Keeping it Close to Home with a New England Cruise

If you and your sweetheart want to enjoy a honeymoon cruise without leaving the country, a New England cruise might be the ideal choice for you. With a New England cruise, you can enjoy all of the magic afforded by a honeymoon cruise while staying close to home.

Exploring the New England Cruise

Generally, the best time to take a New England cruise is during September and October, with late September being ideal. At this time, you will be able to catch the best views of the famous fall foliage offered in the New England states. A summer New England cruise can also be a good selection because the weather is milder than southern cruises at this time of the year.

For the most part, New England cruises last anywhere from four nights to two weeks. Those that last a longer period of time may also visit Canadian ports or run along the eastern seaboard. Most New England cruise itineraries include at least one day at sea or other opportunities for scenic cruising.

Many of the mainstream cruise lines offer New England cruises, including Crystal Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Seabourn Cruises, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Silversea Cruises, and Holland America Cruise Line. Each offers its own unique personality, so be sure to explore all of your options before deciding which cruise line to travel with on your New England cruise.

New England Cruise Ports

When it comes to going on a New England cruise, you have several embarkation ports to choose from. Some of the more popular options include Montreal, New York, and Boston, simply because they are nearer to the destination ports. Some of the longer itineraries may depart from Fort Lauderdale, Florida or Norfolk, Virginia. In addition, you can select from one way itineraries or round trip.

Some ports of call on a New England cruise may include:
• Gloucester, MA
• Martha’s Vineyard, MA
• New London, CT
• Bar Harbor, ME
• Albany, NY
• New York, NY
• Portsmouth, NH
• Newport, RI

Some may also visit Canadian ports such as:

• Saint John, New Brunswick
• Halifax, Nova Scotia
• Quebec City, Quebec

The shore excursions available to you will depend on the cruise line. In general, you will have opportunities to participate in historic driving and walking tours, with those that trace the path of American independence being among the most popular. These include stops at Concord, Lexington, and Salem, Massachusetts, as well as historical landmarks in Boston. If you or your honey are baseball aficionados, you will enjoy a shore excursion to Fenway Park while in Boston, which is offered by many of the cruise lines. Other tours can include lighthouse visits, lobster bakes, and kayaking journeys.

If you and your sweetheart want to enjoy the luxury of a cruise while remaining close to home, a New England cruise may be just the answer you are looking for as it is filled with tradition, history, relaxation, and fun.