Canada & New England cruises

Canada and New England cruises sail the North Atlantic coast from New York or Boston up to the Maritime provinces, and some continue up the St. Lawrence River to Quebec City and Montreal. Typical stops include Bar Harbor, Maine, Saint John, New Brunswick, Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia, and Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island.

The draw is the scenery and the small coastal towns: Acadia National Park outside Bar Harbor, the Bay of Fundy's huge tides, Halifax's waterfront and Peggy's Cove lighthouse, and the stone streets of Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Food is a big part of the trip, especially lobster, oysters and other seafood.

The season is short. Most cruises run from late spring to late October, and late September and October are the busiest months because of fall foliage. Seven-night round trips from New York and Boston are common, while 10 to 14 night one-way trips between New York or Boston and Quebec City or Montreal add the St. Lawrence River and the Saguenay Fjord.

Cruises run from about May to late October. Fall foliage season (late September to mid-October) is in highest demand and fills early. Summer has the warmest weather; May and early June can be cool and foggy.

Ports you'll likely visit

• Bar Harbor, Maine, United States
  Gateway to Acadia National Park and Cadillac Mountain, plus lobster shacks. A tender port with a daily cap on cruise visitors.
• Portland, Maine, United States
  A food-focused harbor city with lighthouses such as Portland Head Light nearby.
• Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
  A lively waterfront, the Citadel, Pier 21 immigration museum next to the cruise terminal, and Peggy's Cove.
• Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
  The Bay of Fundy and the Reversing Falls, where the huge tides push the river upstream.
• Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada
  Access to Cape Breton Island, the Cabot Trail and the Fortress of Louisbourg.
• Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
  Red-sand beaches, mussels and oysters, and Anne of Green Gables country.
• Quebec City, Canada
  Old Quebec's walled city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with French food and culture.
• Boston, United States
  A start or end port with the Freedom Trail and colonial history.

Highlights

Fall foliage

Late September and October bring color to the Maine coast, Nova Scotia and the St. Lawrence.

Old Quebec

A walled French-speaking city that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Acadia National Park

Granite coastline and carriage roads a short ride from Bar Harbor.

Seafood

Lobster, mussels, oysters and chowder are at their best in these ports.

Bay of Fundy tides

Some of the largest tidal ranges in the world, viewable from Saint John.

How long, and what documents

7 nights round trip from New York or Boston; 10-14 nights one-way between New York or Boston and Quebec City or Montreal; some 4-5 night trips from New York or Boston.

Round trips from New York, New Jersey or Boston are closed-loop cruises. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says US citizens on a closed-loop cruise can re-enter with a birth certificate and government-issued photo ID, and Canada accepts proof of US citizenship plus photo ID for cruise visitors. One-way cruises to or from Quebec City or Montreal are not closed-loop, and you will be flying into or out of Canada, so you need a passport book. US citizens do not need a Canadian eTA. We recommend a passport book for every itinerary. Non-US citizens should check both US and Canadian rules. Check current requirements with your line before you sail.

Specialist tips

• Book foliage-season sailings early; late September and early October are the first to fill.
• Pack layers and a rain jacket; temperatures in October ports can swing from the 40s to the 60s F.
• Canada uses Canadian dollars, but US cards work almost everywhere; check your card for foreign transaction fees.
• For one-way cruises, add a night or two in Quebec City or Montreal; both are worth the time.