Eastern Canada Cruise Featuring Quebec & Montreal

 Your vacation begins as you arrive on the East Coast in America's Cradle of Liberty, Boston. Make your own way to our downtown hotel, located conveniently in the Back Bay, and check-in for the night. You are then free to start getting to know what makes Boston such a beloved destination.

You might like to wander through one of the parks, like Boston Common or the Boston Public Garden - both of which are within easy reach. Alternatively, you could venture to the harbor to see the ships and look into the city's Revolutionary roots.

Return to the hotel this evening to meet the Tour Manager and your group of fellow travelers, and then the evening is yours to find dinner locally. Boston's restaurant scene is awash in fantastic seafood restaurants, giving you plenty of places to taste the local flavors. Overnight Boston.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before getting to know Boston on a guided city tour. Experience how the Founding Fathers and centuries of influence have shaped the city as our escort presents places that recall early American history and modern points of interest. We see how the years have left their marks in unique ways while visiting highlights that may include the Freedom Trail, Boston Common, the Historic District or beloved neighborhoods.

In the summer, green trees and lively blossoms paint the perfect backdrop for our excursion, while in fall, the chilly air and warm-hued leaves add further ambiance to this already atmospheric city. The tour concludes as we arrive at Quincy Market, where you are at leisure through lunch.

Our day continues with a coach transfer to the harbor this afternoon. Your Holland America cruise ship awaits on the water, and as you board the vessel, enjoy some time to settle into your cabin and get to know the onboard amenities, ranging from restaurants to a casino and pickleball courts. We have our first dinner as the ship sets sail this evening. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Dinner

 After sailing along the coast through the night, Portland welcomes you to the beautiful state of Maine this morning. This seaside city was settled in the early 1630s and has grown to include an intriguing atmosphere where modern life and deep history intertwine.

Have breakfast onboard, and then this morning is yours to get to know this seaside city. You might like to begin by wandering the cobblestone streets of Old Port. Find yourself charmed by the historic brick buildings and harbor views as you wander between shops and galleries. You could instead admire the exhibits of the Portland Museum of Art or book a trolley tour (payable locally) to see the city's historic homes and points of interest.

Returning to the ship in time for lunch, we set sail for Canada. Find a lounger on one of the sundecks to watch the passing waterside scenes or enjoy the ship's amenities before sitting down to dinner this evening. Overnight ship.

*Please note: The September 18 departure will instead dock in Bar Harbor, Maine, a stunning town at the cusp of Acadia National Park.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Mooring in Canadian waters in the morning, our first look at Canada comes in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This capital city captures the essence of Maritime Canada and is a hub for all-encompassing culture. The best way to get acquainted with its offerings is by walking its 2 1/2-mile boardwalk along the waterfront.

The beating heart of any port city, the boardwalk is filled with attractions, from museums, including the Canadian Museum of Immigration, to souvenir shops, local boutiques, and fantastic places to discover local art. Local distilleries and boardwalk cafés present the region's flavors in delicious ways.

Halifax has plenty of history, and the star-shaped Citadel National Historic Site and the stately Victorian houses at the South End of town are sure to leave an impression. You might also like to prebook a shore excursion that ventures outside Halifax to surrounding locales, including Peggy's Cove. This picturesque town is famed for its lighthouse and makes a fantastic fall foliage destination.

Lunch is available onboard if you wish to return to the ship between adventures, and dinner is served this evening as we set sail for Cape Breton Island. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Enjoy a leisurely morning to have breakfast and watch the changing scenery from the ship as our route presses forth toward Cape Breton Island. We dock in Sydney with a full day to enjoy its scenic surroundings.

Sydney was founded in 1785, and reminders of the 18th and 19th centuries can be found at every turn. Enjoy time to venture down its charming streets, looking upon old buildings all the while, or stroll along the oceanfront boardwalk and marina. Your time here could include visiting the world's largest fiddle or a local museum to delve into Cape Breton Island's culture. Sightseeing outside the city could take you to Louisbourg, home to the Fortress of Louisbourg and the Louisbourg Lighthouse Trail, or to Baddeck, the beginning point of the picturesque Cabot Trail. The Baddeck region is especially stunning during our fall departures.

Returning to the ship, enjoy dinner onboard and a peaceful evening on the water bound for Prince Edward Island. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today's port of call is Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island. This atmospheric destination is called the "Birthplace of the Confederation" and is the provincial capital, giving you plenty of history and culture to unveil during our time here.

As you step ashore, you could stay in the harbor to visit the boutique shops and watch over the boats or head downtown to sightsee amongst the Victorian houses, art galleries and museums. Horse-drawn carriages regularly meander through the streets, providing a fun way to sightsee if you wish.

Prince Edward Island is known as Canada's Food Island, so although lunch is available onboard, why not explore the menus of local restaurants or venture through the Founder's Food Hall and Market? You could also spend the day outside Charlottetown in the scenery that inspired "Anne of Green Gables." Whether visiting in the summer, when the scenery is lush, or in the autumn, surrounded by changing leaves, the landscapes provide a beautiful backdrop for adventures.

Dinner is served onboard as we return to the ship for the evening. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Breathtaking scenery and endless marine life-spotting opportunities lie ahead as we spend the day on the water, cruising toward our final port of call. Our ship enters the picturesque Gulf of St. Lawrence today, surrounded by natural beauty and maritime artifacts. Grab a window-side seat or head out to one of the decks to keep watch for the beauty to come.

