holland america cruise quebec to boston

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7-Day Canada & New England Discovery

Amazing food and superb service make Holland America one of the longest running cruise lines.

From the changing of the seasons to clam chowder that defies reason, cruising to Canada and New England is an unforgettable vacation experience.

Boston is home to great sports, great food and loads of history with the Freedom Trail and Harvard.

• Zuiderdam - Passenger Capacity: 1,964 (double occupancy) Year Built: 2002 Last Refurbished: 2017

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Boston, Massachusetts , Rockland, Maine , Halifax, Nova Scotia , Sydney, Nova Scotia , Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island , Saguenay Fjord, Canada , Quebec City, Quebec

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7-Day Canada & New England Discovery sailing on the Zuiderdam

Departure dates: oct 2024 - oct 2024, stateroom prices for oct. 5, 2024.

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Holland America Line cruises from Boston

Holland America Line offers cruises from Boston to Canada & New England and Iceland . See the detailed schedule of departures below.

The Holland America Zaandam's features include America's Test Kitchen cooking shows & workshops, Explorations Central, O the Oprah Magazine, Greenhouse Spa, The Mainstage theater, casino, Explorer's Lounge, Club HAL for kids age 3 to 17, fitness center, and Ocean Bar. Read a Holland America Zaandam cruise review .

7-day Canada & New England cruise on the Volendam. Round-trip from Boston to Portland (Maine), Saint John (New Brunswick), Halifax (Nova Scotia), Sydney (Nova Scotia) and Bar Harbor (Maine). • 2024 departure: July 20.

7-day Canada & New England cruises on the Volendam. One-way from Boston to Montreal (Canada). Visit Bar Harbor (Maine), Halifax (Nova Scotia), Sydney (Nova Scotia), Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island) and Quebec City (Quebec). • 2024 departures: May 11, May 25, June 8, June 22, July 6, September 28.

7-day Canada & New England cruises on the Zuiderdam. One-way from Boston to Quebec City (Canada). Visit Bar Harbor (Maine), Halifax (Nova Scotia), Sydney (Nova Scotia) and Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island). • 2024 departure: August 24, September 7, September 21, October 5.

11-day Canada & New England cruise on the Volendam. One-way from Boston to Montreal (Canada). Visit Portland (Maine), St John (New Brunswick), Halifax (Nova Scotia), Corner Brook (Newfoundland), Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island), Saguenay (Quebec) and Quebec City (Quebec). • 2024 departures: August 20, September 10.

14-day Repositioning cruise on the Zuiderdam. One-way from Boston to Fort Lauderdale (Florida). Visit Bermuda, St Thomas, St Maarten, St Lucia, Barbados, Curacao and Half Moon Cay (Bahamas). • 2024 departure: November 9.

21-day Caribbean Escape cruise on the Zuiderdam. Round-trip from Boston to Kings Wharf (Bermuda), Half Moon Cay (Bahamas), Grand Turk (Turks & Caicos), Curacao, Aruba, Cartagena (Colombia), the Panama Canal (partial transit), Colon (Panama), Puerto Limon (Costa Rica), Key West (Florida), Bimini (Bahamas) and Port Canaveral (Florida). • 2024 departure: October 19.

24-day Iceland & Canada cruise on the Volendam. Round-trip from Boston to Sydney (Nova Scotia), Corner Brook (Newfoundland), Red Bay (Labrador), Qaqortoq (Greenland), Isafjordur (Iceland), Akureyri (Iceland), Seydisfjordur (Iceland), Djupivogur (Iceland), Reykjavik (Iceland), Grundarfjordur (Iceland), Nanortalik (Greenland), St Anthony (Newfoundland), St Johns (Newfoundland), Halifax (Nova Scotia) and Bar Harbor (Maine). • 2024 departure: July 27.

35-day Voyage of the Vikings cruise on the Zuiderdam. Round-trip from Boston to Bar Harbor (Maine), Sydney (Nova Scotia), Corner Brook (Newfoundland), Red Bay (Labrador), Paamiut (Greenland), Nanortalik (Greenland), Isafjordur (Iceland), Akureyri (Iceland), Eidfjord (Norway), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Cork (Ireland), Dublin (Ireland), Belfast (Northern Ireland), Djupivogur (Iceland), Reykjavik (Iceland), Qaqortoq (Greenland), St Anthony (Newfoundland), St Johns (Newfoundland) and Halifax (Nova Scotia). • 2024 departure: July 20.

7-day Canada & New England Circle cruises on the Zuiderdam. Round-trip from Boston to Portland (Maine), Eastport (Maine), Halifax (Nova Scotia), Sydney (Nova Scotia) and St John (New Brunswick). • 2025 departures: June 14, August 23, September 27.

