Heading to Halifax on your Canada & New England cruise? Here are the 11 best things to do in Halifax, Nova Scotia in one day.

New shore excursions include active opportunities for the athletic types, family-oriented sojourns, and tours geared to wine lovers and foodies. Find out more!

Deputy Executive Editor Sarah Schlichter's idea of a perfect trip includes spotting exotic animals, hiking through pristine landscapes, exploring new neighborhoods on foot, and soaking up as much art as she can. She often attempts to recreate recipes from her international travels after she gets home (which has twice resulted in accidental kitchen fires—no humans or animals were harmed). Sarah joined the SmarterTravel team in 2017 after more than a decade at the helm of IndependentTraveler.com. Sarah's practical travel advice has been featured in dozens of news outlets including the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Budget Travel, and Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio. Follow her on Twitter @TravelEditor. The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A journal. Even years later, reading my notes from a trip can bring back incredibly vivid memories." Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Road tripping and hiking through the rugged mountains of Patagonia." Travel Motto: "'To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.'—Freya Stark" Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle. I get restless on long flights and like to be able to move around without disturbing anyone else." Email Sarah at [email protected].

This was an amazing trip! We took shore excursions in every port and each location had much to offer.

Wondering when the best time to go to Canada and New England is? Nature-lovers seeking serenity adore the fall to survey this stunning region. But active adults and families with young kids may also enjoy other times when planning a Canada and New England cruise. Get the facts and Canada and New...

While you may think of a Canadian and New England cruise journey as a fall excursion, you can see Canada & New England cruise ports any time of the year. The following stops on this type of cruise adventure should be added to your bucket list of experiences.

