Best Canada and New England cruise tips to help you enjoy your coastal vacation

Like every cruise destination, the Canada and New England area offers visitors a wide range of fun and exciting experiences. The region's mix of natural beauty, historical significance and modern urban culture make it appealing to both nature lovers and city types, and its convenient location is an added plus.

Even though you'll be cruising close to home, it's still important to do your research before you book your sailing. That's why we've compiled these Canada and New England cruise tips to help you choose the best itinerary and the ship that's right for you.

It's hardly a secret that cruise ports in Canada and New England offer easy access to whale watching excursions, lobster bakes and vibrant fall foliage — and if you're looking for lighthouses, rugged coastlines and active adventure, you've hit the jackpot. But there's more.

The three New England states (Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Maine) and four Canadian Maritime Provinces (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec) that cruise ships call on are also full of fascinating history and culture. In one week, you can walk in the footsteps of American revolutionaries in Boston, visit the birthplace of Canada in Charlottetown on PEI and stroll the cobblestone streets of Quebec, the only fortified city in North America.

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The trick is to do it all as enjoyably and seamlessly as possible. Here are 12 Canada and New England cruise tips to help make that happen.

Choose the month you sail based on your interests

Cruise season in Canada and New England is from May to October, with most ships visiting from August through October. This gives you a six-month window to cruise. Which month is best? That depends largely on what you'd like to see and do, whether you prefer warm or cool weather and the type of ship you want to book.

Visiting at the start of the season, from May through mid-June, offers generally comfortable temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees, but the weather can be unpredictable at times. On the plus side, landscapes will be vibrant green, and the region's parks and gardens will be in full bloom.

Just a few cruise lines sail here during this period, namely Holland America and MSC Cruises, so there won't be multiple ships in port to overwhelm tourist sights. However, it might be too cool, especially in May, to fully enjoy the beach and certain water-based activities.

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Related: The best time for a Canada and New England cruise

By late June and July, summer has arrived along with several more cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, Cunard and Silversea. This period is ideal for enjoying classic Canada and New England coastal activities, from whale watching (peak time is July to September) and sea kayaking to scenic walks and lobster and clam bakes. Early July is also when Quebec City's Summer Festival, a celebration of music and the arts, occurs.

August is a popular month for cruisers looking to hit Canada and New England's beaches, especially in Rhode Island, Maine and Prince Edward Island. Temperatures will be in the 80s during the day but cool down considerably at night. You'll find a few more cruise lines, including Seabourn, offering sailings, and another ship might be in port during your visit.

September marks the beginning of fall foliage season — the region's busiest cruise period — but most leaves don't begin to change until early to mid-October. It's crucial to time your cruise accordingly if leaf peeping is a priority. Additional cruise lines, including Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Viking, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, sail here in September and October. Temperatures, however, cool considerably by late September and can dip into the 50s and 40s by mid-October, meaning the outdoor decks will be rather chilly.

Choose the cruise line and ship based on your family dynamic

While Canada and New England ports are well suited for all ages, some cruise ships are better than others for families, couples and older travelers. Choosing the right ship for your needs is always an important consideration, but it's especially vital in New England and Canada. Why? The main reasons are itinerary length and family-friendly activities.

Canada and New England Cruises on premium and luxury lines are usually longer, often 11 to 14 nights, and feature more sea days. Onboard activities for younger cruisers are also likely to be limited, and shore excursions are generally geared to grown-ups.

On the other hand, mainstream cruise lines — such as Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises — typically pack five or six ports into a seven-night sailing. Their ships are also larger and offer lots of onboard amenities, such as kids and teens clubs, waterslides and virtual-reality gaming. These can keep younger guests entertained during one or two days at sea.

