Canada Cruises

Canada & New England - Indian Summer Region

Although the East coast of Canada and the New England region belong to two different countries, they have a lot in common. The contrast between cozy small towns and vibrant cities is gigantic. While you find yourself in hectic everyday life in New York and Montreal, time seems to stop in the small towns. Cozy wooden houses with a porch swing on the veranda and extensive fields for grazing cows characterize the idyllic provincial towns. Even in the animal world, the regions are not too different. While you see the big brown bear, the Grizzly, on the Canadian East coast, the no less impressive black bears are waiting for you in New England. Moose, reindeer or humpback, dwarf and fin whale - the wildlife is just breathtaking. Whale watching is a special attraction in Eastern America. Thus, this region is also considered an absolute dream destination for animal and nature lovers and can be well discovered during a round trip.

Best travel time for a Canada cruise or New England cruise

Characteristic of Eastern Canada and New England are the pronounced seasons. While it can be quite hot in the Summer with up to 26 ° C (varies by region), the Winters with some -20 ° C and high snowfall are very cold - and above all, long! From the end of September / beginning of October, the temperatures drop. From December you can expect snow and only in April it begins to melt again with the slowly rising temperatures. From June, you can look forward to a hot midsummer.

But a very special experience awaits you between the end of August and the beginning of October (depending on the region): the Indian Summer. This actually means the colourful Autumn. As soon as an extended high-pressure area brings warm air from the South and South-west of the countries to the region after previous first night frosts and the temperatures rise, the treetops turn and present themselves in bright reds, oranges and yellows. The colours are very intense and divided into a variety of shades. You just have to experience the Indian Summer yourself!

The Spring awakening is the period from April to June. For midsummer temperatures and activities, you would need to visit from July through to August. For Autumnal impressions and the Indian Summer we recommend September to October.

Top harbours in Canada & New England incl. sights

You want to discover Canada during a cruise? Great idea! In this natural paradise, you will experience not only fascinating natural spaces and a diverse animal kingdom, but also the cozy atmosphere of the small towns and the happenings in the big cities.

Ports in Canada
 

Québec
 

Experience Québec, the capital of the province of the same name, where mostly French is spoken. It lies on the north bank of the St. Lawrence River and is characterized by its European appearance. The well-preserved old town shows French influences with its small, cozy houses and streets. Here you will find centuries-old architecture next to stunning churches and chapels. Even art and music lovers will get their money's worth in the small streets and boutiques. The fortifications of the city are absolutely worth seeing. A tour of the city walls will teach you a lot about the history of the city. An impressive and at the same time surprising attraction is the Montmorency Waterfall, located just minutes from the city yet one and a half times higher than the famous Niagara Falls near Toronto. Whether it's a waterfall visit, a museum visit or a walk in the old town, no matter what you do, you'll definitely need a portion of poutine on the way. The Canadian national dish consisting of fries, gravy and diced cheddar cheese. Experience this here in rural Quebec, where this speciality was invented. --> Québec cruises

Montreal
 

Also in the French-speaking province is Montreal. After Paris, the city is the second largest city in the world, where French is spoken as a native language. Due to the diverse cultures that come together here, Montreal combines a diverse range of culture, culinary and arts and crafts.

Visit the Parc du Mont-Royal, the highest elevation in the entire city. Here you not only have the most beautiful view of Montreal, but also discover a true paradise for plants and animals. The Basilique Notre-Dame welcomes you in Vieux-Montreal (the old town) with neo-gothic architecture as the main monument of the district. It forms the centerpiece of the religious life of the traditional Catholic city and embodies the romantic ideal of beauty with its richly decorated façade. --> Montreal cruises

Halifax
 

Canada's cruises should not miss the capital of the province of Nova Scotia. Due to its location right in the East on a promontory, the romantic port city of Canada is the fastest to reach from parts of Europe. The appearance is marked by the star-shaped citadel, a gigantic fortification of the British from the year 1749, which still remembers  British troops. Once you 've explored the Halifax Citadel, move on to Halifax Public Gardens. The Victorian-style public gardens thrill with countless plant species, magnificent flowers, statues and the cute bandstand. In the immigration museum, you will learn everything about the former passenger terminal for transatlantic liners. And in the Halifax Central Library you can enjoy a great view of the city as well as a great selection of literature. Highly recommended is the cafe on the 5th floor, which is truly loved by the library visitors.

