Instant Online Quotes )
• 11. Individual seats or seats other than standard bench seats are priced after the order is placed.
• 12. See through screen mesh for front rail canvas on bow ( Instant Online Quotes )
• 13. See through stitched clear vinyl for front rail canvas on bow ( Instant Online Quotes )
• 14. C.O.I. with N.A. Stability test ( Instant Online Quotes )
• 15. Hydraulic steering w/ hub ( Instant Online Quotes ), cylinders, hoses; installation ( Instant Online Quotes )
• 16. Rigging, mechanical, electrical, sewage, bilge, fuel systems full installations performed at per man hour plus materials and shop supplies ( Instant Online Quotes )
• 17. full length canopy frame with canvas [ Instant Online Quotes ] (bolt together assembly additional charges [ Instant Online Quotes ])

For Information and voicemail

call 1-844-843-4372

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More Water Taxi Boats

The 33 x 11 water taxi for export NON COI is available with restroom ( Instant Online Quotes ), bench seats for 35, 100 gallon fuel tank, console, railing; outboard engines and accessories additional. Price is FOB Cincinnati, Ohio. Custom pricing available after order confirmation of order is received.

Cincinnati, Ohio Prices do not include safety equipment. Expect to spend more for life jackets, life ring, radio buoy etc...( Instant Online Quotes )

In the Bahamas the water taxi boats serve to transport passengers to and from resorts, island hopping, outings. The 35 passenger tour water bus boats made by Allmand Boats will fit the purpose to carry your passengers in safety.

Outboard motors provide speed and ease of maintenance. If an engine needs service simple swap it out with a spare and be back in water taxi service in no time. In addition to ease of engine performance the fiberglass hull is low maintenance, durable and last forever.

Most of Allmand Boats hulls made since the 1960s still can look as good as new even after regular use in bay waters for decades. Our catamaran water taxi passenger boat hulls are made the same way with the same materials as as all our other durable fiberglass boats have been made.

The catamaran harbor tour boats used for whale watching and water transport provide a very stable platform even in less than smooth waters. The fiberglass hull design also provides fuel efficiency.

At this time Allmand Boats will build Non C.O.I. water taxi boats for any region of the globe where low cost, efficient, water transport is needed. If you need to comply with passenger transport in U.S, territorial waters the sa,me design fiberglass catamaran water bus canbe certified by the U.S.C.G. for taking 35 or more passengers for hire.

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Ferry And Seabus In Istanbul

Istanbul is surrounded and divided by water. because of this you’ll see a bustling activity of floating devices on the bosphorus, the marmara sea and in the golden horn.

Drifting On Bosphorus:

A whole array of water-borne craft, ranging from privately owned (fishing)  boats , over regular  ferries  ( vapur ) to a fleet of  high-speed catamaran sea buses  ( deniz otobüsü ) serve as transport around the city.

IDO ,  Istanbul’s Fast Ferry and Sea Bus Company , is the market leader and offers visitors and locals alike probably the most relaxing and quickest method of transportation available in Istanbul, almost as comfortable as your flight to Istanbul, Whether you want to go up and/or down the  Bosphorus , travel between the  European  and  Asian  shores, or make a short trip to the Princes’ Islands, they have a suitable and cheap solution for you.

DESTINATIONS, SCHEDULE AND TICKETING DIFFERENCES

IDO  operates on  inner-city  and  inter-city lines . Inter-city lines head for places such as the Marmara Islands, Bursa or Bandırma, which are all located outside of Istanbul. For these destinations you need to make (online)  reservations,  preferably a few hours or a day ahead.

But in this article we’ll focus on the inner-city lines, since that is what 99.9% of tourists need during their stay in Istanbul. To avoid any confusion, the  Marmara Islands  mentioned earlier are NOT the same at the Princes’ Islands. If you want to visit Büyükada, you are heading for the  Princes’ Islands , and they luckily are inner-city.

For inner-city lines you don’t need to make reservations. To get on board, you can either buy a  token  (jeton) at the pier, or use your  akbil . The only exception is the Bosphorus Tour (by Night), for which you can’t use your akbil and need to pay cash to obtain a ticket.

