If you feel overwhelmed every time your social media feed is bombarded with beautiful pictures of fall foliage, you should probably plan your own leaf-peeping trip. Sure, you can arrange an epic road trip, complete with traffic jams and overpriced, overcrowded tourist traps. Or, you can take a fall foliage cruise.
From a cruise ship, you can enjoy the fall colors of the Canadian and New England coasts as you sail between northeastern US home ports like New York and Boston and Canada’s Montreal or Quebec City. Book a shore excursion for a more relaxing day; Bus drivers will navigate traffic along tree-lined avenues to scenic vistas, and your meal times will be arranged in advance (or held at your ship’s multiple dining locations).
If you’d rather explore fall colors outside the Northeast, a few cruise lines will take you to foliage destinations in other parts of the US as well.
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You’ll want to book your Canada and New England cruise at least six months (if not a year or more) in advance for the best price and availability. Here, we present you with five of the best fall foliage cruises in New England, Canada and beyond.
7-night Canada and New England Discovery Cruise on Holland America
Ports of call include Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Rockland, Portland or Bar Harbor, Maine. Take your pick of a scenic drive or stroll through the park or along a hiking path, camera ready. On board, enjoy your evening out to live music or enjoy a leisurely meal of steak or seafood at the Pinnacle Grill.
Best for: Holland America attracts primarily retirees and couples who appreciate the line’s focus on fine dining and live performances. Zuiderdam’s itinerary is ideal for anyone who doesn’t mind flying in and out of different cities to travel north to northern Canada rather than a one-way trip.
Related: 11 Best Cruises to Canada and New England
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7-night Canada and New England cruise on Princess Cruises
For an easy round-trip New York cruise that leans more toward New England than Canada, consider Princess Cruises week of October sailings in 2024 and 2025 aboard the 3,660-passenger Enchanted Princess. Choose from itineraries with four or five ports, including Newport, Rhode Island; Boston; Bar Harbor or Portland; Halifax; and (on some voyages only) Saint John, New Brunswick.
If seascapes are your thing, don’t miss the beautiful coastal landscape by the Bay of Fundy (from St. John) or Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia. Head to the hills in Bar Harbor for elevated views or escape to the ocean with a harbor cruise from Newport.
Best for: Princess cruises also attract mature couples and lovers of classic cruising, but the 2019-launched Enchanted Princess Holland is much bigger than America’s Zuiderdam. Kick back with the line’s signature movies under the stars (complete with blankets for a fall night in New England), or enjoy multiple specialty restaurants dedicated to Italian specialties, steakhouse fare, and seafood. Bundle up for a romantic breakfast on your balcony as the colorful beaches pass by.
Related: Best Time to Cruise Canada and New England
7-night Canada cruise on Royal Caribbean
Combine easy Boston round-trip sailing with a fall foliage cruise that focuses more on Canadian than New England ports. Royal Caribbean’s seven-night voyages on the 2,191-passenger Jewel of the Seas, sailing in September and October 2024, and the 2,142-passenger Brilliance of the Seas, sailing in September and October 2025. Most tourists call in Portland, St. John, SD. and Halifax.
These ships are among Royal Caribbean’s older and smaller ships, so don’t expect huge megaships with wild top-deck amenities (whether that’s a good thing or not, depending on your style). You’ll still find plenty of dining options (including Izumi for Japanese cuisine and Giovanni Table for Italian), the line’s signature circular Viking Crown lounge and — perfect for fall weather — an indoor, adults-only sundial.
Best for: Royal Caribbean fans looking to experience a midsize ship with fewer kids on board should book this cruise. Anyone looking for a round-trip cruise to Canada that doesn’t require a passport will appreciate the convenient Boston departure port (with plenty of beautiful fall foliage) and three port calls in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Related: Canada and New England Cruise Packing List: What to Pack for Every Season
7-Night Puget Sound and San Juan Islands Cruise on American Cruise Lines
Eastern Canada and New England aren’t the only North American regions known for their fall foliage. American cruise lines offer several small-ship cruises in October to other leaf-peeping regions, including the Hudson River Valley.
But for something completely different, why not try the line’s seven-night, round-trip Puget Sound and San Juan Island cruise from Seattle aboard the 90-passenger American Spirit or the 170-passenger American Constellation?
Your itinerary will take you to Anacortes, Friday Harbor, Port Angeles (Victoria, British Columbia and gateway to Olympic National Park), Port Townsend and Poulsbo, Washington, with a day spent around the San Juan Islands. Take advantage of the Fidalgo Island walking trails near Anacortes and don’t miss the nearby photogenic Deception Pass. See the Olympic and Cascade Mountains in their fall glory and enjoy the fall weather in historic waterfront towns.
Best for: Travelers are looking for different destinations for their fall foliage cruises, but cruisers who prioritize time on shore over time on board. American cruise lines’ ships are small, only four to six decks, with restaurants, two lounges, small fitness areas, and a sun deck, which may be painted green. Be prepared to entertain yourself in the evening — or go to bed early so you’re energized for a full day in port almost every day. Also, be aware that these ships usually draw a crowd of older retirees.
12-night Canada and New England Fall Foliage Cruise on Seabourn
Small ships can visit more off-the-beaten-path ports than their larger ship counterparts. Seabourn’s 458-passenger Seabourn Quest (2024) and Seabourn Sojourn (2025) sail 12-night voyages between New York and Montreal.
The itinerary varies slightly by date of travel, but visit several locations in Quebec, including Trois-Rivières, Quebec City, Baie-Comeau and Saguenay, including a scenic drive along the Saguenay Fjord. The ship also visits Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; and Halifax, Nova Scotia; It also stops at several American ports, such as Newport, Rhode Island; and Boston, Martha’s Vineyard or Provincetown, Massachusetts.
This is also a great fall foliage cruise if you are looking for an all-inclusive trip in a luxurious setting. On the Seabourn Quest and Sojourn, every cabin is a suite with a view (not to mention the spacious bathroom with walk-in closet and tub). You can enjoy delicious food, complimentary wine and cocktails, and a friendly crew that will go above and beyond for you.
Best for: Luxury lovers who want to be pampered on their leaf-peeping vacation will enjoy this nearly two-week cruise around Canada and New England. Extended cruises spend several days at sea enjoying the ship’s spa or delicious afternoon tea service, as well as overnights in Quebec City at some less-visited ports and select departures. It’s ideal for travelers looking to make the most of their fall trip to the Northeast.
Bottom line
You’d be surprised at how many choices you have for fall foliage travel in late September and October. In addition to Seaborne, all major luxury cruise lines dedicate some cruises to the region, including such lines. Silversea Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Oceania Cruises and Crystal. Even larger ships like NCL’s Norwegian Breakaway and Gateway get in on the leaf-pipping action.
Here, we’ve selected the best fall foliage cruises for a variety of itinerary configurations and ship styles. They may be our favorites, but only you know what combination of port and onboard experience is right for your travel style.
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