7-day Canada & New England cruises on the Zuiderdam. One-way from Boston to Quebec City (Canada). Visit Portland (Maine), Halifax (Nova Scotia), Sydney (Nova Scotia) and Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island). • 2025 departures: May 31, June 21, July 5, August 30, September 13, October 4.

7-day Canada & New England cruises on the Volendam. One-way from Boston to Montreal (Canada). Visit Portland (Maine), Halifax (Nova Scotia), Sydney (Nova Scotia), Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island) and Quebec City (Quebec). • 2025 departures: September 7, September 21.

11-day Canada & New England cruise on the Volendam. One-way from Boston to Montreal (Canada). Visit Portland (Maine), Eastport (Maine), Halifax (Nova Scotia), Corner Brook (Newfoundland), Cap-aux-Meules (Quebec), Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island) and Quebec City (Quebec). • 2025 departure: August 6.

11-day Canada & New England Circle cruise on the Volendam. Round-trip from Boston to Sydney (Nova Scotia), Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island), Cap-aux-Meules (Quebec), Corner Brook (Newfoundland), St Pierre & Miquelon, St Johns (Newfoundland) and Halifax (Nova Scotia). • 2025 departure: July 1.

14-day Repositioning Caribbean cruise on the Zuiderdam. One-way from Boston to Miami (Florida). Visit Puerto Rico, St Thomas, St Maarten, St Lucia, Barbados, Curacao and Half Moon Cay. • 2025 departure: October 18.

25-day Iceland & Greenland cruise on the Volendam. Round-trip from Boston to Eastport (Maine), Sydney (Nova Scotia), Corner Brook (Newfoundland), Red Bay (Labrador), Qaqortoq (Greenland), Isafjordur (Iceland), Akureyri (Iceland), Seydisfjordur (Iceland), Djupivogur (Iceland), Reykjavik (Iceland), Grundarfjordur (Iceland), Nanortalik (Greenland), St Anthony (Newfoundland), St Johns (Newfoundland), Halifax (Nova Scotia) and Portland (Maine). • 2025 departure: July 12.

35-day Voyage of the Vikings cruise on the Zuiderdam. Round-trip from Boston to Portland (Maine), Sydney (Nova Scotia), Corner Brook (Newfoundland), Red Bay (Labrador), Paamiut (Greenland), Nanortalik (Greenland), Isafjordur (Iceland), Akureyri (Iceland), Eidfjord (Norway), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Cork (Ireland), Dublin (Ireland), Belfast (Northern Ireland), Djupivogur (Iceland), Reykjavik (Iceland), Qaqortoq (Greenland), St Anthony (Newfoundland), St Johns (Newfoundland) and Halifax (Nova Scotia). • 2025 departure: July 19.

Have fun. Explore the world. Take a Holland America Line cruise from Boston .

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Boston to Montreal or to Quebec City

By taxwiz , January 4, 2015 in Holland America Line

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I was considering HAL's cruises between Boston and Canada. The Veendam goes to Quebec City while the Massdam goes to Montreal. Both cruises are similar and have my interest. Am I wrong in leaning toward the Montreal cruise as I believe the flight availability will be better? Am I missing any other important considerations? I will be originating out of Tampa, FL.

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I have not been to Montreal, but I did the Quebec/Boston cruise last year. The airport is small and very modern. Four of my table mates were from Florida and had no trouble. I loved Quebec City. It is very easy to walk on your own. It reminded me of a European city. I highly recommend it.

My vote is for Quebec City too. Op, as a canadian I can tell you without a doubt you will find more flight availability out of Montreal. I can get a direct flight from Calgary to Montreal, but I can't get one to Quebec City.

Thanks for the response. I have visited Quebec city and it is quite lovely and definitely worth a stop to me AS long as the flight situation is NOT noticeably worse than Montreal.

Cruise_More_Often

We ended our last cruise in Quebec City, then took the bus to Montreal to fly home. There is also train service.

I think it will be worse for sure. Don't get me wrong, the airport in Quebec City is lovely but there are going to be less flights. I would suggest you go to your favorite place to search flights and do a mock booking. I would suspect that flights would be higher from Quebec city then Montreal.

Yes, there is that option.

Alberta Quilter

I would choose the itinerary that includes Saguenay. It's a lovely place with very friendly people. It was my favorite stop on my Canada/NE cruise.

We had no trouble getting a flight back to Baltimore from Quebec. We thought the night/morning is Quebec was worth it versus going to Montreal just to use their airport. If you are planning to stay in Montreal, then I would recommend continuing on from Quebec. Otherwise, check the flight availability/price from Quebec.

