PSA Adventure 2006: Boston to Montreal on the ms Maasdam

PSA Journal, July, 2006 by Jean Timmermeister

A cruise is a tremendous adventure if it is with a spouse or friend, but when it is a group of fellow photographers sharing the experience it is a whole new event. When members and friends of the Photographic Society of America (PSA) depart Boston on Saturday, September 30th at 5 pm, they will be lining up to shoot the Boston skyline as will all the passengers--but with a difference. The PSA group will likely be plotting and planning how to get the best possible images.

PSA Adventure 2006 is an opportunity for members and friends to experience an autumn trip of a lifetime. From Boston and then northeast to the first port of Bar Harbor, Maine, thence two stops in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. On to Canada's smallest province (Prince Edward Island), then out in the Saint Lawrence seaway, soon heading southwest down the Saint Lawrence river on the way toward Montreal. Holland America's ms Maasdam will show ports with a wide variety of available shore excursions (or travelers can choose to stay to strike out on their own or can choose to take advantage of on-board features of the luxury ship).

The ports are varied and the cruise was selected for the variety of photo opportunities available--"photo opps" are the passion of PSA members, after all. The Bar Harbor stop has been featured in these pages and has many such opps. Likewise the Quebec views have been shown.

Although people often think of all the food on a cruise, there is more to cruising--Holland America ships have a movie theater, a casino, an ever-popular internet center and other special areas. Always at least one outdoor swimming pool (although the time of year for the PSA trip may mean swimming is not too desirable) on board, a spa and a salon are available as well. The staterooms on the Maasdam are in various categories and each PSA Adventurer can decide on an inside, or outside stateroom--there is something for each budget. The cruising experience can't be beat: unpack once, all meals included, lots of variety of things to do, shore excursions to select, and more. Most importantly, the fellowship of fellow photographers is a major plus.

"So, let's leave Boston for a good variety of ports, all picturesque! Holland America will take us up the US coastline and tender the cruise ship at Bar Harbor, Maine, where we can explore the classic port town on our own or select a shore excursion to suit our taste: likely the most popular location will be the popular Acadia National Park. Most US photographers have this well-known park on their lists and Holland America has a variety of choices from which cruisers can select what suits them. Next the ever-popular Halifax, Nova Scotia will provide a stop with lots of waterfront activity for PSA Adventurers or we can select an excursion that includes colorful Peggy's Cove, always on a list of must-see locations. Sydney, Nova Scotia will greet us the next day with opportunities to shoot or relax.

Another great city in Canada's Maritimes is next: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, has a variety of architecture to show visitors along with that orangey-brown dirt which grows their famous potatoes. Distinctive lighthouses abound and people world-wide especially like to "shoot" these buildings on the Island's coastline. Some will wish to check the shore excursion that includes Anne of the Green Gables' house, which is great fun to actually see. We'll cruise around the side of Island in the Saint Lawrence then make the trip on the River in our cruise ship. Alter cruising in the Saguenay Fjord, we will go on to French Canada and visit beautiful Quebec City. Our choices there are in good variety as well. The old city is photogenic and delightful. Finally on October 6 we arrive in Montreal, the end of the cruise.

Plan now to be on board when the Maasdam pulls away from the dock in Boston. Don't miss this PSA Adventure 2006! Contact Teri Cork toll-free at 1-866-968-7222 (ask for "St. Charles office" and Ms. Cork) or call her on a direct line, 630-587-7700. That's AAA Travel and all PSA members and friends will need to call the St. Charles, Illinois office and make their reservations through Teri Cork. Check the PSA Adventures website: www. psa-adventure.org

Jean Timmermeister, FPSA