Hello friends! Thank you so much for stopping by to read today! I am so excited to discuss the top 10 must pack items for a New England and Canada cruise today! As the fall weather quickly approaches a cruise to these destinations always seems like the perfect way to celebrate this time of year! Cruising in the fall has been one of my favorite adventures! When I went on my first cruise throughout New England and Canada I quickly learned that it was very different then packing for other cruises! For examples, cruises to New England and Canada aren't like packing for a cruise to the Caribbean. When I went cruising to the Caribbean my suitcase was filled with cute sundresses, lots of cute sandals and flip flops, bating suits, and adorable warm weather clothes. But unlike the tropical getaway that a cruise to the Caribbean provides, cruising to New England and Canada in the summer or fall provides a completely different climate. When I took my first cruise to New England and Canada back in 2015, I searched for what to pack for this type of cruising climate and I struggled to find answers. There were tons of ideas for warmer weather cruising but not for "colder weather climates". So I searched to find anyone who had been on a New England cruise that could share their thoughts, talked with different cruise lines, and searched tons of travel sites for their thoughts on visiting this area of the world. The reality is that this area of the world in the summer and fall seasons yet it can bring unpredictable weather, beautiful views, and gorgeous opportunities. I have taken two cruises through New England and Canada. My first one was back in 2015 and it was in the early part of October. You can read about it HERE. In 2019 my mom and I had the amazing opportunity to sail in August through New England and Canada on Holland America and it was so delightful (you can read all about our trip HERE)! The one thing though that held true was that despite the season difference (late summer versus fall) I found that the list here still helped me pack appropriately for these two different types of trips. I hope you find it helpful also! So if you are planning a similar cruise, here are the top 10 things that you can't leave home without y'all: 1. Layers With weather that is unpredictable during this time of the year (some days can be in the low 30s to the high 80s!!) it is important to pack clothes that you can "layer". I definitely threw in different coats along with lighter weather clothes (as you can see in the picture above) and the mix and matching of these items really helped me throughout the day! 2. Boots, Booties, Shoes, Sandals Unlike the Caribbean where you live in sandals, you might want to vary your shoe "wardrobe" a little bit more for a New England Cruise. For time on the boat you might want to still live in cute sandals but time off the boat and the excursions that you choose might determine that you wear different types of shoes. Taking a cruise to New England and Canada offers you a wide array of options as far as choices go for excursions and many that include hiking so don't forget to pack a variety of different shoes that you will need for your cruise! 3. Scarves Lets be honest. If you have been around the blog then you know that I love scarves and where them in all different weather environments, but a cruise to New England and Canada is a perfect opportunity and excuse to wear a variety of different scarves on the cruise. Scarves are also a perfect accessory for a cruise as they are lightweight and don't take up a ton of room but can bring a pop of color to an outfit, change up an outfit (by simply wearing a different scarf), and are the perfect addition to any cruising outfit. 4. Sunscreen It can be easy to forget this necessary component of your New England and Canada cruise since you are not traveling to a "warm weather" environment but don't forget to pack your sunscreen! There are so many days where the weather is so beautiful and you will definitely want to have your sunscreen with you! THIS ONE is one of my ultimate favorites and it is less than $10 on Amazon. You can find it by clicking HERE! 5. Camera (and the Extras) I use my phone for pictures alone with my camera, but still am a photographer at heart so I always bring my camera on all of my trips and travels! I have the Canon EOS Rebel T5i and absolutely love it. I purchased it in 2016 and am always amazed by the quality of the photos it takes. I love this SD card HERE (it's less than $10!!) Some additional suggestions... Portable Battery Pack 6. Extension Cord Throw in an extension cord and you will be glad that you did! One that I bring along is the 6-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip simply because it allows for several things to be plugged in at once which is a must on a cruise! (Less than $15!) 7. Umbrella or Rain Jacket As I stated before the weather in this area of the world is unpredictable, but many northeast cities get 3 to 4 inches of rain during the fall months. Consider bringing rain gear or a small umbrella so that you are prepared for whatever weather that you might encounter! THIS one HERE on Amazon is a great travel umbrella (and comes in tons of different colors) With over 52,000 stars and reviews this is a steal for under $30 that you can use all year long! If you are not interested in an umbrella consider purchasing a rain jacket which can work well when planning out your layers! 8. Purse, Bag, Etc. BCBGMAXAZRIA Handbag (similar HERE and HERE) Those of you who know me know that I have a little love affair with purses. *smiles* I have had many over the years, and love large purses- especially for traveling. For each of my trips I look for purses that I feel will "fit" the climate and the elements and that will be a neutral based color to easily match the clothes I am wearing. I also want a purse that was leather that could transition easily into fall. I saw the purse above and immediately fell in love with the color tone and the size of it. While it is no longer available (you could definitely try Poshmark or Ebay if you want the exact purse) these: HERE and HERE are similar in idea and size! Also... if you have ready some of my other packing posts you will have heard me mention purchasing a Sturdy Purse Organizer and y'all. SERIOUSLY. Go purchase this for everyday life along with travel! I have started talking about non-stop and telling everyone about. Just the other day I was telling two friends that they needed to get one! It is life-changing! Hahaha! This felt organizer (I chose the beige color so that it will go with any of my purses!) comes in 11 different colors and is less than $20 on Amazon (you can find it HERE). I love that I can easily switch purses now just by taking this out and changing it from one purse to another. SO simple and easy! Even if you don't travel a lot you will love it for daily life (for size reference I chose a medium)! For traveling mine was loaded up with tons of items and it was the easiest trip in the airports because of how organized it kept things in my purse! If you are interested in it you can find it HERE! 9. Journal, Travel Books, Etc. Y'all know from my shop that I love creating and altering travel books and travel journals so this recommendation is probably not a surprise at all! *smiles* Some people like to pack travel guides to take with them on the cruise so they can explore in depth the ports of call while others like to bring journals on board so as to remember the special details and memories that are made. Check out the shop for perfect solutions for your travel needs! 10. Cruise Documents and Passport Don't forget that you will need to bring all of your cruise documents and passport. Looking for a cute passport holder? I love THIS travel organizer and it is less than $15! What about y'all? Any must pack items that you recommend for a New England/Canadian Cruise? Looking for more cruising tips? Check out the following cruising posts: Cruising Tips: Holland America Cruises: Answers to Your Most FAQ's 6 Tips for Planning the Perfect Cruise 3 Important Documents to Bring on Every Cruise Viking River Cruises: Answers to Your Most Frequently Asked Questions River Cruising vs. Ocean Cruising: 23 Key Differences to Know 5 Things People Forget to Bring on Their First European River Cruise 7 Things to Take With You While In Port 10 Things People Forget to Bring on Their First Cruise 10 Things to Do Before You Leave on Your Caribbean Cruise 5 Must Pack Items for Your Disney Cruise to the Bahamas 16 Unexpected Things to Bring on Every Cruise Top 13 Must Pack Items for a Caribbean Cruise

