By Sarah Pruzansky, Cruise & Travel Writer | April 08, 2019 ( Comments)
When booking a cruise, one of the first things you probably consider is where you'd like to go. Between April and October, many leaf peepers open their eyes to the several fall foliage cruises departing from the U.S.'s northeast coast. From stunning forests to picturesque architecture to mouthwatering eats, Canada and New England have the national parks, culture-rich cities, and charming villages that come together to make a truly memorable trip.
Most major cruise lines offer New England and Canada cruises and while each cruise's itinerary varies from one another, we've gathered a list of the most popular ports you'll likely visit when you cruise Canada and New England. Whether you're looking for a five-night getaway to sail off to forests, lakes and hiking/biking trails or two weeks of exploring the famous Prince Edward Island, Halifax and the Bay of Fundy, we have a feeling that north east cruises will be your key to a peaceful, unique vacation.
Here are the epic locations that may be on your itinerary when you cruise Canada and New England:
Top 10 Ports of Call on Canada & New England Cruises:
Whether you're looking to catch a glimpse of a moose or bear as you hike the mountainous forest, or relax on the beach and enjoy the view of peaceful waters and sea life, Bar Harbor offers a variety of beautiful natural areas to hike, bike, or chill.
For adventure seekers, photographers and nature enthusiasts, we recommend heading over to one of the main highlights of this destination - Acadia National Park to explore Cadillac Mountain and Jordan Pond, soaking up views of awe-striking cliffs, lakes and ponds, mountains, forests and more. You can book an excursion ahead of time to rent a bike and helmet to speed through any of the 160 miles of trails, accessible nearby your port. Or, if this sounds too thrilling, you can book a bus tour that travels through the park so you can view all of the beautiful scenery, without the worry of hiking it yourself.
But for those just looking for a relaxing beachside day, simply lay down your towel at the shore. Once you start getting hungry, make sure to head into the Village Green and delight in eating some fresh and locally sourced Maine lobster and drinking a crisp microbrew.
(L-R) Green Gables Heritage Place, Peggy's Cove Lighthouse, The BreakersIf you're a fan of the L.M. Montgomery novel Anne of Green Gables, then you'll likely want to book a cruise that stops in PEI so you can visit key locations that inspired your favorite story.
Excursions include a visit to the inspired novel's Victorian homestead, the Green Gables Heritage Place, and beautiful views of Charlottetown’s reddish sand beaches, sand dunes and cliffs. Even if you didn't read the novel growing up, you can still enjoy an excursion through Prince Edward Island National Park to see the red and white heritage Covehead Harbour Lighthouse or walk from the port to downtown Charlottetown and enjoy its many quaint shops and local seafood cuisine.
Only a 10-minute walking distance from the port, you can explore this Nova Scotia capital and view Halifax's historical sites, museums, and relaxing views, whether you want to take a bike tour excursion or walk along 2.5 miles of Harbourwalk through downtown yourself.
This beautiful Atlantic destination offers a variety of experiences for every type of traveler from the history buff to the zen observer. Stay in the city and walk over to Halifax's Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, famous for a vast collection of Titanic artifacts and information on Halifax's role following the disaster. Or book a tour to climb up the city's Citadel, a fort built by the British in 1749 with beautiful views and daily firing of the Noon Gun.
Or take a 45-minute scenic drive out to colorful Peggy's Cove to enjoy the fishing village’s boulders, waves, shops, lobster and picturesque Peggy's Point Lighthouse.
With mansions bordering Bellevue Avenue, once serving as a community of summer homes during the Gilded Age for famous families such as the Vanderbilts, Newport has often been called the “American Versailles.”
Excursions include opportunities to tour one of the ten mansions (including the Breakers, an Italian Renaissance inspired mansion of the Vanderbilt family), or you can get a view of both the mansions and the Atlantic Ocean as you stroll near the cliffs overlooking the beaches on the 3.5 mile Cliff Walk. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes for this hike as certain parts can be rocky and challenging to walk on.
(L-R) Hopewell Rocks, New York's Central Park, Chateau FrontenacAmong all of the history and relaxation these locations provide, thrill seekers may be looking for something a bit more adventurous. At the Bay of Fundy, take a boat tour or go ziplining for an up close view of the highest tidal range in the world, sending 100 billion tons of water into the St. John River, so powerful that it reverses the direction of the river to go upstream and creates the beautiful and exciting Reversing Falls Rapids.
Not only is the water fierce to look at, but the strength of the water ends up gathering a lot of food that whales eat. This means not only will you get to see the rapids, but you'll likely get to see humpback and finback whales, and potentially other rare species as well.
