Seven amazing cruise destinations for fall

by Stefanie Waldek on 8 Oct 2016 Editor's Note: Whilst we are not suggesting you hop aboard a cruise liner immediately, what we are saying is check out some of these destinations if you are nearby or happen to planning to get to these locales.

Fall might just be one of the best times to take a trip—summer vacations have ended, and there are still a few weeks until the holiday rush. It also happens to be a great time to take a cruise, as great deals abound. Since the Caribbean is in peak hurricane season through November, we've rounded up the best alternate destinations for an autumn sailing getaway.

Whether you're looking to observe the beautiful hues of fall foliage, relax on beaches with azure waters, or a have international cultural experience, we've got the best recommendations for you.

New England and Canada

Many cruise lines offer northeastern itineraries, departing from cities like Baltimore and New York. Drop by Boston for a cosmopolitan excursion, or enjoy the beautiful fall colors in Bar Harbor, Maine, or Halifax, Nova Scotia. You can even get a taste of Europe in cobblestone-lined, French-speaking Québec.

Alaska

Catch an Alaskan cruise early in the season—icebergs become a problem later on. But in the early fall, the birch trees turn a lovely golden color, and the weather is still fairly mild.

European Rivers

Consider sailing the Danube, the Rhine, or the Seine on an intimate river cruise in Europe. Like in North America, the leaves change colors here, too, putting on an excellent display as you sail through rolling landscapes and quaint towns.

Repositioning Cruises

During the change of seasons, many cruise lines send their ships on one-way journeys to re-locate them to a new region of the world. Consider a transatlantic itinerary or a sailing from North to South America.

Hawaii

If you're still in the mood for a beach vacation, but don't want to risk the stormy weather in the Caribbean, head to Hawaii for an autumnal cruise. It's also typhoon season in the Pacific, but Hawaii's location often keeps it out of the path of major storms.

Mediterranean

Summertime in the Mediterranean is beautiful, but the ports can be overcrowded with thousands of tourists. Sail in the fall, however, and you'll have much better access to cities' best attractions.

Mexico

Hop over to Mexico's west coast to enjoy the crystal clear waters of the Pacific. On a shoreside excursion, visit Mayan ruins for a dose of architectural history, or simply lounge on the beach with a cocktail in hand.