10 FAVORITE FALL CRUISE PORTS OF CALL
Autumn is my favorite time to cruise, especially when sailing along the North Atlantic shoreline and exploring the historic and picturesque harbor towns throughout New England and Canada.
The clear, cool, crisp weather combined with the eye-popping colors of fall provide a wonderful season for cruising.
The rugged coastal scenery is spectacular and the seafaring, historical and charming ports-of-call along the way (plus the freshest seafood imaginable – think whole Maine lobsters) makes a fall voyage along the coast of North America a popular choice for “leaf-peeping” adults.
Typically, New England ports include Boston, Newport, Portland and Bar Harbor. Canadian stops may feature Quebec City, Montreal, Nova Scotia , New Brunswick, Saguenay, Prince Edward Island , Gaspe and cruising the St. Lawrence River.
A few fall foliage itineraries are re-positioning cruises, taking passengers from New York to New England onward to Canada and then south along the Eastern Seaboard to Florida for regularly scheduled winter sailings throughout the Caribbean. (My favorite re-positioning itinerary also includes a day or two in Bermuda before continuing south.) These longer cruises offer less crowds, more sea days and a good value – but don’t wait, savvy cruisers have already booked for this year. (Due in part to the surge in popularity of longer voyages.)
Most fall cruises are 7, 10 or 14 days , run from September through late October and originate from New York, Boston, Quebec and Montreal – with some sailings from Baltimore and New Jersey.
You can choose from a variety of cruise lines and price points. From the contemporary megaships of Carnival , Royal Caribbean and NCL – to the premium ships of Holland America Line , Princess, Celebrity and premium-plus Cunard, Oceania and Viking Cruises. If it’s all-inclusive, intimate and ultra-luxury you want, choose Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Silversea or Seabourn Cruises.
Contact your AAA trusted travel advisor now and ask about all Fall Foliage Cruise sales and promotions available now.
TIP – Generally speaking, New England and Canada are casual-attire cruise destinations. Dress in layers and pack rainwear and comfortable (worn-in) walking shoes. Keep your eyes open for whales and seascapes populated with migrating puffins. Sample local seafood, maple syrup, pumpkin and apple flavored delights and finally, don’t forget your passport.
Here are 10 of my favorite fall foliage ports-of-call, including some fun things to do :
BOSTON, MA – Put on your comfy walking shoes and trace America’s independence on the Freedom Trail linking more than a dozen historic sites, and don’t forget about Fenway Park and the J.F.K. Library. If you’re a fan of Italian food, Boston’s award-winning “North End Market Tour” is a fantastic couple hours eating your way through authentic “Little Italy”. If you don’t feel like walking , ride the Old Town Trolley for an easy way to view Boston’s most famous landmarks.
NEWPORT, RI – After touring a Gilded Age mansion or two, take a scenic hike along the Cliff Walk and then explore the Newport Historic District. Select the Ocean Drive tour and take in the extraordinary (ostentatious) mansions along the way (yes, the rich are different), and J.F.K. fans will want to see Hammersmith Farm and Gothic St. Mary’s Church.
BAR HARBOR, ME – Easily explored on foot, the Shore Path runs along the waterfront, passing several historic and lavish summer cottages combined with beautiful coastal sights. A visit to Acadia National Park and Cadillac Mountain (tallest mountain on US Atlantic Coast) will stay with you forever. The coastal, mountain and forest scenery is spectacular and hiking the Ocean Trail is the best way to experience it. Afterwards, treat yourself to a lobster lunch, complete with blueberry pie – you’ve earned it!
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA – Walk the historic waterfront city and spend time in the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic with the excellent Titanic exhibit. Also, hear the heartbreaking and uplifting true immigrant stories that come alive at Pier 21. The harbor was the site of the Halifax Explosion of 1917, a massive explosion that nearly leveled the entire city. The star-shaped Halifax Citadel (circa 1828) is definitely worth a visit, and Peggy’s Cove is considered a must-see, although if there are several cruise ships in port, you may want to skip it, the atmosphere and surroundings are too crazy-busy with tour buses.
QUEBEC CITY – You could spend hours (or days) strolling through and exploring this beautiful city overlooking the “mighty” St. Lawrence river – and overflowing with French speaking charm. Boasting cobblestone streets, quaint shops and the most photographed hotel in the world – the iconic and elegant “Castle on a Hill” - Fairmont’s Le Chateau Frontenac. (At the very least, have a coffee or a glass of wine in one of the indoor or outdoor lounges and take it all in.)
LUNENBURG, NOVA SCOTIA – This UNESCO World Heritage Site and off-the-beaten-path seafaring port (circa 1888) is widely considered the prettiest town in Canada – and I absolutely agree. Take in the picture postcard old town harbor side streets bursting with charming cafes , galleries and unique boutiques.
SYDNEY, NOVA SCOTIA – If you love Scotland and all things Scottish, then you’ll love Sydney.
SAINT JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK – The Bay of Fundy is Mother Nature in all her glory, especially the amazing Reversing Falls Rapids caused by extreme tidal changes.
CHARLOTTETOWN, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND – Canada’s smallest province is also a colorful and very pretty rural countryside with red soil and sandy white beaches. Visit the literary birthplace of “Anne of Green Gables” homestead and after touring the house, stroll through the Haunted Woods, Lovers Lane and Balsam Harbor.
MONTREAL – A mix of the old and new. A cosmopolitan, diverse city – Montreal offers downtown modern skyscrapers with an old quarter that contains more historic buildings than any other city in North America. Another terrific walking port, you can wander throughout famous museums, galleries, churches (Notre-Dame is lovely), bars and cafes – and if the weather is good, stroll through the city parks and harbor area.
***Let’s Talk Travel with AAA”, hosted by Sandy Fenton, is locally syndicated every Saturday morning on iHeartRadio’s WHP580 & WRAW. You can listen anytime, anywhere just search for “Let’s Talk Travel with AAA, hosted by Sandy Fenton”.