High-Speed Ferry Or Sea Bus:

Each destination and every type of boat has its own schedule and dock (see below). Moreover, in wintertime ( mid September to mid June ) and summertime ( mid June to mid September ) different timetables apply. Timetable booklets are freely available in Turkish and English at all ferry terminals or online on the excellent  İDO website .

Most of the typical tourist destinations are reachable by both types of boats. It’s up to you to decide which craft to use, based on your personal preference. Let me list the pros and cons of the two ferry types.

Conventional Ferries:

The principal ferry dock on the  European side  is undoubtedly  Eminönü . There are four piers with the destinations clearly written outside, above the boarding hall:  Bosphorus (Boğaz),  Golden Horn ( Haliç ) ,  Kadıköy  and Üsküdar.  Another important dock is located in  Kabataş , where you can take a ferry to the  Princes’ Islands.

On the Asian side, the main piers are located in  Kadıköy  (to  Beşiktaş, Eminönü, Karaköy  and the  Princes’ Islands ) and in  Üsküdar  (towards  Beşiktaş, Eminönü  and  Kabataş ).

Fast Ferries Or Sea Buses:

The interior of the  high-speed catamaran ferries  or  sea buses  resemble aircraft cabins, with long rows of comfortable seats and air-conditioning. The main docks are  Bostancı  and  Kadıköy  on the  Asian side , and  Kabataş ,  Yenikapı  and  Bakırköy  on the  European side . As a tourist, you’d only use this ferry type to reach the  Princes’ Islands  from the Kabataş pier.

Related Tours

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• Shopping Streets

Beşiktaş is one of the most popular districts in Istanbul. There are many neighborhoods in Beşiktaş with different identities but to be fair it is a great district for shopping. Central Beşiktaş is good for its bakeries, accessories, and small boutiques. Other neighborhoods like Bebek or Etiler on the other hand is great for luxury shopping. Here all you need to now about Beşiktaş and shopping.

• Turkish Cuisine

Turkish Coffee

Turkish coffee has become incredibly famous around the world for its strong taste and cultural aspects. If you have not tasted Turkish coffee before, you need to hear its story first! Turkish coffee is actually a technique to prepare coffee. This technique originated in Middle Eastern countries like Turkey and Iran. To prepare Turkish coffee, you will need to combine the ground coffee beans with some water and sugar. Turkish coffee is traditionally prepared in a pot that is called “cezve”. Turkish coffee is prepared without filtering, so, it has a high amount of caffeine.

Related Blog Posts

Embark on a journey through time at Topkapi Palace, the opulent residence that once housed the mighty Ottoman Sultans. Delve into the fascinating history, intricate architecture, and priceless treasures that make this iconic landmark a must-visit destination in Istanbul. Experience the grandeur of the past on a guided tour and immerse yourself in the captivating stories woven within the walls of this magnificent palace.

Kebab is a popular dish in turkish cuisine. there is a lot of rivalry since there are hundreds of kebab restaurants in turkey’s major cities. to differentiate themselves, the finest kebab restaurants in istanbul delight their clients with innovative dishes such as “pistachio kebab.”

Your day trip specialists

ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK, NZ

Escape the ordinary with Abel Tasman Sea Shuttles scenic cruises and water taxis.

Our fares and tours offer superb experiences while traveling on purpose-built catamaran water taxis with comfortable seating, excellent viewing areas, toilets and easy walk on-off access.

To make your experience more enjoyable we offer our very own bus transfer service departing Nelson and Motueka, to bring you to our base in picturesque Kaiteriteri.

We take pride in supporting environmental and community causes , ensuring that we all can enjoy this amazing place, now and into the future.

FROM GOLDEN BAY

One way fares, bus service.

To make your adventure with us much easier, we offer our very own bus service that can take you to our water taxis in Kaiteriteri and back home again.

Our bus services are only available when you book an Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle water taxi transfer or one of our tours.

Connecting bus service from Kaiteriteri to Marahau operates from the 15th October to 30th April.

Bus transfers need to be arranged at least the day before travel by calling us on 0800 732 748.

Environment & Community

We get to work, live and play in an amazing place, so it is important to us to help ensure that it stays amazing. We contribute to essential Trusts, school groups, students and charities.

