11 Fall Cruises That Will Let You Experience the Glory of Autumn

Where you'll go: Sail from St. Louis to Minneapolis with stops in Hannibal, Missouri; Clinton and Dubuque, Iowa; and La Crosse, Wisconsin, on this nine-day voyage on the American Queen, an opulent riverboat, through Mark Twain's riverside America.

What you'll see: Enjoy vibrant autumn colors peppered with white church steeples as you cruise down the river, and be greeted by lively locals and their harvest bounties at each port. In Wisconsin and Minnesota, wildlife takes center stage both on and above the rolling hills and limestone bluffs that cradle the river on its journey through the Heartland.

What you'll do: During shore excursions, guests can visit The Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum, the windmills in Clinton, the home of General Ulysses S. Grant, and have the opportunity to take a canoe adventure on the Mississippi.

Other notables: All cruises on the American Queen include a deluxe hotel stay before the voyage, daily lectures by the Riverlorian—the onboard history and culture expert—and showboat-style onboard entertainment.

Where you'll go: Board the National Geographic Sea Bird or National Geographic Sea Lion
 for this seven-day cruise from Portland, Oregon, to Clarkston, Washington, retracing the Pacific Northwest portion of Lewis and Clark's epic 19th-century expedition.

What you'll see: As you cruise through the lush landscapes of the Columbia River Gorge, the mountains of the Cascade Range, and the historical lands of the Native American tribes, you'll experience the changing colors of the Pacific Northwest landscape.

What you'll do: Fall weather provides comfortable temperatures for exploring the coastline by kayak or motor-powered Zodiac boat, hiking along breathtaking vistas, and watching for wildlife. 

Other notables: Enjoy fresh and local meals from the chef, who provisions the ship with the seasonal bounty of the Pacific Northwest by harvesting along the river daily.

Where you'll go: Sail from Montreal to New York on the Viking Star on this 13-day cruise on the St. Lawrence River and along the Eastern seaboard with stops in two countries.

What you'll see: Witness the shades of autumn in eastern Canada and New England as you journey through Quebec City and Saguenay in Quebec; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada; Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; and Boston.

What you'll do: With seven guided tours included, you'll explore the subterranean city in Montreal, and discover the rich Scottish heritage of Prince Edward Island, known as the "Garden of the Gulf" for its prolific farms and rolling countryside that turns all colors in the fall.

Other notables: Become immersed in your destinations through onboard lectures or performances of music, art, cooking, dance and history.

Where you'll go: Choose from 7- to 12-day Canada and New England cruises that sail roundtrip from New York, between New York and Québec City, or from Québec City and Ft. Lauderdale.  The ships stop at the East Coast's most scenic ports, including calls in Port Saquenay, Gaspé, Charlottetown, Sydney, Halifax, Saint John, Bar Harbor, Boston, Newport and Charleston.

What you'll see: The pages of history and stunning natural beauty blend seamlessly as you cruise the color-drenched shores of Canada and New England.

What you'll do: Visit the iconic lighthouse at Peggy's Cove in Halifax, return to the Gilded Age in Newport, and stroll down Boston's historic Freedom Trail. For the adventurous, ascend Cadillac Mountain in picturesque Acadia National Park.

Other notables: On itineraries with More Ashore Late Night calls, the ship stays in port until at least 9 p.m. so you can also experience some of the nightlife.

Where you'll go: Sail for seven days on the Norwegian Dawn from Boston. Two itineraries are available:

•Boston to Quebec City: Embark in Boston, Massachusetts; Portland, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Gaspsie, Quebec; Saguenay (La Baie), Quebec; Disembark in Quebec City, Quebec.

•Quebec City to Boston: Embark in Quebec City, Quebec; Sydney, Nova Scotia; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John, Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick; Bar Harbor, Maine; Disembark in Boston, Massachusetts.

What you'll see: Take in the world-renowned New England and Canadian fall foliage.

What you'll do: Guests can dive into a classic lobster bake in Bar Harbor, explore the picturesque national parks and historic landmarks on a guided scenic tour of Quebec City, or indulge in a five-stop culinary tour of Halifax.

Other notables: Norwegian Dawn recently received bow-to-stern enhancements during a month-long dry dock; new restaurants and bars were introduced, all public spaces received updated design and décor and all staterooms were refurbished. The ship's signature Garden Villas, some of the largest suites at sea, received complete makeovers.

Where you'll go: Cruise on one of three ships from AmaWaterways for a seven-night adventure on the Danube River that starts in Prague and ventures through the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary before ending up in Budapest.

What you'll see: Fall colors abound as you pedal through the Bavarian Forest, join local cyclists on the scenic Donauradweg (Danube bike path), and spin through the vineyards, orchards, and villages of the Wachau Valley.

What you'll do: The flexible itinerary makes it an ideal trip for bicyclists of various abilities. You can also soak in the ever-changing views from your stateroom or opt for one of the many afternoon walking tour town excursions to learn about the history and culture of the area.

Other notables: Crisp fall air keeps cycling comfortable and fewer crowds in the cities and along the pathways. Plus, cyclists get the luxuriate on board the ship while being carried to their next biking adventure, only having to unpack once.

Where you'll go: Travel from Bergen, Norway, to Montreal, Canada, on the Viking Star in this 15-day cruise across the Atlantic Ocean.

What you'll see: Majestic mountains, fjords, and glaciers make the perfect scenery to witness changing fall landscapes as you explore remote locations in Greenland, the Faroe Islands, Canada and more.

What you'll do: As you trace Leif Eriksson's voyage of 1000 AD, you will call on ports rich in Viking history, from the Shetland Islands and Iceland to Greenland and Newfoundland, visiting six countries in all. Ten guided tours are available to immerse yourself in the destinations.

Where you'll go: Board the Carnival Sunshine in New York for this seven-day Canada/New England cruise to Boston; Portland, Maine; Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada; and Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

What you'll see: Experience this history-packed region in the way people of the past traveled: by ship. Dating back to the 17th century, ports like Halifax, Boston and St. John were some of the most important, and they retain much of their old charm. See their historic harbors and gaze at the famous lighthouses overlooking the coastline, set against the backdrop of changing fall colors.

What you'll do: Explore the nautical life of these quaint seaside villages.

Other notables: Reboot in the ship's Cloud 9 Spa and its "thermal suites," relaxation zones with different climate environments. Lounge in the dry heat of the Laconium or Tepidarium, or get a little soothing moisture in the Oriental or Aroma steambaths.

Where you'll go: Hop aboard this eight-day voyage from Charleston, South Carolina, to Jacksonville, Florida, to explore the grand history and Southern charm of the southeastern United States.

What you'll see: As you cruise between ports on the Intracoastal Waterway and its protected network of bays, rivers, and canals, expansive wildlife refuges and remote islands will stretch out before you.

What you'll do: Explore some of the most beautiful historic cities in America, including Savannah, Charleston, Jekyll Island, and Beaufort, in the cooler fall weather.

Other notables: Celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's on one of the holiday themed cruises.