Book by: ASAP
Travel by: October 29, 2009
The deal
The coast of New England and Canada has a quiet elegance and a stunning landscape, and if you’re considering a visit by sea, our editors have found a cruise ship to match.
During the fall, the luxury ocean liner Queen Mary 2 changes her traditional transatlantic course and sails from Brooklyn to the historical port towns of the Northeast.
Due to such a short sailing window most fall-foliage cruises carry a hefty price tag, however this seven-night sailing is less than the cost of a classic six-night ocean crossing. Rates start at just $1,019 for interior cabins — an impressive 58 percent off brochure tags.
After departing from Brooklyn on October 29, the Queen Mary 2 will sail to nearby Newport, Rhode Island where the elaborate “summer cottages” of the Vanderbilts, the Astors, and other giants of the industrial age remain — many of which are open for public viewing. The ship will dock in Boston on All Hallows’ Eve, giving passengers the perfect opportunity to visit nearby Salem — home to the legendary witch trials of 1692.
After that the ship calls on scenic Bar Harbor, Maine where passengers can take in a classic lobster lunch or explore the cliffs and coastlines of Acadia National Park. Next up is Saint John in New Brunswick, a historic town full of Victorian architecture and a fairytale-like feeling. A popular attraction is the natural wonder of the Reversing Falls which flow in one direction when the tides are low and the opposite during high tide.
In between port visits, guests can enjoy a wealth of interesting guest speakers, a planetarium with daily shows, an art gallery, library, and nightly Broadway-style shows by the ship’s star-studded performers.
Following Saint John is Nova Scotia’s capital city, Halifax which was once the gateway for nearly one million immigrants, and now hosts Pier 21, Canada’s immigration museum. This area also has strong connection to the sinking of the Titanic and an exhibit is dedicated to the tragedy at the maritime museum. Back on the ship, warm up with Cunard’s famous afternoon tea service, where white gloved waiters serve the finest English tea, sandwiches, and pastries as the Queen Mary 2 makes its way back to New York.
In addition to the impressive savings offers, those who book soon can also take advantage of an early booking bonus, and enjoy onboard spending credits of up to $300.
The dollars
All prices are per person and based on double occupancy. Accommodations, meals, some beverages, entertainment and port charges are covered in the cost. Government fees and taxes as well as off-boat expenditures are extra.
The catch
Bundle up! Although temperatures may be mild during embarkation in New York, as the cruise continues north they are likely to rapidly drop.
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