We also cover the EAF (Environmental Access Fee) for every booking. This fee directly improves the park for future generations.

Project Janszoon

Donations in kind to facilitate schools and students to carry out conservation work in the Abel Tasman National Park.

Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust

Donations in kind to transport volunteers into the Abel Tasman National Park by water taxi.

Charity Cruises

Money raised for the local community by running d’Urville Island Charity Cruises with the Rotary every year.

Schools and Conservation

Subsidise water taxi transport for school groups and students to the value of…

We have great offers to make the most of the stunning Abel Tasman National park.

Kids travel free these school holidays – up to 2 children can travel free with one full paying adult. Click on button below to find out more.

‘Pay for two days and get the third day FREE!’* with our Multi-Day 3 Day Pass. This very popular option will take you to three different walks of your choice in the Park over three days.

* Conditions apply.

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Magic Bus - Crewed Catamaran Charter

Magic bus $16,000.

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• From $16,000 / week
• Catamaran + 1 crew
• Summer Port: Cruising Areas Summer: New England Summer Port: Stonington, CT Winter: Bahamas Winter Port: Staniel Cay, Exumas Prefered Pickup: Staniel Cay, Exumas ">Stonington, CT
• Winter Port: Cruising Areas Summer: New England Summer Port: Stonington, CT Winter: Bahamas Winter Port: Staniel Cay, Exumas Prefered Pickup: Staniel Cay, Exumas ">Staniel Cay, Exumas
• Length: 58 ft / 17.7 meters 58 feet 17.7 meters
• Guests: 8 in 4 cabins
• Builder: Simonis
• Built: 2000 / Refit: 2009/2020
• Offers Rendezvous Scuba Diving only

Plus Expenses

• Reviews (1)

Cruising Area of Magic Bus

Accommodations, magic bus specification, water sports, scuba diving, entertainment, green initiatives, magic bus crew profile.

BOAT RUNS WITH FREELANCE CAPTAIN & STEW/MATE/CHEF

Magic Bus Calendar

Magic bus does currently not provide a calendar or bookings list. please inquire for more information., magic bus rates / week, low price: $16,000, high price: $25,000, additional rate details, magic bus guest reviews, nyyc cruise 2022 & 2023.

What a great cruise aboard Magic Bus!!! I cannot say enough good things about Peter and his abilities. He was very professional when required to perform his duties but also became part of the ´Impetuous family´ when off duty. Everyone on-board loved having Peter and Taylor as our captain and mate. They made the trip even more enjoyable. The ´Bus´ fitted our needs perfectly. We rafted Impetuous on the port side which enabled the crew to be together in the evenings. Perfect set-up. I would charter Magic Bus again for our cruise in 2023. Paul Z, Commodore of the NYYC

Magic Bus Sample Menu

We currently don't have a sample menu for magic bus. please inquire for more information., similar yachts, check out similar yachts to magic bus.

Whispers II

$22,000 / week

Guests in Cabins: 8 / 4

Length: 56 ft (17.1 m)

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Wind Chaser I

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Prices from: $30,000 / week

Best Canada and New England cruise excursions

The cruise season in Canada and New England may be brief — most ships visit between July and October — yet tour opportunities for everything from historical immersion to outdoor adventure abound. The best Canada and New England cruise excursions are as varied as the states and provinces you'll visit.

Options include Revolutionary War landmarks in Boston , whale watches in New Brunswick's Bay of Fundy, "Anne of Green Gables" lore on Prince Edward Island and atmospheric old towns in French-speaking Quebec. And, of course, you'll find plenty of scenic drives, walks and boat trips to admire the gorgeous fall foliage from late September to late October.

Whether you prefer vibrant cities, charming coastal hamlets or unspoiled natural landscapes, New England and Canada cruises offer access to all three. If your tour does not include snacks, make sure to save time to taste the region's iconic treats — lobster rolls, clam chowder and all things maple. No matter which tour you choose, remember to dress for changeable weather and wear comfortable but sturdy shoes.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Here are the best Canada and New England cruise excursions to introduce you to all the region has to offer.

