The Cartier Connoisseur ~ New York to Montreal on Oceania Insignia: Two Tiny Towns: Sydney, Nova Scotia and Corner Brook, Newfoundland ~ September 21 - 22
Sydney, Nova Scotia September 21, 2024 Sydney, founded in 1785 by the British, is located on the east coast of Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. It served as the colonial capital of Cape Breton Island until 1820 when the colony merged with Nova Scotia and moved the capital to Halifax. Sydney was a major steel manufacturer and a significant staging area for England-bound convoys during both world wars. Steel mills were closed in 2001, and the city's population has steadily declined since the early 70s. At dinner, one of our table mates called it a "sad little town," wondering aloud why Oceania would even stop there. I believe we stopped there because it is more convenient (and probably cheaper) to dock there than in Baddeck, where there is much more to see and do. Instead, we dock in Sydney, and people book pricey excursions to Baddeck (and even more expensive full-day excursions that tour Cape Breton). Jeff and I got off the ship shortly after breakfast for a leisure...