Quebec City, Quebec, Canada - Few places in North America are as steeped in history as Québec City, Canada. Older than Jamestown and founded before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, it is the only city north of Mexico whose original fortifications remain intact. The Québec City historic district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is still home to religious orders and hospitals that date back to the 17th century. Its Place-Royale would look familiar to the explorer Samuel de Champlain, even with its modern attractions of gift shops and cafés. On the Plains of Abraham, you can walk the battlefield where, in 1759, the French forces under General Montcalm were decisively trounced by the British, led by General Wolfe.

Baie-Comeau, Quebec, Canada - Baie-Comeau is beautifully located on the banks of the Mancouagan and Saint Lawrence Rivers. Stroll the lovely quartier Sainte-Amélie. Learn about regional wildlife at the Maison de la Faune. Or visit the new Centré Boréal, a fascinating Glacier Center where visitors can walk through a manmade glacier, experiencing its temperature, sound and movement. 

Havre-Saint-Pierre, Quebec, Canada - The tiny French island of St-Pierre & Miquelon are the last remnants of the former colonial territory of New France. Enjoy the uniquely French architecture, cafes and people. Sample shore excursions: Highlights of St.-Pierre; A Tour of Sailor Island. 

Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Canada - Corner Brook, a small but bustling city, is on Newfoundland’s west coast. Captain Cook initially mapped this area, known as the Bay of Islands, in 1767, and like many other Newfoundland settlements, Corner Brook started out as a fishing village. Later, one of the largest pulp and paper mills in the world was built here.

In the city’s downtown core, West Street and Broadway are the center of action, thanks to numerous pubs, shops and restaurants. The local university has renowned fine-arts and drama programs, so you’re never too far from entertainment. Corner Brook also has an impressive amount of green space—you’re always within walking distance of a park or trail. Nearby Humber Valley and the Marble Mountain offer some of the best skiing in Atlantic Canada, a big enticement for outdoor-adventure junkies. Even if you’d prefer to just take in the scenery, the rolling green mountains and the views overlooking the bay are worth the trip.

St Anthony, Newfoundland, Canada - Near the northern tip of Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula, tiny St. Anthony (population: 2,418) predates even the famed navigator and explorer Jacques Cartier. Though he gave the town its name, it was already a seasonal camp used by French and Basque fishermen when he arrived in 1534.

St. Anthony's fortunes have long been tied to the sea: Those fishermen were followed by whalers, and now tourism has become increasingly important, with whale-watching expeditions among the principal draws. Other opportunities for sightings include moose (the area has one of the world’s largest populations of them), polar bears in the spring, and icebergs as they drift south along the Newfoundland coast. For many travelers, however, St. Anthony is the gateway to one of North America’s most intriguing archaeological sites. While Christopher Columbus is popularly credited with being the first European to “discover” the New World, Viking explorers were there before him - more than four centuries earlier. 

St Johns, Newfoundland, Canada - Closer to London than it is to Canada’s west coast, the capital of Newfoundland, St. John’s, has long looked east and across the Atlantic. It is the easternmost city in North America, excluding Greenland, and has its own time zone, a half-hour ahead of the rest of eastern Canada.

Long before there was a permanent town, established around 1630, British fishermen would set up camp here in the summer. To this day the harbor remains the center of the city, with its oldest buildings and streets (including Water Street, the oldest street in North America) nearby. And although it was primarily fishing and whaling that drove the economy of St. John’s for centuries, today the oil and natural gas found beneath the ocean floor is increasingly important.

At Sea - Cruising - Cruising

Bar Harbor, Maine, US - Located on Mount Desert Island in Maine, Bar Harbor is the quintessential New England coastal town. This picturesque and charming town is full of scenic and walkable streets lined with restaurants and boutiques. Dining on lobster is a must, as is a scoop or two at one of the town’s homemade ice cream shops. Boat tours explore the waters and islands that surround Bar Harbor, with seasonal opportunities to see wildlife—including whales—and lighthouses along the way.

Portland, Maine - Portland is Maine's business, financial and retail capital and the largest city in the state. Seascapes and cityscapes blend harmoniously in Portland, perched on a peninsula, jutting out into island-studded Casco Bay. The metropolitan hub of Maine's south coast region, Portland is a progressive, lively city incorporating the character of yesteryear into a modern urban environment. Historic architecture blends gracefully with the new as you stroll along her working waterfront or the cobblestone streets of the restored Old Port section of the city.

Boston, Massachusetts - Before cruising out of Boston, take in the sights. Meander the streets to find historic wonders and modern neighborhoods; stores and restaurants with old-time character; and gracious green spaces as well as a beautiful waterfront. Take a trip back to the American Revolution—explore the Freedom Trail and see legendary figures come alive at buildings and attractions, including the Paul Revere House and Old South Meeting House, which are located in Lexington and Concord just outside Boston. Each Boston neighborhood has its own personality. Catch street performers in Cambridge’s Harvard Square, do a food tour of the North End’s Little Italy, and then admire the 19-century architecture of Beacon Hill.