• $ Inexpensive (less than $70)
• $$ Moderate ($70-$140)
• $$$ Expensive ($140-$200)
• $$$$ Very expensive (more than $200)

Newport, Rhode Island

Grand mansions and Newport highlights tour

The excesses of the Gilded Age live on in Newport's magnificent landmark mansions, which were "summer cottages" built by the Astors, Vanderbilts, Morgans and other titans of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Book a tour to step inside one of these impressive homes.

Most tours include a panoramic bus ride through the scenic Ocean Drive historic district, where sights include the Tennis Hall of Fame and Trinity Church. Next, along Bellevue Avenue, you'll admire elegant mansions and the Gothic-style St. Mary's Church, where John and Jacqueline Kennedy married in 1953.

You'll finish your tour with a visit to a historic mansion. Examples include The Elms, modeled after an 18th-century French chateau and built in 1901, and Rosecliff, designed by architect Stanford White and completed in 1902.

Important to know: Most mansion excursions last 2 1/2 hours and combine easy sightseeing by bus with a walking tour of a mansion. Many mansion tours are self-guided and require you to download the Newport Mansions app to your smartphone and listen to the audio tour with earbuds.

Related: The best cruises to Canada and New England

Newport Cliff Walk and The Breakers

If you prefer to sightsee by foot and love oceanfront vistas, a Newport Cliff Walk and The Breakers excursion will put you center stage. You can admire Narragansett Bay on one side and the famed mansions of Newport on the other.

While the entire Cliff Walk spans 3 1/2 miles along the scenic coastline, this guided excursion typically covers just 1 1/4 miles as you pass the backyards of some of Bellevue Avenue's most celebrated mansions. The walk ends with a tour of The Breakers, an Italian Renaissance palazzo built in 1895 by Cornelius Vanderbilt II. It features 70 rooms, 27 fireplaces and a central great hall with a 50-foot ceiling.

Important to know: Most Cliff Walk and The Breakers excursions last three hours. The Cliff Walk is flat and paved in this section, but comfortable footwear is a must since this tour involves more than two hours of walking and standing.

Freedom Trail walking tour

Do you love American history? Will you be cruising with school-age kids? A port call in Boston offers a chance to learn about major historic events, such as when the colonies battled for independence from England almost 250 years ago.

A guided walking tour along the city's famed Freedom Trail lets you discover 16 historical sites. These include Boston Common, the Massachusetts State House, the Old South Meeting House (where a gathering sparked the Boston Tea Party in 1773) and the Old North Church. The latter is where Paul Revere placed two lanterns to signal that the British were approaching by sea during his midnight ride on April 18, 1775.

Important to know: Freedom Trail walking tours generally last 3 1/2 hours and cover a distance of 2 to 2 1/2 miles at a moderate pace. The walk generally ends near Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market, so you might have time to explore on your own before returning to your ship.

Related: The best time for a Canada and New England cruise

Fenway Park and Boston highlights tour

Love 'em or hate 'em, the Boston Red Sox play in one of baseball's most celebrated stadiums: Fenway Park. Book this popular New England cruise excursion, and you'll find yourself among some of the sport's most dedicated fans. All will be eager to step inside the oldest stadium in the major leagues, built in 1912.

You'll see the dugouts, the press box, the manually operated scoreboard, Pesky's Pole in right field and the 37-foot-tall left-field wall known as the Green Monster. On your way to and from Fenway, you'll also take in some of Boston's top historic sites from inside your bus with guided commentary.

Important to know: Family-friendly Fenway Park and Boston highlights tours are generally 3 1/2 hours and involve some walking within the stadium. Tours do not include an actual game, and some areas may be off limits due to activity within the stadium.

Related: An insider's guide to Boston's top 16 attractions

Portland, Maine

Portland highlights and lighthouse tour

Aside from its lobster, Maine is perhaps best known for the lighthouses that dot its rugged coastline. This sightseeing tour showcases a picturesque landmark that has long protected sailors from meeting a tragic end, along with several popular Portland neighborhoods.

After enjoying a bus tour through downtown Portland — home to Victorian houses and a modern Arts District — you'll drive along the scenic coast to Portland Head Light, Maine's oldest lighthouse. Sitting in the onetime military outpost of Fort Williams, the Instagram-worthy landmark dates to 1791 and features beautiful grounds; there's also a museum in the lighthouse keeper's quarters.