If you're thinking of a Canada and New England cruise, here are my picks for the top New England cruise ports to visit.

This Ports of Call Canada and New England cruise guide will help get you started exploring the stunning east coast.

Hello friends! Thank you so much for stopping by to read today! I am so excited to discuss the top 10 must pack items for a New England and Canada cruise today! As the fall weather quickly approaches a cruise to these destinations always seems like the perfect way to celebrate this time of year! Cruising in the fall has been one of my favorite adventures! When I went on my first cruise throughout New England and Canada I quickly learned that it was very different then packing for other cruises! For examples, cruises to New England and Canada aren't like packing for a cruise to the Caribbean. When I went cruising to the Caribbean my suitcase was filled with cute sundresses, lots of cute sandals and flip flops, bating suits, and adorable warm weather clothes. But unlike the tropical getaway that a cruise to the Caribbean provides, cruising to New England and Canada in the summer or fall provides a completely different climate. When I took my first cruise to New England and Canada back in 2015, I searched for what to pack for this type of cruising climate and I struggled to find answers. There were tons of ideas for warmer weather cruising but not for "colder weather climates". So I searched to find anyone who had been on a New England cruise that could share their thoughts, talked with different cruise lines, and searched tons of travel sites for their thoughts on visiting this area of the world. The reality is that this area of the world in the summer and fall seasons yet it can bring unpredictable weather, beautiful views, and gorgeous opportunities. I have taken two cruises through New England and Canada. My first one was back in 2015 and it was in the early part of October. You can read about it HERE. In 2019 my mom and I had the amazing opportunity to sail in August through New England and Canada on Holland America and it was so delightful (you can read all about our trip HERE)! The one thing though that held true was that despite the season difference (late summer versus fall) I found that the list here still helped me pack appropriately for these two different types of trips. I hope you find it helpful also! So if you are planning a similar cruise, here are the top 10 things that you can't leave home without y'all: 1. Layers With weather that is unpredictable during this time of the year (some days can be in the low 30s to the high 80s!!) it is important to pack clothes that you can "layer". I definitely threw in different coats along with lighter weather clothes (as you can see in the picture above) and the mix and matching of these items really helped me throughout the day! 2. Boots, Booties, Shoes, Sandals Unlike the Caribbean where you live in sandals, you might want to vary your shoe "wardrobe" a little bit more for a New England Cruise. For time on the boat you might want to still live in cute sandals but time off the boat and the excursions that you choose might determine that you wear different types of shoes. Taking a cruise to New England and Canada offers you a wide array of options as far as choices go for excursions and many that include hiking so don't forget to pack a variety of different shoes that you will need for your cruise! 3. Scarves Lets be honest. If you have been around the blog then you know that I love scarves and where them in all different weather environments, but a cruise to New England and Canada is a perfect opportunity and excuse to wear a variety of different scarves on the cruise. Scarves are also a perfect accessory for a cruise as they are lightweight and don't take up a ton of room but can bring a pop of color to an outfit, change up an outfit (by simply wearing a different scarf), and are the perfect addition to any cruising outfit. 