We’ve never been to coastal New England or the Canadian Maritimes. We’ve been through parts of New England on the train, going from New York City to Boston on Amtrak. We’ve also gone from New York City to Chicago on the Lake Shore Limited, which routes through Albany. I used to do news remotely for a radio station in Portland, Maine. But that’s really it when it comes to our exposure to the Northeast US, and we’ve only crossed the Canadian border near Winnipeg and Vancouver, never in the east.
First Stop: buy a book
Actually get two for free with our Kindle Unlimited. I chose books specifically about vising this region on a cruise during leaf peeping season. There is a link to each above its description (not an affiliate link).
A PERSONAL FALL CRUISE GUIDE TO EASTERN CANADA AND NEW ENGLAND 2021-22: Volume 1 – Canadian Ports of Call [Print Replica]
Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08V4NXBPF
This is Volume One of a two volume set. In this first book, only the ports of call in Québec, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are explored. This is a highly personalized tour guide based upon my lifetime of traveling through this wonderful region. As a Canadian and a professor of geography, despite having been to nearly 100 countries, nothing thrills me more than to watch the parade of brilliant reds, vivid oranges and bright gold, as the various species of trees put on their annual show.
— From the author’s Amazon description
A PERSONAL FALL CRUISE GUIDE TO EASTERN CANADA AND NEW ENGLAND 2022-23: Volume 2 -New England Ports of Call [Print Replica]
Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09TJSYWY8
Once it was so reliable that you could book a tour or cruise in late September or early October and virtually be assured of a dynamic color change. In 2021 the fall colors were quite brilliant and lasted well into the early part of November. [In other years colors were dim and earlier.]
— From the author’s Amazon description
Both books were quite informative. The author is a noted professor of Geography and dual Canadian/US Citizen who is well-traveled. Even if they really don’t help plan excursions much, the books do give you an idea about the people, the history, and the important things to see or do in each of our destinations (plus quite a few). I did find them a somewhat dry read, but given the author is a lecturer, I suppose that is to be expected. I am glad I read both.
4.3 out of 5.0 starsWhat We Chose
I’ll list these in the order they’ll happen. Most are NCL tours and I have linked to the specific page describing them. There are a couple of third-party tours and I will also link to their online information.
Newport, Rhode Island, US
Rose Island Lighthouse and Harbor Tour: https://www.ncl.com/shorex/233718302/51099159/shorex-detail/NPON06
First lit in 1870, the lighthouse was fully restored and is an inspiring example of classic American maritime architecture. A visit to this living museum offers insight into a bygone way of life. You’ll have an opportunity to explore the station from the windmill to the cellar cistern and learn about the works and pastimes of lighthouse families through their own possessions and photographs.
— NCL.com excursion description
Rose Island Lighthouse and Ft. Hamilton website
Portland, Maine, US
Maine Narrow-Gauge Railroad: https://www.visitportland.com/visit/listing/maine-narrow-gauge-railroad-company-museum/
Starting in the latter part of the 19th century, Maine had an especially unique system of railroads that ran on rails that were only 2 feet apart. Conventional railroads since the mid-19th century operated on / continue to operate on rails that are spaced 4 feet, 8.5 inches apart. This specific figure can be traced back to the traditional width of horse-drawn roadways in England, where railroading was first developed.
— https://mainenarrowgauge.org/mission-history/
Lighthouses of Maine: https://www.ncl.com/shorex/233718302/51099159/shorex-detail/PWMN08
First illuminated on January 10, 1791, Portland Head Light has since stood at the gateway to the harbor for mariners traveling the perilous coast. Here you’ll have ample time to explore the grounds and visit the museum located in the former lighthouse keeper’s quarters. It chronicles the history of the lighthouse and Fort Williams with exhibits displaying original artifacts and documents, navigational aids, lenses, video displays, models and photography.
— NCL Excursion description page
Bar Harbor, Maine, US
Bar Harbor Whale Watching: https://www.ncl.com/shorex/233718302/51099159/shorex-detail/BHBN07
There’s a little story to this one. We are sailing to Alaksa for our fourth time in June 2024. Icy Straight Point has been dropped from that itinerary and replaced with another glacier day (which doesn’t disappoint us much because we’ve done all we care to do at ISP — except one thing). We were going on our first whale watching trip ever on the June sailing. So, this sounded like a good replacement trip.
There is a great abundance of marine life in the Gulf of Maine. Your destination is 20 miles south of Bar Harbor, the feeding grounds of the larger whales. Travel aboard the one of the fastest, largest, most luxurious whale watch catamarans in North America. … Stable, fun and propelled by water jets; safe for whales and the environment.
— NCL excursion description page.
St John / Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, Canada
As I noted in an answer to a question on the Facebook roll call group, we will be in harbor only for low tide, which occurs around 11am local time that day. That will allow many tours to see the vast mud flats that occur at low tide, but we’ll all miss seeing the tide rush in at high tide. I hope that doesn’t mean we’ll miss the best viewing of the reversing falls, but be that as it may we are taking a trolley ride here.
Foodie’s Tour at the Old City Market: https://www.ncl.com/shorex/233718302/51099159/shorex-detail/SJBN46
Built between 1874 and 1876, the Saint John City Market narrowly escaped the great Saint John fire that swept through the City in 1877. Designed in the Second Empire Loyalist style by New Brunswick architects McKean and Fairweather, the Market building contains several shops on the ground level featuring all locally owned businesses….On June 16, 1986 the Saint John City Market was designated a National Historic Site of Canada.
— https://www.sjcitymarket.ca/history (lightly edited)
In the afternoon we’ll see a few of the sights on a trolley tour.
Trolley ‘Round St. John: https://www.ncl.com/shorex/233718302/51099159/shorex-detail/SJBN07
Discover Saint John’s charm and learn about the personalities and events that have contributed to its fascinating history. Visit the Reversing Falls Rapids, where the mighty Bay of Fundy causes the St. John River to reverse direction and flow upstream.
— NCL excursion description page
This being the fourth active day and the second port in which we have two excursions, we decided to schedule short ones so we can also rest.
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
We have arranged a private 5-6 hour tor for two through https://halifaxcruiseshipshoretours.com/ . It tuns out the cost for a 2-3 person trip and a 5-6 person trip is the same per hours. So we are keeping an eye out and mentioning the tour on the online forums, so a few others who would prefer not having the big-tour experience might join in.
This is the most popular Tour in Nova Scotia. Our tour usually takes 5-6 hours depending on the length of time spent at various stops. Your driver/tour guide will show you all the Highlights of Halifax, stopping when and where our guests prefer for pictures, while telling you about Halifax and it’s History.
Your stops can include Immigration Museum at Pier 21, Historic Victorian and Georgian Homes in the South End Of Halifax, Point Pleasant Park, and a stroll through the Halifax Public Gardens. From there you can visit Halifax’s Citadel Hill, Fleming Park, War of 1812, Halifax Explosion, and Titanic Burial Site.
— tour description page
The tour also goes to Peggy’s Cove and includes a stop for lunch at a choice of restaurants, which we can have the driver arrange for us during the tour.
and then