YES, I agree 100% but I suspect that the cruises only go there on 10 day + cruises.

Thank you all for the kind, helpful responses. Spending extra time in Quebec city is quite appealing. After taking a quick look at flights, although Montreal seems to have better options, it does not look significantly better. Accordingly, I am now seriously considering the Veendam Quebec city cruise.

Sounds great!

Yes, you're correct. I should have thought of that.

I would recommend taking a slightly longer cruise to ensure going to Saguenay!:D

IMO you cannot (should not) miss a visit to Montreal - like Quebec City, it is a very European-like city with tons of things to do and beautiful sights to see. When we did the (7-night) Montreal-to-Boston cruise on the Maasdam a few years ago, we started the trip with a 3-day stay in Montreal and loved every minute of our time there. I would highly recommend the Maasdam cruise into or out of Montreal with a few extra days in Montreal.

Krazy Kruizers

I would choose the cruise that ends in Montreal. We have been there a few times. Actually stayed there for a few days after the cruise. There is a lot to see and do there.

I did Quebec City to Boston last year with my niece. When I asked the same question, I was told Montreal was cosmopolitan and Quebec City was more history but we would enjoy either one.

Quebec City !!!

I should have mentioned in my earlier post that we took the bus to Montreal primarily to see Montreal, then flew home from there. We loved Montreal so much that we booked a Maasdam cruise out of Montreal for this year and are spending another two days there before the cruise.

C_M_O, I'm with you 100% on this - Montreal is my favorite non-US city ... followed very closely by Vancouver, BC. I envy you getting back to Montreal again, but wish you a very enjoyable visit there and an equally enjoyable cruise.

Yes, you're correct. I should have thought of that.   I would recommend taking a slightly longer cruise to ensure going to Saguenay!:D

Long before we started cruising, we flew to Montreal at least 3 or 4 times and had wonderful visits. It is a very large, very cosmopolitan city but something for everyone. We loved the food, the people, the shopping, the history, the Old Montreal area, the city is wonderful.

We then started sailing and eventually booked Boston to Montreal to Boston and had our first visits to Quebec City and absolutely love it there. VERY different than Montreal and very special in its way. Go when it's warm and the flower boxes are filled with beautiful blossoms. It is historic, beautiful to the eyes, wonderful fun to stroll around and fabulous food.......

As to Saguenay, by all means. Maasdam's seven day Canada/NE cruises always used to go into Saguenay each cruise and every time we were there it looked so different. It was a high point of each cruise for us. When it was bright and sunny, when it was raining, when it was cloudy,,,,,,, it was always special.

Quebec City !!!   Holacanada

I agree "Quebec city,

Been to Montreal, ok, loved Quebec but as someone who has

traveled the world that I know said two cities that are unique

Quebec city and New Orleans. If you have seen the movie

"catch me if you can" with leonardo decaprio with the car chase

scenes with the police, that was in "old Quebec city.

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Hot Topic: Surprise Cruise Reveal Ideas

All About Our Cruise from Boston to Canada with Holland America Line

Knowing that summer is the perfect time to explore New England and areas north led us to cruise from Boston to Canada with Holland America Line.

This popular Canada & New England Discovery itinerary presented fabulous places to explore nearby Boston, including Bar Harbor, Halifax, and Prince Edward Island. We ended up in Quebec City and chose to explore the area for a few days, not wanting our vacation to end.

Disclosure: This page has affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you click the link and proceed with a purchase  at no cost to you . We thank Holland America Line for hosting our cruise. We recommend cruises, experiences, products, and services we personally try and use. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Highlights of a Cruise from Boston to Canada

The ease of boarding Zuiderdam (pronounced Zy-der-dam), our Holland America Line (HAL) ship, from Boston so we could cruise north for seven nights was a breeze.

There are so many wonderful places to explore in our own backyard in North America, and using Boston as the jumping-off point for a cruise that started on the East Coast was the catalyst for northeast exploration. Highlights included Bar Harbor, Prince Edward Island, and ending in Quebec City, where we stayed a few more nights before heading home.

Overview of the Holland America Line Cruise from Boston to Canada

• Pre-cruise: Overnight stay in Boston, arranged by the cruise line
• Day 1: Cruise embarkation at the Port of Boston
• Day 2: Bar Harbor, Maine
• Day 3: Halifax
• Day 4: Sydney
• Day 5: Charlottetown and Prince Edward Island

Day 6: Day at Sea, Cruising the Gulf of St. Lawrence

Day 7: quebec city.

