The maritime provinces of Canada and the northeast coast of the United States are popular cruising destinations in the fall. The beautiful scenery, gorgeous fall foliage, and abundance of attractive ports make this a great region for cruising

But the season is a short one. By mid- to late-October, most of the fall color is gone and the weather becomes less attractive. At that time, most of the cruise ships head for Florida, which they use as a base for Caribbean cruises.

Fall foliage repositioning cruises offers travelers the chance to see Canada’s craggy coastline and quaint fishing villages up close, as well as some of America’s most historic ports. It’s a hassle-free vacation that will completely transport you, without the jet lag.

Quebec City

The first ship to head south is Holland America’s Eurodam, which sails from Quebec City on October 6. She sails the St. Lawrence Seaway to Baie-Comeau and Gaspe in the province of Quebec, then calls at Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island, Sydney and Halifax in Nova Scotia, Bar Harbor, Maine and Gloucester, Massachusetts. She spends two days sailing along the east coast before arriving in Fort Lauderdale on October 16.

Readers of Ann of Green Gables will find the rolling hills and neat farms of Prince Edward Island strangely familiar.

On October 9, Holland America’s Maasdam sails from Montreal and calls the next day at Quebec City. Passengers have a full day to explore this delightful, old world charmer before sailing for Saguenay, Baie-Comeau, and Gaspe. Like Eurodam, Maasdam also visits Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Maine, and Massachusetts. But she spends three days at sea before arriving in Fort Lauderdale. This gives passengers plenty of time to relax and enjoy the spa, fitness center, and Culinary Arts Center.

The 3,120-passenger Crown Princess embarks cruisers in Quebec City on October 17 and berths there overnight. Passengers can spend the evening and the following day enjoying the old town before sailing for Saguenay. After calling at Halifax and Bar Harbor, Crown Princess visits Boston, Newport, Rhode Island — where passengers can tour the fabulous homes of the American aristocracy — Brooklyn, and charming Norfolk, Virginia. After a day at sea, she arrives in Charleston, South Carolina, one of the most attractive towns in the South. After a second day at sea, she arrives in Fort Lauderdale, where passengers disembark on October 30.

Lighthouse at Prince Edward Island

Luxury cruisers can board Crystal Symphony in Montreal on October 22. Passengers spend the night on board and sail at 9PM the following night for Quebec City. She stays there until midnight, giving passengers time to enjoy Quebec City in the evening. After two days at sea, she calls at Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Portland, Maine before overnighting in Boston. Next, she calls at Newport, Rhode Island. Passengers can disembark in New York on November 2, or stay aboard, transit the Panama Canal, and go all the way to Los Angeles.

MSC Cruises’ Poesia offer travelers three options, depending on how much time they have. She sails from Quebec City on October 23 and visits Sydney in Nova Scotia, Boston, and Newport before arriving in Manhattan. Passengers can disembark there or stay on board, spend the evening in New York, and arrive in Fort Lauderdale after a day at sea. They can also continue on to Jamaica, Columbia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Cancun, disembarking in Fort Lauderdale on November 11.

Read about other coastal repositioning cruises.

Quebec City Image Flickr: David Paul Ohmer
Lighthouse at Prince Edward Island Image Flickr: cphoffman42

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