Day 1 (OCT 17): Montreal, Canada

French-speaking, thoroughly romantic and exquisitely cultured, Montreal definitely warrants a pre- or post-cruise stay. The Old Port is a hub of entertainment, while the Museum of Fine Arts is revered for its collection of more than 30,000 objects. For a respite from the vibrant city, stroll the Montreal Botanical Garden, a draw since 1931.

Day 2 (OCT 18): Quebec City, Canada

Surrounded by several miles of granite walls dating back hundreds of years, Quebec City’s fabulous Old Town exudes European character, exemplified in the iconic Château Frontenac. Another architectural gem is the fascinating Musée de la Civilisation, a treasure trove of items recreating the French-speaking city’s early days.

Day 3 (OCT 19): Saguenay, Canada

Head to La Baie and tour the Musée du Fjord, admire the frescoes covering every nook and corner of barber and painter Arthur Villeneuve’s home, tour a goat farm or travel the Craftsman Road to see artisans in their element creating cheeses, glass-blowing and soap-making. Don’t miss a hike through Saguenay National Park, which cradles the dramatic fjord that has enchanted travelers for centuries.

Day 4 (OCT 20): Baie-Comeau, Canada

Quaint Baie-Comeau is one of the mellower destinations you’ll visit on your cruise, offering a chance to experience small-town life on the north shore of Canada’s St. Lawrence River. Founded around a mill that supplied paper to the Chicago Tribune in the 1930s, the town maintains an unpretentious, working-class feel that invites you to slow down and savor the little things that make life sweet, like a pretty park or a magnificent view. You’ll have easy access to natural beauty, as the entire region is part of UNESCO’s Manicouagan-Uapishka Biosphere Reserve, and Le Boisé de la Pointe-Saint-Gilles nature reserve is in the heart of town.

Day 5 (OCT 21): Sept-Iles, Canada

Once a quaint fishing village, Sept-Îles rose to prominence during the World War II boom, becoming one of Canada’s premier ports. Graced with majestic scenery, beautiful beaches and an attractive archipelago just offshore, Sept-Îles provides plentiful opportunities for adventure and relaxation. Discover the islands by boat or spend the day on the largest, Île Grande Basque, which is full of picturesque hiking trails and seaside picnic spots. In the city, don’t miss the superb museums, including Musée Shaputuan and Musée Régional de la Côte Nord.

Day 6 (OCT 22): Havre Saint Pierre, Canada

Situated on the north shore of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Havre-Saint-Pierre is a charming town embraced by the spectacular scenery of the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve. With a geological history dating back 500 million years, the archipelago is a captivating array of more than a thousand limestone islands, islets and reefs. Granite monoliths, soaring cliffs, graceful arches and secluded grottoes adorn the islands, along with an amazing diversity of plant and animal life. Marvel at the unique seascape during a coastal drive along Route 138, or take a boating excursion to visit several of the islands.

Day 7 (OCT 23): Corner Brook, Canada

Start by taking in the breathtaking view from the monument honoring Captain James Cook, the first to map the area in 1767. More history awaits you in the Corner Brook Museum and its marine artifacts, forestry exhibits and collections from aboriginal people.

Day 8 (OCT 24): Sydney, Canada

Historic Sydney boasts several landmarks from the late 1700s, such as the colonial Cossit House and the Jost House, which features an unusual beehive bake-oven. St. Patrick's, the city's oldest Catholic church, doubles as a fascinating museum.

Day 9 (OCT 25): Halifax, Canada

Founded by the British in 1749, Halifax still has a British military air about it. Every day at noon, a ceremonial gun is fired at the Halifax Citadel, a star-shaped fortress where the guides wear military uniforms. The exhibits have a more seafaring slant at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and include the nearly 100-year-old Acadia.

Day 10 (OCT 26): Saint John (Bay of Fundy), Canada

Explore Canada's oldest continuing museum, the New Brunswick, where displays include the skeletal remains of a rare North Atlantic right whale. Saint John is also known for the bizarre Reversing Falls, a daily tidal phenomenon so severe it reverses the flow of the Saint John River. Birders will enjoy serene Irving Nature Park.

Day 11 (OCT 27): Day at Sea

Day 12 (OCT 28): New York

The Big Apple. The City That Never Sleeps. Call it what you may, New York reigns as one of the world's most dynamic cities. But where to begin? The sacred soil of Ground Zero or stunning Central Park? The Guggenheim or the American Museum of Natural History? Should you take in a Broadway show or simply enjoy the nonstop show of people that parade through the streets? The possibilities are endless in the five boroughs of New York City, so get out and enjoy.