Enjoying a St Lawrence river cruise from Quebec, around the Canadian Maritimes, to Boston, is a perfect way to experience the diverse landscapes and rich history of North America’s northeastern coast. This route takes you from the heart of French Canada through charming maritime towns, stunning natural wonders, and historic colonial cities, all while enjoying the comfort and luxury of your cruise ship. Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or foodie, this journey offers a unique perspective on this fascinating region.
Why Choose a St. Lawrence River Cruise?
Leaf-peeping! For years we have been wanting to chase the fall foliage through New England and Canada. After considering all options, we decided that a one way cruise would be perfect. We chose to start in Quebec and end in Boston so that we could explore more of Canada pre-cruise and more of Boston post cruise.
The cruise itself gave us 2 days on the river to relax and enjoy the onboard amenities. Our ports of call were Prince Edward Island, Sydney, Halifax (Canada) and Portland (U.S.)
Review of the Holland America Zuiderdam
This fall foliage trip was our first cruise with Holland America. The first thing we noticed was the demographics of the voyagers. There were 3 kids and 2 teenagers out of the 1,800+ guests on board. I would say that the majority of guests are 60+ years old. We didn’t mind this one bit but if you are looking for late nights and party crowds, this ship would not be for you. For us, it was perfect.
Instead of late nights and parties on board, we enjoyed classical music, lectures, and after-dinner shows. The shows were not the Broadway quality we have experienced on other cruise lines but they were not bad in any way.
By 11pm most nights the ship is quiet and everyone is in the bed. I will have to say that we did enjoy the food, especially Pinnacle Grill which is one of the speciality dining venues.
Ports of Call – What to Expect Along the Way
Exploring Quebec City
We recommend you have a full day in Québec City before your cruise (2 nights). Start in Old Québec (Vieux-Québec), a UNESCO World Heritage Site with cobblestone streets, the iconic Château Frontenac, and riverside views from Dufferin Terrace.
Wander down to Petit-Champlain for cafés and boutiques, and stop at Place Royale, where the city was founded in 1608. You’ll also find the Plains of Abraham nearby, a historic park that doubles as a perfect place for a stroll or picnic.
To make the most of limited time, consider joining a guided walking tour of Old Québec to cover highlights efficiently, or a food tour to sample local favorites like poutine and maple treats!
If you’d prefer something scenic, a half-day excursion to Montmorency Falls, which are taller than Niagara, can be done in the morning before boarding your cruise!
Cruising the St. Lawrence River
While cruising the river there were very few times that we were close enough to shore to see very much. We definitely didn’t realise how huge the St Lawrence River is north of Quebec!
The first 2 days were spent exploring on board and spending time with our family and friends. We enjoyed wine tastings, whiskey tastings, trivia, painting classes, a poolside carnival, the casino and more food than any person should ever consume. The downtime was very nice!
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Our first port of call was Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. After 2 days on board, we were ready to get out and explore. We chose an island driving tour that included Anne of Green Gables site, but also had time to explore the port and downtown Charlottetown, as it is nice and compact.
This port is very easy to explore with or without a tour, and the town itself is lovely, should you just want a relaxed day. We started out exploring Founders’ Food Hall and Market. This indoor area is packed full of food, arts, and crafts from the area. Being indoors it is perfect for those overcast rainy mornings.
We then made our way to Water Prince Corner Shop for the most amazing lobster roll and clam chowder. Just around the block from here you will find St Dunstan’s Basilica. This church is open to the public except during mass and is well worth a visit.
Just 2 blocks over you will find Victoria Row, a pedestrian street full of restaurants, bars and shops. After making our way through the shops, we stopped by Receiver Coffee Co for a latte and then headed to our afternoon tour.
Anne of Green Gables is one of Payton’s favorite books and we couldn’t visit the island without visiting the museum. The tour also took in the cute towns and Prince Edward Island National Park along the north coast of the island.
Sydney, Cape Breton
The day we arrived in Sydney there were 4 large cruise ships in port – it was very crowded. Thankfully, we had pre-booked an excursion to see the Cabot Trail and Baddeck.
The tour lasted between 4 and 5 hours, as the drive there is about one hour from port. The trail is over 185 miles long so you only see about 20% of it on a tour (we would love to go back and drive it at leisure one day). It was beautiful, especially in fall. I am thinking early October would be mind blowing.
We enjoyed a cafe along the way and toured the Alexander Graham Bell museum in Baddeck. As a homeschool family we really enjoyed the museum and learned quite a bit.
We had about 3 hours remaining in port once we returned, but we chose to skip the crowds and head back to the ship. Overcrowding at ports is a frustration, and something to be aware of if you cruise on some of these popular routes.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Halifax was another busy port, but being a larger city, it didn’t feel as crowded. We booked a tour of Historic Halifax and Peggy’s Cove via the cruise line, but honestly we wish we’d spent more time down in the Peggy’s Cove / Lunenburg area – it’s so beautiful.
