A day with friends: NORWEGIAN JEWEL, Halifax Nova Scotia

August 24, 2025

Author’s note: Although I recorded these entries last year, I didn’t have a chance to publish until now. They should still give you an idea of what to expect currently.

8:32 am ADT

We are approaching Halifax, Nova Scotia, my home away from home. Our ETA is 11:00 am. Until then, we will have breakfast and participate in trivia and bocce.

We’ve been to Halifax many times since 1999, most recently on a land vacation one year ago (2024).

I’m looking forward to today. We will spend the afternoon with friends I’ve made through my membership in the Titanic Society of Atlantic Canada (TSAC).

A view from the ship looking down at a brick-and-metal cruise terminal building marked “PIER 21.” A covered blue-and-gray passenger gangway extends from the terminal to the ship. — Among my favorite views. Docking in Halifax, Nova Scotia, August 24, 2025. (c) Lisa Plotnick and NauticalNotebook.com

August 25, 2025

9:04 am

We did so much in Halifax yesterday and I’m now just starting to write about it.

After bocce (Marty came in 4th), we went ashore and met our friends for lunch at the 19th century Henry House. The building was once the home of William Alexander Henry, a father of Confederation from 1854–1864 and justice of the Supreme Court from 1875–1888.

My friends and I each had a very nice seafood chowder with haddock, salmon, scallops, shrimp, mussels, and clams in a creamy broth. Our son had a huge plate of nachos and my husband enjoyed fish and chips. We dined al fresco, and then had a quick tour of the beautiful interior.

A bowl of creamy white seafood chowder topped with fresh dill, with mussels in their shells and pieces of fish, shrimp, and scallops visible in the broth. A large piece of toasted bread sits beneath the bowl. — Seafood Chowder at Henry House, Halifax, Nova Scotia, August 24, 2025. (c) Lisa Plotnick and NauticalNotebook.com

We then drove to the George Wright House on Young Avenue. George was a passenger on Titanic who who perished in the sinking. He was a renowned philanthropist—just before he left, he revised his will to bequeath his home to the Local Council of Women of Halifax. Through TSAC, we got to go inside, where we viewed the first floor rooms, including original steam radiators and nature paintings that extended from the dark yellow walls to the light blue ceiling. The house is a Queen Anne revival built in 1900, same as ours, so I came away with some inspiration for our upcoming restoration projects.

A colorful Queen Anne Revival house with yellow siding, red trim, ornate gables, tall columns, and a rounded turret, partly framed by tree branches against a blue sky. — Home of philanthropist and *Titanic* passenger George Wright, Halifax, August 24, 2025. (c) Lisa Plotnick and NauticalNotebook.com

We then went back to the boardwalk area to shop at a favorite place, Peace by Chocolate. This marvelous shop was founded by a family from Syria who later immigrated to Canada. The son, who arrived first, settled in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, and later restarted his father’s chocolate business there. They were even recognized by Premier Trudeau! The photos below provide just a small sample of their offerings. (2026 update: There’s now an additional location in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.)

A glass display case filled with assorted handmade chocolates, including white-and-blue molded pieces, chocolate-covered truffles rolled in nuts or crumbs, and round chocolate-covered candies

Peace by Chocolate boxed chocolates and large individual bars lined on a shelf. The wrapping on the bars depicts the Canadian flag with labels that include Eh?, elbows up, strong and free, and hey buddy.

From Peace by Chocolate, a bar labeled Nitap, the Mi’kmaw word for Friend. (c) Lisa Plotnick and NauticalNotebook.com

The five of us walked leisurely along the waterfront boardwalk towards our ship. We paused at a few statues and memorials, including several near the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 adjacent to the cruise terminal.

A bronze sculpture of an immigrant carrying a large trunk, with a woman and child behind him and a ship suggested in the relief. — The Emigrant by Armondo Barbon, one of several memorials on the Halifax waterfront. The plaque reads “The pain of separation he overcame, with faith and hope his heart aflame…” (c) Lisa Plotnick and NauticalNotebook.com

It was sad to say goodbye to our dear friends, until the next time. We love Halifax and plan to return again and again.

The sun sets over Halifax harbor, casting a golden reflection across the water. The city’s buildings form a dark skyline in the distance, while the ship’s white railing and wooden handrail frame the view in the foreground. — View from *Norwegian Jewel* as we depart Halifax, Nova Scotia, August 24, 2025. (c) Lisa Plotnick and NauticalNotebook.com

Next up: A day on the Cabot Trail