We are thinking of taking a cruise this fall to see the fall colors--I realize a little redundant--but as my father is gettin older I really dont want to travel to far away--do you all have any suggestions--we love Silver Seas and Seabourn--but would love your advise for a Sept or Oct cruise. Thanks. Jan

Hello, Jan,

New England and the Canadian Maritimes are beautiful! I would suggest a cruise in late September or early October because that is generally when the fall colors peak.

The people in Eastern Canada were friendly and warm to the cruise visitors. It was a short, comfortable ride from Halifax to Peggy's Cove in Nova Scotia. In fact, there wasn't a single port in New England or Eastern Canada that I didn't enjoy.

Silversea and Seabourn are amazing. Cunard's QM2 is also sailing fall foliage cruises, "Splendors of the Fall" on Sept. 30 and Oct. 12 out of New York for 12 days. Crystal Cruises might also be an option for you to consider.

Best Regards,
Julia

Hi Jan,
Intrav/Clipper Cruise Line offers two different fall colors voyages on its 100 passenger small ship, the Nantucket Clipper. Choices include a cruise up the Hudson River or the Atlantic coast from Maine to Massachusetts. Though rather 'pricey' due to the small number of passengers involved, your father would get a wonderful cruise experience. Although I have never sailed on the Nantucket Clipper, I have taken two journeys with this company on their Yorktown Clipper on the west coast. I highly recommend them .... www.clippercruise.com/

You should know that if it is fall colors you want, you will not get the best viewing by sea. The most spectacular scenes are inland.

I too agree, a cruise is not the way to see foliage. It is a big gamble as the times of peak are very brief and totally dependent on the prior weather. Best would be to do a week long trip in Vermont beg of October, with a car since the driving areas are only a couple hours drive. In NY where I live, I can head north for a week, an hour drive have peak viewings, then 10 days later will have peak an hour south. IF you do stay with a cruise, have a car rental in at least 2 areas. Use the state's foliage guide sites for best areas and drive there.