Destination: Canada

By Brooke Franco

A guide to Canada cruising. - *Photo by Canva*

Oh, Canada! This beautiful North American country spreads a vast 3.85 million square miles. It spans west to east from the Pacific to Atlantic Oceans and all the way up north to the Arctic Ocean. The country's coastlines are quite diverse, brimming with diverse itineraries with many cruise and travel opportunities.

If the idea of scenic cruising by glaciers and fjords or rocky coastlines complete with beautiful foliage sounds exciting, you certainly should consider a cruise with port stops in Canada. Cruising in the region primarily centers around two separate areas - the Western and Eastern sides. The western region is home to the major city of Vancouver and has easy cruising access to neighboring Alaska. In the eastern region, several major Canadian cities offer homeports that provide easy access to nearby picturesque coastal Canada and New England towns.

As of October 1, 2022, Canada has reopened cruising to all travelers, regardless of vaccination status. Most major cruise lines have adjusted their policies opening cruises in this region for all guests. This makes NOW the perfect time to plan your dream cruise to Canada!

If you are considering a cruise that visits Canada, this destination guide is for you. We’ve outlined the cruising highlights of the region, provided insight into the numerous itineraries offered in the country, shared tips from our community members, as well as how to find your ideal cruise at the best prices. For each topic, we have split our advice by region to provide the best guidance on planning the perfect vacation.

Itineraries
When to Cruise
Excursions
Member Reviews
Find a Deal

1. Itineraries

*Canada Place cruise terminal in Vancouver - Photo by Canva*

Western Canada Cruises

Vancouver, British Columbia, is the central cruise homeport in Western Canada. Its coastal location, picturesque skyline, and international access make it a popular destination for all types of travelers. As a cosmopolitan city, a pre or post-hotel stay is a must to enjoy all the bustling city offers.

Canada Place cruise ship terminal is home to several lines, including Holland America, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean, Windstar, Hurtigruten, and Seabourn. These lines offer a range of Alaska, Pacific Coast, Hawaii, Panama Canal, and Mexican Riveria cruises from Vancouver. The most common cruises you will find sailing from Vancouver are Alaska cruises from May through September. Other itineraries are offered seasonally as the ship transitions to and from this homeport at either end of the Alaska season.

Interested in planning an Alaska cruise from Vancouver? This guide is a great place to get started.

Vancouver is also a homeport to cruises that visit locations in the U.S. The sailings start in Vancouver, then visit picturesque destinations on the Pacific coastline like Astoria, Oregon, and Santa Barbara, California, or major metropolitan areas like San Francisco or San Diego. Many of these sailings commonly include a stop in Victoria, also located in British Columbia.

Explore Coastal U.S. Cruises from Vancouver

Several lines also sail cruises to Hawaii and the Mexican Rivera from Vancouver. Because of the distance to these destinations, you will find that these are generally longer voyages with more at-sea days. The sea days give you more time to explore the ship, relax and enjoy a more leisurely pace. Select lines such as Holland America and Cunard offer Panama Canal cruises that start or end in Vancouver, sailing to/from destinations on the U.S. east coast. These full canal transit sailings range from 15 to 25 days.

Check Out All Hawaii, Mexican Riviera, and Panama Canal Cruises from Vancouver

Eastern Canada Cruises

On the east coast of Canada, cruising primarily centers around the coastal towns doting the coastline, including a rich maritime history and memorable views, activities, and restaurants. Think lighthouses, rocky coasts, lobster, oysters, crisp weather, and beautiful vistas. In late summer, add rich fall colors and leaf peeping to the many reasons to visit this area.

Many cruise lines offer Canada/New England sailings, and you will find a broad range for every type of cruiser and budget. Cruise lines currently offering voyages include Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC Cruises, Celebrity, Princess, Holland America, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Viking Ocean, Seabourn, and Cunard.

Cruises on Canada/New England itineraries typically homeport from the Canadian towns of Quebec City, Toronto, or Montreal. Most of the sailings are one-way (north or south) to the U.S. homeports of Boston, New York, Cape Liberty, or Baltimore. These cruises make stops in several Canadian ports, the most popular ones include Halifax, Sydney, Saint John, Charlottetown, Ville Saguenay, and Gaspe.

