The northeast corner of the United States is made up of six U.S states:  Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.  Pack your bags and prepare to fall in love with New England’s enchanting foliage, historic landmarks, and small-town charm.  Charming cities, mesmerizing mountains and lucid lakes await you on this journey through New England and Canada.

As a born and bred Upstate New Yorker, I think we sometimes take the beauty of fall foliage for granted.  However, if you take a moment, the beauty and the majesty of those gorgeous changing colors, will stop you in your tracks.  There is no better way to experience this seasonal change than with a cruise through New England and Canada.  

When should you go?

The peak time for a fall foliage cruise is September and October when the leaves are showing off their brilliance and the cool crisp air is refreshing but the sun is still warm on your face.  The bold reds, bright golds, fiery oranges, and rich burgundy’s paint the landscape before your very eyes.  There are many cruise lines that will take you to many ports so you can experience first hand what fall in the Northeast is all about.

1 – Who’s Hungry?

Of course I was going to mention the food!  Fall is the perfect time to eat your way around New England and getting to eat like a New Englander is such a treat!  Entice those taste buds with a meal from some of the oldest restaurants in the New England Area like The Griswold Inn for example a.k.a. The Gris of Essex, Connecticut (Established in 1776).

This time is year is the best time to try the local cuisine that New England is known for, such as delicious crab cakes, succulent lobster and rich and creamy clam chowder.  How about about delectable Boston cream pie for dessert?

How about Maine Lobster?  Portland, Maine is the place to go get that lobster roll you’ve been dreaming about.  While you’re in Vermont, stop at Ben and Jerry’s for some sweet treats.  Certainly not to be outdone, Canada delivers with their cuisine as well.  Stop in Quebec for sumptuous poutine (a dish consisting of french fries, gravy, and melty melty cheese curds).

While Americans insist that Vermont makes the best maple syrup, Canadians insist it comes from them.  Try them both while on your cruise and you be the decider!

2 – The Ports

Cruise itineraries will vary but some of the most popular ports for a Canada & New England cruise include Quebec City, Quebec-Saguenay, Quebec -Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island- Sydney, Nova Scotia – Halifax, Nova Scotia – Saint John, New Brunswick – Portland, Maine – Bar Harbor, Maine – Corner Brook, Newfoundland – Newport, Rhode Island- Boston, Massachusetts- St John (for the Bay of Fundy), Canada.  Choose from a 7- to 24- day Canada & New  England cruise and allow the region to showcase all that it has to offer.  Everything from sightseeing to lobster bakes, lighthouses, intriguing history, and rich culture await you.

Who loves Anne of Green Gables as much as I do?

Well, for you my fellow book lover, Charlottetown is not to be missed!  If you truly want to be dazzled, check out the mansions, colonial buildings and boutiques in Newport, RI.  Expect port excursions that help  you experience the local  culture, local cuisine, and learn from local experts.  These ports have everything including nature & wildlife, cultural immersion, culinary delights, adventure sports, and city tours.  Your travel advisor (me) can help you book them early so you don’t miss out!

3 – The Ships

As a full time travel consultant, I am completely immersed on a day to day basis in the cruise world and I can tell you that if you haven’t seen some of these ships and what they offer to their guests, it is high time you do!  Cruise lines like Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival, Disney and more offer stunning and incredible guest experiences for every type of traveler.  Each cruise line and each ship is different but they all go above and beyond to entertain you and your family.

Each cruise ship offers spectacular entertainment and performances.  From full Broadway shows, to game shows, comedy shows,  to one-of-a-kind performances exclusive to that particular ship.  They have casinos, kids clubs (and not just any kids club, think kids club on steroids), jazz and piano bars, karaoke bars, wine bars, champagne bars, and literally too many other things to list in this blog.  But I’m gonna try!  There’s  ice skating, basketball courts, bumper cars, water slides, movies under the stars, pools, spas, exercise and yoga classes, movie theaters, rock climbing walls, zip lines, surf simulators, private solariums, water theaters, skydiving (YES you read that correctly) shopping, ping pong, mini golf, libraries and it just goes on and on.  There is literally something for everyone.  Now, not every ship is going to have everything I listed above, so ask your travel advisor which cruise line is best for you! 

4- The Scenery

The scenery is magical.  The days grow shorter and it’s the perfect time for hot cider and long walks along picturesque cobblestone streets in New England.  Stop, lift your head to the sky and breathe in the fresh crisp autumn air.  It’s the perfect combination of warm sunshine on your face and cool breeze in your hair that will delight you.  When the fall foliage is in full swing it’s as if the world has been painted in brilliant sparkling reds, golds, and yellows.  It’s truly breathtaking to behold.

5- The History

If you’re a history buff, then this is the perfect cruise for you because of the sheer number of historical sites that you can visit at port.  There’s everything you can imagine from historic landmarks, steepled churches, those gorgeous lighthouses and the stunning old world architecture.  You can admire everything from Colonial, Georgian, Greek Revival, Victorian, and Gothic style architecture in New England.  These pre-historic buildings are carefully preserved for future generations to enjoy.  See the sight of the Boston Tea Party and where Paul Revere rode along the Freedom Trail.  Take a tour of Fenway Park.

Visiting near Halloween?

Take a spooky ghost tour in Salem MA, most infamously known for its witch trials in the 1690s.  Walk along cobblestone roads, visit quaint towns, and see the majesty of Acadia National Park.  When you’re in port don’t forget to stop in and visit one of the many art galleries and fine art museums New England has to offer.    

Two Reasons why a fall foliage cruise may not be the best cruise option for you. 

1 – The Weather

Let’s be honest, not everyone likes the fall.  They don’t get excited about cozy sweaters, shorter days, hot cocoa, and fall fires.   Some people crave that hot, humid air, salty breezes, and long beautiful days.  The sun, sand, and ocean calls to them.  If they’re going to go on a cruise then they’re going somewhere tropical, period.  They envision themselves in a bathing suit with sunglasses and a refreshing cocktail in their hands.  They have swimming with stingrays or dolphins and scuba diving on their bucket list.  They want palm trees, sandals, and short sleeves!  People who have zero interest in packing a light sweater, jacket or sweater vest may decide that a fall foliage cruise just isn’t for them!  While fall weather can always hover around the 70’s and 80’s, weather is a fickle thing and the farther you go north, the chillier it is likely to get, particularly at night.   As stunning as a fall foliage cruise is, it cannot deliver the same vibe and feel of a tropical Caribbean or Hawaiin cruise.  They’re two completely different experiences and we’re okay with that!  Here at RosabelGrace Travels, we want to do them all.  

2 – You’re Not That Into History

If you’re someone who doesn’t care about history, doesn’t have a thirst for historical knowledge, and couldn’t care less about what happened to who 100’s of years ago, then perhaps a Fall Foliage Cruise through Canada and New England isn’t right for you because of the sheer number of historical sites available to see.  These port cities are rich with culture and history.  The locals you meet are proud of their history and excited to share it with tourists.  The port tours include many historical walks and sites.  You can literally be transported to yesteryear.  If you’re a traveler who has No interest in that, perhaps this cruise might not be for you!  

Conclusion

There’s a ton to love about a fall foliage cruise in Canada in New England.  It’s absolutely on our bucket list.