• Day 8: Disembark in Quebec City

Considerations for a Late Summer cruise in New England and Canada

This is a great cruise if you're looking for a vacation to enjoy a cruise ship balanced with interesting destinations where everyone speaks English. While most people in Quebec City speak French, they also speak English, and we hardly encountered anyone who wasn't bilingual.

If you go on this cruise from Boston to Canada during late August into September or October, you won't be sweating on excursions because the weather starts to cool off again. However, pack a light jacket. We experienced a lot of wind onboard during our cruise that started the last week of August and ended the first days of September. This meant that it was often unenjoyable to sit on the outside decks but an incredibly pleasant temperature exploring all the ports. Additionally, we were glad that there was an indoor hot tub and pool in addition to the outdoor pool.

Don't forget to pack a passport : this cruise travels internationally from the United States to Canada.

Cruise Itinerary Day-by-Day: Starting in Boston, Massachusetts, and Ending in Quebec City, Canada

Pre-cruise and day 1: boston, massachusetts.

We flew into Boston from the West Coast, as we were in Vancouver for a trip to Alaska before this late summer cruise in New England and Canada. Holland America Line arranged our pre-cruise stay.

The Fairmont Copley Plaza is where HAL organized our overnight. It's a gorgeous hotel, and we were so pleasantly surprised by its beauty. We were also impressed by how well check-in went by the hotel staff and Holland America Line's team, who welcomed us. The HAL representatives at the hotel also let us know what time to be in the lobby the next day to board the buses to the Boston Cruise Terminal.

We were happy to lead ourselves on a self-guided tour of Boston for the morning. We downloaded an audio guide app that helped us navigate Boston's famous Freedom Trail. It also educated us about the Boston Tea Party as we walked through the city's historic districts. We visited the Boston Public Library across the street from the hotel before we gathered our things to board the cruise transfer bus.

Day 1: Boston Embarkation Day

The Boston Cruise Terminal is not in the city center. Rather, it's a 20-minute bus ride from the center of the city, where the pre-cruise hotel (The Fairmont Copley Plaza) was located.

Boarding the buses and loading our luggage was very organized and efficient. Within the half-hour, we were at the Boston Cruise Terminal. It didn't take long to check in and proceed through security. Then we walked the gangway onto Zuiderdam, our HAL home for the next seven nights.

Day 2: Bar Harbor

We were incredibly excited to return to Bar Harbor after previously visiting during our 7-day Maine road trip and Maine Windjammer cruise along the state's coastline. Bar Harbor is such a fantastic city; it comes alive during summer when tourism is at its peak.

We were sure to tender to the shore from our Holland America Line Zuiderdam ship before we met our group. This was because we knew we wanted to walk around town for a bit before the excursion.

It's important to know that not many retail shops open before 11:00 am in Bar Harbor. The ice cream shops open later in the day along with most restaurants. Despite not being able to walk into most stores it was a beautiful morning. It was still nice to walk around before our official Holland America Line tour began.

Lobster Lunch Followed by Acadia National Park

A local guide was our narrator as the buses drove to a casual waterfront restaurant for a Bar Harbor Lobster Bake. If you go to Maine and don't have lobster , were you really there?

After lunch, our bus took us through Acadia National Park to Cadillac Summit. The local guide knew the park inside and out, so it was fun to hear his personal stories of exploration.

Next time around, we will tour Bar Harbor on our own. The lunch was delicious but it took so much time that we barely had time in Acadia National Park. This reminded us why booking your own excursion or tour in the right cruise ports is sometimes best.

Bar Harbor is very easy to navigate in a short amount of time. Though a car is required to tour Acadia National Park, it's doable with some arranging.

Day 3: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

We decided to spend the morning on the ship in favor of not rushing around the city before our 1:15 pm excursion.

Halifax's cruise port looked largely industrial when we looked out from our balcony. We couldn't tell with 100% certainty how far the walk into the city would be from the cruise ship (even with the help of Google Maps) or if a car service could pick us up at the port. So instead we opted to hang out on the ship and enjoy our stateroom balcony before our excursion.

After breakfast and lunch on Zuiderdam, we were on the bus to go to Peggy's Cove. Afterward, we headed to Fairview Lawn Cemetery to learn more about the Titanic.

Peggy's Cove & Titanic Combination Excursion

We arrived at Peggy's Cove after an hour tour on a double-decker coach bus with a local guide. We admit that this wasn't our favorite stop, but we also knew that we took the tour largely for the second stop, which was at a cemetery in Halifax where victims of the Titanic were buried.

