Cruise Guides > Canada & New England Cruises

Canada & New England Cruises

When some people think about cruises, they assume the destination will be a sunny island south of nowhere, where they can hang out on the beach or go windsurfing. If you're not a sun worshipper, however, you can still enjoy a cruise. One option that continues to grow in popularity takes visitors to port cities in beautiful New England and the Canadian Maritime Provinces as well as a few towns in the Province of Quebec.

New England/Canada cruises give passengers a chance to visit some of North America's most lovely and historic northern cities including Boston, Newport, Bar Harbor, Halifax, Charlottetown, St. John, Quebec City, and Montreal.

Due to weather considerations, these cruises are offered during the summer months when the weather in New England and Canada is pleasant, making them a worthwhile consideration and great escape for those who live in a climate that can be quite sweltering during the summer.

Most of the major cruise lines now offer these wonderful voyages, including Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, and Norwegian Cruise Lines. Itineraries are similar for many, with cruises beginning in Boston and traveling as far north as Halifax and then back again. Others depart from the port of Montreal.

Boston, of course, offers a lesson in American history to anyone who takes time to explore its streets, landmarks, and other attractions of colonial significance. Walk the 3 ½ mile Freedom Trail and follow the path of the Revolution with your fellow cruise passengers. This is an excellent way to see the city!

If your ship stops in tiny Rhode Island, you'll no doubt be awed by the amazing mansions that line the streets in picturesque Newport. Most cruises offer guided tours of Newport via motorcoach or on foot.

In beautiful Bar Harbor, Maine, guests can travel to breathtaking Acadia National Park for an invigorating bike journey on the carriage trails that wind throughout the park. If, instead, you wind up in Portland, you might enjoy a shore excursion to retailer L.L. Bean's private paddling center where you can participate in a bit of sea kayaking. It's a great experience for the whole family!

As you travel towards Canada, the sights are spectacular. St. John, New Brunswick is a pretty city, full of covered bridges and colorful gardens. Here you can sign up for a horse-drawn trolley tour or go kayaking on the St. John River, followed by a yummy lobster bake. The lobsters here are huge and delicious!

In the lovely harbor town of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, cruise passengers can visit the Green Gables homestead of Anne of Green Gables fame. You'll even get to plant potatoes and enjoy cookies and lemonade when the tour is over. The town even puts on an Anne of Green Gables musical each night during the summer and some cruise lines offer tickets to that production as well.

In you dock in Halifax, Nova Scotia, you'll no doubt be immersed in all things Scottish. Halifax has a rich Scottish heritage and you'll find evidence of it everywhere you look. Halifax is also the town that was closest to the Titanic disaster, so many shore excursions include connections to the Titanic, including trips to a cemetery where about 150 victims were buried.

If you go inland on the St. Lawrence River, you'll enjoy Quebec City, decidedly French in every way, and Montreal, a charming town with a vibrant waterfront and several excellent museums.