Lobster Tales Cruise-3

Learning about the lobster world is great, but being aboard a cruise with a chance to eat one for lunch is even better. I took a Lobster Tales cruise last week, complete with lively Acadian music, an amusing host (Rémi Gaudet), and captain/lobster fisherman Ron Cormier.

World's Largest Lobster sculpture, Shediac, New Brunswick

We started at Shediac Bay’s Pointe-du-Chêne wharf, close to the town of Shediac, with the world’s largest lobster on view (90 tons!). Shediac also boasts the warmest waters (20-24 degrees C in summer) north of The Carolinas and contains a friendly French Acadian community.

World's Largest Lobster sculpture, Shediac, New Brunswick

From May to early October, you can enjoy a scenic and relaxing two and a half hour cruise.

Lobster Tales Cruise/pulling up the trap Lobster Tales Cruise-6 Lobster Tales Cruise-8

I learned about the lobster industry, how to tell the difference between male and female lobsters, how to cook, crack, and devour a lobster, all before a lunch with a one pound beauty all to myself.

Sizing up the pair: Male on left, female on right
[Sizing up the pair: Male on left, female on right]

Lobsters have four antennas to help locate their position in the water. They’re 75% blind and eat a hearty diet of herring, mackerel, crab and starfish.

Lobster Tales Cruise/lobster prep tips

They have two ways of moving: slowly, using their eight legs and their pinchers to hold onto the ocean floor during storms, and at a 25 km clip in order to avoid predators.

Lobster Tales Cruise-7

Each fisherman is allowed 250 traps during the 10 week lobster season. On a good day, they’ll find between 20 and 25 lobsters in each trap.

If a lobster is either too small (by using a specific measurement tool) or is a female with eggs, it’s sent back into the water.

Lobster Tales Cruise/lobster prep tips

There’s a very unique way of preparing lobsters Acadian style, involving a pot of salted hot water followed by a dip in an icy salted pot, to help the lobster meat come off more easily.

Lobster Tales Cruise/lunch has arrived!

After a lobster lunch (including bread, potato salad, cole slaw, and a non-alcoholic drink), you can move to the upper deck and take in the view. The music continues throughout the cruise.

Flying the Acadian flag
[Flying the Acadian flag]

The ship has a fully licensed bar onboard and the cruise runs four times daily. The cost is $68 ($46 for children; $198 for two adults and two children under 12) including tax.

Lobster Tales Cruise-9

An optional bay tour is available. The one hour, 15 minute tour of the bay features commentary on the islands and wharfs and costs $20 ($16 children; $62 for two adults and two children under 12) including tax.

Captain Ron Cormier and Mate Rémi Gaudet of Lobster Tales Cruises
[Captain Ron Cormier and Mate Rémi Gaudet of Lobster Tales Cruises]

Private charters are also available upon request.

Lobster Tales Cruise/out in the harbour

My Lobster Tales cruise was courtesy of Tourism New Brunswick.

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