Except for the tourists visiting Peggy's Cove during the summer, it's a tiny, simple fishing village. You can walk along the rocky coast for the pretty views and visit a small lighthouse. You can also roam around and visit a few small shops in the area.

At Fairview Lawn Cemetery, our knowledgeable guide shared sobering stories of the recovery efforts after the tragedy. As we visited specific gravestones, she told us corresponding stories of who the epitaph was in memory of.

Though it's a bit ironic, perhaps, to be on a cruise and go on an excursion that discusses the most infamous cruise ship of all time, it was important to us that we go. We wanted to learn more about what happened to honor the victims and educate ourselves about Halifax's connection to the tragedy.

It was interesting to learn that Halifax was the closest seaport and most well-equipped area in proximity to where the ship sank. This was important for the recovery of Titanic victims because the city's railway allowed the bodies of the deceased to be shipped to their families for a final return home. White Star Line paid for the majority of the gravestones in Fairview Lawn Cemetery for the bodies that remained there.

Additionally, it's important to acknowledge that with this tragedy came learning and industry improvements so lives were not lost in vain. Because of the Titanic sinking, there are strict regulations for passenger lifeboats on cruise ships.

Day 4: Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada

This port was a nice place to get off the ship for one or two hours. We walked ashore to explore the small city for a little while. Locals officially welcomed us to the port in such a lovely way, including with live music performances.

We didn't do much here but stretch our legs and get some exercise. And of course, we got a photo with the oversized violin, a landmark at the port.

One activity we enjoyed was browsing the racks at a cool secondhand clothing store that was filled to the brim with interesting clothing and jewelry. After photographing some interesting architecture, we returned to the ship.

We were sure to get a photo with the “SYDNEY” sculpture before getting back onboard Zuiderdam.

Day 5: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada

Our favorite port of the trip was Charlottetown, the entry port to Prince Edward Island.

Despite the cold rain, we had the warmest welcome. We walked into the terminal building when we got off the ship to find it alive with vendors of all kinds, including people shucking oysters for guests to try and handing out mini lobster rolls.

Three women from the Mi’qmak First Nation performed several traditional songs and dances to welcome us.

It was a preview of the things we would soon learn about the island, including what makes it beautiful and unique in various ways, from food to culture. We bounced around Prince Edward Island to visit the home of Lucy Maud Montgomery, who wrote Anne of Green Gables then had a wonderful seafood lunch.

We were lucky enough to view the gorgeous coastline at Prince Edward Island National Park that day as well. To end our time on land that day, we walked around the downtown area. This included walking back to the port, where there were plenty of restaurants and a couple of shops, including an ice cream shop.

A day at sea is one we always look forward to. Our day on the water aboard Zuiderdam was a great time to get to know the ship better and enjoy our stateroom. We opted to walk up later than usual as a treat and enjoy a casual day.

Our favorite part of that day's special programming was the A City on the Sea presentation. The presentation was in the ship's World Stage theater and provided a behind-the-scenes look at the ship's operations and history.

If you've never been to Quebec City, you're in for a real treat with this cruise from Boston to Canada. Ending or beginning your itinerary in this French Canadian destination is truly lovely during summertime.

The highlight of visiting Quebec City is its old city center, where you can walk around the romantic cobblestone streets. It's abuzz with tourists during summer when it's filled with colorful flowers and sunshine during longer days.

There is so much to do beyond what meets the eye in Quebec City. You can sign up for ghost tours or historical walking tours through HAL or on your own. There are also vineyards and waterfalls not too far away from the city center, where the ship docks.

The ship overnighted in port on the last evening of our cruise from Boston to Canada. This provided even more opportunity to explore Quebec City during the last leg of our New England and Canada cruise.

Though we could have easily dined on land for lunch or dinner on the last full day of our cruise vacation, we opted to dine onboard to enjoy our last hours with Zuiderdam and our new cruise friends.

Day 8: Disembarkation in Quebec City

We said goodbye to Zuiderdam in the morning. But luckily, we didn't need to go far for our next adventure. We transferred from our ship to the historic and centrally located Auberge St. Antoine hotel , where we did a post-cruise stay to explore Quebec City further.

Our Top Tip for a New England Cruise from Boston to Canada

Since the season for this cruise is short — sailing only during summer months and sometimes into very early fall — our number one recommendation is to book early. This is especially true if you have your heart set on a specific date or itinerary.