4. Sunscreen It can be easy to forget this necessary component of your New England and Canada cruise since you are not traveling to a "warm weather" environment but don't forget to pack your sunscreen! There are so many days where the weather is so beautiful and you will definitely want to have your sunscreen with you! THIS ONE is one of my ultimate favorites and it is less than $10 on Amazon. You can find it by clicking HERE! 5. Camera (and the Extras) I use my phone for pictures alone with my camera, but still am a photographer at heart so I always bring my camera on all of my trips and travels! I have the Canon EOS Rebel T5i and absolutely love it. I purchased it in 2016 and am always amazed by the quality of the photos it takes. I love this SD card HERE (it's less than $10!!) Some additional suggestions... Portable Battery Pack 6. Extension Cord Throw in an extension cord and you will be glad that you did! One that I bring along is the 6-Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip simply because it allows for several things to be plugged in at once which is a must on a cruise! (Less than $15!) 7. Umbrella or Rain Jacket As I stated before the weather in this area of the world is unpredictable, but many northeast cities get 3 to 4 inches of rain during the fall months. Consider bringing rain gear or a small umbrella so that you are prepared for whatever weather that you might encounter! THIS one HERE on Amazon is a great travel umbrella (and comes in tons of different colors) With over 52,000 stars and reviews this is a steal for under $30 that you can use all year long! If you are not interested in an umbrella consider purchasing a rain jacket which can work well when planning out your layers! 8. Purse, Bag, Etc. BCBGMAXAZRIA Handbag (similar HERE and HERE) Those of you who know me know that I have a little love affair with purses. *smiles* I have had many over the years, and love large purses- especially for traveling. For each of my trips I look for purses that I feel will "fit" the climate and the elements and that will be a neutral based color to easily match the clothes I am wearing. I also want a purse that was leather that could transition easily into fall. I saw the purse above and immediately fell in love with the color tone and the size of it. While it is no longer available (you could definitely try Poshmark or Ebay if you want the exact purse) these: HERE and HERE are similar in idea and size! Also... if you have ready some of my other packing posts you will have heard me mention purchasing a Sturdy Purse Organizer and y'all. SERIOUSLY. Go purchase this for everyday life along with travel! I have started talking about non-stop and telling everyone about. Just the other day I was telling two friends that they needed to get one! It is life-changing! Hahaha! This felt organizer (I chose the beige color so that it will go with any of my purses!) comes in 11 different colors and is less than $20 on Amazon (you can find it HERE). I love that I can easily switch purses now just by taking this out and changing it from one purse to another. SO simple and easy! Even if you don't travel a lot you will love it for daily life (for size reference I chose a medium)! For traveling mine was loaded up with tons of items and it was the easiest trip in the airports because of how organized it kept things in my purse! If you are interested in it you can find it HERE! 9. Journal, Travel Books, Etc. Y'all know from my shop that I love creating and altering travel books and travel journals so this recommendation is probably not a surprise at all! *smiles* Some people like to pack travel guides to take with them on the cruise so they can explore in depth the ports of call while others like to bring journals on board so as to remember the special details and memories that are made. Check out the shop for perfect solutions for your travel needs! 10. Cruise Documents and Passport Don't forget that you will need to bring all of your cruise documents and passport. Looking for a cute passport holder? I love THIS travel organizer and it is less than $15! What about y'all? Any must pack items that you recommend for a New England/Canadian Cruise? Looking for more cruising tips? Check out the following cruising posts: Cruising Tips: Holland America Cruises: Answers to Your Most FAQ's 6 Tips for Planning the Perfect Cruise 3 Important Documents to Bring on Every Cruise Viking River Cruises: Answers to Your Most Frequently Asked Questions River Cruising vs. Ocean Cruising: 23 Key Differences to Know 5 Things People Forget to Bring on Their First European River Cruise 7 Things to Take With You While In Port 10 Things People Forget to Bring on Their First Cruise 10 Things to Do Before You Leave on Your Caribbean Cruise 5 Must Pack Items for Your Disney Cruise to the Bahamas 16 Unexpected Things to Bring on Every Cruise Top 13 Must Pack Items for a Caribbean Cruise

I had put off a Canada and New England cruise for years because it seemed like a secondary itinerary, but I wish I had done it sooner.