Saint John in New Brunswick and Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island (PEI) are popular stops on Canada cruises. --> Halifax criuses

Ports in New England
 

Bar Harbour

The small town of Bar Harbour is located in the American state of Maine and is located on the island of Mount Desert Iceland in the Penobscot Bay off the coast of Maine in the Atlantic Ocean. In 1947, the charming village was largely destroyed by a major fire. The history of this disaster can be found in the local museums, such as the Abbe Museum, the Dorr Museum of Natural History and the Bar Harbour Historical Society Museum. Bar Harbour also has an oceanarium, a zoo and lumberjack shows to offer. Visit Millionaires Row, as West Street likes to be called, and marvel at the magnificent mansions that line up here. Small cafés with a fisherman's look in the harbour with water views give the place the charm with which it receives its visitors.

In the approximately 19,000 hectare Acadia National Park you catch the most beautiful views of the sea and the surrounding area. Granite cliffs, sand and cobblestone beaches serve as a buffer between the breaking waves and the landfall - and the species-rich wildlife, which includes moose, bears, whales and seabirds.

Boston
 

Boston is the capital and largest city in the state of Massachusetts. As one of the oldest cities in the US, it played a central role in the Revolutionary War, which is evident on the Freedom Trail. The Freedom Trail is a 4-kilometre loop that takes you along 16 historic sites that support the founding history of the country. A red line on the sidewalk will guide you reliably from place to place. For example, discover the Old Town Hall, Old State House, with its beautiful golden dome, or the Boston Latin School, the first US public school. If you are interested in the history of African American in Boston, the approximately 2.5-kilometre Black Heritage Trail is available for you. For example, on the way, you learn that Massachusetts was the first American state to ban slavery. Art lovers should definitely go to the Museum of Fine Arts, one of the major art museums in the United States.

After the cultural program, make a detour to the Boston Common, a recreational centre in the middle of the city. Here you can unpack your picnic basket and watch the squirrels whiz from tree to tree in the oldest city park in the USA. What about a trip to one of the most famous and best universities in the world: Harvard! If you're looking for quaint villages and romantic beach walks, head straight to Cape Cod, an idyllic peninsula just off Boston. Relaxation is on the agenda here.

New York
 

As the largest city in the United States, New York is also considered a melting pot of different nationalities and cultures. In the city of superlatives, you will find not only diverse lifestyles, but also legendary attractions that you will not forget. Take in the views from the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center Observation Decks, which promise spectacular views - provided no fog clouds prevent visibility. The One World Trade Centre at the National 9/11 Memorial, with its One World Observatory (New York's highest observation deck), also offers great views and lasting impressions.

The official landmark of New York is the Brooklyn Bridge, which connects the districts of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Here you can enjoy a wonderful view over the East River. Also popular with residents and visitors is the High Line Park, which opened in 2009. It is located on the tracks of the former elevated railway line from Gansevoort Street to 34th Street, is about 3 kilometres long and only about 20 metres wide. 10 metres above the road this is an unusual green oasis in the metropolis.

Not to be missed on a cruise to New York, is the world-famous Times Square , which unfolds at night by the glowing LED billboards its effect. Here you can visit one of the many rooftop bars, combining the hustle and bustle with the relaxed happy hour atmosphere. A stroll through the city's financial centre and Wall Street is the perfect way to end your visit. --> New York cruises

Portland
 

Portland in Maine is a popular New England cruise stop and is definitely worth a visit. The town on a peninsula combines the charm of a small town with the possibilities and attractions of a big city. Stroll through the cobblestone streets lined with red brick buildings that give the street its idyllic charm. Here, in the Old Port with its microbreweries, the trendy coastal town presents itself from its most charming side. Make a detour to the Fish Market and taste the fresh seafood! A visit to the City Hall and Portland Science Centre is also worthwhile.

Popular cruise lines for Canada cruises
 

The following cruise lines are particularly popular for Canada cruises and New England cruises:

• Cunard
• Holland America Line
• NCL
• Silversea
• Princess Cruises
   

Access to Canada and New England
 

from / to New York

There are direct flights to New York . There are three different ports in New York: the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal and the Cape Liberty Cruise Port in New Jersey. Thanks to its central location, the Manhattan Cruise Terminal can be reached directly by taxi or metro. Also, the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal can be easily reached by taxi or metro, only the port in New Jersey is located so far that a taxi ride is not recommended. Here you can book a limousine service.  

from / to Montreal

There are also direct flights to Montreal. After arriving at Trudeau Montréal airport you are only 20 kilometres  away from the cruise terminal. A taxi ride is possible, alternatively the bus line 747 goes to the harbour.

from / to Boston

Conveniently, the cruise terminal is just across the airport from the other side of the Boston Main Channel. If you take a taxi at the airport, you pay about 25 USD. Alternatively, you can also arrive by public transport. The Silver Line, a bus system, will take you to the cruise terminal. From the airport you can also use these for free.