Montreal Shines: Fall Colors, Perfect Weather, Fine Food and Drink

Day 1, 2026 Fall Atlantic Sampler

Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026; Montreal, Canada.

We started our two sightseeing days in Montreal on the hunt for a shoe store. My sister Elaine discovered that creating a packing list doesn’t work if you forget to actually put something in the suitcase. She left behind her sandals, which she needed for dinner instead of her daytime Merrill hiking shoes.

Fortunately, we found a shoe store in the touristy Vieux Port area of old Montreal. Elaine has screws and staples in her right foot (“when I roll a joint, it’s usually my ankle”), so she really needs orthopedic shoes. I didn’t think the odds here were good, but the wonderful second-generation store owner knew exactly what she needed. As a backup, Elaine’s son will ship her forgotten shoes to our good friend Deb, who graciously will bring them when she joins the ship in 12 days.

Otherwise, we spent our two pre-cruise days walking the old port, feasting on croissants and crepes in the mornings and adult beverages on patios in the afternoon. Who knew we would need to put the coasters on top of our drinks to keep the bees from taking a sip.

In between we browsed the many shops and art galleries. I actually found a cute summer dress for $20. We couldn’t have asked for better early fall weather.

But we were in Montreal to board the MS Volendam for a 12-day cruise to New York City. By Saturday morning we — and all our luggage — were standing on the cruise pier. We had considered walking the four or five blocks, making two trips, but decided our suitcase wheels didn’t need the wear.

Check-in and boarding were easy and immediately we saw officers and staff we knew. Dropping our carry-on bags in our adjoining (but not connected) cabins, we headed for the Sea View Bar, then checked on dinner reservations and other details. It took just a short orientation tour to re-familiarize myself with the Volendam after my two-week sojourn on the larger Noordam three weeks ago.

We ran into more familiar faces, including Capt. Rens van Erten and “the love of his life” and wife Sandra. In New York, she will return to her job, but he will sail the ship until December (and then return for the second half of the 2027 world cruise). Hotel General Manager Floran Dragomir, Cruise Director Erin Karpovich and Food and Beverage Director Ali Sahin each will leave at some point this fall only to return for the world cruise. When Dining Room Manager Presty Jenggo goes on break, he will return to a different ship and be missed. I’ve sailed with many more of the staff and crew before.

By early afternoon, I found three of my four bags in my cabin and started unpacking. When the fourth bag hadn’t appeared, I called Margaret, the Mariner Events manager and also my President’s Club concierge, and joked, “I hope it hasn’t gone to the naughty room.” Well, that’s exactly where it was.

The “naughty room” is where bags go when a scan indicates they may have prohibited items – usually wine or booze, but sometimes electronics such as steamers or kettles that might pose a fire hazard. Also on that list are extension cords with surge protectors.

My “violation” was a heavy-duty extension cord without a surge protector that always before has been approved, including for six months on this very ship earlier this year. I guess it’s just the whim of the security officer, as the guidelines aren’t enforced consistently. Not only was he unmoving in denying my use of it, but I felt he was unfriendly and accusatory — not your typical Holland America officer. I will get the cord back in May, and meanwhile Executive Housekeeper Metka got me an approved extension cord (which requires multiple connectors).

Putting aside my shame at my first-ever visit to the naughty room in 1,600 days on Holland America, I joined my sisters and world cruise friends Jolanda and Kimberlee for a first-night dinner in the Pinnacle Grill. We were delighted to be served by Ali, one of our favorite servers from the earlier world cruise (his eight-month contract will end in a week).

I have also run into beverage servers Erick, Jasmin and Ryan Paul, bartender Sonny, guest service manager Michelle and other familiar faces.

Tomorrow is the first of four port days as we sail down (but heading northeast) the St. Lawrence River through the province of Quebec, leaving behind a gorgeous sunset behind the port cranes of Montreal.