Important to know: These scenic tours are generally two hours, and much of that time is spent on the bus. The museum entrance fee ($2) is not always included in the tour cost.

Related: Lobster rolls and lighthouses: The perfect Maine road trip

Kennebunkport

Price: $$-$$$

Exploring Kennebunkport is a popular day trip from Portland. Cruise lines offer several shore excursions to this charming seaside village, perhaps best known as the summer residence of former President George H.W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush.

Shorter excursions focus on the town's 18th- and 19th-century sea captains' mansions and offer free time to explore independently. They may also include a scenic sailing (the best way to have a look at the Bush compound at Walker's Point).

Longer tours combine bus sightseeing with a scenic cruise, a clam chowder and lobster roll lunch and free time to browse Kennebunkport's shops and galleries.

Important to know: Kennebunkport is approximately a 45-minute drive from Portland, and excursions range from three to seven hours. If you plan to shop, ask the shore excursion desk how much free time will be allotted.

Related: Canada and New England cruise packing list: What to pack for every season

Bar Harbor, Maine

Acadia National Park

Your cruise line is likely to offer a variety of excursions that explore Acadia National Park , the coastal preserve known for its share of Maine's 3,478 miles of shoreline and the 360-degree panoramic views from atop 1,530-foot Cadillac Mountain.

The easiest excursions involve sightseeing from a bus (or an executive minicoach on a small-group tour) and generally cover the 27-mile Loop Road and/or coastal highlights. The most strenuous involve hikes or bike rides. Another option is an excursion that combines a Loop tour in Acadia with an authentic lobster bake lunch.

Important to know: Acadia National Park tours range from two to four hours and the visibility from atop Cadillac Mountain depends on weather conditions. Additionally, the park regulates the number of buses allowed to stop atop the mountain, so in September and October (foliage season) tour buses are not always allowed there.

Kayaking in Frenchman Bay

Active, outdoors-loving cruisers can opt to paddle the waters surrounding Mount Desert Island, considered one of the top sea kayaking spots on the East Coast.

Local outfitters provide stable tandem (two-person) kayaks; you'll be instructed on how to perfect a fluid stroke and glide past the scenic coastline off of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Keep your eyes open for local residents, such as harbor seals, porpoises and bald eagles.

Important to know: Kayaking tours typically last 2 1/2 to three hours and are considered a strenuous excursion. Anyone in good physical condition (upper body strength is key) can participate, and beginners are welcome. You'll hear instructions from a professional guide and get a dry bag.

Related: 5 best fall foliage cruises in New England, Canada and beyond

Saint John, New Brunswick

Whale watching by Zodiac on the Bay of Fundy

From June to October, the Bay of Fundy is home to hundreds of finback and minke whales; humpbacks arrive in late summer. So, a port call here offers an opportunity to view these magnificent creatures as they feed and play.

The Zodiacs (some tours also use larger vessels or catamarans) depart from St. Andrews, about 75 minutes from Saint John. You have a 90% or greater chance of spotting whales as you zip around the bay for two hours. You might also see seals, porpoises and eagles. Most tours allow you free time to explore the picturesque seaside town of St. Andrews, and some include a snack or lunch — typically seafood chowder.

Important to know: Whale watching by Zodiac tours are generally six or seven hours long, and the Zodiacs do have fixed chairs (some with shock absorption). This makes them suitable for most adults without major back or mobility issues and older children (generally ages 9 and above).

Reversing Falls, St. Martins sea caves and the Bay of Fundy

Fallsview Park's dynamic reversing rapids are a must-see when visiting Saint John. Your cruise line will likely offer a variety of Bay of Fundy tours, but look for one that combines a visit to the park with a drive to the small town of St. Martins.

The Reversing Rapids is what happens when the Saint John River meets the strong and dramatic tides of the Bay of Fundy. The exchange of water flowing into the bay at low tide and back from the bay at high tide creates a series of rapids and whirlpools.

The highlight in St. Martins is the sea caves, dramatic formations carved into the red-hued cliffs by the tides. You'll walk along the pebble-strewn beach — and even into the cave entrances if your visit is at low tide — and afterward enjoy a hearty bowl of seafood chowder. St. Martins is also home to several covered bridges and gift shops. Before returning to your ship, you'll visit the circa-1876 Old City Market in Saint John.

