New England cruises

[Sipsey]

I have only been to the Caribbean/Mexico and once to the Bahamas. I am interested in what people think about New England/Canada cruises. Is it better to go in the fall and see the colors turn, or is it too cold to enjoy being out on deck? Is New York or Boston preferable for the home port? I like RC better than Carnival, but am open to suggestion on either or other cruise lines.

[Sixtytwo]

We have been considering this as well so I hope you get some good responses!

[agabbymama]

Definitely do New England/Canada in the Fall. It is absolutely beautiful. And make sure your cruise goes to Quebec or Montreal, not just New England.

 

I had wanted to do HAL, but they were cost prohibitive. I found Celebrity Constellation for about $600 less than HAL. We left out of Bayonne, NJ

(stayed in NYC 3 days pre-cruise) to Boston, Portland, Bar Harbor, St. John, Halifax and on to Quebec. Had a little rain the last week of Sept/first week of Oct. 12 day cruise was fabulous!

[spookwife]

I have only been to the Caribbean/Mexico and once to the Bahamas. I am interested in what people think about New England/Canada cruises. Is it better to go in the fall and see the colors turn, or is it too cold to enjoy being out on deck? Is New York or Boston preferable for the home port? I like RC better than Carnival, but am open to suggestion on either or other cruise lines.

 

check out Baltimore. Grandeur of the Seas has them.. we're booked on the 19 September one. September tends to still be nice in NE.. Warm days with sun, and crisp cool nights

[Keith1010]

We have done this type of cruise and really enjoyed it.

 

The ports are great to visit.

 

Keith

[navybankerteacher]

The weather is likely to be good until early October, by which time autumn colors along the St. Lawrence river will be passing their peak.

[Bonnie J.]

We went two years ago to Halifax & St, John, left NY on June 27th. It was so cold, I bought a hoodie. Fog came and went. Going home, in July, it was 62' and windy. No one was out side.

Go for the leaves in the fall. Just take jeans and jackets with hats!

[geoherb]

We were on Holland America's Veendam last week from Quebec to Boston. The spring flowers were beautiful in the ports--lots of tulips and flowering trees and shrubs. The leaves were just beginning to come out on the deciduous trees. The weather was cool--but it was also cool when we were in Maine and on Cape Cod in the summer.

 

The one time we did a fall cruise to New England and Canada, they had a late fall. Our cruise was October 5-12. The leaves had not started changing that year. You can never plan on the weather/climate cooperating.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have done several different versions of the Canada/New England.

They are great. However one time we went about the third week of October -- most of the leaves had already turned and many were on the ground. AND many of the shops had closed for the season.

[DonnaK]

We did Canada/NE on Caribbean Princess from Brooklyn and absolutely loved it! We went the last week of August, and the weather was beautiful (like in the 70s during the day, and the 50s at night). It was kind of cold to be out on the decks at night, and it was too cold for swimming. I don't think I would like to go much later then September. The crowd was very geriatric.

 

I would absolutely do it again, but on Royal Caribbean. Brilliance does this route out of Boston, and Explorer does the route out of NJ. Legend of the Seas has a few repositioning cruises, one-way NY to Quebec, then r/t Quebec, then Quebec to FLL.

[Kartgv]

Also check Celebrity - they have a nice 14 day round trip cruise on the Summit out of Bayonne that we're taking this fall. We're especially looking forward to an overnight in Quebec City. We did a 10 day trip on the Explorer several years ago and really enjoyed it, though didn't get to some of the Canadian ports that we'll see this time. Our favorite places on that trip were Portland, Boston, Bar Harbor and a visit to Peggy's Cove (forget which port that was). The weather is "variable" - you're never sure what you'll get, but isn't that the case almost anywhere, anytime? We had mostly gorgeous days except for heavy rain on embarkation day. Just take a light rain jacket and sweaters, etc. for layering.

[DonnaK]

Also check Celebrity - they have a nice 14 day round trip cruise on the Summit out of Bayonne that we're taking this fall. We're especially looking forward to an overnight in Quebec City. We did a 10 day trip on the Explorer several years ago and really enjoyed it, though didn't get to some of the Canadian ports that we'll see this time. Our favorite places on that trip were Portland, Boston, Bar Harbor and a visit to Peggy's Cove (forget which port that was). The weather is "variable" - you're never sure what you'll get, but isn't that the case almost anywhere, anytime? We had mostly gorgeous days except for heavy rain on embarkation day. Just take a light rain jacket and sweaters, etc. for layering.

 

Peggy's Cove = Halifax, Nova Scotia

[Suitcasefull]

We've done HAL Montreal to NY and enjoyed it.

Even better was when we took the NCL cruise from Boston to Quebec and tacked on extra days to explore that beautiful city and area.

Both our trips were in September. One had had a lot of rain that took down many leaves but it was still nice.

Lots of excursions to choose from in the ports.

Think layers that you can use in different ways if you go at that time. It does make a nice excuse to "need" to buy a lovely sweater or vest or whatever while you're up there, though. ;)

[zacc]

This September we will be taking our fourth Canada/New England cruise. All have been in September and all have been on Princess. Safe to say that we enjoy it.

[jmf123]

Peggy's Cove = Halifax, Nova Scotia

 

Our weather in October was perfect for our Canada/New England cruise on the Crown Princess. We even had a bit of fog, and heard the horn quite a few times early one morning! The autumn leaves were beautiful.

 

We rented cars in both Halifax and Saint John, and loved seeing Peggy's Cove, and the Bay of Fundy- home of the world's highest tides. Also the profound memorial for SwissAir flight 111 near Peggy's Cove. (This tragedy occurred in September '98). It was very interesting to drive to Fairview Cemetery, the final resting place of over one hundred victims of the Titanic.

 

We loved every day of our itinerary, there is plenty to see and do, both on and off the ship. We enjoyed the people and the very scenic area, it was a very peaceful and beautiful cruise. Oh, and regarding 'geriatrics' on board, we met some of the nicest, amazing older folks! (My DH and I were in our 40s). One couple we met in the casino was 92 and 98 years young, and we even played on the same trivia team! We had a very memorable cruise. :)

[maryann ns]

On average, the second week of October is best for the fall colours, but you can never be sure. Some years they are more spectacular than others.

 

There is lots of information about the various ports in the Ports of Call sections for New England and Canada.

[marco]

If you want to see fall color, September usually is a tad too early, maybe late September for Maine/Canada, but even that's iffy. If you go on HAL, all of their ships have the retractable dome over the main pool so if it's chilly or inclement...no problem.....glass roof closed.