Ports of Call: Canada and New England Cruise Guide

This Canada and New England cruise guide will help you explore the stunning East Coast along the picturesque Atlantic shoreline. Plan now for your next adventure to the Maritimes for the 2025/26 season and beyond.

The area is filled with rich maritime culture and history and offers breathtaking scenery of the natural, rugged coast.

Best time to see fall colours

The fall colours are spectacular in late September and October but you can’t always time it right, as nature does not necessarily cooperate with your schedule. The fall can offer some windier days, fog and rain, as tropical storms might work their way north from the Caribbean. If fairer weather appeals to you, the summer months are warmer and have more days of sunshine.

All along the route, there are plenty of places to find an abundance of fresh Atlantic seafood, including lobster. The market rate for lobster changes each season depending on supply and demand. In March 2025, it was about $18 per pound CAD.

There are a variety of cruise ships sailing these waters and each offer slightly different itineraries at varying price points. These are the latest cruise offerings: Celebrity, Holland America, Princess Cruises, Oceania, Windstar, Seabourn, Silversea, Cunard and MSC.

Be prepared in any season by dressing in layers, wearing windproof and rainproof clothing as well as comfortable walking shoes.

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Top things to do Ports of Canada and New England Cruise Guide

New York City

New York City is a popular port included on some of the north-eastern cruise routes. Here are only a few highlights of the many famous attractions:  Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Ellis Island, Times Square, Broadway, 5th Avenue and Central Park. If your cruise stops or starts here, this port is worth tacking on several extra days before or after your cruise. There are five unique borough neighbourhoods to discover: The Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and Staten Island.

Don’t miss out guide to the city –  Tips to make the most of a visit to New York City, It includes a list of free things to do while there.

New York City, New York, Top things to do. Cruise Guide Canada New England

Boston Massachusetts

Boston, Massachusetts is a friendly walkable city with many different neighbourhoods to explore. It is the largest city in New England. Nearby is Salem, famous for the witch trials. If your cruise stops or starts here, this port is worthy spending several extra days before or after your cruise. If you can extend your stay even longer by another two days, a trip to Cape Cod, Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard is well worth it.

Cruise Guide Canada New England Boston is a wonderful walkable city. Check out the to things to do in Boston.

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, is the capital of PEI and Canada’s birthplace. It is rich in history and filled with Victorian houses. Take a scenic drive outside the city. Here you will find rolling farmlands of vivid greens and yellow, quaint fishing villages, iconic red sandstone cliffs and pristine white sandy beaches.

Green Gables is also a highlight, the house and farm made famous worldwide by author Lucy Maud Montgomery’s book Anne of Green Gables. Find out more about visiting Prince Edward Island.

PEI scenic Red Sands Shore drive to Fort Amherst National Historic site and Blockhouse Point Lighthouse (1876) takes you on red clay roads winding through the countryside of farmlands, rolling hills and woodlands and then onto impressive red sandstone cliffs and red sand beaches. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr

Sydney, Nova Scotia

Sydney, Nova Scotia is the gateway to the world-famous Cape Breton Island and one of the most scenic drives in North America.

To help make your planning easier, here is a complete guide we put together from our recent trip to Nova Scotia.

Learn about 18th-century life with a visit to the Cossit House Museum in Sydney, Nova Scotia. The home is furnished with 18th century pieces, and museum staff dressed in period costumes demonstrate traditional skills like candle-making, lace-making, and butter-churning. Photo Credit: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Halifax, Nova Scotia was the entry point of many immigrants arriving by ship into Canada at Pier 21.

This seaport town played a major role when the Titanic sank and also when 9/11 happened. Iconic Peggy’s Cove is only 40 kms away.

Top things to do in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar Harbor, Maine is a charming walkable coastal town located on Mount Desert Island. It is surrounded by the stunning Acadia National Park.

Request a visitors’ guide to Bar Harbour.

Canada and New England ports of call – Top things to do in Acadia National Park Maine. Photo: Wendy Nordvik-Carr©

Quebec City, Quebec

Quebec City, Quebec sits on the St. Lawrence Seaway. Its fortified historic city walls are the only ones left still standing north of Mexico. The old town is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city dates from the 1600s.

Most of Quebec’s people speak French and many restaurants offer traditional French Canadian dishes such as pea soup, tourtiere pie (meat pie), sugar pie and poutin.

Find out more to do and see in Quebec.

Montreal, Quebec

Montreal, Quebec is an official UNESCO City of Design. The architecture is worth exploring.

The city is very walkable, and there are many neighbourhoods to discover. Old Town Montreal is no longer walled but is filled with 17th—and 18th-century buildings, shops, and restaurants. Find out more about this vibrant city.

Top things to do in Montreal. Cruise Guide Canada New England. Life’s Incredible Journey

Saguenay Fjord, Quebec

Saguenay Fjord, Quebec is a stunning wilderness area and the most southern fjord in North America. Find out more to do and see in Quebec.

Spectacular Saguenay Fjord Quebec Top things to do Canada New England Cruise Guide. Image by cleprovost from Pixabay

Newport, Rhode Island

Newport, Rhode Island, is a scenic resort town loaded with charm and glorious famous mansions to explore from the golden era.

The Breakers was one of our favourites. If you go here, be sure to check out the hot and cold seawater bath.

Mansions of Newport, Rhode Island. It’s the top place to visit on a cruise to Canada and New England. Photo by Michael Denning on Unsplash

Corner Brook, Newfoundland

Corner Brook, Newfoundland offers access to Gros Morne National Park, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.  This area of rugged wilderness is on the west coast of the province.

Most scenic places to see in Newfoundland. Backcountry hiking Western Brook Pond Fjord Gros Morne National Park, UNESCO SIte. Photo: Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism

St. John’s Newfoundland

St. John’s, Newfoundland is the largest city and capital of the province. This colourful city is situated on the rugged east coast.

The British settled here in the 1600s, making one of the oldest cities in North America.

Watch for our guide to Newfoundland after our visit in summer to St. John’s and area. We spent 10 days exploring several areas of Newfoundland.

Best Ports of Call Canada and New England Cruise Guide St Johns Newfoundland. Photo Credit: Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Don’t miss our Alaska Cruise Guide.

Discover top things to do in Sydney, Nova Scotia

Explore port of call Charlottetown

Learn about Prince Edward Island

Discover other destinations.