Single Older Woman – Canadian Vacations – Travel Starts and Stops, Trains

Wed July 27, 2022

As I wrapped up this portion of my whirlwind East Coast vacation, I was very excited about the River Cruise I would embark on tomorrow. I’d never been on a river boat cruise before and with the goal of doing one in Europe in 2023, I figured I could get my sea legs on one in Canada that would also stay close to the shore.

My suitcases were packed, water bottles filled, hotel bill paid and taxi booked for transport to the Via Rail Station in Truro. I packed my casual hat and donned my pretty train/boat travel hat, which I bought recently and specifically for the boat cruise.

In my eagerness to “get going”, I got to the station at about 11:30 am and planned to sit and relax inside until my train departure at 1430 that afternoon. Well upon arrival at the station, the doors were locked and the lights were off. This station would not open until 13:00.

There I sat outside, with my suitcase, carry on, and my little lunch bag. Nowhere to sit and no Tim Horton’s close by to get a coffee. So I waited and I waited. Finally at about 12:30, a Via Rail employee turned on the lights and opened the doors. Relief and gratitude, as I now also needed to visit the restroom.

This return train trip would bring me to Montreal at 10:00 on Thursday morning. A 2 hour lay over and then I would continue onto Ottawa, with an arrival time of 1400. The marina is a 20 minute cab ride from the station and boarding would commence at 17:00.

At 13:30, we were advised that the train was delayed in Halifax and our scheduled departure time of 1430 was pushed back. The train finally arrived at 1530. I boarded and was taken to my Cabin. My attendant invited me to the dining car, as lunch was still being served. I was so grateful, as I had not eaten since early this morning and needed some sustenance.

I returned to my cabin to relax and freshen up a bit and then made my way to the lounge car, to meet the other passengers.

I opted for the 2nd sitting of dinner and made my way back to the dining car at 2100 for my evening meal. The quality of these on board meals are top notch and is one of the reasons I choose to travel in the Sleeper Car Class. I enjoyed a Merlot with this meal and then made my way back to my cabin. My bed had been turned down and a fresh bottle of water had been left for me too.

By Thursday mid morning, it became apparent that the train would be delayed in its arrival to Montreal. Now I started to panic. All my planning and researching were for naught. Via Rail has a heat protocol in place which dictates how fast they can travel, on steel rails for a continuous stretch of travel time, when the air temperature rises above a certain degree.

All I could do now was wait and tick off each city station as we arrived and departed. I did not have a contingency plan in place. I either made it to the marina before departure or I did not. With little else to do but read and watch the landscape from my cabin, I made the first of many calls to the office of St. Lawrence River Cruise lines. The kind and pleasant administrator connected me with the owner, who immediately reassured me that the boat would wait for me, regardless of what time I arrived at the marina. He gave me the cell # for Trevor, the Purser, so that I could keep him abreast with any updates.

Finally we arrived in Montreal, I missed my noon connection to Ottawa and sat in the business lounge until the next train departure. I cancelled my Economy Fare ticket and was provided a Business Class seat at no extra charge.

After a quick snack of peanuts and wine, I took advantage of the complementary meal served in Business class. Even though I would still get another meal on the boat later in the evening…..

I arrived at the marina just after 630 pm. I was Covid tested and then brought to my stateroom. I was here! The staff were all so courteous and kind and I was grateful to be onboard.

It turns out the boat had to wait for a few other passengers who were also delayed. One couple traveled from South Africa! and had missed their flight connection! They finally arrived on board and we started our cruise.

Suffice it to say, I had quite a few starts and stops on this trip:

• The fear that Via Rail employees would be on strike,
• the first train delay to Truro, due to heat,
• the cancellation of my return Ferry trip from PEI to Nova Scotia, due to the engine fire onboard,
• the subsequent journey to the Confederation Bridge, in order to get back to Nova Scotia,
• then this train delay.
• These delays were minor inconveniences yet I still got to my destination safely and was able to enjoy this whirlwind vacation.

I cannot imagine what all of those other travelers (internationally, domestic, transborder) had to endure during this same period. in both Canada and abroad – with flight cancellations and delays, with lost luggage etc. I can only hope that when I plan my European River Cruise from the Netherlands to Basel, Switzerland, all will go well and I will be safe.

Thank you for reading and letting me share.

Stay tuned!

Joye