Joe McConnell
If you feel left out every time your social media feeds explode with gorgeous photos of fall foliage, you should probably plan your own leaf-gazing trip. Sure, you could plan an epic road trip, complete with traffic jams and overpriced, overcrowded tourist traps. Or, you could take a fall foliage cruise.
From a cruise ship, you can enjoy the autumn hues of the Canadian and New England coast as you cruise between northeastern U.S. homeports like New York and Boston and Montreal or Quebec City in Canada. Book shore excursions for a more relaxing day; your bus driver will navigate traffic along tree-lined paths to scenic overlooks, and your meals will be pre-arranged (or held on board your ship’s many restaurants).
If you’d like to explore fall colors outside of the Northeast, some cruise lines will take you to foliage destinations in other parts of the United States.
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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 to get the best prices and availability. Here, we present the five best fall foliage cruises you should consider in New England, Canada, and beyond.
7-Night Canada & New England Cruise on Holland America
Holland America’s Zuiderdam, which can hold 1,964 passengers, is a delightfully mid-sized ship, so you won’t have to worry about crowds as you cruise between Boston and Quebec City. The ship begins sailing this route in late August, but for the best foliage viewing, you’ll want to book one of the two October sailings. (In 2025, the itinerary is identical but with a different name.)
Ports of call include Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Rockland, Portland or Bar Harbor, Maine. Take your pick of scenic drives or strolls through gardens or along hiking trails, camera at the ready. On board, spend your evenings rocking out to live music or enjoying a leisurely meal of steak or seafood at the Pinnacle Grill.
The best for: Holland America primarily attracts retirees and couples who appreciate the airline’s focus on fine dining and live entertainment. The Zuiderdam itinerary is ideal for anyone who doesn’t mind flying in and out of different cities to travel farther north in Canada than one-way crossings.
Related: 11 Best Cruises in Canada and New England
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7-Night Canada & New England Cruise with Princess Cruises
For an easy round-trip New York cruise that leans more toward New England than Canada, consider Princess Cruises’ weeklong October sailings in 2024 and 2025 on the 3,660-passenger Enchanted Princess. Choose from four- or five-port itineraries, including Newport, Rhode Island; Boston; Bar Harbor or Portland; Halifax; and (on select sailings) Saint John, New Brunswick.
If you love seascapes, don’t miss the stunning coastal scenery of the Bay of Fundy (from St. John) or Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia. Head to the hills of Bar Harbor for elevated views, or escape to the sea with a harbor cruise from Newport.
The best for: Princess Cruises also appeals to older couples and classic cruise lovers, but the Enchanted Princess, launched in 2019, is much larger than Holland America’s Zuiderdam. Kick back with the signature Movies Under the Stars (complete with blankets for those fall New England nights) or enjoy the many specialty restaurants dedicated to Italian specialties, steakhouse fare and seafood. Bundle up for a romantic breakfast on your balcony as the colorful coastline passes by.
Related: Best Time to Cruise Canada and New England
7-Night Canada Cruise with Royal Caribbean
Combine an easy round-trip cruise from Boston with a fall foliage cruise that focuses more on Canadian ports than New England on Royal Caribbean’s seven-night voyages on the 2,191-passenger Jewel of the Seas, departing September and October 2024, and the 2,142-passenger Brilliance of the Seas, departing September and October 2025. Most itineraries call at Portland, St. John, Sydney and Halifax.
The ships are among Royal Caribbean’s oldest and smallest, so don’t expect a hulking megaship with killer amenities on the upper deck (a good or bad thing, depending on your style). You’ll still find plenty of dining options (including Izumi for Japanese and Giovanni’s Table for Italian), the line’s signature circular Viking Crown Lounge, and—perfect for fall weather—an adults-only indoor sundeck.
The best for: Royal Caribbean fans looking for a mid-sized ship experience with fewer kids should book this cruise. Anyone looking for a round-trip Canadian cruise that doesn’t require a passport will appreciate the convenient Boston homeport (complete with gorgeous fall foliage) and three ports of call in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
Related: Canada and New England Cruise Packing List: What to Pack for Each Season
7-Night Puget Sound and San Juan Islands Cruise with American Cruise Lines
Eastern Canada and New England aren’t the only regions in North America known for their fall foliage. American Cruise Lines offers several small ship October cruises to other leaf-watching regions, including the Hudson River Valley.
But for a completely different experience, why not try the seven-night round-trip Puget Sound and San Juan Islands 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 (gateway to Victoria, BC and Olympic National Park), Port Townsend and Poulsbo, Washington, with a day spent cruising around the San Juan Islands. Take advantage of the hiking trails on Fidalgo Island near Anacortes and don’t miss the photogenic Deception Pass nearby. See the Olympic and Cascade Mountains in their autumnal glory and enjoy the fall weather in historic waterfront towns.
The best for: Travelers looking for a different destination for their fall foliage cruise, as well as cruisers who prioritize time on land over time on the ship. American Cruise Lines ships are tiny, with only four to six decks, with amenities limited to a restaurant, a couple of lounges, small fitness areas, and a sun deck, perhaps with a putting green. Be prepared to party in the evenings, or go to bed early so you’re energized for a full day in port most days. Also, be aware that these ships typically attract an older retiree crowd.
12-Night Canada & New England Autumn Leaf Cruise on Seabourn
Smaller ships can visit more off-the-beaten-path ports than their larger counterparts. Seabourn’s 458-passenger Seabourn Quest (2024) and Seabourn Sojourn (2025) sail 12-night cruises between New York and Montreal.
Itineraries vary slightly by departure date, but visit several destinations in Quebec, including Trois-Rivieres, Quebec City, Baie-Comeau, and Saguenay, with a scenic cruise along the Saguenay Fjord. The ship also visits Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; and Halifax, Nova Scotia; and stops at a couple of American ports, including Newport, Rhode Island; and Boston, Martha’s Vineyard or Provincetown, Massachusetts.
This is also one of the best fall foliage cruises if you’re looking for an all-inclusive trip in a luxurious setting. On Seabourn Quest and Sojourn, every stateroom is a suite with a view (not to mention a walk-in closet and a large bathroom with a tub). You can enjoy gourmet cuisine, complimentary wine and cocktails, and a friendly crew that will do anything for you.
The best for: Luxury lovers looking to be pampered during their leaf-peeping vacation will appreciate this nearly two-week Canada and New England cruise. The extended itinerary features several days at sea to enjoy the ship’s spa or delicious afternoon tea service, as well as some lesser-visited ports and, on select sailings, an overnight in Quebec City. It’s ideal for travelers looking to make the most of their fall trip to the Northeast.
Bottom line
You might be surprised by how many choices you have for fall cruises in late September and October. In addition to Seabourn, all the major luxury cruise lines dedicate some cruise to this region, including lines like Silversea Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Oceania Cruises, and Crystal. Big ships like Norwegian Breakaway and NCL’s Getaway also get in on the leaf-peeping action.
Here, we’ve selected the best fall foliage cruises for different itinerary configurations and ship styles. They may be our favorites, but only you know which combination of ports and onboard experience is the perfect match for your travel style.
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