HISTORY AND NATURAL BEAUTY MAKE
FALL FOLIAGE CRUISES A POPULAR CHOICE

Cruisers will have more opportunities than ever to experience New England and Canada’s breathtaking fall foliage, historic sites and vibrant cultures in 2004, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

“The popularity of close-to-home vacationing coupled with the CLIA cruise lines’ expanded roster of Northeastern departure ports make fall foliage cruises an attractive choice for many travelers,” says Terry L. Dale, president and chief executive officer of CLIA, the non-profit marketing and training association representing the North American cruise industry and nearly 16,000 travel agencies.

A fall cruise along the eastern seaboard enables guests to take in the magnificent colors of Mother Nature’s fall finery from the deck of a luxurious ship. Travelers can select from cruises of five to 12 nights and ships of nearly every size and style.

This fall, ships will be departing from several East Coast ports, including New York, Boston, Baltimore, Montreal, Quebec City and Bayonne, N.J. (Cape Liberty Cruise Port). Land programs and shore excursions enable travelers to explore historic and cultural attractions along the way.

While regional cuisine from Maine lobster to Boston clam chowder are sure to be featured on these itineraries, several cruise lines are planning additional special events, such as a culinary theme cruise featuring renowned chefs and a collector’s cruise focusing on antiques.

“The fall is a wonderful season for cruising,” says Dale. “The cooler weather makes autumn an ideal time to relax and explore the wonders of Canada and New England.”

Following is a sampling of fall foliage cruises offered by the CLIA member lines:

Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Victory offers four week-long roundtrip “fall foliage” cruises from New York, departing Sept. 11, 18 and 25 and Oct. 2. Ports of call include Boston; Portland, Maine; and Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Celebrity Cruises’ Constellation makes its first journeys to Canada/New England when it departs New York on two 11-night sailings roundtrip Sept. 20 and Oct. 1 and one 13-night itinerary Oct. 11. Port calls include Newport, R.I.; Bar Harbor, Maine; Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Quebec City, Quebec, as well as cruising the Saguenay River. The 13-night cruise also includes calls at Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Saint John, New Brunswick.

Crystal Cruises offers several fall foliage cruises on Crystal Symphony. The 11-day “Autumn Spectacular” Wine & Food Festival-themed cruise from New York to Montreal departing Sept. 20 features Brooke Vosika, executive chef of New York’s Four Seasons Hotel, and David Gordon, sommelier of New York’s Tribeca Grill and producer/distributor of Bacchus and Jeanne Marie wines.

Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 visits New England and Canada this fall. The 12-day “Splendours of the Fall” itinerary stops at Newport, R.I.; Portland, Maine; Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia; Quebec City; and Corner Brook, Newfoundland.

Holland America Line has two ships featuring fall foliage. The Rotterdam departs New York Sept. 30 on a 10-day cruise to Montreal. It begins its return Oct. 10, then sails for New York Oct. 20 on a 10-day round-trip that includes port calls at Bar Harbor and Portland, Maine; Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia; Gloucester, Mass.; Oak Bluffs (Martha’s Vineyard); and Newport, R.I. Maasdam departs Montreal Sept. 25 and Oct. 9 on seven-day journeys to Boston.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Crown offers fall foliage itineraries Sept. 13-Oct. 17. The 11-day voyages depart Baltimore and travel the Cape Cod Canal before calling at Bar Harbor, Maine; Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia; Quebec City, Quebec; and Boston, before returning to Baltimore.

Princess Cruises’ extended Canada/New England season runs Sept. 11-Oct. 31 and features the return of Regal Princess and the debut in the region for Grand Princess. Grand Princess offers seven-day sailings roundtrip from New York, with calls at Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; Bar Harbor, Maine; Boston; and Newport, R.I. Regal Princess sails 10-day sailings between New York and Montreal, and visits Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor, Saint John, Halifax and Quebec, as well as cruising on Canada’s Saguenay River.

Radisson Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Navigator cruises four seven-night and two nine-night fall foliage cruises this September – October between New York and Montreal, calling at Boston, Bar Harbor, Halifax, Sydney and Quebec, plus Charlottetown on the nine-night voyages. A special “Spotlight Cruise” is offered on the Oct. 1 sailing, with expert appraisers from the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow antiquing with guests.

Royal Caribbean International’s Jewel of the Seas makes her U.S. debut in Boston this fall. The ship sails 10-night Canada/New England cruises that include calls at Bar Harbor and Portland, Maine; Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia; Quebec City, Quebec; Saint John, New Brunswick; and cruising the Saguenay River. Voyager of the Seas offers five-night Canada/New England itineraries roundtrip from Cape Liberty Cruise Port in New Jersey, while Grandeur of the Seas offers two roundtrip Canada/New England sailings from Baltimore in October.

Seabourn Cruise Line’s Seabourn Pride sails a series of one-week cruises between New York and Quebec City. Northbound cruises, departing Sept. 19 and Oct. 3, visit Bar Harbor, Maine; Lunenburg and Sydney, Nova Scotia, plus a full day in Quebec City. Southbound cruises, departing Sept. 26 and Oct. 10, visit Halifax, Nova Scotia; Boston; and Newport, R.I. The cruises may be booked back-to-back for two weeks from either New York or Quebec.

Silversea Cruises’ Silver Whisper calls on the autumn shores of Canada and New England. The eight-day “New England Medley” departs New York Sept. 30 on a roundtrip journey that stops at Oak Bluffs (Martha’s Vineyard), Halifax, Saint John, Bar Harbor, Boston and Newport. The nine-day “Autumn in the Maritimes” leaves New York Oct. 8 and calls at Newport, Boston, Halifax, Sydney and Quebec City before arriving in Montreal.