Mainstream lines Princess and Holland America do offer clubs for kids and teens, but their ships generally appeal to couples and don't have waterslides and other thrill-based activities.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

Make sure the itinerary visits your must-see ports

There are about a dozen main ports on the Canada and New England cruise circuit, and most itineraries don't visit all of them. If you have your heart set on exploring Maine's Acadia National Park, make sure Bar Harbor, not Portland or Rockport, is your cruise's stop in Maine.

Want to see picturesque Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia? It's accessible from Sydney, not Halifax. And if you've heard about the dramatic tides in the Bay of Fundy, check that your ship calls on Saint John, New Brunswick, to see them for yourself.

Decide if a round-trip or one-way itinerary best suits your travel preferences

Canada and New England cruises come in two types. The first is a round-trip sailing, typically from New York or Boston, lasting seven to nine nights. These itineraries often visit five to seven ports in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island but do not sail up the St. Lawrence River to Quebec.

They offer the convenience of drive-to cruising if you live in the Northeast or mid-Atlantic. If not, major airports — John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) — are nearby should you need to fly in from around the country.

Your other option is a one-way sailing from either New York or Boston to Quebec City or Montreal — or vice versa. These cruises tend to last 12 to 14 nights and offer a more comprehensive visit to the region, calling on eight to 10 ports. Almost all are on pricier and more upscale cruise lines, although Holland America and Princess do offer some one-way itineraries lasting seven to 12 nights.

Choosing one of these sailings requires booking a one-way return flight or two one-way flights, depending on where you live.

Know which ports require you to tender

A number of Canada and New England cruise ports do not have a pier that accommodates cruise ships — or enough dock space to accommodate multiple ships. This means that vessels need to anchor offshore and guests are transferred ashore in a small boat called a tender.

Why does this matter? First, boarding a tender boat requires stepping down into and later up out of a vessel that's bobbing in the water. It isn't an option for guests who use wheelchairs or scooters and even for some passengers who are heavily reliant on walkers.

The second reason is that tendering takes time, especially on a large cruise ship carrying 3,000-plus passengers. Guests who book a shore excursion with the cruise line typically have first access to the tenders. If you plan to explore independently, you might not be able to go ashore until all guests taking shore excursions have done so. This can be an hour or more after the ship has arrived, which can cut down on your time in port and even cause you to miss a pre-booked independent tour.

If you think tendering will present an issue to you or a travel companion, check the cruise itinerary. Bar Harbor, Maine; Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts; Newport, Rhode Island; and Rockland, Maine always require a tender transfer. Docking or tendering varies by port call in Charlottetown, PEI; Saguenay, Quebec; and Sydney, Nova Scotia. Your cruise line can tell you if tendering will be required ahead of your sailing.

If you like to swim, pick a ship with an enclosed pool

Outdoor pools are perfect for tropical itineraries — and even for Canada and New England sailings in July and August — but spring and fall cruises can often be too cool and blustery for an outdoor dip. If pool time is nonnegotiable for you when cruising, look for a ship with an indoor pool or one with a retractable roof.

Cruise lines with ships sailing New England and Canada itineraries that offer these kinds of pools include Holland America, MSC Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Viking. The indoor pools on the last three, however, are adults-only.

Pack for changeable weather — and airborne pests

The key to feeling comfortable on any Canada and New England cruise is to pack as if you might experience spring, summer and fall weather in a single day — because you might do just that. Yes, temperatures in July and August, especially in cities such as Boston and Halifax, can reach the high 80s, but they can plummet quickly. Cool and foggy mornings are also common.

A good strategy is to pack coordinating layers, a sun hat, a rain jacket or poncho, and a travel umbrella. Don't forget insect repellant because the region is known for its black flies (especially from May to July), deer flies (June and July), mosquitos (June to September) and midges (June to August). See our handy packing list for suggestions.

Related: Canada and New England cruise packing list: What to pack for every season

Book a midship cabin if you're prone to seasickness

While the northern Atlantic waters around New England and the Maritime Provinces aren't as unpredictable as they can be in regions farther north, such as along Alaska's and Greenland's coasts, they're certainly not as smooth as those in the Caribbean or Mexico. This can be especially true from late August to October when Atlantic hurricane season can churn up waves even if the storm is hundreds of miles away.

