Eastern North America: 8 days from Boston to Quebec City

Day 1

boston, massachusetts

Departure: 16:00

Boston is the capital and largest city of the state of Massachusetts. One of the oldest cities in the United States, Boston was founded in 1630 by Puritan colonists from England and it is still considered the most European of the United States cities. Boston Common and Gardens is one of the city’s main attraction and is the starting point for Freedom Trail, dating back to 1634. This central public park is loved by locals as well as visitors. The Massachusetts State Building, with its gold dome, cannot be missed. It is the seat of the Massachusetts government. Faneuil Hall constructed in 1742, was an important meeting hall. Today there's a market that offers many places to eat and shop. A famous historical neighbourhood of Boston is Beacon Hill, amidst its well preserved streets, you will feel like you've gone back in time. Trinity Church is said to be one of the greatest buildings in the country and is well worth a visit. Worldwide famous and considered to be the world's greatest academic institution, Harvard University offers tours of its campus to soak in the wonderful ambiance. Many important buildings with diverse architecture styles are located at Copley Square. It is also the site of the Boston Marathon's finish line. Boston is the perfect city for history lovers. Boston's rich colonial and Revolutionary history bring visitors to this city all year round. Exploring Boston on foot allows for new and exciting sights and adventures with every step. Each neighbourhood of Boston is different and has its own distinct style and culture.

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Day 2

saint john,nb (bay of fundy)

Arrival: 10:00 - Departure: 17:00

Saint John is a seaport city of the Atlantic Ocean located on the Bay of Fundy in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. Saint John is the oldest incorporated city in Canada, established by royal charter on May 18, 1785, during the reign of King George III.[8] The port is Canada's third largest port by tonnage with a cargo base that includes dry and liquid bulk, break bulk, containers, and cruise. The city was the most populous in New Brunswick until the 2016 census, when it was overtaken by Moncton. It is currently the second-largest city in the province, with a population of 67,575 over an area of 315.96 km2 (121.99 sq mi). French colonist Samuel de Champlain landed at Saint John Harbour on June 24, 1604 (the feast of St. John the Baptist) and is where the Saint John River gets its name although Mi'kmaq and Wolastoqiyik peoples lived in the region for thousands of years prior calling the river Wolastoq. The Saint John area was an important area for trade and defence for Acadia during the French colonial era and Fort La Tour, in the city's harbour, was a pivotal battleground during the Acadian Civil War. After over a century of ownership disputes over the land surrounding Saint John between the French and English, the English deported the French colonists in 1755 and constructed Fort Howe above the harbour in 1779. In 1785, the City of Saint John was established by uniting the two towns of Parrtown and Carleton on each side of the harbour after the arrival of thousands of refugees from the American Revolution who wished to remain British and were forced to leave their U.S. homes. Over the next century, waves of immigration via Partridge Island, especially during the Great Famine, would fundamentally change the city's demographics and culture.

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Day 3

halifax, nova scotia

Arrival: 10:00 - Departure: 18:00

Visit Halifax and experience the friendly and upbeat culture, this walkable city and its pleasant rural communities. Here in Halifax you will find things to do for families, couples and singles alike! The place has a variety of activities to suit every preference, from outdoor adventure to wine and culinary tours like stocking up on local produce while enjoying Nova Scotia's bustling farmers' markets, hikes and bike rides through some of Halifax's nicest trails, visiting the beautiful Nova Scotia Art Gallery in Halifax for local and international art exhibits, enjoying a wagon ride at rustic Hatfield Farm or taking a tour or drive to picturesque Peggy's Cove.

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Day 4

sydney, nova scotia

Arrival: 10:00 - Departure: 20:00

Sydney is an urban community located in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. Situated on Cape Breton Island's east coast, it belongs administratively to the Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Sydney was founded in 1785 by the British, was incorporated as a city in 1904, and dissolved on 1 August 1995, when it was amalgamated into the regional municipality.