Explore Canada/New England Itineraries from All Cruise Lines

2. When to Cruise

*Quebec City fall foliage - Photo by Canva*

Western Canada Cruises

The Alaska cruise season from Vancouver typically goes from late April through mid-September. Mid-June through August is generally the warmest time, and kids being out of school makes it the busiest and most expensive time of the season. April, May, and September are commonly the ‘low’ seasons when the temperatures can be slightly cooler and ships less crowded.

Similarly, most coastal, Mexican Riviera, Hawaii, and other itineraries from Vancouver, are typically offered during the early spring and fall seasons due to the cooler weather and as part of the transition to relocate the ships to/from Vancouver for the Alaska season.

Eastern Canada Cruises

The Canada/New England cruise season runs from April through October. The ‘star’ time period for the Canada/New England cruise season is the fall when the leaves change colors, typically from mid-September to the end of October. Fall foliage cruises have become very popular with travelers in this region. The colors of the trees combined with the scenic coastline make these types of cruises a truly bucket list experience.

Late spring and summer are also great times to cruise in the region at more affordable rates. The weather is relatively mild (compared to the tropics!), making it ideal for sightseeing and beach-going.

3. Excursions

*Victoria, British Columbia - Photo by Canva*

Western Canada Cruises

Looking for some ways to explore the beauty of western Canada before/after your trip or during your time in port? Explore popular excursions in Vancouver, Victoria, and more from Shore Excursions Group.

Some of our favorites include

Our partners at Get Your Guide also offers a great range of excursions in Vancouver:

Eastern Canada Cruises

If you plan to add an extra day pre- or post-cruise in an Eastern Canadian homeport, you will find many exciting things to check out. Our partners at Shore Excursions Group offer great tours in Quebec City and Montreal.

Some of our favorites include

Our partners at Get Your Guide also offer a great range of excursions in Quebec City:

4. Member Reviews

These are some of the tips and review feedback that our community members shared about their visit to Canadian homeports and popular destinations:

Western Canada Cruises

We decided to spend a day here after getting off the boat. Should have spent more. Great shopping and eats. Spent time in the Gas Lamp area…Beautiful, clean, and an amazing public transportation system. - scb36 on Vancouver

Cheap and easy to take the Sky train from the airport to the cruise terminal. You must be able to walk 2 blocks. - RedDeer2 on Vancouver

Victoria is just spectacular. We took an exciting to the butterfly garden (the best one we've ever been to including different countries) and then to the unparalleled Butchart Gardens which must be the most beautiful gardens on this side of heaven. - Makarpc on Victoria

Explore All Member Reviews for Vancouver and Victoria

Eastern Canada

Historical city with the Citadel, the Titanic Cemetery, the Public Garden, and Peggy's Cove Lighthouse. Nice waterfront walking path next to the ship. Lots of old churches and cemeteries in the middle of town. - clwcruising on Halifax

The Bay of Fundy was unbelievable. Make sure you take an excursion that includes seeing the tide change. - SwimDive66 on Saint John

Great countryside. Small town but easy to walk into town to see the local sights…I took an island tour. Saw the Bridge, Anne of Green Gables house, and Cavendish Beach. - Najpodge on Charlottetown

Absolutely the nicest, most welcoming town reception we’ve ever had! Were in local 1900 costumes welcoming us as we disembarked. Had hot chocolate & s’mores waiting to warm us up before embarkation. - sherylfl on Ville Saguenay

See All Canada/New England Reviews

5. Find a Deal

Cruiseline.com and Shipmate make it easy to find your perfect cruise to Canada at a spectacular price. Not sure where to get started? Start with our Find a Cruise tool, where you can search various cruises to Canada by homeport, ports, cruise line, and more.

Interested in a cruise from Western Canada?

Explore all cruises to Alaska from Vancouver
Want to cruise to Alaska from the U.S., with a stop in Canada? Explore all cruises.
See cruises from Vancouver to Hawaii, Pacific Coast, Mexican Riviera, and the Panama Canal.

Interested in a Canada/New England cruise?