Want to See Gorgeous Colors? 

Go on a Fall Foliage Cruise from Boston

New England and Canadian cruises

To enjoy the most breathtaking fall foliage, cruise from Boston along the New England Eastern and Canadian coastlines.    These special cruises departing from Boston in September and throughout October specialize in showing you fabulous foliage color and scenery. 

A New England cruise from Boston may be as short as 5 days, while Canadian cruises to Halifax, Montreal, Prince Edward's Island, or other locations can last as long as 14 days filled with spectacular sights plus fascinating land tours.

What will you see on a fall foliage cruise from Boston?

In addition to vibrant vistas of crimson and golden foliage, all the more beautiful against blue water, you'll see many lighthouses, quaint villages and ornate "summer cottages" along rocky coastlines, and even fjords and waterfalls. 

At ports of call such as Portland and Bar Harbor in Maine and Saint John and Halifax in Canada, you can dine on the finest fresh lobster, visit maritime museums, and enjoy natural beauty along scenic walking trails.  In Quebec City and Montreal, you can experience French Canada and dine in the best restaurants.

And of course in Boston itself, you can explore the historic Freedom Trail, take in a Bruins game at the Garden or a show at one of the many theaters, and enjoy the city's lively nightlife.

Hopping on a fall foliage cruise is a breeze because Boston's cruise port, the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal in the South Boston waterfront neighborhood is easy and convenient to get to.  Board your cruise liner, stow your bag in your cabin, and go out on the deck to let the show begin!

How to find the best price on fall foliage cruises

Although you can book fall foliage cruises departing from Boston directly with the cruise lines, the best cruise discounts and cruise specials are usually through travel agents.  Be sure to check with several who specialize in cruise bookings to make sure that you find the best deal, because even through travel agents, prices can vary by hundreds of dollars. 

The easiest and fastest way I've found to do this is CruiseCompete.com - just pick your cruise (they list them all), tell them the date you want, and then relax while their pool of 300+ independent travel agents compete to quote you the best deal.  It's fast, easy - and best of all, free.

And remember, by booking early, you'll have the best selection and get .  By booking late, you'll get the biggest cruise discounts. 

What to pack for a fall foliage cruise

Be sure to pack clothing appropriate to the season.  Remember, this isn't a Caribbean cruise through the tropics! 

After all, you're heading up and down the New England and Canadian coast in September and October, a time of the year when weather is usually gorgeous but crisp. 

You'll typically encounter outdoor daytime temperatures in the 50s and 60s during September, and as low as the 40s during October.  Nighttime temperatures can be even chillier.  Rain is always a possibility.

Although your cruise ship will be warm and comfy inside, remember that you may want to stroll around the deck, as well as feel comfortable when you explore ports of call. 

Be sure to pack clothing that you can layer, comfortable walking shoes, and even gloves and hats.  Include an umbrella and a waterproof jacket. 

Typical fall foliage cruise line itineraries

Here are just a few examples of fall foliage cruise line itineraries for ships departing from Boston for you to consider:

Royal Caribbean:  5-night New England and Canadian cruise on Jewel of the Seas

After departing from Boston for this special 5-night fall foliage cruise, you'll arrive in Portland, Maine early the next morning, where you'll have the day to explore this maritime city filled with trendy shops, museums, and coastal walks. 

Then it's on to scenic Bar Harbor, and finally historic Halifax, where an authentic bagpiper will greet you upon arrival.  You can explore a restored 19th century neighborhood filled with boutiques, cafes, and art galleries, visit the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic right on the waterfront, or relax over a fabulous lobster dinner and some local brew. 

Finally, after a day of cruising, you'll return to Boston on the following morning.

Crystal Cruises:  7-night cruise to Saint John, Halifax, Quebec City, and Montreal on the Crystal Symphony

After leaving Boston, your first stop will be Bar Harbor, where you can opt for a drive through some of Maine's most spectacular scenery, or explore the shops and galleries in town and enjoy a special New England lobster bake dinner. 

Then you'll proceed on to stops in Saint John and Halifax.  A high point of this fall foliage cruise is a day at sea while your ship goes through the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and up the Saint Lawrence River.  You can avail yourself of all the ship's amenities - fitness center, classes, movies, boutiques, tennis, and of course, lavish meals and Broadway-style entertainment - or just enjoy the spectacular sights as you pass by some of Eastern Canada's most magnificent vistas. 

Next is Quebec City, often called the most European city in North America, where you can explore the French restaurants, bistros, and galleries of the Old City. 

Finally, after another voyage along the Saint Lawrence, you'll reach your last destination on this fall foliage cruise, Montreal.  You'll enjoy sophisticated designer boutiques, student bookstores, and cosmopolitan restaurants.  You can fly back to Boston right away . . . or even better, spend a few extra days exploring Montreal's Old Town, taking walks along the Canal or Mount Royal, and visiting the Botanical Garden to enjoy the last autumn blooms and brilliantly-colored leaves.

Norwegian Cruise Lines:  14-night round-trip cruise between Boston and Montreal on the Norwegian Sport

This fabulous 14-night fall foliage cruise takes you from Boston to Montreal and back to Boston by way of Bar Harbor, Saint John and the Bay of Fundy, Quebec City, Charlottetown, and several other stops. 

From Boston, you'll head to Bar Harbor, and then enjoy the brilliant foliage along the coast up to Saint John, Canada's oldest settlement, and the Bay of Fundy where you can see the amazing tides reverse the course of a river.  For even more thrills, take a 20-minute jet boat ride on the Reversing Falls Rapids.

After a stop in Halifax, this fall foliage cruise heads on to Sydney on beautiful Cape Breton Island, where you can mingle with costumed tour guides portraying historic characters at the perfectly restored Fortress of Louisbourg, built in 1744.

Next, your cruise heads for La Baie and the Saguenay Fjord, where you can tour the Fjord Museum, a soap factory, an artisan village, and even take a ride through the fjord, made even more spectacular by the vivid foliage.

A day is historic Quebec City gives you even more leaf-peeping opportunities, especially if you take the optional countryside tour into the foothills of the Laurentian Mountains, along the magnificent Beaupre Coast, and through the traditional villages of rural Quebec, made even more beautiful by the autumn hues.  Of course, there's so much see in Quebec City itself, not to mention the absolutely wonderful French restaurants, that you'll want to return for longer than a day.

Your cruise back to Boston begins with a trip to the red sandstone cliffs of Charlottetown, made famous by the children's classic Anne of Green Gables.  You'll continue your path back along the coastline, this time stopping in Halifax and Portland. 

More fall foliage cruises

You'll find even more autumn fall foliage cruises leaving from Boston from these cruise lines, as well as Holland America.  And don't forget, if you're looking to a one-way cruise, you have the option of flying to a departure city such as Montreal and ending your cruise in Boston.

Of course, by the end of October, foliage is beginning to disappear and the ships head south to the Caribbean - also a great cruise!

Bon voyage!