Dartmouth woman wants Nova Star Groupon for 90 minutes in Maine
Cartherine Montgomery and her husband enjoy the ferry ambience, and spending just 90 minute in Maine
A Dartmouth woman would really like to see Nova Star Cruises offer a Yarmouth to Maine Groupon deal.
Yes, Catherine Montgomery wants the same trip, with 90 minutes on ground, that's currently being offered from Maine to Yarmouth.
"It's a trip that my husband and I enjoy taking quite a bit, usually over a weekend," Montgomery says.
That's roughly 24 hours round-trip, with about 90 minutes in Portland, Maine. But really, it is 60 minutes on the ground if you exclude the 30 minutes Montgomery says it takes to get on and off the boat.
"We enjoy the actual travel and the ambience of the boat. We disembark and then we usually have our ticket booked to go back over," she says.
Montgomery said going on foot saves her an her husband some time. They went to Portland twice this way since the ferry launched last year.
"Usually we just walked around the downtown area. They have a very pretty downtown area in Maine," she says. "Gone for a coffee, or grabbed a light meal, pretty much that's it."
They usually book a room for the trip, and sleep on the way back.
Nova Star's Groupon coupon is offering 30 to 60 per cent off regular fares from Portland to Yarmouth.
Nova Star has told CBC it's just experimenting with the Groupon from Maine to Yarmouth, and doesn't have plans to offer another deal from Yarmouth to Maine.
The company also don't have plans yet to offer a Groupon allowing people to have an extended stay in Yarmouth.
Montgomery said Yarmouth will need to be ready for the 90-minute Groupon passengers.
"Maine is open and ready for business. So when that boat docks there's actually quite a bit open ... and able to do."
Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood told CBC News she thinks this 90-minute stay will encourage people to come back.
Montgomery and Bishop did go to Maine once for a longer visit. They drove there, and took the ferry back in July.
"We used a Groupon coupon to get a hotel room down there," Montgomery chuckled.
Ferries have a huge appeal for Montgomery and Bishop, who've done quick Newfoundland and Digby runs as well.
"To take the Nova Star you go for the experience of the trip, not necessarily a destination. That's how I personally feel about it," Montgomery said.