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A voyage with Niagara City Cruises. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Niagara City Cruises announced today, its 2023 season will mark a banner year for the popular Niagara Falls boat tour with the earliest opening date in its recorded history.
Rated as one of Canada’s most memorable experiences, Niagara City Cruises will begin its 2023 season on Thursday, March 16th, running tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST.
“This is a historic event for boat tours to the base of Niagara Falls marking the earliest on record that Niagara City Cruises has ever operated; and going back before our time, there is no recorded opening of the Niagara Falls boat tours operating as early as March,” says Mory DiMaurizio, Chief Operating Officer of City Cruises in Canada. “2023 is our comeback year, and we are excited to be able to welcome both locals and tourists alike to the iconic destination, and this year, be part of families’ March Break to enjoy during their time here in the Niagara region.”
The annual spring opening of one of Canada’s must-see tourist attractions is largely dependent on the build-up of ice on Lake Erie over the winter, which this year has been minimal. While there have been some snowstorms and frigid stretches during this year’s winter, overall, conditions have been favourable. As little as one per cent of Lake Erie’s surface was covered with ice, and water temperatures were above freezing at the end of February. As an affect, it has prompted a relatively early removal of the ice boom that is installed where Lake Erie empties into the Niagara River to manage the amount of ice entering the River, reducing the risk of ice jams that can damage property and reduce waterflow that is generating hydroelectricity.
The removal of the ice boom is a key event for the opening of Niagara City Cruises. While that typically happens in spring — the ice boom was removed on March 29th last year — the general lack of ice on the lake this year meant the New York Power Authority and Ontario Power Generation began removing the ice boom on March 2nd.
The Niagara City Cruises sailing schedule for March:
- March 16th to March 19th — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- March 24th to March 26th — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Daily service begins March 31st with tours to the base of the Falls running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Expanded summer operating hours will begin May 1st.
CANADIAN BORDER TRAVEL TIPS
The Canada Border Services Agency and the Canadian Snowbird Association are encouraging Canadians who have spent the winter abroad, to plan ahead for a smooth return to Canada this spring.
These are the top travel tips to know before arriving at the border:
Plan ahead and check border wait times and alternate ports of entry. Travellers crossing the border by land are encouraged to cross during non-peak hours such as early morning.
Have your travel documents handy. Whether travelling by land, air or water, you can help speed up processing times by coming prepared with your travel documents.
Save time with Advance Declaration. Travellers arriving at the Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Winnipeg, Halifax, Québec City, Ottawa, Billy Bishop and Calgary international airports can make their customs and immigration declaration to the CBSA prior to their arrival using the Advance Declaration optional feature in the ArriveCAN app. Travellers who use this option have access to express lanes to get to an airport kiosk or eGate faster.
Cannabis: Don’t bring it in. Don’t take it out. Bringing cannabis across the border in any form, including oils containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), without a permit or exemption authorized by Health Canada is a serious criminal offence, despite the legalization of cannabis in Canada. A medical prescription from a doctor does not count as Health Canada authorization.
Be prepared to declare. All travellers must declare their goods upon entry into Canada and are encouraged to have their receipts readily available for goods purchased or received while away. You must declare currency or monetary instruments worth CAN$10,000 or risk penalties. Use the CBSA duty and taxes estimator to help calculate your monies owed.
Know your exemptions from duties and taxes. Once you have been outside of Canada seven days or more, you can import goods worth up to CAN$800, duty-and tax-free. Within this personal exemption, you are allowed to bring back duty and tax free:
Two bottles of wine (1.5 litres total), or one large standard bottle of liquor (1.14 litres), or approximately 24 cans or bottles (355 ml each) of beer (8.5 litres total); and,
200 cigarettes, and 50 cigars, and 200 grams manufactured tobacco, and 200 tobacco sticks. The packages must be stamped “duty paid,” as you would find them at a duty-free store.
Importing a vehicle. Residents of Canada can temporarily import a vehicle that is licensed and registered in the United States, however, the duty and tax implications, the length of time the vehicle can remain in Canada, and how the vehicle can be used in Canada may differ. Residents permanently importing a vehicle from the U.S. or Mexico, should visit Canada’s Registrar of Imported Vehicles website for details about vehicle eligibility and the overall process, including the necessary duties and taxes.
Avoid importing raw poultry products or by-products. There are currently restrictions on imports of live birds, bird products and by-products from U.S. states affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. It is not recommended to bring poultry products into Canada. Otherwise, be prepared to prove the origin of your poultry product at the border.
If you are travelling with a pet or want to import an animal into Canada, you will need the right paperwork at the border to meet Canada’s import requirements.
Not sure? Ask a border officer. The best thing you can do to save time is to be open and honest with the CBSA officer. If you are not sure about what to declare, don’t hesitate to ask. Our officers are here to help!
For more information, visit the CBSA Web site or call us at 1-800-461-9999.
The Berlin Christmas market.
SCENIC EXTENDS CHRISTMAS MARKET CRUISE SEASON
The Christmas Markets of Europe are steeped in tradition and celebration, gift-giving and Santa Claus, and have grown hugely popular for North American travelers who are looking for a little of yesteryear’s calmer nature. Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours is making it even more like the holidays of old with a 15-day sailing that celebrates the Christmas and New Years holidays in Europe while enjoying the festive markets. The line is also offering eight- to 18-day Christmas Market cruises on the Danube and the Rhine earlier in the season with ample time in ports to visit and shop the stalls that sell unique gift items such as handcrafted wooden nutcrackers and toys, one-of-a-kind glass Christmas ornaments, local knick-knacks and much more. Booking any of these sailings early can save up to $1,500 per couple and, if the booking is paid in full within 72 hours, guests can choose between free or reduced airfare, a free land extension, or up to $2,000 per couple in additional savings.
The 15-day Christmas & New Years sails from Amsterdam to Budapest (December 19) along three of Europe’s most popular rivers – the Rhine, Danube and Main-Danube Canal – where the bulk of the oldest and most traditional Christmas Markets are set. Whether it is Nuremberg’s world-renowned market dating back to 1628; the fairy-tale feel of the 420-year-old Salzburg Cathedral Square Christmas Market; or Cologne’s dazzling array of puppet theatres, toy stalls and fairytales – and the largest Christmas tree in Rhineland, excited guests are allowed lots of time to enjoy the holiday festivities at each stop along the way. Delicacies like stollen (a bread-like fruitcake covered in icing), gluhwein, (mulled wine served hot in souvenir mugs), homemade gingerbread, and candied almonds supply a taste of traditional European holiday goodies while choral performances and dancing add to the festive air. Guests are welcome to attend a traditional Christmas Mass in Würzburg and New Year’s in one of Europe’s most dynamic cities – Budapest. Fares start at $7,395 per person, double.
