Viking Cruises Eastern Seaboard Explorer Fly Free Offer

Viking Cruises Eastern Seaboard Explorer

13 Days Cruise Montreal to New York (or vice versa)

From $7,995pp in Veranda stateroom

Experience autumn splendour

Witness the shades of autumn in Canada and New England as they come alive with fall’s vibrant hues. Along the way, learn about Canada’s rich colonial past in Quebec City and Saguenay and about its Scottish and Acadian heritage in Halifax. Cruise the scenic St. Lawrence River and the remarkable Cape Cod Canal. Overnight stays in Montreal, Boston and New York City let you experience their vibrant cultures up close.

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Day 1

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Embark your ship in Montreal, nestled on an island on the St. Lawrence River. You will have the afternoon free to settle in to your ship or set off to explore the city on your own, perhaps going underground to experience its subterranean city, popular with residents during cold winter months.

Day 2

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Today you will continue to explore Montreal. Step into the city’s rich history of fur trading in its Old Port section, lined with picturesque stone buildings along the St. Lawrence River. Ascend to the heights of Mount Royal Park for sweeping city and river views. And marvel at the glorious architecture and interiors of the Notre-Dame Basilica. Alternately, you might venture farther to witness the natural beauty of the Laurentian Mountains or sample the region’s maple sugar delicacies.

Day 3

Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

Visit the grand dame of Quebec province today, the venerable Quebec City, a European-style gem on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. As you explore its cobblestone streets, you will take in its decidedly regal air, crowned by the magnificent Château Frontenac. You will see the Place Royale, the Upper and Lower Old Towns lined with distinctive white stone buildings dating to the early 17th century, and the Parliament. Or discover the province’s natural beauty at Montmorency Falls and Canyon Sainte-Anne.

Day 4

Saguenay, Quebec, Canada

Discover the history of Saguenay today, a once-disparate region of boroughs established as one city as recently as 2002. Built on a rich fur-trading and timber industry, it is a quintessential Quebecois town proud of its rural roots. You can witness the story of its growth during a lively stage show created specifically for English-speaking visitors. Alternately, you can head into the countryside to visit two family businesses that embody the region’s French heritage with their cheese and wine production.

Day 5

Scenic Cruising: St. Lawrence River

Today you will make your way down the St. Lawrence River, an important waterway that allows vessels to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes of the Midwest. As you sail, you might attend an illuminating enrichment lecture in the theater. This evening, enjoy cocktails with new friends in the Explorers’ Lounge.

Day 6

Gaspé, Quebec, Canada

Take in the small-town charm and stunning natural beauty of the Gaspé Peninsula, from the town of Gaspé—the “Cradle of French Canada”—to the monolithic Percé Rock. Take a panoramic drive along the peninsula’s rugged, cliff-lined coast. Embark a boat and set off into the Gulf of St. Lawrence in search of blue and humpback whales. Or, stay on land for a scenic hike through the stunning Canadian wilderness in Forillon National Park.

Day 7

Cruise the Gulf of St. Lawrence

Enjoy the day cruising to your next destination, taking advantage of your ship’s generous amenities. Perhaps you will swim in the Infinity Pool or mingle with newfound friends over tea in the Wintergarden. This evening, enjoy soft piano music in the Living Room or lively jazz in Torshavn.

Day 8

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Explore Halifax, the cosmopolitan capital of Nova Scotia province and site of the first permanent European settlement in the region. Join a hop-on/hop-off bus tour of the city, setting your own pace for exploration of hilltop Fort George, named for King George II of Great Britain, the magnificent St. Mary’s Basilica and other historic sites. If you prefer, you might travel the Lighthouse Route to Peggy’s Cove, one of Nova Scotia’s most scenic coastal villages, flavored by a rich fishing heritage.

Day 9

Cruise the Nova Scotia Coast

Sail along the scenic coasts of Nova Scotia and Maine, crossing the Gulf of Maine. As you cruise, you might grab a workout in the Fitness Center or indulge in a facial or manicure in The Salon. This evening, perhaps you will dine on a regional favorite like New England clam chowder or boiled lobster.

Day 10

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Arrive in Boston today for an enriching overnight stay. Birthplace of the American Revolution, the city holds a large repository of history. Among the many sites you will visit are Old North Church, where Paul Revere hung his telltale lantern, and the Old South Meeting House, where Samuel Adams started the Boston Tea Party. Farther afield, you can tour the famous USS Constitution or travel to the revolutionary fields of Lexington and Concord.

Day 11

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

You will have another half day to explore Boston, perhaps returning to the Public Garden for a flower-filled stroll or a ride on the famous swan boats. You might also take in the prestige of Harvard University in Cambridge, beautifully set on the meandering Charles River. Later, we get underway and cruise into Cape Cod Bay to begin a scenic transit of the Cape Cod Canal, a century-old engineering marvel that delivers you to Buzzards Bay.

Day 12

New York City, New York, USA

You will cruise into New York Harbor early this morning, thrilling at an iconic view of the Statue of Liberty as you arrive. You will have the day to put yourself in a New York state of mind with a city overview that highlights the landmarks of Manhattan. View the Empire State Building, Central Park, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Theater District and Times Square. If you prefer, you can visit the powerful 9/11 Memorial or tour the city’s waterways by luxury catamaran. You will enjoy an overnight stay on board, so you might also choose to relive the stylish nights of the 1920s with a Harlem jazz and blues tour this evening.

Day 13