7 best Canada and New England cruise tips

While a Canada and New England cruise might not be the most sought-after cruise itinerary, it’s worth trying at least once.

The chance to see quaint towns, enjoy terrific seafood, and take in nature’s beauty without the Caribbean heat are at the heart of why many try a cruise going north.

Royal Caribbean offers cruises to Canada and New England each year in the summer and early fall.  Cruises sail from New York, Boston, and sometimes Quebec or Baltimore. There are short and long cruises, and it’s an important segment of Royal Caribbean’s Northeast itineraries.

The appeal of vibrant fall foliage, watching excursions and lobster bakes draw many to these cruises.

If you’re ready to try one, here are seven Canada and New England cruise tips to ensure you have a great time!

You can’t plan for the weather

No matter which week or itinerary you pick, you’ll be playing a guessing game as to what to expect when you go.

Between hurricane season and the transition between spring, summer, and fall, it could be hot, cold, rainy, or sunny. It’s very similar to how difficult it is to plan around Alaska weather.

Unlike a Caribbean cruise that is going to be hot and probably sunny, one week in Canada can have very different weather to the next one.

What you will want to do when getting ready to pack for your cruise is keep track on the forecast, and try to see what the predictions are in the days leading up to your sailing.

Rain is probable, but it could just as likely be sunny. Make sure you bring rain gear, and even a pair of shorts.

It’s also a good idea to pack fleece jackets or light sweaters you can easily take off or put back on.  Parkas or heavy jackets aren’t necessary.

You dock very close to all the activities

It can be surprising how close your ship docks to the towns you visit on a Canada & New England cruise.

In most towns, you will dock downtown and be able to walk right into town and explore. This is different than many ports in the Caribbean or Europe, where ships dock far away.

This means you can easily do things quicker and without much transit time. 

While Royal Caribbean offers tours to many of the popular activities, you can easily find excursions to do on your own. In fact, Hop-on Hop-off buses visit places like the summit of Cadillac Mountain or the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax.

Acadia National Park is just 1.3 miles from Bar Harbor, and you can walk along the Halifax waterfront.

You’ll find towns very walkable and easy to explore on your own, so don’t assume you need to have a shore excursion booked in order to get to the most popular activities.

The longer cruises are worth the time

Royal Caribbean offers Canada & New England cruises of various lengths, but you really should try to pick a longer sailing.

While the 4-night and 5-night cruises are cheap and easy to hop on, they usually visit just one or two ports and it may leave you feeling disappointed that you didn’t get the full experience.

By picking a 7-night or longer Canada & New England, you’ll get to visit ports in both Maine and Canada, and have access to more of the must-see sights this region is known for.

If you really want the best one-and-done itinerary, try an open-jaw sailing between Quebec and New York that visits ports throughout Northeast Canada and Maine.

Not everyone can make a week-long cruise work scheduling wise, but if you are teetering on which cruise to book, opt for the longer one.

Early summer advantage

By taking an early or mid summer cruise, you will find very comfortable temperatures on your cruise.

Cruises in June, July, and August will be comfortable out and that means you’ll want to spend more time outdoors at lobster and clam bakes, whale watching, or sightseeing on the ocean.

August is likely the warmest month of the Canada and New England cruise season, with it being ideal for beach visits and pool time onboard.

The disadvantage of summer is it’s the peak part of the season, and there will be multiple cruise ships in each port along with plenty of land tourists to contend with.

In addition, there’s no fall leaf colors to see in summer.

If you prefer warmer temperatures over anything else, the summer is the way to go.

Fall foliage in late season

The opportunity to see the beautiful fall foliage is reason enough to book a Canada & New England cruise.

You’ll need to book a cruise in September or October to enjoy the autumn feel and colors of the leaves. It’s nearly impossible to know precisely when the leaves will be at their peak when you book a cruise a year in advance, but it won’t be earlier than September.

Depending on how much rain the region gets, along with how hot summer is, will determine when the leaves start changing. You risk going when the leaves haven’t changed yet or get there after they’re mostly on the ground.

The best month for leaf peeping is October, although you’re more likely to encounter colder temperatures and rain.

Lobster is a must-eat

Maine and the Maritime Provinces are the capital of sourcing lobster, and it’s why you need to eat lobster on this cruise.

Many restaurants serve lobster rolls, broiled lobster, and bakes. If you remotely like to eat lobster, you need to go out of your way to eat some on this cruise.

If you’re in Bar Harbor and other ports in Maine, order a lobster roll. Blueberry pie is also popular in this region.

Chowder is what you’ll want to order in Boston, and Digby scallops are a great choice in Halifax.

If you love beer, there are so many great local brews you can try. Nearly every restaurant you go to will have a selection of local craft beers, so I recommend branching out and asking for what’s local on tap.

Skip Peggy’s Cove

I know this sounds crazy, but despite being an iconic symbol of the region, you’re better off skipping Peggy’s Cove in Nova Scotia.

I’m sure some will take umbrage with this tip, but the problem with Peggy’s Cove is it gets overrun with tourists and it will take you about an hour to get there from Halifax. It’s really more of a scenic stop, than a destination.

Lunenburg is a great place to explore while your ship is in Halifax. It’s downtown is a UNESCO world heritage site. There’s a fish market that overlooks the harbor has a great seafood.

Before you skip Halifax completely, make sure you explore the waterfront. It’s a lovely boardwalk with shops, restaurants, and lovely views.  And you can walk there from your cruise ship, so no need to book anything special.