But if this sounds too exciting, you can always just take a 10 minute walk into town from the port and visit the local farmers market, which has been operating since 1785, and do some souvenir shopping and grab a bite to eat. You can also walk to see the Reversing Falls Rapids by taking the Harbour Passage nature trail. You don't need to be part of the action to witness the beautiful Bay of Fundy.
When in New York, there's always something to do. Whether you're exploring the city while you wait to board the ship, or you're cruising into NYC through the Hudson River, the excitement of the city's museums, activities, and beautiful views of the skyline makes it hard to decide which activity comes first! Not only does New York have its popular attractions such as the Empire State Building, Times Square, or the Statue of Liberty, but it also contains hidden gems for you to enjoy the history and culture New York offers.
To be transported back into U.S. history and the wars that the country has fought and defended in, you can head over to the West Point Military Academy, the oldest military school in the U.S. with alumni such as Ulysses Grant and Dwight Eisenhower. Or for a history lesson on what was once the wealthiest family in America, you can go to the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, one of the oldest estates on the Hudson River. While the family's historic NYC mansions are mostly demolished, over 200 acres of their property remains, preserved by the National Park Service. At Hyde Park, you'll find historic buildings and documents, as well as outdoor gardens and natural areas.
But if you're looking for a great view of New York's main attractions with not enough time to see it all, head over to Valentino Park where you can get a gorgeous view of Manhattan's skyline, the Statue of Liberty and more. Historic buildings, cafes, and shopping areas surround the park so you can grab a bite to eat and a souvenir before heading out.
If a trip to France is a little too out-of-budget right now, then this Canadian city may be the perfect stop for you with its historic French influences and fluency in both English and French languages. Sip a cup of tea or indulge in a glass of wine with a cheese pairing at the Chateau Frontenac, a castle-like building opened in 1893, or visit the Saint Anne de Beaupre Basilica to view the paintings and sculptures honoring the healing powers of Saint Anne. Nature lovers will want to take an excursion out to Montmorency Falls, an estimated 275 foot waterfall that is approximately 100 feet higher than Niagara Falls!
Many shore excursions in Quebec City will go to the Place-Royale square, Chateau Frontenac, and Montmorency Falls, so you can get a glimpse of the area's French history and picturesque natural areas all in one tour.
(L) Boston's Public Garden, (R) Saint Joseph's OratoryScenic Sydney is filled with picturesque locations from the famous Cabot Trail along the coast to the Celtic influences in Highland Village.
To learn more about the Scotish lifestyle here, the famous inventor Alexander Graham Bell, or what some of the oldest homes in this area look like, then you may want to book your day with museum tours. From Highland Village's Outdoor Living History Museum to the Cossit House Museum to the Alexander Graham Bell Museum, there are plenty of fascinating facts to learn and artifacts to view in Sydney.
If you're looking to enjoy the rocky nature of this coastal region, head over to Cape Breton Highlands National Park
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Boston is one of the oldest American cities, making it a wonderful hub for history lovers with its museums, historic landmarks and parks. Take a trolley through town to view historic sites, walk along the 2.5 mile Freedom Trail to learn more about the American Revolution, or head over to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum.
One piece of history that's also important to many throughout the U.S. though is sports! If you’re a sports fan, you'll want to stop by the home of the Red Sox and Babe Ruth, Fenway Park. This is one of the oldest baseball parks in the country (since 1912), so if you're particularly a fan of baseball you'll want to make sure to catch a game or take a guided tour of the location!
If you're not big on history or sports, you can still enjoy a peaceful day in Boston by visiting Boston's Public Garden and walking around Newbury Street to shop and dine.
Montreal is known for its delicious food, so eat light before trekking through this area because you're likely to come back aboard the ship with a full stomach! From lunch buffets at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel to restaurants throughout Chinatown and Little Italy to the famous Jean Talon Market, food is in abundance in Montreal.
All of that food can tire you out though, so after eating, head over to afternoon tea at Ritz-Carlton Montreal for a little pick-me-up, a tradition in the city since 1913. (Please note that to attend the location's afternoon tea, you'll need to make a reservation.)
Indulging isn't all there is to do in Montreal though - make sure to visit other city highlights while you're there such as the Notre-Dame Basilica or Saint Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal.
Northeast Cruises
Most major cruise lines give you the opportunity to cruise Canada and New England, such as Holland America, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and more.
To learn more about upcoming Canada and New England cruises, give us a call or fill out our online free cruise quote form. We'll help you plan your next beautiful, memorable vacation aboard the ship of your dreams.
