Canada & New England Cruises

Departing from Boston or New York gives Northeast travelers the ultimate convenience of skipping a flight. Sail up the historic Eastern seaboard, timing your voyage for the brief window in October when the coastal maples transform into brilliant shades of crimson and gold, or choose a summer sailing for warmer weather and fewer crowds on deck.

These itineraries shine by sailing directly into classic, smaller harbors. While stops in quaint Maine towns like Bar Harbor often last just half a day—perfect for a stroll and a fresh Maine lobster roll—visits to major historic hubs like Halifax and Quebec City usually run longer. When your ship sails up the St. Lawrence River to dock below Quebec's Upper Town, you have plenty of time to walk the cobblestone streets up to the iconic Château Frontenac.

Request a quote What you can do in port

Compare cruise lines Departure ports

Most cruises run three to eleven nights and depart from Boston. Longer cruises depart from New York. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, Celebrity, and Princess all sail the region. We compare them directly, without a preference for any one line.

A white church and red maple trees in a New England town — In October the maples turn, and the towns along this coast look like this.

These itineraries open classic, smaller harbors. A stop in a Maine town such as Bar Harbor is often a few hours, just long enough for a stroll and a fresh lobster roll. Halifax and Quebec usually keep the ship longer. In Quebec the ship docks below Upper Town, and you walk the cobblestone streets up to the terrace in front of the Château Frontenac.

The terrace in front of the Château Frontenac in Quebec City — In Quebec the terrace and the Château Frontenac sit above the St. Lawrence.

Coastal classics

Boston round trips — Cape Cod, and sometimes Bermuda
Departures from New York along this coast — 7 to 11 nights
Canada & New England — Halifax, Quebec & the islands
Bermuda sailings from the Northeast. The water is shallow, and you can snorkel
Fall sailings, when you can see the maples from the ship

In port

Take scenic lighthouse walks and indulge in a traditional clam bake featuring steamed clams, lobster, corn, and potatoes.
Wander through quintessential Cape Cod beach towns like Chatham, Hyannis, and Provincetown.
Snorkel with rays off the coast of Bermuda on select longer itineraries.
Explore the historic streets of Old Quebec or Halifax at your own leisurely pace.
Savor local flavors on a Boston harbor food crawl.

These stops are in towns, and many end in the afternoon. Boston Harbor and the Freedom Trail are in Boston. In Quebec, Upper Town and the Château Frontenac sit above the St. Lawrence. A late departure shows up more often on a fall foliage sailing than on a quick stop. Extra nights in Boston or Quebec let you stay out after dark.

When to go

The season runs from May through October. Cruises visit Cape Cod, the beach towns, Bar Harbor, Halifax, and Quebec. October is the month when the maples are in color, and there are fewer people on deck.

A gravel carriage road through peak autumn color near a rocky coast

In port

What to expect in port

Boston Harbor and the Freedom Trail are in Boston. In Quebec, Upper Town and the Château Frontenac sit above the St. Lawrence. A fall sailing is more likely to leave late than a short summer stop.

Time in port: A stop in a small Maine port often lasts about half a day. The stops in Halifax and Québec last longer when the ship goes upriver.
Worth the time: Stop in Halifax to see the Citadel. You can do it on foot. If the ship goes up to Québec, stop there for the view from the Château Frontenac. You can also stay in that hotel before or after the cruise. In Maine, stop for a lighthouse and a lobster roll: lobster meat in a split bun, with mayonnaise or melted butter.
Travelers: This suits people who want fall color and small harbors, often without a flight. The peak color lasts a short time.
Also: In Halifax you can walk the waterfront and the ramparts at the Citadel. In Québec you can walk the lower town and up to the terrace at the Château Frontenac.

In port

Where the ship docks, and what you can do there

These stops are towns and cities on the coast, from Boston up to the St. Lawrence.

See the ports

Sample itineraries

These are typical routings and ports. Ships, dates, and fares change.

A lobster roll on a picnic table — A short stop in Bar Harbor still leaves time for a lobster roll.

Fall foliage

7 nights

Late September–October

Canada & New England loop

From Boston or New York

Bar Harbor or Portland
Halifax
Sydney, Nova Scotia, on the cruises that reach it
A day at sea

Halifax harbor and the colorful waterfront buildings — Halifax keeps the ship longer. The waterfront is at the pier.

A long weekend from Boston

3–5 nights

May–October

Boston round trip

A short Boston sailing

Cape Cod
Portland or a similar harbor
Then back to Boston before the work week

Montreal and the river — Montreal is a start for some fall sailings down the St. Lawrence.

Farther up the St. Lawrence

10–11 nights

Fall

New York or Boston

Celebrity, Princess, or a comparable line, priced against one another

Halifax
Quebec City when the ship goes upriver
Charlottetown or Sydney, Nova Scotia

Planning Canada & New England Cruises?

October is the month when the maples are in color. Say whether you can leave from Boston or New York.