Every year, there’s a small window of time when many of the ships empty out of Europe, but they’re trying to avoid hurricane season in the Caribbean, so they end up in the New England States and the St. Lawrence Seaway. September and October are the perfect time of year to take in the spectacular fall colors (“colours” when you’re on the Canadian side of the border!) and to visit this unique part of the world.
Some cruise lines focus on the larger ports: New York, Boston, Halifax and Montreal. All these cities are well worth a visit, but I like the itineraries that also include some of the smaller, lesser known places. Charlottetown is infinitely charming, and Bar Harbor is increasingly frequented by cruise ships, but still an interesting stop.
If your cruise starts or finishes in Montreal or Quebec City, then hopefully you get to visit some of the Quebec townships that dot the St. Lawrence. If you ever doubted Canada was a French speaking country, a visit to rural Quebec will clear it up right away.
Quebec City is often an embarkation or disembarkation port on the longer Canada & New England Cruises. It is North America’s only walled city, and is full of history for both Americans and Canadians. We often forget that France colonized much of North America, and the Louisiana Purchase began the assimilation of the French into the American melting pot, but the French language, history and culture are alive and well in Quebec City. You’ll want to stay an extra day or two here, and feel the European vibe.
It’s actually possible to visit Europe without crossing the Atlantic if you choose a Canada & New England cruise that visits the French Islands of St. Pierre & Miquelon. This island colony in the Gulf of St. Lawrence is still a French Colony (their Head of State is the President of France), they use the Euro as their currency, and the cars carry EU licence plates. These islands are definitely unique for their language and culture. The dialect of French they speak in this colony is neither European nor Canadian.
Almost all the cruise lines have some presence in Canada & New England. The mega-ships tend to visit the big ports, but occasionally make a stop at the more interesting out-of-the-way places. The small-ship ocean lines have a wide variety of itineraries of varying lengths, and the most interesting ones, in my mind, are those that have a mix of the big ports with some more remote ports that you’ll probably only ever visit on a cruise like this.
The best part about these cruises is that for many of us, the journey to the port can be made by a short domestic, or cross-border flight. Those living in the Northeast may even be able to drive to the port.
Canada & New England cruises offer a great opportunity to explore something new that is really our own backyard. There are enough itinerary variations, that even if you’ve already done a cruise in the region, you can probably find another with almost completely different port stops.
Travel Opportunities
Oceania Ultimate O-Life
If you’re looking to travel in the next few months, then this deal is pretty hard to beat. Normally Oceania offers a choice of one of:
- Additional On Board Credits ($300 – $800 depending on the cruise), OR
- Free Shore Excursions, OR
- Free Beverage Package
Right now, you can get ALL THREE perks on selected sailings. Oceania’s price point offers these luxury inclusions compelling under regular circumstances, and to get all three of them represents fantastic value. Here’s a link to directly to their webpage with a list of eligible departures:
https://www.oceaniacruises.com/special-offers/olife-ultimate
The rest of today’s travel opportunities, are all about cruises to Canada & New England:
Explora Journeys – Quebec to New York City – departing October 3rd 2023 (10 nights)
- Visit Saguenay, Baie-Comeau, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Charlottetown, Halifax, New York (overnight)
- Bob and I are travelling on this journey – why not join us?
- $6350 per person – Veranda Room (377 Square Feet)
Hurtigruten – Halifax to Boston for 7-nights departing September 12.
- Visit Sable Island, Lunenburg, Eastport (MN), Rockland/Castine MN, Provincetown MA.
- Sail on the world’s first hybrid-electric cruise ship.
- Outside cabin: $2993. Veranda $3562
Oceania – Montreal to Boston for 11-nights departing October 8.
- Visit Quebec City, Saguenay, Cornerbrook, Charlottetown, Sydney, Halifax, Saint John, Eastport, and Portland.
- Outside: $5199. Veranda: $7499 – O-Life Ultimate Fares
- Includes round-trip air, beverage package, 3 free shore excursions (per person), $300 per person on board credit.
Viking Ocean – Montreal to New York for 13-days departing June or July 2023
- Visit Montreal (overnight), Quebec City, Saguenay, Gaspe, Halifax, Boston (overnight), New York (overnight).
- Verandas from $4999 with Free Air.
- Includes all taxes and fees, air, transfers, beer/wine with meals, a shore excursion in every port, and wifi on the ship.
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If you’re planning a trip, I’d love to help! Click here or call 800-876-0168 to get in touch today.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sue Bradley
Sue Bradley
