Cruises to Sydney (Nova Scotia)

172 Reviews
Sydney (Nova Scotia) (Photo:oksana.perkins/Shutterstock)

About Cruising to Sydney (Nova Scotia)

Sydney is a city in transition. For a long time it was known mainly as an industrial center, one of Canada's major coal and steel suppliers. In the past, cruise passengers typically left the town for nearby excursions, like the beautiful Bras d'Or Lakes area and town of Baddeck, where Alexander Graham Bell lived and worked. The Fortress of Louisbourg, the largest historic reconstruction in North America, lures many visitors, and the Cabot Trail is one of Canada's most scenic drives.

But today's Sydney is an increasingly interesting place to visit. When the mills and mines closed for good in 2001, the city turned its eyes to the harbor and the 70,000 cruise-ship passengers who arrive each season. By concentrating on tourism, Sydney is making the most of its rich history and its position as the major city on beautiful Cape Breton Island.

British loyalists fleeing the American Revolution founded the town in 1785, and the settlement soon prospered from its rich natural resources. In its industrial heyday, jobs in the steel factories and coal mines attracted settlers from many lands, including many who emigrated from the Scottish Highlands. Their influence is still evident. Cape Breton is one of the rare places in North America where Gaelic is still spoken, and Celtic music is heard everywhere. Visitors can have their photos taken just outside the cruise terminal with the world's largest fiddle, a 50-foot reminder of this musical heritage.

The North End of town will remind a bit of New England, with six buildings built in the late 18th century, including steepled churches and homes dating to the 1780s. Enthusiastic guides help bring the past to life. A growing boardwalk along the ocean winds near the handsome Open Hearth Park. Opened in 2013 after a 10-year restoration, it is visible proof of the city's rejuvenation, replacing eyesore waste dumps from the old industries with green lawns, walking paths, playgrounds and ball fields.

The city's native Canadian Mi'kmaq community known as Membertou has its own Heritage Park with a museum and excellent shop of native crafts. And Sydney is emerging as a culinary center, with talented young chefs bringing an international flavor to town. This is a festival town, as well, with many events timed for the peak cruise season. The late summer Action Week is a nine-day community festival featuring concerts, street performers and parades. Creative chefs have inspired the growing annual Right Some Good food festival in late August, and October brings the music-filled Celtic Colours International Festival.

  • More about Sydney (Nova Scotia)

  • Why Cruise to Sydney (Nova Scotia)?

  • Sydney (Nova Scotia) Cruise Port Facilities?

Loading...

We found you 161 cruises

Loading...
Loading...
Cruise Critic Favorite

11 Nights

Boston, Maine & Canada Cruise

Port: Boston • Rockland • Charlottetown • Quebec City • Sydney • Halifax • Portland • Boston

1,949 reviews
Sep 30, 2024
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
View All Prices

7 Nights

Canada & New England: Maine Maritimes & Montreal

Port: Boston • Rockland • Halifax • Sydney • Charlottetown • St. Lawrence River +2 more

591 reviews
Sep 21, 2025
Holland America Line
Holland America Line
View All Prices

11 Nights

Canada Cruise

Port: Montreal • Quebec City • Saguenay Fjord • Corner Brook • Sydney • Halifax • Saint John +5 more

231 reviews
Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises
View All Prices

11 Nights

Canada Cruise

Port: Montreal • Quebec City • Saguenay Fjord • Baie-Comeau • Sept-Iles • Havre St. Pierre +5 more

399 reviews
Oct 6, 2024
Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises
View All Prices

7 Nights

Canada / New England Cruise

Port: Boston • Halifax • Sydney • Charlottetown • Portland • Boston

1,873 reviews
Princess Cruises
View All Prices
Cruise Critic Favorite

11 Nights

Boston, Maine & Canada Cruise

Port: Boston • Rockland • Halifax • Sydney • Quebec City • Charlottetown • Portland • Boston

1,949 reviews
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
View All Prices

11 Nights

Boston, Maine & Canada Cruise

Port: Boston • Halifax • Sydney • Quebec City • Charlottetown • Portland • Boston

1,949 reviews
Aug 28, 2024
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
View All Prices

7 Nights

Canada & New England Discovery

Port: Montreal • St. Lawrence River • Quebec City • Charlottetown • Sydney • Halifax • Bar Harbor +1 more

591 reviews
Holland America Line
Holland America Line
View All Prices

7 Nights

Canada & New England Discovery

Port: Montreal • St. Lawrence River • Quebec City • Charlottetown • Sydney • Halifax • Portland +1 more

591 reviews
Holland America Line
Holland America Line
View All Prices

11 Nights

Canada & New England Circle: Newfoundland & Montre...