Important to know: St. Martins is about 70 minutes from Saint John and tours generally last five to six hours. The sights you'll see are dependent on the daily tide schedules and the weather (fog is not uncommon). While this is a moderate activity, some walking is involved, especially to reach the sea caves from the rocky beach.

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Peggy's Cove

Peggy's Cove, a coastal village dating back to 1811, has inspired numerous painters and photographers. It's also a popular Canadian cruise excursion destination.

Your ship will likely offer several different excursions here, from a scenic coastal drive and tour to a longer option that allows time to savor a delicious lobster lunch and explore the town's shops and galleries on your own. A highlight is the circa-1914 lighthouse set atop an impressive rocky outcropping. Back in Halifax, some tours also do a drive-by of Province House, where the Nova Scotia House of Assembly has gathered every year since 1819.

Important to know: Excursions to Peggy's Cove range from three to seven hours. The drive from Halifax is about an hour each way, which means shorter tours offer very little time to actually explore the town.

Halifax hop-on, hop-off bus tour

Prefer to sightsee at your own pace? If so, book a tour that lets you utilize Halifax's hop-on, hop-off vintage double-decker buses to explore the sights on its 90-minute loop.

The bus will take you to the Public Gardens, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, the fashionable North End shopping district and the Fairview Lawn Cemetery, where 121 passengers who perished on the Titanic in April 1912 are laid to rest. Some cruise lines also add extras, such as fast-pass access to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic (home to some Titanic memorabilia) and Citadel Hill National Historic Site — a star-shaped fortress constructed in 1856.

Important to know: Buses run every 30 minutes, so plan your stays at the various sights carefully to avoid wasting precious port time.

Related: Best cruise destinations for every type of traveler

Sydney, Nova Scotia

Cape Breton Island

Nova Scotia's rich Scottish-Gaelic history and culture come to life during a visit to Cape Breton Island. The area is in eastern Nova Scotia and is encircled by a roadway called the Cabot Trail.

Tours from Sydney, the island's largest city, vary by cruise line. Still, highlights include the Bras d'Or Lakes region, which is home to Highland Village — a cultural center and living history museum dedicated to early Gaelic settlement in Nova Scotia. You'll also visit Baddeck village, the birthplace of Alexander Graham Bell, where you can visit a museum that showcases his life and inventions.

Explore Baddeck's shops and cafes on foot; then make a final stop at Seal Island for a photo op atop Kelly's Mountain overlooking St. Ann's Bay.

Important to know: Canada cruise excursions to Cape Breton last between four and seven hours, with a one-hour drive each way from and to the port in Sydney. A fair amount of walking is required, especially in Highland Village. Longer tours typically include lunch.

Fortress of Louisbourg

History buffs with a penchant for live reenactments can enjoy a guided excursion to the Fortress of Louisbourg, North America's largest reconstructed 18th-century French fortified town.

The original fortress was built from 1720 to 1740 and once ranked as France's most important military and trade center on the continent. The entire 12-acre complex, now a Canadian National Historic Site, is home to more than 50 period buildings. A wide range of characters dressed in mid-18th-century garb offer historical context as they reenact everyday life from almost 300 years ago.

Important to know: The Fortress of Louisbourg is about 45 minutes from Sydney. Excursions of less than four hours may not offer enough time (just 30 to 45 minutes) to explore the complex independently after the guided tour ends. This excursion involves a significant amount of walking.

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Anne of Green Gables

There are many reasons to visit Prince Edward Island, including its beach-fringed national parks and fresh-from-the-sea cuisine. But perhaps the biggest tourist draw, especially for literary enthusiasts, is Anne of Green Gables — the character created by PEI native Lucy Maud Montgomery in her series of books for young readers.

Feisty Anne, with her red pigtails and straw bonnet, remains beloved more than a century after her literary debut. Most cruise lines offer a variety of excursions to the place that inspired Montgomery, a farm estate now known as Green Gables Heritage Place. In addition to a museum that chronicles Montgomery's life and literary works, this Canadian National Historic Site encompasses the farm and surrounding woodlands that inspired the author.

