viking cruises canada and new england

11 best cruises to Canada and New England

Canada and New England cruises are best known for taking mature travelers to experience vibrant autumnal foliage in multiple destinations.

However, the region's photogenic landscapes, charming ports and fresh local seafood make time ashore uniquely enjoyable for couples and families. Plus, late summer and early fall getaways can be convenient and affordable, especially if you already live on the East Coast.

New England and Canada cruises are mainly offered from late August through mid-October (although limited June and July dates are also available). They sail round trip from New York or Boston, or one-way between either city and Montreal or Quebec City.

Itinerary lengths for Canada and New England cruises range from seven to 11 nights. Ships typically call on ports in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, as well as Portland or Bar Harbor, Maine, or even Newport, Rhode Island. High-end, smaller-ship cruise lines may offer more in-depth itineraries of 11 to 15 nights, with more inclusions and higher price tags.

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It's important to book well in advance if you want to cruise during peak foliage weeks, generally late September to mid-October. Also, Newport, Bar Harbor and some lesser-visited ports on these itineraries do not have cruise piers; transferring to shore via tender boat can be time-consuming, if not difficult or impossible for passengers with mobility challenges.

Here are 11 of the best cruises to Canada and New England to consider.

Celebrity: 11-night Boston, Maine & Canada

Celebrity Cruises is offering its 11-night Boston, Maine & Canada itinerary on four late August and September dates in 2024 and another four in 2025. The round-trip sailings from Boston — in 2024 aboard the 2,852-passenger Celebrity Eclipse, and in 2025 aboard the 2,902-passenger Celebrity Silhouette — call on ports in Maine (Portland and Rockland), Nova Scotia (Halifax and Sydney), Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown) and Quebec (Quebec City, where the ship overnights).

The overnight in Quebec City also offers an opportunity to enjoy one of Canada's most charming cities after dark. Don't miss the narrow cobblestone streets of historic Old Quebec, with its inviting cafes.

Who should go : This round-trip itinerary is a convenient option for couples or friends seeking to experience the highlights of New England and Canada during the prime late-summer and early autumn foliage season. Celebrity's ships are designed with adults in mind. They offer multiple onboard bars and lounges for socializing — and the indoor, adults-only Solarium pool is perfect for relaxation as fall temperatures dip.

Related: Best Canada and New England cruise excursions

Holland America: 11-night Newfoundland & New England Discovery

Not all Canada and New England cruises are timed for leaf peeping. Holland America's 11-night Newfoundland & New England Discovery itinerary in August 2024 on the 1,438-passenger Volendam aims to make the most of the region's late-summer weather.

The cruise embarks in Boston and disembarks in Montreal. In between, Volendam visits seven additional ports (Portland, Maine; Saint John, New Brunswick; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Corner Brook, Newfoundland; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; and Saguenay and Quebec City, Quebec). It offers a comprehensive tour of Canada's Atlantic Provinces and Quebec.

Volendam will sail nine- to 11-night Canada cruises in August and September 2025 as well but with slightly different routings.

Who should go : Holland America attracts retirees and other passengers in the 60-plus age range. The compact Volendam offers a traditional onboard atmosphere, but foodies should know it offers a limited selection of dining venues and lounges. On the plus side, Volendam's pool features a retractable roof in case of cool or rainy weather. This particular itinerary has no ports requiring tender transfers, making all destinations accessible to most passengers with disabilities.

Norwegian: 7-night Canada & New England

Norwegian Cruise Line has multiple ships cruising a dozen Canada and New England itineraries from Boston, New York and Quebec City in 2024 and 2025. For value, convenience and a megaship experience, check out the seven-night Canada & New England: Bar Harbor & Newport sailings aboard the 3,963-passenger Norwegian Breakaway.

The 2025 seven-night Canada & New England: Bar Harbor and Halifax itineraries aboard the 3,963-passenger Norwegian Getaway are almost identical. Both call on five ports: Newport, Rhode Island; Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Who should go : Norwegian's Breakaway-class ships offer a resort-meets-theme-park experience with a lively onboard vibe appealing to couples, families and groups of friends. That said, the ships lack an indoor pool.

Cruises during the cooler fall months are best suited for those who enjoy the outdoors. Bar Harbor is the gateway to Acadia National Park, and Saint John offers access to the Bay of Fundy's legendary tides. They're also ideal for travelers who appreciate historic architecture. Newport is known for its Gilded Age mansions, and Halifax offers access to the picturesque village of Peggy's Cove.

