I am truly sorry to hear about the canceling of ferry service between Maine and Nova Scotia. As much as I enjoy a good RoadTrip, I love to throw in a 'cruise' or two wherever I can, be it a quick crossing of a small stream on a boat that strains to carry three cars or one of these open water behemoths. At least you still have two other crossings in your itinerary. And while that itinerary is jam-packed, I can't find a single thing I'd leave out of it. The most time consuming destinations are those that are well worth the time and effort. Just resign yourself that this trip will be a once-over-lightly scouting trip, and plan to come back again.
AZBuck