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Day 5

charlottetown

Arrival: 10:00 - Departure: 23:00

Charlottetown, Canada’s Birthplace, knows the ins and outs of great hospitality. Discover one of its many festivals celebrated throughout the seasons, sample the food that makes it famous, and rest your head in one of its many accommodation options. Walkable and safe, in Charlottetown you will never be far from shooping, world class theatre, historic sites, and the most beautiful golf courses you have ever seen.

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Day 6

Cruising Gulf of St. Lawrence

A lighthouse on little St. Paul’s Island is a stark reminder of days gone by as you sail past this infamous old shipwreck site, known as the graveyard of the gulf, on your way through the Cabot Strait and into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. So huge is the gulf that half of Canada’s 10 provinces have a coastal connection to it. Perhaps that’s not surprising, considering that it’s the world’s largest estuary and fed all the way from the Great Lakes 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) away. A mere 19,000 years ago, it was covered under a mile-thick sheet of ice. Every Canadian schoolkid knows that in 1534, Jacques Cartier was the first European known to enter the gulf waters and encounter Maritime Algonquian peoples. In short order, the French kept arriving, as did Portuguese and Basque, who established whaling operations and shipped unimaginable amounts of cod to the Old World. Today, visitors come to explore massive islands, colorful towns and national parks that straddle the surrounding mainland, as well as thousands of tiny islets around which whales now thrive.

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Day 7

Saint Lawrence river

The nearly 1,200-kilometer (750-mile) stretch of the St. Lawrence River is a lighthouse lover’s paradise, with more than 40 of them lining the Québec portion alone. Quixotic weather and sudden choppy waters account for the building of these historic monuments, such as the one built in 1830 at Pointe-des-Monts and the Phare de Matane, both of which are now small museums. Centuries-old fishing villages line the mighty waterway that alternates between imposing cliffs and plateaus and broad estuaries filled with fertile islets. Humans have fished the rich river and hunted its tributary lands for some 10,000 years. Much is still not known about the two dozen St. Lawrence Iroquoian tribes that had vanished by the time Québec City founder Samuel de Champlain arrived in the early 17th century. The river was a major entry point for exploring North America, and during the Seven Years' War the British navigated to Québec City to defeat the French at the Plains of Abraham. Today, some 200 miles of the river are called the whale route, along which some 13 resident species thrive, including blue, beluga and right whales.

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Day 8

quebec city, quebec

Arrival: 07:00

Situated on the banks of the St. Lawrence River, Quebec is a town with good looks and an undeniable French flair. It's got all the attractions you can think of, museums, arts and culture, sports, the great outdoors and it is the only city in North America with its original city walls. Quebec City's main sight is the Old Town, known as Haute-Ville, which is surrounded by a stone wall built by both French and British armies. The Citadelle is the largest British fortress in North America. At 10 in the morning is when the changing of the guard ceremony takes place. The absolutely beautiful Chateau Frontenac is a Quebec City icon. Terrasse Dufferin is a Boardwalk situated alongside the Chateau Frontenac and offers a great view of the St. Lawrence River. Quartier Petit Champlain is a neighbourhood located in the Old Lower Town. It is quite picturesque, especially when viewed from the Breakneck Stairs. The narrow cobbled streets are lined with small shops and cafes. It's a really fun neighbourhood to explore with a camera in hand. The Basilica Notre Dame de Quebec is the oldest church in the Americas north of Mexico. The Museum of Civilization is a great place to learn about the Aboriginal peoples of Quebec. One can't come to Quebec City and not catch a street performance. The city celebrates its performers and you'll often find acts taking place in the town square and parks. Grab a seat for some live entertainment and don't forget to leave a tip at the end.

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What you should know:

Itinerary

The order of the ports may vary depending on the date of departure.
Check your itinerary for exact departure and arrival times. The hours correspond to the local time of the port.
Itineraries can change at any time without prior notice.

Boarding and landing

For safety reasons, all passengers must board 2 hours before departure on day 1 of the cruise.
Disembarkation usually begins 2 hours after docking on the last day of the cruise.