Top 5 Fall Foliage Cruises in New England, Canada, and Beyond

If you often find yourself envious of the stunning fall foliage pictures flooding your social media, it might be time to plan your own leaf-peeping adventure. Instead of dealing with the hassle of a lengthy road trip filled with traffic and crowded tourist spots, why not consider a fall foliage cruise?

From the deck of a cruise ship, you can soak in the vibrant autumn colors along the Canadian and New England coastlines, traveling between northeastern U.S. ports like New York and Boston, as well as Canada's Montreal or Quebec City. Opt for shore excursions for a more leisurely experience; a bus will take you through traffic along scenic routes, with meal times organized either on land or at the ship's diverse dining options.

If you're looking to enjoy fall colors outside the Northeast, several cruise lines also offer itineraries to stunning foliage destinations across other parts of the U.S.

To secure the best prices and availability for your Canada and New England cruise, aim to book at least six months to a year in advance. Here, we highlight five exceptional fall foliage cruises worth considering in New England, Canada, and beyond.

7-night Canada and New England Discovery cruise with Holland America

Holland America's 1,964-passenger Zuiderdam is a charming midsize vessel, ensuring a more intimate experience as you cruise from Boston to Quebec City. While the ship starts its journey in late August, the optimal time for leaf peeping is during one of the two October sailings. (In 2025, the itinerary remains the same but under a new name.)

Ports of call include Charlottetown in Prince Edward Island; Sydney and Halifax in Nova Scotia; and Rockland, Portland, or Bar Harbor in Maine. Choose from scenic drives, garden strolls, or hiking paths while keeping your camera handy. Onboard, enjoy evenings filled with live music or indulge in a relaxed meal of steak or seafood at the Pinnacle Grill.

Ideal for: Holland America primarily appeals to retirees and couples who value the line's emphasis on gourmet dining and live entertainment. The Zuiderdam's itinerary is perfect for those who don't mind flying into various cities to venture further north into Canada compared to one-way cruises.

7-night Canada and New England cruise with Princess Cruises

For a convenient round-trip cruise from New York that focuses more on New England than Canada, check out Princess Cruises' weeklong October voyages in 2024 and 2025 aboard the 3,660-passenger Enchanted Princess. Choose from routes featuring four or five ports, including Newport, Rhode Island; Boston; Bar Harbor or Portland; Halifax; and, on select sailings, Saint John, New Brunswick.

If you love seascapes, be sure to experience the stunning coastal views around the Bay of Fundy (from Saint John) or Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia. Venture to the hills in Bar Harbor for panoramic vistas, or enjoy a harbor cruise from Newport to escape to the sea.

Ideal for: Princess Cruises also appeals to mature couples and fans of traditional cruising, but the Enchanted Princess, which debuted in 2019, is significantly larger than Holland America's Zuiderdam. Relax with the line's signature Movies Under the Stars (complete with cozy blankets for those crisp fall evenings in New England), or savor dishes at various specialty restaurants focused on Italian cuisine, steak, and seafood. Enjoy a romantic breakfast on your balcony as you take in the vibrant coastline.

7-night Canada cruise with Royal Caribbean

Enjoy a convenient round-trip sailing from Boston combined with a fall foliage cruise that emphasizes Canadian ports over New England ones, aboard Royal Caribbean's seven-night journeys on the 2,191-passenger Jewel of the Seas, sailing in September and October 2024, and the 2,142-passenger Brilliance of the Seas, departing in September and October 2025. Most itineraries include stops in Portland, Saint John, Sydney, and Halifax.

These ships are among Royal Caribbean's older and smaller vessels, so don't expect a massive megaship with extravagant top-deck attractions (which may be a plus or minus, depending on your preferences). You'll still find a variety of dining choices (including Izumi for Japanese dishes and Giovanni's Table for Italian cuisine), the line's iconic circular Viking Crown Lounge, and — perfect for the fall — an indoor, adults-only solarium.

Ideal for: Royal Caribbean enthusiasts looking for a midsize ship experience with fewer kids onboard should consider this cruise. Those in search of a round-trip journey to Canada without the need for a passport will appreciate the convenient Boston departure (which boasts its own stunning fall foliage) and the three port stops in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

7-night Puget Sound and San Juan Islands cruise with American Cruise Lines

Eastern Canada and New England aren't the only regions in North America famous for their autumn colors. American Cruise Lines offers a variety of small-ship sailings in October to other leaf-peeping destinations, including the Hudson River Valley.

For a unique experience, consider the line's seven-night, round-trip cruise through Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands from Seattle, aboard the 90-passenger American Spirit or the 170-passenger American Constellation.

Your journey will take you to Anacortes, Friday Harbor, Port Angeles (the gateway to Victoria, British Columbia, and Olympic National Park), Port Townsend, and Poulsbo, Washington, including a day spent cruising through the San Juan Islands. Make sure to explore the Fidalgo Island walking trails near Anacortes, and don’t miss the stunning Deception Pass nearby. Enjoy views of the Olympic and Cascade mountains in their autumn splendor, and soak in the fall atmosphere in charming waterfront towns.

Ideal for: Travelers seeking a unique destination for their fall foliage cruise, as well as those who prefer more time on land than at sea. American Cruise Lines' vessels are small, typically four to six decks high, with amenities limited to a dining room, a couple of lounges, modest fitness areas, and a sun deck that may include a putting green. Prepare to entertain yourself in the evenings—or retire early to be refreshed for a full day in port almost every day. Also, note that these ships usually attract an older retiree demographic.

12-night Canada and New England Fall Foliage cruise with Seabourn

Smaller vessels can access more off-the-beaten-path ports than their larger counterparts. Seabourn offers 12-night cruises aboard the 458-passenger Seabourn Quest (2024) and Seabourn Sojourn (2025), sailing between New York and Montreal.

Itineraries may vary slightly depending on the sail date, but they include multiple destinations in Quebec such as Trois-Rivieres, Quebec City, Baie-Comeau, and Saguenay, along with scenic cruising through the Saguenay Fjord. The ship also stops at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, and Halifax, Nova Scotia, as well as several American ports like Newport, Rhode Island, and either Boston, Martha's Vineyard, or Provincetown, Massachusetts.

This cruise is one of the finest options for fall foliage if you're seeking an all-inclusive journey in opulent settings. On the Seabourn Quest and Sojourn, every cabin is a suite featuring stunning views (along with a walk-in closet and a spacious bathroom equipped with a tub). Enjoy gourmet dining, complimentary wine and cocktails, and a dedicated crew eager to provide exceptional service.

Ideal for: Luxury enthusiasts looking to indulge during their leaf-peeping getaway will appreciate this nearly two-week cruise around Canada and New England. The extended itinerary includes several sea days to enjoy the ship's spa or delightful afternoon tea service, as well as visits to some lesser-known ports and, on select sailings, an overnight stay in Quebec City. It’s perfect for travelers wanting to fully embrace their fall trip to the Northeast.

Conclusion

You may be surprised at the variety of options available for fall foliage cruises in late September and October. Beyond Seabourn, all the major luxury cruise lines offer a selection of voyages in this region, including Silversea Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Oceania Cruises, and Crystal. Larger ships like NCL's Norwegian Breakaway and Getaway also partake in the leaf-peeping experience.

In this selection, we highlight the top fall foliage cruises that cater to various itinerary preferences and ship types. While these are our top picks, only you can determine the ideal combination of ports and onboard experiences that align with your travel style.