Related: Norwegian Cruise Line vs. Carnival Cruise Line: Battle of the big-ship brands

Oceania: 11-night Canada and New England

Several Oceania Cruises visit New England and Canada in 2024 and 2025, but the 670-passenger Insignia is dedicated to 11-night sailings in September and October of both years. It offers a smaller-ship experience with an emphasis on fine dining.

Insignia sails between New York and Montreal this fall and Boston and Montreal next fall. The port-intensive itineraries include eight or nine ports along the Eastern Seaboard. Cruisers might visit Quebec City and Saguenay in Quebec; Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia; Corner Brook, Newfoundland; Saint John, New Brunswick; Portland, Maine; Boston; and Newport, Rhode Island.

Who should go : Oceania's premium cruise experience appeals to couples seeking an onboard ambience that combines culinary excellence with elegant decor and elevated service.

The ship might be small, but it still features two intimate specialty restaurants, a gorgeous grand dining room, a high-end buffet and pool grill, and one of the most decadent afternoon tea services at sea. Standard cabins are on the smaller side, but their modern look and sumptuous beds are appealing. For a splurge, the larger suites will not disappoint discerning travelers.

Princess Cruises: 7-night Canada & New England

Princess Cruises offers multiple seven- to 14-night round-trip and one-way sailings to Canada and New England from New York, Quebec City and Boston in 2024 and 2025.

However, our pick is the seven-night Canada & New England itinerary, which combines visits to four or five ports with a cruise aboard one of Princess' newer Royal-class ships, the 3,360-passenger Enchanted Princess.

Passengers will sail round trip from New York and visit Newport, Rhode Island; Boston; Bar Harbor and Portland, Maine; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Halifax, Nova Scotia. On certain weeks, substitute ports might include Halifax, Nova Scotia, or Rockland, Maine. Weekly sailings take place from late August to mid-October.

Who should go : Princess ships, even the newer vessels, offer a more traditional take on cruising that's popular with couples and groups of friends who enjoy a quieter experience — although the after-dinner sing-a-longs in Crooners piano bar can get lively. Enchanted Princess does lack waterslides, thrill-oriented activities and an indoor pool if those amenities are important to you.

Travelers who enjoy dining at different venues each night will appreciate the ship's five specialty restaurants (for an additional cost) and more than half-dozen complimentary dining venues. Don't miss the excellent Gigi's Pizzeria, a sit-down restaurant.

Related: Best Canada and New England cruise tips to help you enjoy your coastal vacation

Regent Seven Seas Cruises: 11-night Fall Season Colors

Regent Seven Seas Cruises ' newest ship, the 750-passenger Seven Seas Grandeur , debuted in late 2023. In fall 2024, it will sail a series of Canada and New England itineraries from New York and Boston, as well as Montreal.

The 11-night Fall Season Colors sailing on Oct. 1, 2024, is timed to allow passengers to enjoy regional foliage at its peak as the ship sails from Boston to Montreal. Grandeur calls on Portland, Maine; Saint John, New Brunswick; Sydney, Nova Scotia; Corner Brook, Newfoundland; and Havre-Saint-Pierre, Sept-Iles, Saguenay and Quebec City in Quebec.

Who should go : Regent's all-inclusive luxury cruises — which include airfare, transfers, onboard beverages and dining, gratuities, Wi-Fi and unlimited shore excursions — have correspondingly luxurious prices. So, passengers are mostly affluent professionals and retirees who enjoy the seamless ease of an all-inclusive sailing offering five-star service.

Connoisseurs of fine dining will be in their element with eight onboard restaurants, which include Chartreuse for fine French cuisine and Pacific Rim for flavorful pan-Asian menus. Plus, passengers can indulge their foodie passions with chef-led classes in the onboard Culinary Arts Kitchen.

Seven Seas Grandeur does not offer an indoor pool for cool-weather swims.

Royal Caribbean: 9-night Canada & New England

Royal Caribbean offers Canada and New England cruises from three cities (Boston, Baltimore and Bayonne, New Jersey) in late summer and fall 2024. To truly experience the Eastern Seaboard, try the nine-night Canada & New England Cruise sailing round trip from the Cape Liberty cruise port in Bayonne aboard the 3,798-passenger Liberty of the Seas. The itinerary visits Boston; Portland, Maine; Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Saint John, New Brunswick.

Who should go : Liberty of the Seas is designed to appeal to all ages. A late-August sailing with affordable pricing means a late-summer family getaway is possible, while September and October dates attract more couples and retirees.

