Planning a vacation? There’s no time like autumn for a great cruise getaway. With just-right temperatures and the leaves changing colors, it’s the perfect season for fun and relaxation. If you’re looking for an adventure worthy of any bucket list, forget road trips and air travel.
Take to the sea with a cruise to Canada and New England. With stops in picturesque ports like Boston, Portland, Saint John and Halifax, you’re sure to have the trip of a lifetime.
Departure From New York City
A cruise to Canada and New England starts with a departure from one of the most exciting travel destinations in the world: New York City. Before you set sail, plan to see the sights. For fall foliage at its finest, take a stroll through Central Park.
Hop on board the ferries for a look at the Statue of Liberty, and enjoy a bird’s eye view of the city from the observatory at one of the city’s many viewing towers. For more fun in the Big Apple, check out the vibrant ethnic neighborhoods, the theater district and the many restaurants, shops and museums.
Picturesque Ports of Call
Whether heading first to New England or Canada, this round-trip voyage offers stops in port cities packed with fun things to see and do. In Boston, Massachusetts, you’ll find historic sites aplenty along with some of the country’s oldest neighborhoods and finest art museums, restaurants and shops.
While you’re in Beantown, choose from an array of exciting shore excursions including touring Old Town by trolley, walking the Freedom Trail and exploring the historic battlefields of Lexington and Concord.
Set on a peninsula jutting into Casco Bay, Portland, Maine, offers a charming blend of old and new. Visitors find a busy working harbor, residential streets lined with Victorian-style homes and a revitalized historic district packed with shops, restaurants and brewpubs.
In Portland, you can explore the city by land and sea, tour local lighthouses and enjoy an authentic New England lobster bake.
Located on the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick, Canada, the city of Saint John offers stunning views of the Canadian coastline, Victorian-style architecture and a bustling downtown market featuring loads of food and craft stalls.
Spend time exploring on your own, or take advantage of the many shore excursions. Sample local microbrews with your besties or kayak the Saint John River with your sweetheart. You could even surprise the whole family with a zip line tour at Fallsview Park, or simply enjoy time with fellow travelers watching for whales, seals, porpoises and other sea life.
The capital of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, Halifax offers an abundance of things to see and do. Travelers who visit the Halifax Citadel, a massive star-shaped fort perched on a bluff above the city, enjoy a deep dive into local history and spectacular views of the harbor.
For more fun in this Canadian seaport, you can explore downtown sites like the Public Gardens, City Hall and the iconic Town Clock. You can hop on and off a double-decker tour bus or you can experience a lobster and lighthouses tour.
Onboard Activities and Dining
Cruises to New England and Canada cruises deliver an array of onboard activities for an enjoyable getaway. Visit SportSquare for basketball, mini golf and ping pong with the family. Hit the pool or WaterWorks for day-long splish-splash fun.
Adult singles, couples or friends can find their bliss with a cocktail at Serenity Adult-Only Retreat or can relax at Cloud 9 Spa with a massage or body wrap.
Opportunities for delicious dining abound aboard your cruise ship. Start the day with French toast, eggs Benedict or a salmon and cream cheese bagel at Seaday Brunch. For lunch, head to Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse for smoked Andouille sausage in a bun or BlueIguana Cantina for tasty build-your-own tacos.
At dinnertime, sit down to an authentic Italian meal at Cucina del Capitano or sink your teeth into mouthwatering beef and seafood dishes at Steakhouse. Satisfy cravings for dessert at Swirls with frozen yogurt, or head to Sweet Spot for a wedge of lemon cream pie or a slice of marble chocolate cheesecake.
Comfortable Staterooms
A cruise vacation isn’t complete without a comfortable stateroom.
If you book an interior stateroom, you can expect amenities like a full private bathroom. From an ocean view stateroom, you can watch the sun rise and set at sea. And from a balcony stateroom, you’ll enjoy scenic views and a mild ocean breeze.
For the ultimate cruise experience, book an ocean suite featuring plenty of indoor space, a large outdoor balcony, a walk-in closet and a bathroom with a tub.
If you’ve always wanted to take a trip to Canada or see New England in the autumn, you can check both adventures off your bucket list with a cruise.
With perfect sweater weather and less tourist activity, September and October make ideal months for setting sail on the Atlantic Ocean.