Perched along the St. Lawrence River just a short ride upstream from Montreal, Quebec City greets guests with centuries of charm and modern energy.
Cobblestone streets and fortified walls invite you to drop anchor and explore on foot. Wander through Old Quebec’s Quartier Petit Champlain, where pastel storefronts share space with street artists and the occasional accordion serenade. Pause at Place Royale to imagine fur traders hammering out deals, then trace the footsteps of explorers at the Citadel, where centuries of military history have stood guard over the city.
For a dash of adventure, take a bike ride along the riverfront boardwalk, paddle across the river to Île d’Orléans for panoramic skyline views, or ride the funicular up Cap-Diamant, the fastest shortcut between Haute-Ville and Basse-Ville. Venture a little farther to Montmorency Falls—taller than Niagara—via cable car or suspension bridge walk, then return in time for a guided ghost tour through narrow, gas-lit lanes after dark.
Quebec’s culinary scene balances comfort and creativity. Taste melt-in-your-mouth poutine at a cozy bistro, then sample maple bourbon cocktail flights at a sleek bar. Follow fellow foodies to Grand Marché de Québec, where fresh cheeses, smoked meats, and buttery pastries beckon. Pull up a stool at a brewpub in Old Port for a locally crafted ale, then cap your evening with a sugar-dusting of traditional tarte au sucre for a sweet send-off.
Climb the Observatoire de la Capitale’s 31st-floor viewing deck for a bird’s-eye sweep of rooftops and river bends. With historic streets to roam, outdoor thrills to chase, and flavors that stick long after the last bite, Quebec City delivers days of discovery. Your Escape with Effy charter cruise drops you into a UNESCO World Heritage setting where every corner tells a story, and the next pint waits just around the bend.
Set against a working harbor, Halifax welcomes guests with salty breezes, storied streets, and a friendly wink of maritime charm.
Step off your Escape with Effy charter and stroll the waterfront boardwalk, where fishing boats drift beside refurbished warehouses now home to boutiques and cafés. Pause at the Historic Properties to imagine shipwrights hammering away, then follow the polished granite steps up to Citadel Hill. Stand atop the star-shaped fortress and take in sweeping views of the city as bagpipes echo across the ramparts.
For a splash of adventure, slip into a kayak and skirt the harbor’s edge or book a sail on a replica tall ship. If you prefer dry land, join a guided ghost tour through Old Town’s narrow lanes past gas lamps and hidden courtyards to hear legends that still linger in the fog.
When hunger calls, chase down a Halifax donair, piled high with spiced beef, tangy sauce, and onions, or sample freshly shucked oysters at a seaside shack. Craft beer enthusiasts can hop between breweries in the North End, while marketgoers wander stalls at the Seaport Farmers’ Market, sampling local cheeses, smoked salmon, and sticky-sweet blueberry grunt.
Wander into the Halifax Public Gardens and find Victorian flowerbeds, wrought-iron fountains, and shady benches perfect for people-watching. Cross the street to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, where artifacts from the Titanic and wartime convoys tell tales of triumph and tragedy on the high seas.
As the sun dips below the Macdonald Bridge, Halifax reveals its maritime warmth. Whether you’re tracing history in Citadel’s shadow, sampling seafood straight from the dock, or chasing ghost stories after dark, this port city delivers a lively mix of past and present. Your Escape with Effy charter cruise drops you in a place where every corner feels like a local secret, until you share it at dinner tonight.
Disembark at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal and stride straight into the heart of New York City — the birthplace of Effy Jewelry! Its legendary headquarters and new Fifth Avenue flagship store, located at 590 Fifth Avenue, pays tribute to founder Effy Hematian and the craftsmanship that built one of the country’s most iconic jewelry houses.
Stretch your legs on the Hudson River Park esplanade, where joggers, cyclists, and kayakers share river-edge views of the Statue of Liberty and Jersey’s skyline across the water. Wander over to Little Island at Pier 55, a floating park of winding paths, art installations, and lawns perched above the river. It’s just a five-minute stroll from the terminal and makes for a perfect photo op.
Walk the High Line — an elevated greenway built on old rail tracks — where you can glimpse graffiti murals and seasonal gardens below. Pop into Chelsea Market for lobster roll tacos or a decadent cronut. Keep going until the bright lights of Times Square dazzle your senses, then duck into a nearby speakeasy for a perfectly balanced cocktail.
A short cab ride lands you at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Climb aboard the USS Intrepid, gaze at Cold War jets poised on the flight deck and imagine life at sea in a floating fortress.
Head to the Chelsea Piers complex just south of the cruise docks for swinging at the golf simulators, watching sailboats launch from the piers, or simply taking in the harbor views from the rooftop lounge.
When hunger calls, grab a New York-style slice from a corner pizzeria or line up for hand-rolled bagels dripping with cream cheese. Hell’s Kitchen boasts everything from Michelin-starred tasting menus to late-night ramen slurps.
With floating gardens to explore, street-food staples to sample, and history etched into every cobblestone, New York welcomes your Escape with Effy charter cruise with the perfect blend of urban adventure and classic charm.
Step into a city where history and hustle collide along the harbor’s edge. Begin with a stroll along the HarborWalk, weaving past waterfront cafés serving clam chowder in bread bowls and public art installations that line the promenade.
From there, drift into the North End’s narrow streets, where bakeries in red brick buildings fill the air with scents of cinnamon, and espresso shots fuel your next stop. Sidestep historic cobblestones to Paul Revere’s House, then follow the Freedom Trail’s painted line past Old North Church and the Paul Revere statue, each marker a snapshot of Revolution-era drama.
For a taste of Bostonian adventure, rent a kayak at the Seaport District and paddle beneath the Zakim Bridge, or hop aboard a schooner for a swift sail around the harbor. Speaking of taste, line up at a waterfront shack for a lobster roll dripping with lemon-butter or sample a New England brew at a Seaport taproom. Don’t miss a scoop of artisanal ice cream in Faneuil Hall; the clam-shell dome overhead echoes with street performers and market stalls brimming with local cheeses and honey jars.
Wander through Beacon Hill’s gas-lit lanes and peek through picture-postcard doorways, then pause on a bench in the Public Garden to feed the swans and watch rowboats drift by. Cross the street to Boston Common for a quick stroll under century-old trees before you circle back to the ship.
With centuries of stories in every brick, on-water thrills at every turn, and flavors as bold as the city’s spirit, Boston greets your Escape with Effy charter cruise with an inviting mix of past and present. Whatever pace you pick, the next Boston discovery is never more than a few steps away.
Holland America Line