Liberty of the Seas doesn't have all the bells and whistles of Royal Caribbean's newer, larger ships. However, it does feature waterslides, a kids aqua park, a FlowRider surf simulator, an ice skating rink, a mini-golf course, an arcade, 11 dining venues, 10 bars and lounges, Broadway-style entertainment and more. It also boasts an adults-only, indoor Solarium pool and several outdoor pools and hot tubs.

Related: 35 Royal Caribbean cruise tips and tricks that will make your voyage better

Seabourn: 12-night Canada & New England Fall Foliage

Enjoying the region's colorful autumnal landscapes is the primary agenda on Seabourn's 12-night Canada & New England Fall Foliage cruises, scheduled from August to early October 2024 aboard the 458-passenger Seabourn Quest and in September and October 2025 aboard the 458-passenger Seabourn Sojourn.

These sailings between New York and Montreal visit Newport, Rhode Island; Boston; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; and Saguenay, Quebec City and Trois-Rivieres in Quebec. (The 2025 sailings substitute a few different Canadian ports.)

Who should go : Seabourn 's all-inclusive small-luxury-cruise experience is reflected in its fares, so these itineraries require a generous travel budget. As a result, passengers are typically financially well-off couples, including international travelers, who appreciate the fleet's private-club-style ambience and personalized service.

All cabins are spacious ocean-facing suites, and 90% of the ships' accommodations feature a veranda. The ships might be small, but they still offer four onboard restaurants, including the line's new Mediterranean restaurant, Solis.

Silversea: 12-night New York to Quebec City

For upscale, door-to-door, all-inclusive cruising to New England and Canada, Silversea Cruises offers itineraries on a wide selection of summer and fall dates. The most comprehensive trip is a 12-night New York-to-Quebec City itinerary in summer 2024 aboard the 388-passenger Silver Shadow.

The itinerary includes calls on Newport, Rhode Island; Boston; Portland, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; and Iles-de-la-Madeleine, Saguenay and Quebec City in Quebec.

Related: Canada and New England cruise packing list: What to pack for every season

Who should go : Silversea passengers are generally wealthy retired couples passionate about cruising on small luxury ships. They appreciate fine wines and elevated dining, such as the French cuisine offered in La Dame, one of four onboard restaurants. Nightlife on Silver Shadow is generally low-key, though there is a small casino.

Silversea's all-inclusive pricing includes airfare, transfers, gratuities (and butler service), complimentary beverages and at least one included shore excursion per port.

Viking: 12-night Eastern Seaboard Explorer

Viking's 12-night Eastern Seaboard Explorer itinerary aboard its identical 930-guest ocean ships, Viking Neptune and Viking Mars, is offered on two dates in September 2024 and four dates in May and September 2025.

The one-way sailing travels from New York to Montreal (or vice versa, with overnights in each city), and the ships visit Quebec City, Saguenay and Gaspe in Quebec; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Boston.

Who should go : Adults-only Viking appeals to cruisers who appreciate a subdued onboard experience centered around learning about a destination via guest lectures and shore excursions. The cruise line's passengers tend to be retirement age or older.

Viking's fans love the ships' serene Scandinavian-inspired decor, complimentary spa thermal area and pricing that includes wine and beer with lunch and dinner, gratuities and one free shore excursion per port. The ships do not have an onboard casino, but two pools (one with a retractable roof) offer relaxation during sea days.

Windstar: 11-night Southeast Canadian Explorations

The 11-night Southeast Canadian Explorations itinerary aboard Windstar Cruises ' 312-guest Star Pride cruises between Montreal and Boston in September and October 2024 and 2025. Sailings call on Quebec City, Gaspe and Cap-aux-Meules in Quebec; Louisbourg and Halifax in Nova Scotia; and Portland in Maine.

Overnights in Quebec City and Portland give passengers more time to explore on land and enjoy regional cuisine in local restaurants for dinner. Some itineraries will swap the extra day in Portland for one in Bar Harbor or add a stop in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.

Who should go : Star Pride is one of the smallest ships offering Canada and New England itineraries, so these sailings are ideal for travelers seeking an intimate cruise experience with more casual camaraderie than most other small-luxury-ship cruises. The ship features five onboard restaurants, and cabins are generously sized (the smallest is 277 square feet).

While cruise fares are not all-inclusive, passengers can pay a daily fee for a package that includes unlimited beer, wine and cocktails, as well as Wi-Fi and crew gratuities.

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