Canada & New England Cruise Review: Ports, Food & Onboard Experience
There’s something magical about seeing Eastern Canada and New England from the water. Maybe it’s the blend of history and scenery, or the way each port feels completely different from the last. Or perhaps it’s the simple pleasure of unpacking once and letting the ship take you from one charming coastal town to another.
This fall, my cousin Tam and I sailed on Holland America Line’s Canada & New England cruise from Quebec City to Boston, and it turned out to be one of my favourite itineraries for food lovers, slow travellers, and anyone who wants to explore this beautiful corner of the world without rushing.
From wandering through cobblestone streets in Quebec City to eating the best lobster roll in Charlottetown, and from visiting Peggy’s Cove to enjoying entertainment onboard, this cruise offered the perfect mix of relaxation, culture, scenery, and coastal charm.
Here’s my full review and everything we experienced along the way. Holland America Line gifted this cruise; I was not paid for my review.
Why I Chose This Cruise
I’ve always wanted to explore Eastern Canada and the Northeastern USA by water. While I love a warm-weather escape as much as anyone, there’s something special about a cruise where scenery, history, and culture take centre stage.
Holland America Line has a strong reputation for service, food, and classic ocean-liner charm — and they really shine on itineraries like this. The ports are close together, the ship is cozy and comfortable, and the entire journey feels like a deep dive into coastal life.
It also helped that my cousin Tam was just as excited as I was to explore this region. This was a “girls’ trip” kind of energy — slow mornings, good meals, happy hour adventures, and lots of laughs along the way.
Day 1–2: Embarking in Quebec City
Our cruise began in Quebec City, one of the most picturesque departure ports you could ask for. If you’ve never visited before, imagine European charm without leaving Canada… cobblestone streets, stone buildings, the Château Frontenac towering above the river, and cafés on every corner.
We arrived the day before our cruise departure and didn’t have much time to explore Old Quebec City before boarding the ship. I highly recommend spending at least two nights in Quebec City beforehand. There’s so much food to taste, shopping to do, and sights to explore.
The night before our cruise, we stayed at Le Capitole. Thank you to all the staff, it was a great stay, and the beds were so comfortable! We could see our ship in the distance from our floor. And thank you to Il Teatro Restaurant, where we had dinner that evening and breakfast on embarkation day. Fabulous food.
Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam, Quebec City
Boarding the ship was smooth and fairly fast. Fortunately, we had Priority Boarding, which made all the difference! As soon as we stepped onboard, we found our cabin, dropped our bags, and went straight into “relaxation mode.” That first walk around a new ship is always one of my favourite parts — exploring lounges, restaurants, and cozy corners we’d probably return to again and again. To be honest, if the carpets in the elevators didn’t have the weekday on them, we wouldn’t have known what day it was!
Our Ship — Zuiderdam
This was my first time sailing on the Zuiderdam (and my cousin’s first ever cruise), and honestly, it really surprised us in the best way. It has that classic Holland America feel — elegant and calm — but it still feels comfortable and easy, not stuffy or overdone. The ship never felt crowded, the service was genuinely lovely, and I appreciated how many quiet spaces there were to just relax with a coffee or take in the view. There’s a great mix of dining options, live music venues, cozy lounges, a spa, and plenty of spots to unwind between ports. One quick note if you’re comparing photos: Zuiderdam has just gone through a refurbishment, so some areas may look a little different now than what you see in my pictures — updated spaces, refreshed décor, and a few modern touches throughout. Overall, it felt like a really easy ship to settle into, especially if you enjoy a more relaxed, grown-up cruising style.
MS Zuiderdam. Vista class ship.
Our stateroom had a veranda, which quickly became a great private outdoor space to sip coffee in the morning or watch a sunset without even leaving our room. Our room was very spacious considering there were two beds, a sofa, a fair-sized bathroom, and lots of storage space!
The ship has a good mix of restaurants from the main dining room to speciality spots… so we had many choices without being overwhelmed. There’s also a casino if you’re feeling lucky… and I was! I won a whopping $60!!
Scattered throughout the ship are fun bars and lounges — some with live music, some perfect for a quiet afternoon drink. What I really loved were all the quiet spaces tucked away: cozy corners to read, lounge chairs with a view, and the Crow’s Nest up top if you want panoramic ocean vibes without a crowd.
Entertainment is solid too — live shows, music acts, and little surprises around the ship that keep things fun without ever feeling too loud or busy. I enjoyed the performance so much that I didn’t even take a photo. Of course, my cousin and I are top-notch watercolour painters… at least in our own minds!
Charlottetown, PEI — The Charm is Real
Our first big highlight was Charlottetown, and it surprised me in the best way. The downtown area is walkable and colourful, full of heritage buildings and friendly people. Seafood lovers — this is your paradise.
And yes, we had a lobster roll. It was fresh, buttery, perfectly seasoned, and exactly what I wanted on a crisp coastal day. I’ve had a lot of lobster rolls in my life… this one is high on the list.