Holland America Line Cruise Itineraries from New England to Canada

If this 7-day cruise from Boston to Quebec City doesn't fit the bill for you for one reason or another, HAL has several incredible itineraries in the area. Here are a few more options :

• Canada & New England Discovery 7-day cruise on Volendam from Montreal to Boston. Stops in Quebec City, Prince Edward Island, Halifax, Sydney, and Bar Harbor.
• Historic Coasts cruise starting and ending in Boston. This 7-day closed-loop cruise on Volendam visits Portland, St. John (Bay of Fundy), Halifax, Sydney, and Bar Harbor.
• Newfoundland & New England Discovery for 11-days on Volendam. This cruise begins in Boston and ends in Montreal. In between, ports include Portland, St. John (Bay of Fundy), Halifax, Corner Brook, Prince Edward Island, Saguenay, and Quebec City.
• Newfoundland & New England Discovery 10-days on Volendam. Starting and ending in Boston then Montreal, with ports of call in Rockland , Halifax, St. John's, St. Anthony, Corner Brook, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Baie-Comeau, and Quebec City.

Our recommendation is to check HAL's “Have it All” package pricing no matter the itinerary you select. This pricing is inclusive of WiFi, a drinks package, shore excursions, and specialty dining.

Zuiderdam Ship, Overall Review

Two ships that currently sail to this area of North America in the HAL fleet are Volendam and Zuiderdam. Zuiderdam — the ship we cruised on — is part of Holland America Line's Vista Class of ships.

The vessel was lovely, though she was showing her age a little bit. The main lobby area had a nice design, though not a focus of the ship or too grandiose. The wrap-around staircase encircled a couple of decks, from a little lounge area where there was nightly jazz music to the guest services area below.

The restaurants were comfortable and served good food, as is to be expected on most cruises. The music venues were some of our favorite places to be, especially the dueling pianos area, a favorite Holland American Line musical feature. Though we're not gamblers, it was next to the casino, and it was fun sometimes to look over to see people at slot machines or card tables enjoying this aspect of the cruise line.

The shops were best for Holland America Line cruise gear. Nothing particularly caught our eyes like the watch stores on other cruise lines. But they had shopping events like a clearance sale one day that was very popular, sales on metal chains by the foot as we've seen on other cruise lines, and an assortment of non-cruise line apparel and gifts.

Neptune Suites are part of the cruise line's ship-within-a-ship class. This ship seemed to have been somewhat retrofitted to accommodate the suite class. The Neptune Suites lounge was very nice, but the top deck cabanas and such that are part of Neptune Suites weren't anything like The Retreat on Celebrity Cruises . This is likely because the ship was built in 2002, though its last refurbishment was in 2017. Pinnacle suites do not exist on HAL's Vista Class ships, the ship class of Zuiderdam.

We really enjoyed that there was an indoor and outdoor pool. It's great to have both options during a cruise that heads north in summer when the temperatures can be a bit breezy outside.

We look forward to sailing with Holland America Line in the future and discovering more ships in the fleet!

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Arrive New York City

Welcome to New York City – the bustling ‘Big Apple’ – where a three-night stay is the perfect way to kick off your unforgettable holiday. Be transferred to your hotel and enjoy the evening to explore the metropolis at your leisure.

Stay: Three Nights, New York City, InterContinental New York Barclay

New York City

Start your day with a welcome breakfast as you meet your fellow travellers before setting off on a sightseeing tour of New York. Guided by a local, discover the sites of well-known film and television shows, and explore trendy hot-spots and classic landmarks such as Broadway, Wall Street and Times Square. The rest of the day is put aside for you to enjoy at leisure.

Embark on a fascinating cruise aboard a classic-style private yacht as you admire and learn about the architectural marvels of Manhattan, perfectly paired with a traditional New York bagel breakfast.

FREEDOM OF CHOICE™

A broad range of touring options are on offer today. You can visit the iconic Empire State Building and soak in the panoramic views, take a tour of Broadway, join a hop-on-hop-off bus for some sightseeing, or delve into New York’s rich culture and fascinating history on a with a mafia and mob tour.

This morning, set out on a Signature Experience, then select the touring experience that appeals to you. Enjoy the afternoon to further explore New York at your own pace.

New York City, Philadelphia

Farewell New York this morning as you’re guided in comfort to the historic city of Philadelphia. This afternoon you can admire the Liberty Bell, an important symbol of American independence which dates to 1752.

Stay: The Logan Philadelphia, Curio Collection By Hilton

Philadelphia, Lancaster, Washington DC

Enjoy a special lunch today in Lancaster.

Depart Philadelphia and travel to Lancaster a fascinating town known for its large Amish Community. Explore the community and enjoy a Signature Experience here before continuing to the USA’s capital, Washington DC.

