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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Several years ago, we did a cruise over the Thanksgiving holiday. It wasn’t a repositioning cruise – we just sailed down the coast of Mexico. But it was festive and fun.

No one got stuck making the beds or doing the dishes. Everyone had their own personal space and could spend the day as they pleased. And we even ate leftover turkey on Friday – though there were plenty of other choices.

To be honest, snorkeling and kayaking off the Baja coast was one of the most memorable Thanksgiving holidays we’ve ever had. Not traditional – but in some ways, better. So if you’re looking for a different way to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, a repositioning cruise might be just the thing.

Windstar Wind Spirit

Depending on the ship you choose, there will probably be a big-screen TV showing all the big games. There are plenty of pies to choose from. And you can just relax and enjoy the good life.

Thanksgiving repositioning cruises from Spain and Portugal.

Carrying 700 passengers, Oceania’s Regatta is a really nice size cruise ship. It’s big enough to have all the amenities, including a Canyon Ranch SpaClub, six restaurants, and lots of fitness facilities. But small enough to be manageable. After a few days – especially on a repositioning cruise – many of the staff will know you by name.

Oceania sails from Barcelona on November 13, 2010 and calls at Tangier and Funchal before crossing the Atlantic. After five says at sea, she arrives in Hamilton, Bermuda and overnights there. Passengers spend Thanksgiving at sea, which gives them plenty of time to dress up for dinner and enjoy a leisurely turkey dinner and after-dinner show. Passengers disembark in Miami on November 27.

Wind Spirit is one of the smaller Windstar computer-assisted sailing vessels. Her 148 passengers enjoy a country club casual ambience where the most exciting activity is spotting dolphins riding the bow waves. Those who enjoy plenty of time at sea can board her in Lisbon on November 20 for a two-week cruise to St. Maarten, in the Netherlands Antilles. There are no port calls along the way – just lots of rest, relaxation, and good food.

Barcelona

Seabourn’s 208-passenger Legend offers its guest a true luxury experience with complimentary beverages, cuisine by celebrated chef Charlie Palmer, and all-suite accommodations. She sails from Malaga, Spain on November 20 and calls at Funchall, Madeira two days later. After nine days at sea, she arrives in Fort Lauderdale on December 3.

Thanksgiving repositioning cruises from Rome.

Cruisers who have more time and want to visit some European ports before crossing the Atlantic can board Seabourn Legend in Rome on November 13. Passengers will spend the extra week exploring Florence or Pisa, Barcelona, Valencia, and Palma de Mallorca before arriving in Malaga.

The 694-passenger Azamara Journey is another mid-size ship with big-ship amenities and small-ship service. In fact, the crew-to-guest ratio is one of the highest in the industry. Cruisers who want to experience all Azamara has to offer can board Journey in Rome on November 15 and call at Cartagena, Gibraltar, and Tenerife in the Canary Islands. After a week at sea, she arrive in Nassau, and then disembarks passengers the next day, November 29, in Miami.

Find more transatlantic repositioning cruises here.

Windstar Wind Spirit Image Flickr:  ed and eddie
Barcelona Image Flickr: papalars

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With lots of long, luxurious days at sea and plenty of nights out on deck bathed in the moonlight, repositioning cruises can be very romantic. With so few distractions, couples can really unwind, reconnect and enjoy themselves.

Cruise ships today have plenty of amenities to further the process – from couples massages to tables for two under the stars. So if you’re looking for a romantic getaway for two, a repositioning cruise may be just what the doctor ordered.

Wind Star

Two of the most romantic ships at sea are Sea Dream I and Sea Dream II from Sea Dream Yacht Club. With Balinese beds, lots of ways to dine alone, and just 108 fellow passengers, you’ll feel like you’re on your own personal yacht. In October, Sea Dream I sails from Malaga, Spain to San Juan Puerto Rico. In April, she sails from San Juan to Southampton.

Sea Dream II also offers two repositioning cruises. She sails from Lisbon to San Juan in November and Barbados to Malaga in April. Couples should plan to spend a few nights in Barbados before boarding the ship.

Windstar has three cruise ships that combine the efficiency of motor sailing with the romance of sailing. Wind Spirit and Wind Star each carry 148 passengers and Wind Surf carries 312. The water sports platform at the ship’s stern makes it easy to explore the undersea world, and the hammocks in the rigging were made for two.

Wind Surf and Wind Spirit sail from Lisbon in November. Wind Surf passengers leave the ship in Barbados. Wind Spirit passengers disembark in St. Maarten. Wind Surf and Wind Star return to Lisbon from the Caribbean in April.

Larger cruise ships that are still great for romance.

The most luxurious of the medium-sized ship cruise lines, Crystal has suites with private verandahs and Jacuzzi tubs, fine dining restaurants from Nobu Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio, and a world-class spa with lots of treatments for couples.

Crystal Serenity

Crystal Serenity repositions from Lisbon to Miami in December, and calls in Ponta Delgada and Turks & Caicos on the way. For those who prefer the Pacific, she sails from Los Angeles to Papeete, Tahiti in January. Passengers on this repositioning cruise overnight aboard the ship in Honolulu and call at Moorea before arriving in Papeete. There are few places more romantic than Tahiti, and cruisers arrive in the island rested and with no jet lag.

Oceania Cruises launched several years ago with three 700-passenger ships that had been built by Renaissance Cruises. Their three ships offer cruisers dining overseen by Jacques Pepin, Canyon Ranch SpaClub facilities, and even private, pool-side cabanas for two.

Oceania Regatta sails from Barcelona to Miami in November. Passengers enjoy an overnight call in Hamilton, Bermuda en route. In December, Oceania Insignia leaves Barcelona bound for Rio. She visits Recife and Salvador in Brazil before arriving in beautiful, sultry Rio de Janeiro. Oceania Marina sails from Barcelona to Miami in January and returns in March. That same month, Insignia sails from Buenos Aires to Barcelona.

Wind Star Image Flickr: HBarrison
Crystal Serenity Image Flickr: 3DSumoWrestler

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