Look for the gulf's old shipwreck and the St. Paul's Island lighthouse. There are pretty islets, and the parkland shorelines brim with natural beauty regardless of the season, but are especially colorful in autumn. Further, sharks, whales, and other marine animals call these waters home, and you may catch a glimpse of them as we cruise.

Today is also the perfect opportunity to indulge in the ship's offerings, perhaps booking a treatment in the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, eating delicious meals in the onboard restaurants, or trying your luck in the casino. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 After passing through the Cabot Strait yesterday, the ship began its course on the St. Lawrence River, traveling inland into Canada. The nearly 750-mile stretch of the St. Lawrence River is a lighthouse lover's paradise, with more than 40 lining the Québec portion alone. Further, our vantage point provides lovely views of the cities and towns that frame the waterway and the forests that lie in between. Cruising this in the fall means you have a front-row seat to fantastic leaf-peeping opportunities as today's route unfolds.

Given the scenic surroundings, you might like to grab a lounge chair on the decks or watch the views pass while soaking in a hot tub or pool. The ship is rife with entertainment options, including cooking options and shows, and there are plenty of games to pass the time. Of course, you could always curl up in your cabin with a good book and relax as the ship nears our final port of call. Overnight ship.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 Savor your final breakfast aboard the ship this morning before disembarking for the final time in Québec City. An included transfer takes us from the docking point to our hotel, conveniently located in Old Québec. After checking in for a two-night stay, the day is yours to spend however you please, whether exploring under summer's sun or fall's magical colors.

This city is beloved for its old town, where narrow, cobblestone streets are lined with original architecture, and historical sites abound. Wander through the neighborhoods with a coffee in hand, enjoying how the atmosphere changes in each part of the city and with each season. You could tour one of the local museums, such as the Musée National des Beaux-arts du Québec or the Museum of Civilization. A visit to Montmorency Falls, just outside the city, is also memorable, especially in the fall when the trees surrounding the powerful waterfall are painted with autumnal hues.

You are free to find dinner on your own this evening, and Québec City has no shortage of fantastic eateries serving everything from Quebecois favorites to international cuisine. Overnight Québec City.

• Breakfast

 Breakfast is served at the hotel this morning before we set out into the city, enjoying a grand exploration on a guided tour. Explore the most intriguing sites throughout Québec City, such as the Plains of Abraham, the original fortifications or Québec City's Citadel. Catching a glimpse of the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac on the hilltop during our tour hints at the city's luxurious side, and you may like to head here during our free afternoon to explore further.

As you continue sightseeing in Québec City at your own pace, you might like to revisit favorite tour highlights to scratch beneath the surface or set out on foot on Rue du Petit-Champlain, one of North America's oldest commercial streets. For dinner tonight, perhaps try a local delight, poutine - a delicious mix of fries, cheese curds and gravy. Overnight Québec City.

• Breakfast

 Take the morning at leisure to have a relaxing breakfast at the hotel or wrap up your sightseeing bucket list before our journey continues around mid-day. An included transfer takes us to the railway station, where we look ahead to the excitement found in Montreal.

VIA Rail's Corridor Service is our chariot for this journey, traveling between metropolises in around three hours. Montreal is hailed as Canada's cultural capital and has centuries of influence built into its skyline. As we approach the city, look upon sleek, contemporary buildings, Art Deco gems and the well-preserved structures of Old Montreal.

After checking into our central hotel for two nights, you can dive into its offerings however you see fit. Perhaps taste your way through the Jean-Talon Market or wander Montreal's Botanical Garden, which continues its seasonal splendors through autumn. Being a cultural mecca also gives way to a lively restaurant scene, which you are free to explore tonight for dinner. Overnight Montreal.

• Breakfast

 Boasting a "Cultural Capital" title means Montreal is filled with unique sites that speak to its nearly 400 years of history. Today, we explore the city of past and present through its sites on a half-day guided tour. Setting out with a guide, we discover city highlights, which may include the Old Port of Montreal, Mont Royal Park or St. Joseph's Oratory.

As the tour concludes, you may continue discovering the endless appeals of this cosmopolitan city independently. Montreal is brimming with fantastic museums, including the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History, and the city has a rich art culture that can be explored at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts or in local galleries or as you seek out the city's beautiful murals. Your free time also provides a chance for a relaxing stroll through Montreal's beautiful parks, such as Parc La Fontaine, which are beautiful during summer and provide a stunning place for watching the changing foliage in the fall.

Dining independently tonight, you could set out into any of Montreal's diverse neighborhoods to find an incredible array of restaurants for your final night in Canada. Overnight Montreal.

• Breakfast

 A coastal journey to remember, this cruise and rail vacation has unveiled some of the most interesting and influential destinations lining North America's East Coast. We discovered the incredible history of Boston and enjoyed free days to soak up the coastal delights of Maine, Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Island, Prince Edward Island and Québec City. Once our cruise concluded, we were immersed in the history and culture of the province of Québec while touring Québec City and Montreal.

Your journey concludes with breakfast at the hotel this morning, after which you are free to continue your onward travels home.

• Breakfast