The 10 sights you should not miss on a cruise of New England and Canada
Variety is the Eastern Seaboard’s strongest suit. Cruise here and fear no port fatigue – each day brings a different experience to the last.
Nature at its most scenic sits alongside cosmopolitan cities, cultures range from French Canadian to Irish American, and the diversity of cruise lines operating in the region means there’s no shortage of choice when it comes to itinerary and ship size.
A few lines sail over the summer too, but peak season runs from September to the end of October, when the autumn colour is at its most spectacular. If the turning of the leaves has piqued your interest in catching New England and Canada in their autumn glory, plan ahead for next year with these 10 not-to-be-missed sights:
1. Newport
Prepare for accommodation envy. However luxurious your cabin is, it’ll pale in comparison to Newport’s famous summer “cottages” – the palatial mansions kept by America’s wealthiest families during the late 19th century in this gorgeous corner of Rhode Island.
Imagine yourself among the Vanderbilts and Astors as you stroll along the Cliff Walk, a 3.5-mile coastal path that brings you almost within trespassing distance of many of these opulent holiday homes.
2. Boston
As the birthplace of the American Revolution, Boston can pack a lot of history into a port visit. Follow the brick-paved Freedom Trail between 16 sights including Paul Revere’s house, Faneuil Hall, and the USS Constitution, a three-masted naval frigate that defeated five British warships.
Then reward your sightseeing stamina with a bowl of creamy chowder, or half a dozen freshly-shucked oysters.
3. Portland
Maine’s maritime history is long and storied, but if you need Portland’s edited highlights, choose lobster and lighthouses. Cool chunks of crustacean lightly tossed in mayonnaise characterise the state’s traditional lobster roll – get one from a seaside shack and eat with the ocean spray on your face.
Lighthouses stand sentinel along this stretch of coast – there are six within 20 minutes of the city centre. Portland Head Light, perched on a rocky promontory in Casco Bay, is perhaps the most photogenic.
4. Fall colour
Autumn is prime cruising season in this region, and once you’ve experienced the visual symphony of the turning leaves you’ll understand why. Acadia National Park, in Maine, is easily accessible from Bar Harbor, is the top leaf-peeping spot on many cruise itineraries.
The 27-mile Park Loop Road shows off the best of the scenery, including towering Otter Cliff, tranquil Bubble Pond and picturesque Seal Harbor, as well as sprawling red, orange and yellow mosaics of birch, aspen, oak, maple and beech.
5. Bay of Fundy
Twice a day, more than 160 billion tonnes of seawater – more than the combined flow of the world’s freshwater rivers – rushes in and out of the Bay of Fundy, home of the world’s highest tides.
The currents carry a cetacean banquet of krill. Up to 12 species of whales, including humpback, minke and finback, can be found in the bay between June and October, with excursions to spot these marine giants running on catamarans, zodiacs and even tall ships.
6. Halifax
Nova Scotia’s small capital possesses a gentle tranquility at odds with its turbulent and tragic history. Head to the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and learn about the city’s part in the Titanic story – all who perished were brought here, and there’s a vast collection of memorabilia plus multiple graveyards.
You can also find out the history of the Great Explosion of 1917 when a boat packed with explosives crashed in the bay, setting off the world’s largest man-made blast prior to the atom bomb and devastating the city.
7. Gaspe
The Gaspe peninsula was named "gespeg" meaning "end of the lands" by the First Nations Mi’kmaq people, and the area still feels remote. Explore the craggy beauty of the Forillon National Park – watch out for black bear and moose – or take a ferry trip down the coast for close up views of Percé Rock.
Neighbouring this naturally-formed limestone arch is Bonaventure Island, home to one of the largest colonies of gannets in the world.
8. Saguenay
Carved by glaciers in the last Ice Age, the steep-sided Saguenay Fjord makes gorgeous scenic cruising territory, with the deep blue waters kept calm as a millpond by steep emerald cliffs, and both banks playing host to pretty villages.
Some ships dock here too, giving you the opportunity to kayak on the fjord, hike in the surrounding national park, or attend La Fabuleuse. This stage show documenting the history of the region has a local cast of more than 200 actors, and has been running for more than 30 years.
9. Quebec City
Crowned by the magnificent Chateau Frontenac, the most French of all Canada’s cities is a beauty, with a cobbled, labyrinthine Old Town and a walled citadel. You could easily spend the day simply wandering, shopping and eating in this charming city, but if you have longer at the beginning or end of your cruise, taste your way around the wineries, boulangeries and fromageries of tiny Ile d’Orleans, 20 minutes from the city centre.
10. Montreal
Arty, Francophone Montreal is a bustling metropolis that’s rightly proud of its cultural scene, from the opulent Gothic revival Notre-Dame Basilica to a regularly shifting rota of contemporary public art installations at the Places des Festivals. For a breath of fresh air, head to the city’s mini-mountain Mont Royal. You’ll find excellent views and a handsome park.
What to book?
Princess' nine-night Classic Canada and New England cruise sails from New York City. From £1,299pp, departing September 24, 2019. (0344 338 8663; princess.com)
