Fall Foliage Cruises

The fall foliage season peaks from September to October in New England and Canada when the colours are in their most vibrant state and the weather is warm and sunny for outdoor afternoon strolls. Time your fall foliage cruise towards the end of October if you prefer to see the falling leaves departing the tree branches and feeling the crunch beneath your shoes as you walk on the park grounds.

‘Foliage’ is a fancy term that alludes to leaves of a tree or plant. Meanwhile, ‘fall’ is the season between summer and winter — the autumnal equinox when the temperatures drop and days get shorter as it moves towards the winter solstice. When put together, the term ‘fall foliage’ refers to the spectacular phenomenon of leaves changing colour, marking the transition of seasons.

Autumn is the season when the temperature slowly becomes milder as winter comes close, so you might want to wear something to keep you warm but comfortable at the same time when you set foot outside to admire the fall foliage. If you’re going for a casual look, it’s recommended to wear a short-sleeved shirt inside and layer it with a lightweight fleece, hoodie or jacket. You can pair it up with a low-top sneakers to complete your effortless outfit. Regardless, the number 1 rule is to dress however you want and what makes you feel good. There’s no standard rules for fashion anyways!

Many mainstream cruise lines offer cruises that allow you to soak up the fall foliage scenery ashore and onboard. The autumn cruise itineraries commonly sail across the scenic ports of Canada and New England, which are arguably the best destinations for leaf-peeping. The long list includes Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn and Carnival.

New England and Canada offer the most perfect settings for viewing the amazing fall colours. If you’re travelling from late September to early October, the fall foliage is its prime in the northern parts of New England like Maine and Vermont, as well as the provinces of Nova Scotia and Ontario in Canada. For mid- to late October, Massachusetts and New Hampshire offer show-stopping displays of autumn hues! Outside New England and Canada, France sees the spectacle from late October to early November.  If you’re visiting Japan for autumn, Nara prefecture is an ideal viewing spot, especially a little later in the year between mid-October and early December.