New England Cruises
Lighthouses to Quebec City
Cruise New England by Small Ship
A New England cruise covers a coastline shaped as much by history as by geography. The ports here were colonial trading towns before the Revolution, fishing villages that fed the country through the 19th century, and summer retreats for generations of American families. Sailing them by small ship means arriving in harbors too shallow for the big cruise lines, tying up close to the waterfront, and walking to the things worth seeing rather than busing to them.
The itineraries on this page fall into two main types. The New England and Canada sailings run between Portland, Maine and Quebec City, calling at Halifax and its Citadel and Titanic-era cemeteries, Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island — the storybook town that inspired Anne of Green Gables and served as the birthplace of Canadian Confederation — and the walled upper town of Quebec City, where the Plains of Abraham and the Château Frontenac rise above the St. Lawrence. A Montreal to Portland routing covers the same corridor in reverse.
The second type stays closer to the New England coast, exploring the island towns, lighthouse-studded headlands, and seafood culture of Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and beyond. Fall sailings along both routes time the foliage peak across New England and Quebec together, typically running through October.
New England Cruises FAQs
Do New England cruises go to Canada as well?
Several itineraries combine New England and Canada in the same voyage, sailing between Portland, Maine and Quebec City with stops in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. Some routes run the corridor in reverse, from Montreal to Portland. A passport is required for these sailings.
What is Charlottetown, PEI known for, and why is it a port of call?
Charlottetown is the capital of Prince Edward Island and the site of the 1864 Confederation Conference that led to the founding of Canada, which is why it’s often called the birthplace of Canadian Confederation. It’s also the setting that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. The town is compact, walkable, and distinctly unhurried, with red-clay cliffs visible from the harbor.
Is fall the only good time to cruise New England?
Fall foliage sailings are the most popular and book out earliest, typically running September through October when the maples peak across New England and Quebec simultaneously. Spring and summer sailings offer warmer water temperatures, longer days, and better conditions for whale watching off the Maine coast. The right season depends on what you prioritize.
What kind of seafood can I expect on a New England cruise?
The region is one of the great seafood destinations in North America. Lobster, oysters, clams, scallops, and cod show up in the ports and onboard menus throughout the itinerary. Portland, Maine in particular has developed a strong restaurant scene around its fishing heritage, and a port day there gives time to explore both.
How do I book a New England cruise?
Call 800-578-1479. Our agents will help you choose between the coastal New England sailings and the New England and Canada combo itineraries, match you with the right departure dates, and handle every detail of your booking. Fall foliage sailings fill early, so it pays to plan ahead.