Sarah Bretz, ContributorWhen many people think of cruising as the months turn colder and summer fades into fall, they automatically think of voyages to Canada and New England filled with colorful foliage and quaint seaside cities. It’s true — voyages in the northeast of the U.S. and the southeast of Canada are famous in fall. But is that actually the best time for a Canada & New England cruise?
Here, we’re going over the best time to go based on the weather, the pricing, the crowds, and — of course — leaf peeping opportunities.
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When is the best time for a Canada & New England cruise?
The cruise season in eastern Canada and New England generally starts in late April and runs through October, with ships skipping the coldest months of the year in the region in favor of warmer destinations during late fall and winter.
There’s no “bad” time to visit during the season. However, Canada/New England cruises are generally equated to cruising in autumn for one major reason: leaf peeping. The colorful fall foliage that can be seen if you cruise at just the right time are a major selling point for lots of cruisers, especially those that don’t live in a region that affords them the opportunity to see the vibrant leaves at home. With that being said, other parts of the Canada/New England cruising season have their benefits too.
Best time to cruise to Canada and New England: Weather
When you’re planning an eastern Canada and New England cruise, you probably have several weather-related questions, such as “What months in Canada and New England are the warmest?” or “Which month has the least amount of rain?” So, we will try to answer them below.
Best Time to Cruise Canada/New England: Temperatures
Let’s break down the average high temperatures for three popular Canada/New England itinerary destinations to give you an idea of what to expect during your cruise.
Bar Harbor, Maine:
- April/May: mid-50s to high 60s
- June/July/August: mid-70s to 80
- September/October: high 50s to high 60s
Halifax, Nova Scotia:
- April/May: high 40s to high 50s
- June/July/August: high 60s to mid-70s
- September/October: mid-50s to high 60s
Québec City, Quebec:
- April/May: high 40s to 60
- June/July/August: low 70s to high 70s
- September/October: low 50s to high 60s
Based on the average high temperatures, July and August are the warmest months to visit Canada and New England, right in the middle of the summer season. If you want a cooler experience, visit in April or May at the beginning of the season (you’ll avoid the highest crowd levels as well!) or in September and October at the end of the season.
Best Time to Cruise Canada/New England: Rain
The rainiest months during Canada and New England’s cruising season are May and June. If avoiding rain is your priority, consider booking a voyage in August or September — the least rainy months during the cruise season. And bonus — if you book towards the end of September, you might luck out with the start of the leaves changing from green to vibrant red, orange, and yellow hues.
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What is the best time to cruise to Canada and New England for leaf peeping?
As just mentioned, the leaves can start to change towards the end of September in the New England and eastern Canada region. However, this is dependent on a number of factors (mostly temperature and moisture). It does not occur at the exact same time every year.
If the end of a summer is unusually chilly or the start of autumn is especially windy and rainy, that can affect when the leaves change and for how long they stay on the trees. Booking a cruise in advance solely for the purpose of leaf-peeping is always a gamble.
With that being said, your best shot for leaf-peeping is in October, right towards the end of the cruise season. Temperatures are warmer at the start of the month, with average highs in the upper 60s. Towards the end of the month, highs are usually in the upper 50s.
How do you avoid cruise crowds in Canada and New England?
The peak season for cruising in New England and eastern Canada is August through the end of the season in October. August is a popular time to visit because it’s the warmest month of the year and summer is still in full swing.
September is a bit of an in-between time because it’s still pretty warm at the start of the month, and the end of the month often brings the first bit of change towards autumn leaves. Since October is the prime month for leaf-peeping, lots of guests head out on voyages that month to catch a glimpse of the vibrant colors and cool coastal weather.
If you aren’t planning your cruise to see the fall leaves and avoiding crowds is a priority, your best bet is to sail in April, May, or June. Just keep in mind that April can be chilly, and May and June are the rainiest months. Weigh whether or not the chance of rain during some of your port days is a big deal to you, and choose accordingly.
Based on all of this info, you might think that July is the sweet spot for avoiding the cold and the worst of the rain and crowds, but that’s only partially true. While you will have warm weather and a tad bit less rain than in May or June, July is the start of peak tourist season in New England and Canada. Crowds will be especially high due to lots of people taking family vacations.
How to Choose a Canada and New England Cruise With Fewer Kids On Board
If you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere on your ship with fewer kids, take a cruise in April, May, September, or October — when school is in session — with late April and early-mid May being the safest bets.
Longer cruises are also a better bet on having fewer kids on your ship, as families with young kids don’t tend to take as many extended-length voyages. If you have the time and money, look into Canada/New England itineraries that are at least eight nights or longer. Bonus: you’ll have more ports to explore and more time to enjoy your ship!
What is the cheapest month to cruise to Canada and New England?
In most cases, the cheapest cruise fares you’ll find for a voyage to Canada and New England will be at the very start of the season at the end of April and into May. It’s still chilly in many destinations in the region and the busy summer season isn’t yet in full swing. This is often referred to as shoulder season.
Plus, even though fall also gets chilly, spring doesn’t command a premium the way fall does because it’s not the prime season for leaf-peeping.
If budget is a major factor in the planning of your vacation, consider looking into a one-way sailing. For Canada/New England routes, they often start in New York City or a port in New England and end in Quebec City. This is especially helpful if you live within driving distance of either the starting or ending port. Not only might the cruise fares be a bit cheaper, but you’ll only have to pay for a one-way flight.
What cruise lines go to Canada and New England?
All the major U.S. based cruise lines sail Canada/New England itineraries, plus a number of luxury brands as well. The cruise lines where you’ll find the most options for a voyage up the northeastern seaboard include Princess, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Viking, Ponant, Oceania, and Holland America.
Other lines that offer Canada & New England options are Seabourn, Silversea, Regent Seven Seas, Crystal, Cunard, MSC, and Celebrity. Lines including Carnival and Disney occasionally offer one-off type voyages to Canada and New England as well.
What types of clothes should I pack for a Canada and New England cruise?
When cruising to Canada and New England during the summer months, pack as you would for a trip north in the summer or for most warm-weather cruises. Plus, add in a couple pairs of pants and extra sweaters for layering just in case. That means t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, sundresses, polo shirts, button-downs, sandals, and sneakers for walking around in port.
It could get a bit chilly on an overcast day and definitely will most nights, which is where the sweaters, a sweatshirt, and some jeans or other pants will come in handy. I also find it a necessity to have at least a sweater or two for dinnertime on the ship, as the air conditioning can make it a bit chilly indoors even on the warmest sailings.
For voyages towards the beginning or end of the Canada/New England season: layer, layer, layer! Even in April or October you might have some warm t-shirt weather when the sun is out and high. However, spring and fall cruises will also have plenty of chilly moments as well. Bring sweaters, hoodies, and a jacket that you can layer over short and long-sleeve shirts. Pack a few pairs of shorts, but be sure to have plenty of pant options as well. Long dresses with warmer fabric can work for exploring port (especially when layered with a nice jacket or sweater) or going to dinner.
Expect to wear socks and comfy sneakers, boots, or other enclosed shoes in port and maybe even on the ship on colder days. Bring a hat or knit headband to keep your ears warm — especially in April and October. A raincoat with hood and umbrella are must-haves during the rainiest months of the season.
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