Wildflowers and Whoopie Balls: Our June Canada & New England Cruise Experience on Island Princess

The Canada and New England cruise route is one of North America’s most beautiful sailing experiences, and Princess Cruises’ Island Princess does it really well. We sailed in June instead of the popular fall season, and honestly, there were some great perks! Wildflowers were blooming everywhere, you could still enjoy summer activities both on the ship and on shore, and best of all, we were the only cruise ship in every port. No crowds, no rushing, just a relaxed pace to explore.

The weather was all over the place (rain, fog, chilly mornings, hot afternoons), but that’s pretty typical for this region, and the Island Princess has a retractable roof over the pool area, so you can swim and soak in the hot tubs no matter what’s happening outside.

The people on this cruise were fantastic—a great mix of families, couples, solo travelers, and multi-generational groups, mostly from the East Coast but really from everywhere. What really stood out was how friendly and welcoming everyone was. I heard several people mention that this crowd felt more approachable than what they’d experienced on other cruise lines, and I totally agree.

The ship itself feels traditional and elegant without being stuffy. My interior cabin was recently updated, cozy, and spotlessly clean, plus Princess still does that twice-daily housekeeping that makes you feel completely spoiled. The room steward was amazing and really took care of us throughout the cruise.

Let’s be honest—food isn’t Princess’ strongest point, but it’s perfectly good. The main dining room is nicely decorated with friendly servers, the buffet has tons of options all day long with different international “action stations” each night, and the pizza really is as good as they claim (apparently it’s award-winning!).

The Broadway shows in the Princess Theater were genuinely fun and high-energy, the movies under the stars were a perfect way to end the day, and there’s always something happening—80s parties, piano music, trivia, cooking demos. It’s that classic cruise experience done right.

Each port has its own personality, and that’s what makes this itinerary so special. Halifax has that maritime charm, Boston brings the history, Portland, Maine surprised me with its great architecture and local food scene (hello, Whoopie Balls!), and Charlottetown was absolutely delightful with the friendliest people and beautiful scenery.

But here’s what I wish I’d known beforehand—if you want to see those iconic Canadian coast experiences like lighthouses, dramatic cliffs, and fishing villages, you can’t just walk there from the ship. You need to book shore excursions, especially in the smaller ports. The bigger cities are perfect for wandering on your own, but invest in the guided experiences for those postcard moments.

This cruise is perfect for anyone who wants a traditional cruising experience focused on beautiful destinations and relaxation. If you’re looking for waterslides and roller coasters, this isn’t your ship. But if you want excellent service, an elegant atmosphere, and some of the most gorgeous coastal scenery you’ll ever see, the Island Princess delivers.

• Pack smart: The Atlantic Ocean can get rough (we sailed out of Brooklyn, NY), so bring seasickness meds and ginger chews even if you never get seasick normally. Weather is totally unpredictable—pack a poncho, layers for temperature swings, and comfortable shoes that can handle wet surfaces. Bring a camera with lots of memory because this route is incredibly photogenic.

• Shore excursion game plan: You can easily explore Boston and Portland on your own, but don’t skip booking excursions in smaller ports like Charlottetown. Those iconic lighthouses, cliffs, and fishing villages aren’t walkable from the ship—you need transportation to get there. Book ahead, especially if you want to do anything Anne of Green Gables related in Charlottetown.

• Weather reality check: June sailing means wildflowers and summer activities, but Atlantic weather is unpredictable. Strong winds can delay departures or change itineraries (we missed St. John completely because we had to stay in port overnight). It’s all part of the authentic maritime experience, and honestly, the retractable roof means you can still enjoy the pools regardless. The Princess crew worked overtime to make sure that our extra sea day was filled with fun!

• Onboard tips: Bring books for sea days, don’t miss the theater shows, and definitely try the pizza everyone raves about. The twice-daily housekeeping and room steward service really make you feel pampered. Take advantage of all the activities - dance classes, cooking demos, trivia—there’s always something fun happening, and cruises are the perfect time to try something you wouldn’t try at home. Check out the international buffet stations each night—they add some variety to the dining scene.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our cruises page.