Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Canada & New England cruises in September
Early September keeps summer warmth with fewer crowds, and color begins in the north by the third week. It’s also when tropical storms occasionally sweep into Atlantic Canada, as Fiona did in 2022, sometimes forcing port changes. Late-September foliage departures command premium fares.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 69°F
- 13 hrs daylight
Photo: Giacomo Barbaro, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Canada & New England in September: Best time to go
Early September keeps summer warmth with fewer crowds, and color begins in the north by the third week. It’s also when tropical storms occasionally sweep into Atlantic Canada, as Fiona did in 2022, sometimes forcing port changes. Late-September foliage departures command premium fares.
Across Canada & New England cruise ports, September brings average highs around 69°F (21°C) and lows near 56°F, with about 3.8 inches of rain over the month and roughly 13 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Best time to go
- Season
- May to October; fall foliage late September to mid-October, warmest July and August.
- Average high / low
- 69°F / 56°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 3.8 in
- Daylight
- About 13 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 5 to 7 nights round trip; 10 to 14 nights one way to Quebec City or Montreal
What to pack: warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes.
How September compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: No regular sailings
- Feb: No regular sailings
- Mar: No regular sailings
- Apr: No regular sailings
- May: Shoulder season
- Jun: Good time to go
- Jul: Best time to go
- Aug: Best time to go
- Sep: Best time to go
- Oct: Best time to go
- Nov: Shoulder season
- Dec: No regular sailings
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Canada & New England weather in September
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 30-1 | 30-1 | 373 | 478 | 5815 | 6719 | 7424 | 7524 | 6921 | 5814 | 457 | 352 |
| Low °F (°C) | 17-8 | 16-9 | 24-4 | 331 | 446 | 5312 | 6116 | 6217 | 5613 | 468 | 341 | 24-4 |
| Rain in (mm) | 4.2106 | 3.590 | 3.896 | 3.998 | 3.282 | 4.1104 | 3.9100 | 3.794 | 3.896 | 4.5115 | 4.2106 | 4.7119 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 9 |
September weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halifax | 67°F | 57°F | 5.1 in | 12 h |
| Bar Harbor | 68°F | 55°F | 4.2 in | 12 h |
| Quebec City | 69°F | 53°F | 3.9 in | 13 h |
| Saint John | 69°F | 52°F | 4.0 in | 13 h |
| Portland, Maine | 66°F | 59°F | 3.5 in | 12 h |
| Boston | 76°F | 58°F | 4.1 in | 12 h |
| Newport, Rhode Island | 74°F | 62°F | 4.5 in | 12 h |
| Charlottetown | 67°F | 57°F | 3.6 in | 13 h |
| Sydney, Nova Scotia | 67°F | 57°F | 3.1 in | 13 h |
| Montreal | 74°F | 54°F | 2.8 in | 13 h |
| Saguenay | 69°F | 51°F | 3.1 in | 13 h |
| St. John's, Newfoundland | 60°F | 53°F | 3.7 in | 13 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in September
- Hawaii in September
- Pacific Coastal in September
- Mediterranean in September
- Western Mediterranean in September
- Eastern Mediterranean & Adriatic in September
- Greek Isles in September
- Western Europe in September
- Tahiti & the South Pacific in September
- Danube River in September
- Rhine River in September
See every destination for September, with a port weather map →
Canada & New England in September: FAQs
Is September a good time to cruise Canada & New England?
Yes, it's one of the best months. Early September keeps summer warmth with fewer crowds, and color begins in the north by the third week. It’s also when tropical storms occasionally sweep into Atlantic Canada, as Fiona did in 2022, sometimes forcing port changes. Late-September foliage departures command premium fares.
What is the weather like on a Canada & New England cruise in September?
Across Canada & New England cruise ports, September brings average highs around 69°F (21°C) and lows near 56°F, with about 3.8 inches of rain over the month and roughly 13 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Canada & New England cruise in September?
Pack warm-weather clothes with layers: shorts and light pants, a sweater or light jacket for breezy evenings on deck, and comfortable walking shoes. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Canada & New England?
May to October; fall foliage late September to mid-October, warmest July and August.. The best months are usually July, August, September, October.
Where else can I cruise in September?
September is also a top month for Hawaii, Pacific Coastal, Mediterranean, Western Mediterranean, Eastern Mediterranean & Adriatic.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.