Stay: Two Nights, Willard InterContinental Washington DC

Washington DC

We’ve all heard stories and seen pictures of the USA’s icons, and today presents the chance to pay a visit to some of them on a guided tour. Pass by the White House before stopping at the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial, to name a few. After the tour, you’ll have the rest of the day to explore.

Washington DC, Niagara Falls

After breakfast this morning, continue your journey to the magnificent natural wonder of Niagara Falls, where you’ll stay overlooking the iconic waterfall.

Stay: Marriott Fallsview, Fallsview room

Niagara Falls, Toronto

Feast on fantastic food and incredible wines with lunch at a local winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

This morning, take an unforgettable cruise to the base of Niagara Falls. Later, savour a Signature Experience at the nearby town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, then travel to bustling Toronto.

Stay: Two Nights, Toronto, Fairmont Royal York

Set off on a discovery of Toronto, including a visit to the CN Tower. The most populated city in Canada, Toronto is a melting pot of cultures and a joy to explore.

Toronto, Thousand Islands, Ottawa

Your journey continues today as you travel into the province of Ontario on the way to Ottawa, the Canadian capital. On the way, stop off at the picturesque Thousand Islands for a scenic cruise. A leisurely cruise is the perfect way to take in the constellation of islands topped with pine trees, castles and estates. Arrive at your magnificent hotel and relax over dinner.

Stay: Two Nights, Ottawa, Fairmont Chateau Laurier

Perhaps enjoy a flight in a vintage open-cockpit biplane or visit the Canadian War Museum. Maybe you’ll spend time at the Canadian Museum of History, or you can set off on a guided bicycle exploration.

Start your day with a guided discovery of the capital, pausing at Parliament Hill among other sites. Afterwards, set out on your chosen activity.

Ottawa, Montreal

Visit a sugar shack and learn how maple syrup is made, followed by lunch.

Today you’ll enjoy a fantastic Signature Experience before continuing your journey to the French-Canadian hub of Montreal

Stay: Two Nights, Montreal, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth

Savour the beauty of the AURA Experience, a remarkable multi-media show at Montreal’s magnificent Notre-Dame Basilica. Immerse yourself in the spectacle as unique projections illuminate the picturesque interior of the gothic cathedral, all accompanied by orchestral music.

Today you can take a walking tour of Old Montreal, or enjoy a neighbourhood tour. Otherwise, a guided sightseeing river cruise is on offer.

This morning you’ll discover this beautiful city on a sightseeing tour with a local guide. Montreal has a distinctive French flair and is home to 18th-century facades and heritage churches, including the Notre-Dame Basilica. Tonight, enjoy dinner with a Quebecois flavour.

Montreal, Quebec City

After breakfast, continue to Quebec City, a charming and historic gem perched along the St. Lawrence River. Set out on a guided tour of the city before gathering with your fellow travellers to toast your land journey with a special dinner.

Stay: Quebec City, Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, in a Deluxe ‘Old Quebec’ View Room

Quebec City, Embark Cruise

This morning after breakfast, transfer and board your premium ship for your New England voyage. There’s time to settle in and enjoy the array of amenities available.

Stay: Seven Nights, Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam

Enjoy a day at leisure cruising the St. Lawrence River. The nearly 1,200-kilometer (750-mile) stretch of the St. Lawrence River is a lighthouse-lover’s paradise, with more than 40 of them lining the Quebec portion alone.

After breakfast this morning, enjoy a leisurely day cruising the beautiful Gulf of St. Lawrence, defined by stunning coastline.

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island may be Canada’s smallest province, but it’s big on history. With time at leisure, perhaps visit the island’s capital of Charlottetown to delve into the region’s past. Alternatively, you may prefer to see the Anne of Green Gables homestead and enjoy time at this well-known literary landmark, set in pretty surrounds (own expense).

Spend the day in and around Sydney on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Where the island’s French-influenced name belies its Celtic connections. You will discover cheerfully colourful highland villages, the beautiful coastal scenery of the Cabot Trail, as well as the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, which was once one of North America’s busiest 18th-century seaports.

For ocean scenery at its best, it is hard to beat Nova Scotia’s south shore. Arrive in Halifax this morning, with free time to perhaps visit Peggy’s Cove and the German village of Lunenburg. Then head back to Halifax where you might like to visit the ramparts of Halifax Citadel or a museum which commemorates the Titanic.

Today you’ll experience the wonders of Portland, an historic seaside hub first settled in 1633 which blends its storied history and heritage buildings with modern shops and a cosmopolitan atmosphere. There are many sightseeing options in this diverse destination, art museum and historic home visits to setting out into the harbour on a ferry or whale-watching boat (own expense).

Boston, Disembark Cruise, Depart Boston

After breakfast, disembark your ship in Boston, then transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

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Influencer couple denies leaving kids alone on cruise.