Taking a New England/Canada cruise? Odds are you'll stop at Halifax Cruise Port. Here are 3 itinerary ideas to make the most of your day!

One of our amazing agents Rachel Ruppert went on a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line through New England and Canada last fall! In this post she talks about three reasons that you should consider a New England and Canada cruise when planning your next voyage!

One of the best ways to see New England and Canada is with a cruise. Our top reasons to take a fall foliage cruise shows you why you need to visit.

Taking a New England/Canada cruise? Odds are you'll stop at Halifax Cruise Port. Here are 3 itinerary ideas to make the most of your day!

If your Canada & New England cruise includes a day in Portland Maine, you're in luck. Dock right in downtown Portland within walking distance to everything.

Situated on a peninsula on Casco Bay in southern Maine about 100 miles north of Boston, Portland is Maine's most populous city and a highlight of New England

One of the best ways to see New England and Canada is with a cruise. Our top reasons to take a fall foliage cruise shows you why you need to visit.

The best time to cruise to New England and Canada depends on whether visitors want more warmth or more color. July and August are warmer with less color; September and October are cooler with more color.

Situated on the eastern coast of Canada on one of the largest natural harbors in the world, Halifax is the capital of the province of Nova Scotia and the

Looking for NCL dining and restaurant menus for 2024? Find them here! MDR, specialty, fast casual, and more!

When you think of taking a cruise, do you only think of the Caribbean? You can see many sites in the United States from ports throughout the country. Are you thinking about taking a cruise

An unconventional guide to the top things to see on a Canada / New England cruise.

If your Canada & New England cruise includes a day in Portland Maine, you're in luck. Dock right in downtown Portland within walking distance to everything.

Visiting New England in fall is on many an all-American bucket list! My sweet husband whisked me away to the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont. We had a wonderful time, but sometimes packing for fall weather can be a challenge.

Taking a New England/Canada cruise? Odds are you'll stop at Halifax Cruise Port. Here are 3 itinerary ideas to make the most of your day!

Once again our on the move cruise Hosts Steve and Wendy Bodenheimer have packed their bags for a grand adventure. If you’re like us it’s hard to beat the beauty of watching the colors all around you change daily and so we’re taking you along on their tour of New England and Atlantic Canada with …

Taking a New England/Canada cruise? Odds are you'll stop at Halifax Cruise Port. Here are 3 itinerary ideas to make the most of your day!

Last April we had the most awesome cruise adventure on the Norwegian Cruise Line’s ship, the Getaway! This was honestly our best trip yet, we all had so much fun and there was so much to do on this amazing ship. I am so excited to share my Norwegian

A visit to Bar Harbor Maine on a Holland America Canada New England cruise is one of the most quaint cruise ship ports in New England.

Bar Harbor is known for fresh seafood and local fare. Find out here where to dine at the best restaurants in Bar Harbor Maine!

If you're used to Caribbean and other tropical weather cruises, packing and choosing what to wear on a cool weather cruise can be a challenge! Whether you're doing an Alaska, Canada & New England, or

Our review of cruising on the Norwegian Breakaway, including its restaurants, bars, entertainment and overall layout.

Best family activities in Sydney Nova Scotia. If you're planning a Canada New England cruise, try to find one that includes Sydney.