Charlottetown is the kind of town that feels instantly welcoming. We didn’t have much time at the port, but it was enough to fall in love with PEI’s gentle energy. I left wanting to come back for a full island road trip.
World’s largest fiddle
Sydney, NS — A Relaxed, Coastal Stop
Sydney is one of those ports that doesn’t try too hard — in the best way. It has a small-town vibe, beautiful views, and easy access to local shops. This was a quieter day for us, and I’m glad it was. Not every port needs a packed agenda.
We wandered along the waterfront, enjoyed the fresh air, and explored downtown. Sometimes it’s the simple stops that round out a cruise beautifully. Apparently, Sydney also has the world’s largest fiddle at the cruise port, standing at 60 feet tall. This is another “world’s largest” to add to my list!
Halifax — Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse & Titanic Graveyard
Halifax was, without question, one of the most meaningful days of the entire trip.
We joined an excursion to Peggy’s Cove, one of the most iconic lighthouses in the world. Photos don’t do it justice — the waves, the rocks, the colour of the sky, and the entire coastal landscape are breathtaking in person. Since the last time I visited, they’ve added a viewing platform and walkway to make the location more accessible for everyone.
Peggy’s Cove
Afterward, we visited the Titanic graveyard, where many victims of the 1912 tragedy are laid to rest. It’s a calm, respectful place, and standing there brings history to life in a way you can’t predict. It became more real to us as we walked the rows of headstones and read the inscriptions. This was a powerful stop, and one I’ll remember for a long time.
Titanic Graveyard
Onboard Life — Food, Sea Days, and Happy Hour
Let’s talk about life onboard — because Holland America Line does this very well.
The food was consistently delicious. We enjoyed everything from beautifully plated dinners to casual bites, and even a seafood boil that was such a highlight. The desserts? Don’t get me started. I took photos and video of pretty much every meal we had, but I’ll share some of the highlights here and in the future, I’ll share a full food video and cover all of the menus and meals.
From Canaletto, the Italian restaurant, I have to say my favourite dish was the meatballs appetizer. Everything was delicious, but the meatballs stood out for me! Pinnacle Grill… Oh my… the Clothesline Candied Bacon is delicious! I should probably write a full article about just the food onboard, as I’ve probably included way too many photos below.
Sea days were the perfect reset between port adventures. We’d find a cozy spot, sip coffee, read, explore the ship, or sit by the windows watching the coastline roll by. At night, we went to a fabulous dance show on the World Stage called “Move”.
And then there was happy hour — our daily tradition. There’s something fun and comforting about having that one ritual on a cruise, and it became part of our daily adventures along with playing SkipBo and making new friends.
Ocean Bar - Mixology Class
Our favourite bar for happy hour was Ocean's Bar on deck 3 near the Atrium. One afternoon, we had fun learning how to “shake it,” making four signature cocktails. During this event, an expert bartender guided us through the steps of mixology for four regionally inspired drinks. Go Tam go!!
We had beautiful sunrises and sunsets almost everyday on this cruise!
Portland, Maine — Postcard Perfect
Portland was another standout stop that you’d want more time to explore. Coastal views, lighthouses, seafood shacks, and so much New England character. If you’ve ever wanted to explore this region more deeply, Portland is an excellent place to start.
I took this opportunity to explore the whole ship and photograph anything I may have missed on previous days, while many others were off on excursions. My cousin, Tam, ventured off the ship and did some shopping in the quaint stores near the port.
Portland, Maine
Ending in Boston — A Perfect Finale
We ended our journey in Boston, and it’s a fantastic final port. With its mix of history, architecture, and food, it’s a great city to spend an extra day exploring before flying home.
By the end of this cruise, I felt inspired to return and spend longer in each of these ports. The shorter port times gave us a great taste — but they also reminded me how much more there is to explore.
That’s the beauty of a cruise like this: it helps you decide where you want to return to next…because you will return!
Who Would Love This Cruise?
This itinerary is perfect for:
Food lovers (especially seafood fans!)
History buffs
Nature and scenery lovers
Travellers who enjoy slower, cultural itineraries
First-time cruisers looking for something unique
Couples, friends, solo travellers, or multigenerational groups
Anyone wanting to see Eastern Canada without a packed schedule
It’s not a beach-vacation cruise — it’s a scenic, cozy, and culturally rich experience.
Final Thoughts — Would I Do it Again?
Absolutely. In a heartbeat. I have so much more to share about this cruise, so I’ll put it all in one or two YouTube videos, so subscribe there to be notified when they are uploaded.
This cruise reminded me why I love exploring Canada and New England so much. The landscapes are beautiful, the food is incredible, and the culture feels so warm and inviting. Holland America Line delivered a comfortable, memorable experience from start to finish.
Travel is full of those “I want to come back someday” moments — and this itinerary was full of them. I’d love to come back with more of my family and spend time exploring more of the Maritimes before and after the cruise.