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For most people, dinner on a cruise ship is a time to relax.

But when influencer couple Abby and Matt Howard decided to kick back with a dinner à deux, they ended up kicking up a storm.

Related video above: Preparing to drop your child off at day care for first time? Here's some expert advice

The Arizona couple, who have 5.3 million followers on TikTok, as well as 1.3 million and 677,000 Instagram followers individually, have had to furiously deny that they left their children alone on a cruise ship while enjoying their couple’s dinner.

Abby Howard posted over the weekend on Instagram that on a seven-day cruise, the couple had taken their kids — ages 1 and 2 — to dinner for the first five nights, but “it became apparent that they weren’t enjoying it and therefore we weren’t either.”

“So then we switched our dinner time to after their bedtime and FaceTimed the monitors while we ate,” she wrote.

Many followers interpreted her post as saying that they left the kids unattended in the cabin in order to go to dinner. When Abby Howard deleted the post after a few hours, the suspicion only increased.

The couple have now posted a new video in which they deny the children were left alone. They say they were traveling with Abby Howard’s extended family, including her grandmother.

“We had someone with our children at all times on this boat,” said Matt Howard, calling people’s suspicions “completely untrue.”

“We love our children more than anything in the entire world,” he said.

Abby Howard admitted in the video that she could see why the phrasing of her initial post caused people to believe the kids had been left alone. She said she deleted it because of the confusion.

Abby Howard said their two children sleep in “blackout tents” even at home. Each tent has a space to fit a monitor, which the couple use even when in the room with them.

Matt Howard previously shared an Instagram video of his cabin, in which he said the couple was sleeping in separate rooms, each with one child.

“We’re always concerned about them,” said Abby Howard in the video addressing the controversy, adding that they “tag team” at family dinners so that one parent is physically with the children while the other checks the monitors.

The couple thanked their family for helping watch the children during the cruise and also thanked the public.

“Thank you so much to those of you that were concerned about the safety and well-being of our children,” said Abby Howard.

“We have not, would not, will not ever leave our children unattended; we would never ever want to put them in harm’s way in any way.”

It’s not known which cruise line the couple were traveling with, although Matt Thiemann, a cruise specialist travel agent and CEO of Everbliss Vacations, said he believes they were on Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas, which has a maximum capacity of 4,000 travelers, based on their posts.

Cruise ship child care

Many cruise lines offer child care options.

Royal Caribbean offers group child care programs as well as group-sitting for 3- to 11-year-olds from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. MSC Cruises has a kids’ club for tots until 9 p.m., with parents able to drop off their kids until 7 p.m., while Holland America Line states in its conditions that children must not be left alone anywhere on the ship.

Leaving a child in a locked room may seem relatively safe, but Thiemann advises against it.

“It is generally not safe for a child under 8 to be left alone at home, and a cruise ship cabin is no different,” he said. “Parents might think it is a safe, locked space, and while there are very strict procedures for accessing a cabin, there are cabin stewards, maintenance personnel and crew who can access the cabin. If it has a balcony, there is greater risk of an accident or even becoming locked out on the balcony.

“Toddlers can be inquisitive, fall out of bed onto the hard floor or choke on something. There are just too many unexpected things that could happen when children are left alone in a cruise cabin or hotel room.”

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Last-Minute Cruise Deals is based on Promo Code Q**. Fares are per person based on double occupancy, cruise or cruisetours only. Advertised fares include Taxes & Fees. All savings amounts are included in fares shown. Subject to availability. Offers are applicable on select 2024 and 2025 departures for 1st/2nd guests in a stateroom on new bookings only. Fares and deposits are non-refundable and final payment is due at time of booking. Offers have limited space and may be modified or withdrawn. Departure dates may be substituted without prior notice. Subject to availability. Other restrictions may apply. It is the guests’ responsibility to ensure that they have a full passport valid at least six months beyond the date on which travel is to commence. Up to 40% off discount is based on cruise-only launch fare and reflected in the displayed price. Free & Reduced Fares for 3rd/4th Guests: Additional guests in a stateroom are eligible to travel with free and reduced fares when booked as a 3rd and/or 4th guest on select cruises. Cruise fare is $0. Price shown reflects all non-Government fees and expenses. Limit up to two free or reduced fares per eligible booking. Free and Reduced Fares for 3rd/4th guests are available only when booked with promotion code Z3* with a 1st/2nd guest booking with promotion code Q**. Offer ends September 24, 2024. For full terms and conditions, please visit HollandAmerica.com. Ships’ Registry: The Netherlands.