Important to know: Tours are generally four to seven hours. If you're a tried-and-true Anne fan, ensure the tour you book allows enough time to explore both the museum and grounds at Green Gables Heritage Place, about 40 minutes from Charlottetown. If your port call is long enough, you might also be able to book separate tickets for "Anne & Gilbert, The Musical," staged in Charlottetown from late May to early October.

Charlottetown culinary tour

Charlottetown is an atmospheric spot to take a foodie walking tour and sample a variety of local specialties. On the menu: oysters, mussels, lobster rolls, french fries made with local PEI potatoes, craft beer and more.

Tip: If you're not completely full, stop at Cows to sample the local ice cream — and buy a bag of Cow Chips (chocolate-covered potato chips) to savor later.

Important to know: Foodie tours generally last about three hours and require you to walk about 2 miles.

Quebec City

A stroll through Old Town

You'll feel like you've been transported back hundreds of years and across the Atlantic to France as you explore the photogenic streets of Quebec City's Old Town with your guide.

Founded in 1608 by French explorer Samuel de Champlain, this UNESCO World Heritage Site charms visitors. Highlights include Lower Town's Place Royale (the city's first settlement) and Le Quartier Petit-Champlain (its first shopping street).

In Upper Town, you'll explore sites that include the Place d'Armes, Dufferin Terrace and Place de l'Hotel de Ville, all while being mesmerized by the towering Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. On some tours, you'll head inside this landmark hotel — constructed in 1893 and inspired by the castles of France — for afternoon tea and pastries. Other strolls conclude with a wine tasting.

Important to know: These walking tours are generally about three hours across hilly and cobblestoned streets.

Montmorency Falls and Ile d'Orleans

Just 20 minutes from Quebec City are the thundering Montmorency Falls, which cascade 270 feet down a cliff face into the St. Lawrence River. The drop is 1 1/2 times that of Niagara Falls.

Some tours here visit the base of the falls for a photo op, while others include a tram ride to the top for spectacular close-up views from a suspension bridge. Some Montmorency excursions also combine a visit to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre, a late-19th-century basilica considered one of the top Catholic shrines in North America. Others stop at the rural Ile d'Orleans (Island of Orleans), just across the river, known for its photogenic villages and hundreds of historic buildings. Some tours also include a stop at a sugar shack where you can sample maple candy and other treats.

Important to know: Tours to Montmorency Falls are typically three to four hours long.

Related: Avoid these 10 mistakes when booking cruise shore excursions

Old Montreal walking tour

Montreal, the second-largest French-speaking city in the world after Paris, is also home to an atmospheric cobblestoned Old Town. This must-see neighborhood is known as Vieux-Montreal and dates to the city's founding in 1642.

Here, you'll find the landmark Place d'Armes and the neo-Gothic Notre-Dame Basilica (its interior is awash in heavenly blue). There's also the Place Jacques-Cartier, lined with cafes. The adjacent Old Port, which stretches along the St. Lawrence River, is a vibrant mix of historic and modern buildings.

Some Old Montreal walking excursions combine top sites with a culinary tour that can include tastes of everything from French pate and cheese to smoked meats and Portuguese custard tarts.

Important to know: Walking tours of Old Montreal are usually 2 1/2 to three hours in length, with most of that time spent on your feet.

Montreal highlights city tour

If walking tours aren't your thing, you can also get a great overview of Montreal via a bus excursion that visits many of the city's architecturally dynamic neighborhoods.

Notable spots include Old Montreal and Notre-Dame Basilica, the city's modern downtown business district, leafy 500-acre Mount Royal Park, Golden Square Mile with its historic Victorian and Renaissance homes and iconic Olympic Park.

Important to know: City tours by bus generally last three hours and are mostly panoramic, meaning you'll spend as much as two-thirds of your time on the bus. There might be three or four stops for photos and a quick visit to Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal.

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Lisbon Water Department giving out bottled water amid arsenic contamination

The Lisbon Water Department is working with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to determine the safety of the public water supply and help people affected by the do-not-drink order.

