This Canada and New England cruise guide will help get you started exploring the stunning east coast. Plan now for your next adventure to the Maritimes for the 2024/25 season and beyond.
The area is rich in maritime culture and history, offering breathtaking scenery of the natural rugged east 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 with 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 November 2023, it was about $12-$18 per pound CAD. The season before was $10 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, Celebrity, 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 worthy of 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.
Here is a guide we put together on our trip – Tips to make the most of a visit to New York City, including a list of great free things to do when planning your future visit to New York City.
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 of tacking on several extra days before or after your cruise. If you can extend your stay even longer by another 2 days, a trip to Cape Cod, Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard is well worth it.
Find out more about the city of Boston. Discover Boston virtually to see what wonderful attractions await you.
Cruise Guide Canada New England Boston is a wonderful walkable city. Check out the to things to do in Boston. read more Life’s Incredible Journey
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island is the capital of PEI and Canada’s birthplace, 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 world-wide by author Lucy Maud Montgomery’s book Anne of Green Gables. Found 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 costume 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 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
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 offering lots of 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 sea water bath.
Mansions of Newport Rhode Island. 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.
Top things to do in Newfoundland – Visit Gros Morne National Park. Photo Credit: Image by Felix Dilly from Pixabay
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.
We will have a guide to Newfoundland after our visit in June 2024 to St. John’s and area. We will be spending about 10 days here.
Best Ports of Call Canada and New England Cruise Guide St Johns Newfoundland. Photo Credit: Image by Pexels from Pixabay
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Discover top things to do in Sydney, Nova Scotia
Explore port of call Charlottetown
Learn about Prince Edward Island
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Wendy Nordvik-Carr is a highly regarded travel writer who produces quality, well-researched articles with stunning photography and video.
She seeks out authentic experiences showcasing the people, culture and history that make each destination unique. Her focus is on solo, couple and multigenerational travel through cruising, air and road trip adventures.
Wendy is the editor & writer for LifesIncredibleJourney.com, a travel site that encourages exploration of destinations near & far.
She is a TMAC Director, Chair, National Governance Committee and Chair of TMAC's BC & Yukon Chapter, as well as a member of SATW and NATJA.
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