I'm arriving before my cruise
Hotels, airport transfers, things to do, one-day itineraries, embarkation advice, and luggage tips.
Canada & New England cruise planning authority
Canada & New England Cruise Excursions
Plan every part of your Canada & New England cruise with independent shore excursions, cruise port guides, ship schedules, hotels, walking routes and pre- and post-cruise planning.
Where are you in your cruise journey?
Plan the Right Way at Every Stage
I'm visiting on a port day
Shore excursions, walking guides, private tours, cruise schedules, and return-to-ship planning.
I've finished my cruise
Late flight ideas, hotels, sightseeing, transfers, luggage storage, and post-cruise itineraries.
Excursions
Cruise Excursions
Independent shore excursions across every Canada and New England port.
Planning
Cruise Planner
Build your personalised cruise holiday with excursion and hotel recommendations.
Schedules
Ship Schedules
See which ships are in port before you book tours.
Ports
Cruise Port Guides
Authority guides for every Canada and New England cruise port.
Hotels
Hotels
Pre- and post-cruise hotel planning near every major terminal.
Guides
Walking Guides
Self-guided walks for the most walkable cruise ports.
Transfers
Airport Transfers
Airport to cruise terminal transfer planning.
Plan Your Cruise Holiday
Your cruise holiday begins before boarding and often continues after disembarkation. Maximise every day with hotels, sightseeing, and local experiences.
Cruise Passenger Snapshot
Fall Colours
Quebec City, Sydney NS, and Saguenay for spectacular autumn foliage.
History
Boston, Quebec City, and Halifax for Revolutionary and maritime heritage.
Walking Ports
Quebec City, Halifax, and Bar Harbor for easy exploration on foot.
Embarkation Cities
Vancouver, Montreal, Boston, and Quebec City as major cruise start points.
Lobster & Seafood
Bar Harbor, Portland, and Halifax for Atlantic seafood.
Featured Cruise Ports
Authority port guides with excursion recommendations and links to specialist local booking sites.
History & coastal scenery
Halifax
Atlantic Canada's premier port with Peggy's Cove, Lunenburg, and a walkable waterfront.
Fall colours & heritage
Quebec City
UNESCO Old Quebec, fall foliage, and French-Canadian culture on the St. Lawrence.
Embarkation & culture
Montreal
St. Lawrence embarkation hub with Old Montreal, Mount Royal, and bilingual culture.
History & culture
Boston
Freedom Trail, Salem access, and New England's largest cruise hub.
Coastal beauty
St. John's, Newfoundland
Signal Hill, puffin tours, and North America's oldest city.
National parks
Bar Harbor
Gateway to Acadia National Park and classic Maine lobster.
Embarkation city
Vancouver
Alaska embarkation hub with Canada Place, Stanley Park, and Capilano.
Island escape
Charlottetown
PEI charm, Anne of Green Gables, and red-sand beaches.
Food & lighthouses
Portland, Maine
Old Port dining, lighthouse country, and compact walkable centre.
Ship Schedules
Halifax
Atlantic Canada's premier cruise gateway on Halifax Harbour.
Quebec City
UNESCO-listed Old Quebec and premier fall foliage port.
Montreal
St. Lawrence River hub and Canada/New England embarkation port.
Boston
Major New England embarkation and port-of-call destination.
St. John's, Newfoundland
Newfoundland's capital welcomes seasonal cruise traffic with ships docking at the St. John's cruise terminal.
Vancouver
Primary Alaska cruise embarkation port on Burrard Inlet.
Sydney, Nova Scotia
Cape Breton Island gateway on the Atlantic coast.
Why Plan More Than Just Your Excursion?
The cruise holiday begins before boarding and often continues after disembarkation. Hotels, airport transfers, parking, and pre-cruise sightseeing transform a good cruise into an exceptional holiday.
Before you sail
Arrive a day early, explore your embarkation city, and eliminate same-day flight stress. Our hotel and transfer guides help you plan with confidence.
Hotel planning guidesAfter you disembark
A post-cruise night lets you explore Quebec City, Boston, or Vancouver without rushing to the airport. Combine with our transfer planning pages.
Transfer planningCompare Cruise Ports
Halifax vs Saint John NB
Halifax offers broader excursion variety and Peggy's Cove access; Saint John excels at Bay of Fundy tidal experiences.
Sydney NS vs Halifax
Sydney is Cape Breton's gateway to the Cabot Trail; Halifax is Nova Scotia's larger hub with more excursion options.
Bar Harbor vs Portland Maine
Bar Harbor is Acadia National Park country; Portland offers urban dining and lighthouse tours.
Vancouver vs Victoria
Vancouver is a major embarkation city; Victoria offers garden heritage and a gentler pace.
Canada Cruise vs Alaska Cruise
Canada/New England cruises emphasise history, fall colours and Atlantic ports; Alaska focuses on glaciers, wildlife and Inside Passage scenery.
Canada Cruise vs New England Cruise
Canadian ports offer French heritage, fall foliage and maritime culture; New England adds Revolutionary history and lobster country.
Canada & New England Cruise Planning FAQs
What is the best Canada and New England cruise port?▼
It depends on your interests. Quebec City excels for fall colours and heritage, Halifax for coastal scenery, Boston for history, and Bar Harbor for national park access.
Should I book shore excursions independently?▼
Independent operators typically offer smaller groups and better value. Book your must-do excursion through the cruise line for the return guarantee, and use independent specialists for additional activities.
When is the best time for a Canada/New England cruise?▼
September and October offer spectacular fall foliage. May through August provides milder weather and longer days.
How do I plan pre- and post-cruise stays?▼
Use our hotel planning guides, airport transfer pages, and cruise planner to build a complete holiday around your sailing.