Peter Greenberg: New England Cruises

By: Peter Greenberg | Source: AARP.org | 2009-06-24

Peter, I have been thinking very seriously about taking a New England cruise in the autumn. I have a friend in Rockport, Mass. whom I’d like to factor into the trip. Do you have any ideas, and which company has the best deal, etc.?
–Joy,
Lake Oswego, Ore.
 
Cruises can be a great idea during the prime autumn months, especially for travelers who want to catch glimpses of New England’s fiery fall foliage without being forced to sit in road traffic with a million other tourists.
 
Almost every major cruise company offers trips leaving from Boston, New York, or Baltimore that head up the East Coast as far north as Maine or Halifax, Nova Scotia. Some of the cruises can even take you one-way to Montreal via the St. Lawrence River.
 
If you would like a smaller ship and a more personal experience, try American Cruise Lines. The company offers six-to-10-day trips fall touring the New England Islands, Chesapeake Bay, the Hudson River Valley, and the coast of Maine. Ships hold no more than 100 people and leave from Providence, R.I., Baltimore, and New York City.
 
I can’t tell you who has the best deal, because all the cruise lines are competitive with each other right now, and prices can change overnight. However, with the economy in the dumper and fewer people traveling than ever, you can bet most companies are offering big discounts.
 
Shop around online or with your travel agent to find a trip that suits your style, budget, and timeline. Some good places to start are CruiseBrothers.com, CruiseCritic.com, and CruiseCompete.com.