Happy Friday friends! I hope that you have had a wonderful week and are excited for this weekend! Today I am excited to share with y'all a little bit about our time at the Port of Sydney in Nova Scotia, Canada. While I didn't know much about Sydney before this trip I had always wanted to visit the Cape Breton area of Canada and so I was excited that this would be a stop on our cruise with Holland America. Like many people we chose to do a cruise excursion that went into the Cape Breton area, but I thought it was important to do a post about the Port of Sydney itself as I couldn't find much about it when I was researching for our cruise. It truly is a delightful port with a lot of things to do and we had a lovely couple of hours exploring a few things that I definitely want to share with y'all for those that might take the same cruise we did! I found this above map online and thought that it was so cute in showing how the port is laid out and looks! You can see that there are so many different things right within walking distance, including visiting St. Patrick's church which is the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Cape Breton. If you are into architecture you could also take a walking tour of Old Sydney (right near the ship dock) and see buildings that were constructed in the late 18th century. For those who are American Revolution historians you may know that Old Sydney was actually founded by Loyalists who were fleeing during and after the American Revolution. All of this to say that this port has lots of history to walk and explore right near the ship! Right when you disembark you will have the Joan Hariss Cruise Pavilion right in front of you. This area holds lots of concerts, events, etc. and when we were docked there were some musicians playing, an outdoor market that was neat to walk through and visit the different shops, and also beautifully relaxing to sit and take in the lovely scenery. A fun side note for those that love to get your passport stamped- you can do this on the first floor in the cruise pavilion! It is so cute and the stamp has a violin on it! It is really sweet! We opted to spend time off the ship and just enjoy the beauty after our excursion so we ate at the restaurant that is located on the 2nd floor of the cruise Pavilion, Flavor on the Water. I would say that the food was very good, different and really provided a lovely spot to sit and enjoy the beautiful day. Sadly, I can't recommend the service so much... the waitresses that we had were unfortunately not only rude to us, but to many of the people at different tables around us (almost seeming to be frustrated with having the cruise ships there) so the service was slow and left much to be desired. We even heard one waitress tell another waitress that she hated when the cruise ships docked. We were having such a lovely day and didn't want it to be spoiled with all of that negativity so we decided to change our order to a "to go order" (they weren't thrilled about it) and took our food down to the pavilion and it was perfect. All of that to say- I would recommend ordering to go and enjoying the food and not dealing with the strange and negative service. If you are wondering about how much time to reserve for the port (and also if you are planning to walk around Old Sydney for a little bit) I would say about 1-3 hours depending on how long you want to eat and explore. If you are just going to go to the pavilion you won't need more than an hour. I hope that is helpful! Thank you so much for reading! Please let me know if you have any questions about the port or our cruise with Holland America! It was simply lovely! You can read about all of our adventures on our cruise with Holland America by clicking HERE!

Passengers aboard a New England to Canada cruise oftentimes visit Sydney, located on Cape Breton, an island that is part of Canada’s second-smallest province, Nova Scotia. Last fall, my Celebrity Cruises itinerary included an eight-hour stop in this port. To get a taste of this region’s history, I divided my time by taking a half-day Celebrity Cruises shore excursion to the Louisbourg Lighthouse, followed by a guided tour of the Fortress of Louisbourg, and concluded with a self-guided tour of the easy to navigate coastal town of Sydney.

If you're going on a cruise leaving from Manhattan, New York or Cape Liberty, New Jersey, you might be wondering what to do before or after your cruise. Visiting New York City for at least

21 traditional Canadian foods and where to taste them along with other popular Canadian food while visiting Canada.

At the end of last summer we went on an epic road trip in our EV. We started in Southwestern Ontario, drove through Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and PEI. …

Sweet or savory, you'll find it in Quebec cuisine. Here are 11 traditional Quebec foods and the best places in Quebec City and Montreal to find each one.

Wondering how to spend one day in Ottawa? We played tourist with a local friend and explored the best museums, sights, tours and attractions in Ottawa!

Discover the charm of Quebec City with this ultimate city break itinerary, featuring must-see landmarks, local cuisine and rich history.