If you're prone to motion sickness, plan ahead. Book a cabin that's located midship on a middle to lower deck because the forward, aft and top decks of ships feel movement the most. You should also pack whichever seasickness medicines or bands work best for you.

Related: How to avoid seasickness on your next cruise

Plan a mix of shore excursions and independent exploration

The ports you'll visit on a Canada and New England cruise make it easy to mix guided excursions with DIY exploration. This flexibility will work in your favor, especially if you're traveling with independent-minded adults or kids and teens who get antsy during long tours.

Newport and Bar Harbor are both small enough to explore easily on your own. In Newport, you can plan your own visits to one or more of the picturesque enclave's landmark mansions or do the full 3.5-mile Cliff Walk. Bar Harbor's historic downtown is full of shops and galleries to browse, or you can independently book a scenic nature cruise to spot local wildlife. In season, free shuttles take visitors from Bar Harbor to key sites in Acadia National Park, so you aren't forced to take a tour.

Related: Best Canada and New England cruise excursions

If your ship calls on Halifax, you can buy tickets for a hop-on, hop-off double-decker bus that stops at many of the city's top sites over a 90-minute route. Charlottetown on PEI, on the other hand, is small enough to explore on foot. But if you're a fan of "Anne of Green Gables" and want to visit Green Gables Heritage Place, located about 40 minutes away, it's best to book a tour.

Perhaps the ultimate place to mix a guided tour and independent exploration is Quebec City, which was founded in 1608. Its walled Old Town is so historic that a guided walking tour offers perspective you might otherwise miss. Then you can continue to enjoy its cobblestoned charm on your own as you shop for souvenirs or duck into a cafe for a glass of wine or a cafe au lait.

Try the region's culinary specialties

One of the most enjoyable things about spending a day in port is trying the local food — and on a Canada and New England cruise, it helps if you love seafood.

In Boston and Saint John, creamy clam or fish chowder is a must, while in Bar Harbor and other ports in Maine, the go-to treat is a lobster roll followed by blueberry pie. You'll find dulse (an edible red seaweed) and Digby scallops on the menu in Halifax, while blue mussels and french fries are top must-tries in Charlottetown (FYI: PEI is Canada's top potato-growing province). Finally, when in Quebec, the snacks are poutine (french fries topped with cheese curds and drenched in gravy) and maple candy.

Make learning local history part of your daily adventures

A Canada and New England cruise offers some of the most stunning coastal scenery on the Atlantic coast, but many of its ports were also the setting for pivotal moments in Canadian and U.S. history. This makes a cruise here ideal for families with school-age kids and adult history buffs.

Newport is home to 18 historical landmarks, including the Newport Colony House (the fourth-oldest statehouse still standing in the U.S.) and Fort Adams, the country's largest coastal fortification. Your day in Boston can be spent walking the 2.5-mile Freedom Trail that connects 16 significant historic sites from the American Revolution and visiting the USS Constitution Museum.

In Halifax, you can tour the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site, a star-shaped fortress that dates to 1856, and from Sydney, Nova Scotia, you can visit the birthplace of inventor Alexander Graham Bell. History comes to life on PEI, as costumed actors recreate the Charlottetown Conference of 1864 that led to Canada's unification, and Quebec City's 400-plus years of history are showcased by its impeccably preserved architectural details.

Get back to nature

You'll find abundant natural beauty all around the ports you'll visit on a Canada and New England cruise, so plan to enjoy it. Whether you prefer hiking, kayaking, wildlife spotting, visiting waterfalls or photographing rocky coastlines, you'll have opportunities to appreciate an abundance of natural phenomena.

Pack comfortable, casual clothing appropriate for adventure, and let the stunning landscapes along the rugged Atlantic coast fill your days with wonder.

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