On the horizon, the shoreline of Deer Island rises from the sea as a dark band slightly deeper in tone than the gray water swirling around the tour boat my husband James and I boarded in Eastport, Maine. Located in Passamaquoddy Bay near the mouth of the Bay of Fundy, the enormous tidal whirlpool known as Old Sow is the largest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. The swirling water between New Brunswick, Canada, and Maine is impressive—and a little intimidating.
We viewed this natural phenomenon on a day trip organized by the capable Viking Cruises excursion team. This experience was one highlight of the 14-day Canada & New England Scenic Shores voyage that sails from Montreal to Fort Lauderdale aboard Viking Star. Many Viking ocean itineraries begin in Montreal or Toronto and follow the St. Lawrence Seaway, offering views of small islands, lighthouses and forested coastlines.
Our itinerary allowed time to explore vibrant cities and charming coastal villages with well-planned shore days in Montreal; Québec City; Saguenay; Saint John, New Brunswick; Prince Edward Island; the historic ports of Eastport and Portland, Maine; and Newport, Rhode Island, known for its Gilded Age architecture.
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Viking offers a blend of adventure and refinement: exceptional dining, attentive service, engaging lectures and quality onboard entertainment. James and I enjoyed daily rituals such as breakfast on our private veranda with sea views and afternoon tea in the tranquil Wintergarden. For more casual moments we often visited Mamsen’s, where a Norwegian tradition of waffles and coffee or open-faced smørrebrød was an inviting afternoon option.
Cruising is our preferred way to travel, and most late afternoons followed familiar rhythms. While James worked out, swam in a pool or read in our stateroom, I frequently spent pre-dinner time in the ship’s Nordic Spa in a traditional bathing ritual: starting in the sauna, moving through cold plunges and the steam bath, and lingering in the spa’s restorative snow grotto. The ship’s full-service spa offers a variety of treatments and body therapies, and I scheduled several restorative massages between Montreal and Fort Lauderdale.
On sea days, port talks or films in the theater were often followed by a game of bocce or putt-putt on the Sports Deck. Most evenings we chose casual dining at The Restaurant or the World Café, which consistently featured an impressive sushi selection. Standout dining experiences included The Chef’s Table, which showcased rotating menus. One memorable Chef’s Table dinner, billed as Asian Panorama, featured five courses such as lobster and chicken shu mai, Peking duck and chilled king crab. We also made reservations at Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant and enjoyed several excellent Northern Italian dishes.
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Most nights ended with a nightcap in the Explorer’s Lounge, which looks out over the ship’s prow. The creative cocktail menu is appealing, but it’s the setting—soaring windows and an atmosphere of nautical adventure—that truly captivates. In that space the star-filled panorama above the ship felt almost within reach.
You can enjoy similar voyages: Viking continues to introduce new ships and itineraries. Recent and upcoming additions include river and expedition ships and new Longship routes. New offerings expand options for voyages to Iceland, Greenland and Canada, the Mediterranean and North Africa, and longer journeys such as World Voyages and grand circumnavigations. Viking’s Expedition Voyages and extended world-cruise programs likewise broaden opportunities for exploration from the Arctic to Antarctica and through the Northwest Passage.
Whether seeking dramatic tides and rugged coastlines, cultural city stops or relaxed days at sea, these itineraries combine thoughtful excursions with onboard comfort and good food to create memorable travel experiences.