The tour began at the public gardens very close to the cruise port, where we had 30 minutes to grab a coffee and stroll the gardens. Our group then toured Fairview Lawn Cemetery – the Titanic Grave Site. We toured the graves and learned a great deal about the tragedy.
We were then driven an hour out of the city, to Peggy’s Cove. This beautiful inlet has colorful fishing huts and a lighthouse set out on a huge rocky point. We only had 1 hour on site, so the sit-down restaurant was not option… luckily we found Tom’s Lobster Shack. They turned out to be best lobster rolls of the entire trip, so I guess it worked out for the best.
Next time I will be sure to book an excursion that allows us more time along the Lighthouse Route (the South Shore of Nova Scotia).
Portland, Maine
As foodies, Portland was our absolute favorite stop on this trip. We loved being within walking distance of so many things to see and do. But we decided it was time for a lobster-crawl – sampling all the amazing seafood delights on offer in Maine!
Before arriving we mapped out 5 stops for the most amazing lobster treats. But, I have to admit, we only made it through three of them and had to virtually crawl back to the ship with over-eating!
- Porthole Portland
- Portland Lobster
- Luke’s Lobster Portland Pier
- The Highroller Lobster Co.
- DeMilo’s on the Water
Whole lobsters, lobster tails, lobster rolls, lobster bisque, lobster bites, lobster towers, it just never ends. You definitely need more than one day to experience all that Portland has to offer.
History in Boston
Boston is the final stop on your St. Lawrence River cruise, and it’s worth staying a few extra days to explore. The city combines rich Revolutionary history with a vibrant modern culture, offering something for everyone.
The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile red-brick path that takes you to 16 historic landmarks, from Boston Common to the Granary Burying Ground, and the Old North Church to Faneuil Hall and the site of the Boston Massacre. Beyond history, you can wander through the lively North End for authentic Italian food, shop at Quincy Market, or enjoy views of the harbor from the Seaport District.
If you want to make the most of your time, a guided Freedom Trail tour adds context to Boston’s revolutionary landmarks, while a Duck Boat tour offers a fun way to see both land and water sights. Food lovers will enjoy a North End culinary tour, and art enthusiasts can explore the Museum of Fine Arts or Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
Sports fans may want to check out Fenway Park, one of baseball’s most iconic stadiums. Don’t miss a day trip to Salem from Boston too!
NOTE: On the weekends traffic can make transportation a nightmare. On one night of our stay there was a concert and a ballgame on the same night, so a 1-mile uber ride took over 30 minutes. Stay somewhere downtown, so you can walk everywhere you need to!
I would definitely recommend a hotel within walking distance of most things – the AC Hotel by Marriott is a great modern hotel option, within walking distance of Chinatown and other sights.
Post-Cruise Leaf-Peeping in New England
After the cruise, we took a 5-day New England road trip, specifically to go leaf-peeping! Fall trips are our absolute favorite – beautiful colors, and lovely mild weather.
We took in stops like the Kancamagus Highway through the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire, drove the Equinox Skyline Drive in Vermont, enjoyed cozy towns in Connecticut and ended in Rhode Island before enjoying a day trip to Martha’s Vineyard.
Leaf-peeping tips coming soon!
What to Pack for a St. Lawrence River Cruise
First and foremost, pack layers. We traveled the last week of September, and most mornings were very cool and windy. By lunchtime, we were usually starting to remove layers as the day warmed up. The afternoons were mild and sometimes even warm.
Sunglasses are a must, as almost every day was sunny, especially with the UV reflecting off the water.
Good walking shoes are definitely necessary if you are venturing out at each port of call. The ship did have 2 dress up nights but it was not nearly as “formal” as other ships we have sailed with.
For this route, I would recommend dressing comfortably and in layers.
Cruise Guide to the St Lawrence River
A St. Lawrence River cruise is a perfect mix of history, culture, and coastal charm. From the rugged beauty of Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, to the New England character of Portland and the vibrant finish in Boston, this itinerary offers a little bit of everything – scenic landscapes, fascinating stories, and plenty of fresh seafood along the way. It’s a journey that highlights the best of Canada’s Maritime provinces and the U.S. Northeast in one unforgettable trip.
This cruise was definitely the best way to get a taste of fall in New England and Canada. We were able to catch a glimpse of the places we wish to return to for longer stays. This was our first ever cruise with Holland America but it will not be our last. We enjoyed the laid back atmosphere and the food.
As for timing, I think the last week of September was literally picture perfect. Some of the areas were not at peak foliage. However, as our guide mentioned one day, if you wait until peak foliage and there is a big wind the next day, you will show up to bare trees.
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