Port: Montreal • St. Lawrence River • Quebec City • Charlottetown • Sydney • Halifax • St. John's +3 more

591 reviews
Aug 16, 2025
Holland America Line
Holland America Line
View All Prices

7 Nights

Historic Coasts

Port: Boston • Portland • Saint John • Halifax • Sydney • Bar Harbor • Boston

591 reviews
Jul 20, 2024
Holland America Line
Holland America Line
View All Prices

7 Nights

Canada Cruise

Port: Boston • Halifax • Sydney • Saint John • Portland • Boston

1,643 reviews
Oct 6, 2024
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International
View All Prices

15 Nights

Atlantic Seaboard & Colonial New England: Quebec C...

Port: Fort Lauderdale • Yorktown • Newport • Boston • Portland • Halifax • Sydney • Charlottetown +2 more

1,028 reviews
May 9, 2025
Holland America Line
Holland America Line
View All Prices

7 Nights

Canada & New England Discovery

Port: Quebec City • Charlottetown • Sydney • Halifax • Portland • Boston

1,028 reviews
Holland America Line
Holland America Line
View All Prices

11 Nights

New England New France & Newfoundland: St. John's

Port: Montreal • St. Lawrence River • Quebec City • Charlottetown • Sydney • St. Pierre +5 more

591 reviews
Aug 27, 2025
Holland America Line
Holland America Line
View All Prices

More about Sydney (Nova Scotia)

Why Cruise to Sydney (Nova Scotia)?

Pros:

In addition to being a jumping off point for many scenic excursions, Sydney is full of culture and history

Cons:

The city is undergoing a transition from its long history as an industrial hub

Bottom Line:

Tourism is a relatively new industry for the formerly industrial Sydney, and it's doing it well

Sydney (Nova Scotia) Cruise Port Facilities?

Besides offering information and walking tour maps, The Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion at the dock is a destination in itself. You can spend hours here, browsing a crafts market with some 55 vendors, nine boutiques selling jewelry, clothing and fine crafts, and an art gallery. There's also a small cafe and Flavor on the Water restaurant.

Along with the world's largest fiddle outside, the pavilion boasts what might be the largest indoor lighthouse. It houses a theater with changing videos, including one on the making of the big fiddle. The main stage arena hosts live concerts, especially during festivals.

Good to Know?

Sydney is a safe city, but as in any port of call, it's best to leave unnecessary valuables and cash in your stateroom's safe.

Getting Around?

On Foot: The sights of the town are easily walkable from the pier.

By Car: Taxis wait outside the pavilion for those who want guided tours or want to explore farther destinations. Most major car rental companies including Avis, Budget and Alamo, have offices in Sydney, and will send a car to bring cruise passengers with reservations to the rental office.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

The currency in Sydney is the Canadian dollar, but many shops will accept American dollars. If you don't want to risk it, you'll find an ATM at the cruise pavilion. For the most updated currency-conversion figures, visit www.xe.com or www.oanda.com.

Language?

Everyone speaks English, but the many nationalities who came for work in the mines and mills and the large native Mi'kmaq population in Sydney mean that you might hear a smattering of other languages. You might even hear a bit of Gaelic.

Where You're Docked?

Ships moor in town, a five-minute walk to Charlotte Street and the town center.


Sydney (Nova Scotia) Cruise Reviews
Sydney. Having done the Cabot Trail (highly recommend when you’re in port a full day!) the last time we stopped in this Nova Scotian port, we opted this time for NCL’s Spirit of the Senses 2-hour tour, which includedRead More
sunluva7
Sydney is a small town and easy to walk around directly from the ship. There is a cruise terminal with craft market, shops, and free wi-fi. Within walking distance are a couple of historic houses and church to tour. Read More
mkesolo
Sydney is a fairly small town in a nice setting. The surrounding countryside was green and beautiful. We walked into town and enjoyed seeing the old houses and churches. We've done land-based trips in Cape Breton Read More
westcoaster
If you get the right guide and tour Cape Breton all day, it is FABULOUS! Read More
DrKoob

Related Cruises

Cruises to Newport

261 Reviews

Cruises to Amsterdam

1,057 Reviews

Cruises to Rouen

121 Reviews

Cruises to Saint John (New Brunswick)

449 Reviews

Cruises to Kauai

628 Reviews

Cruises to Gdansk (Warsaw)

120 Reviews

Cruises to Marseille

936 Reviews

Cruises to Izmir

187 Reviews

Cruises to Adelaide

106 Reviews

Cruises to Lima

110 Reviews

Cruises to Rangiroa

30 Reviews

Cruises to Labadee

2,137 Reviews

Cruises to Penang

134 Reviews

Cruises to Phuket

149 Reviews

Cruises to Hakodate

26 Reviews

Cruises to Picton

165 Reviews

Cruises to Cinque Terre

355 Reviews

Cruises to Bernkastel-Kues

37 Reviews

Cruises to Kinderdijk

8 Reviews

Cruises to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve

290 Reviews

Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.