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LISBON — An “accidental release” of arsenic Wednesday has prompted Lisbon officials to continue a do-not-drink order for all residents on town water, and the Lisbon Water Department was making bottled water available to residents, according to city officials and information in two Water Department Facebook posts Friday. The order does not apply to households with private wells.

From 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. the Lisbon Emergency Response Team will be at the Lisbon Public Works Department, at 14 Capital Ave., giving out one case of water per household. People are asked to turn onto Capital Avenue from Route 196 where they will be directed to a loading area at the front of the building entrance. Residents are also encouraged to pick up water for those affected who do not have transportation.

“Our supply is limited and will be available on a first come, first served basis,” according to a Water Department Facebook post. “… We will continue to seek additional resources to meet the need of our residents. We appreciate your patience.”

Lisbon residents ordered not to drink tap water

A steady line of cars pulls up Friday to the Lisbon Public Works Department as Parks and Recreation Director Mark Stevens helps pass out cases of water. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

It is unclear exactly how many of the roughly 2,500 connections to the town’s public water system were possibly exposed to the arsenic contamination, according to interim Water Department General Manager Shellie Reynolds. The Water Department is expecting to get some water tests back Friday afternoon and will make more announcements at that time.

Reached Friday morning, Reynolds said she could release no additional information about the source of the arsenic or its spread in the system.

Maine CDC issued a press release Friday afternoon stating that it is responding to “the release of sludge from the Lisbon Water department into the town’s public drinking water system.” Maine Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to an email Friday afternoon asking how the sludge was released into the public water system. Advertisement

Maine CDC’s Drinking Water Program and the Lisbon Water Department took drinking water samples Thursday afternoon to test for arsenic contamination, according to the Maine CDC press release. The testing is being expedited. Results will be posted on the Drinking Water Program website. The federal limit for arsenic levels in public water systems is 10 parts per billion.

The sludge itself is also being tested to identify the level of arsenic concentration, which will help estimate the level of exposure during the release period, according to the statement. Those test results are expected to come back next Wednesday.

Some customers have been experiencing brown water issues going back several days and the town has flushed some lines to clear that up, but Reynolds stated that she could not confirm that the brown water is connected to the arsenic contamination as of Friday morning.

Last year’s annual water testing results for contaminants found that the town’s arsenic levels — dated Dec. 5, 2023 — were at 15 parts per billion, which is higher than the 10 parts per billion federal limit, according to the report. All other contaminants were below federal limits. Reynolds stated Friday afternoon that those previous test results and Thursday’s do-not-drink order are not connected, and said information on both would be addressed at a later time.

The Water Department is working with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to protect those who might have been exposed to high levels of arsenic and to determine when the water will be safe to consume again, according to a Facebook post on the Water Department’s page.

The town is also working with the Water Department and Maine CDC to address the contamination concern, Town Manager Glenn Michalowski said Friday. Advertisement

“Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our residents,” he said. “While I cannot speak on behalf of the Water Department — whose operations are managed by the general manager and water commissioners — I want to assure you that we are in constant communication with them, utilizing the resources we have available to assist in any way they may need. Our local emergency management team has been activated, and we are collaborating with county, state, and local partners to respond effectively to this situation.”

In the meantime, the Water Department is directing people not to consume the water at all . Boiling it will not make it safer, according to the Water Department’s Facebook post.

The water can be used to bathe, wash dishes or water the yard, according to the Facebook post. Residents should run their faucet if it is discolored until it becomes clear.

Arsenic exposure can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach bleeding, brain swelling, fast or irregular heart rhythms, low blood pressure, unconsciousness or death if ingested in water or food, or absorbed through an open wound, according to the Water Department’s Facebook post.

Pregnant and lactating people should avoid exposure to any water contaminated with arsenic, according to Central Maine Medical Center OB GYN Medical Chief Tasha Duval.

There is some evidence that inhaled or ingested arsenic can injure pregnant people and unborn babies, even leading to low birth weight, fetal malformations and fetal death, she said citing information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Arsenic can also be found in fetal tissues and low levels can be found in breast milk.

People are encouraged to call poison control at 800-222-1222 if they have any concerns about arsenic exposure. The Water Department encouraged people to seek medical help if they develop any unusual signs or symptoms within 24 hours after consuming water containing high levels of arsenic .

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