16 Night Savannah to Halifax Cruise and Land Tour from Savannah

Enjoy your complimentary stay at the pre-cruise hotel. The evening is yours to become acquainted with the city. For your convenience, American Queen Voyages Hospitality Desk will be located in the hotel, and the friendly staff can assist with everything from general questions about your upcoming voyage to reserving premium experiences. Representatives from AQV and a local port/city partner will be available to provide you with dining, entertainment, and sightseeing options to maximize your time here.

Savannah, a Georgia port, is separated from South Carolina by the Savannah River. It's known for horse-drawn carriages, cobblestone squares, lighthouses, and manicured parks, such as Forsyth Park shaded by live oak trees covered with a veil of Spanish moss. A stroll through its historic district provides the proper backdrop for a Renaissance of emotion. At the center of this impressive neighborhood is the landmark, Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. The collaborative efforts of its architectural artisans have inspired a Southern-Gothic aesthetic different from that of any other place. Savannah is well-known known throughout the country for its beautiful coastal landscapes, its well-preserved buildings and its rich, vibrant history. In this pedestrian-friendly city, art and trendy boutiques, enchanting ghost stories, the freshest catch from the coast, cocktails served at every meal, and mustard-based barbeque, all come together in a welcoming embrace. Savannah has a world-class reputation for hospitality, grace, and charm and is consistently named one of the "world's friendliest cities" by readers of Conde Nast Traveler magazine. Stand on just about any street corner and feel the rich personality of Savannah. This isn't a city to rest on past accolades, though, as seen in the evolving Starland and Moon River districts, where collaborative people entice visitors to stay and savor Savannah just a little bit longer. No visit is complete without taking in the bounty of the centuries-old City Market and explore history at Davenport House and other intriguing highlights on an included narrated tour through the cobblestone streets.

This South Carolina port is the quintessential Southern city, ripe with charm and hospitality. Charleston is a veritable living museum, its cobblestone streets overflowing with history. From horse-drawn carriages to the expertly preserved, candy-colored houses on waterfront Rainbow Row, traces of the past can be found everywhere. However, Charleston is also a bustling epicenter of culture, invigorating outdoor activity, and fine dining that welcomes millions of visitors annually. In the spring of 1670, more than 150 English colonists and their entourage disembarked at Charleston harbor. The first name, Charles Town, was given to honor King Charles II. The settlement was in an excellent strategic location, so it had more than 1,000 residents in just 10 years. And in 1680s America, that was a lot, so the city port became popular, and the primary hub of commerce in the southern American colonies. Since it was so popular and developed, the city was attractive to pirates. And in 1718, the notorious Blackbeard blockaded the place. Fortunately, his wishes were fulfilled, and the city was free. As you can see, throughout the 20th century, lots of organizations started buying old and famous houses around the city and turning them into museums. And with so many historical sites, you can turn the whole place into a museum. It's good that residents didn't want to lose the past as they managed to maintain much of the city's authenticity. And in many ways, Charleston is the same as it was back then; not many 300-year-old cities can make the same claim.

Wilmington is a port in North Carolina. It's known as a gateway to Cape Fear Coast beaches like Wrightsville, with its strong surf, and Carolina, with its long boardwalk. The historic town played a significant role in the American Revolution, Civil War, and World War II as you will learn on an included tour, which includes the historic district and Railroad Museum. Pause to appreciate the USS North Carolina (BB-55). The first new battleship to enter service during WWII, she now serves as a memorial to North Carolinians - of all service branches - lost during the war. A variety of architectural styles and moss-draped live oaks line the city's National Register Historic District, spanning more than 230 blocks. From horse-drawn carriage rides on the old brick-lined streets to the rhythm of live music along the riverfront. From Wilmington's walkable river district and scenic Riverwalk that winds around the storied Cape Fear River to three colorful island beaches, Wilmington embraces influences from the past and present. There's something about the water here, as history moves forward with each exciting new addition, the city mingles Victorian and historic architecture with modern design that surrounds, transforms, and enthralls residents and visitors, alike. New attractions include the performing arts center, waterfront park and amphitheater, and an event pier. While here, be sure to sample fresh seafood or a regional specialty. An optional premium excursion visits the historic peanut plantation at Poplar Grove and Airlie Gardens, where the pathways of live oaks and brilliant pops of color are enchanting.

Ah, another day on the ocean - a day to rise with the sun and meet with friends in the restaurant of your choosing over breakfast...or sleep in and order room service. Gather in the Compass Lounge for snacks and games...or take in the view from deck with your favorite cocktail in hand. This day is yours to craft as you desire.

Norfolk's maritime heritage becomes immediately apparent upon sight of the massive USS Wisconsin (BB-64) docked in its harbor. One of four powerful Iowa-class battleships that served from World War II through Operation Desert Storm, the now-retired "Wisky" is a museum as part of the popular Nauticus National Maritime Center attraction. Cruise ships dock at the new Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center, an 80,000-square-foot terminal adjacent to the Nauticus on the Elizabeth River. Settlers first came to Norfolk in the early 1600s and have left their mark on history throughout the city. From one of the last remaining forts authorized by President George Washington to the largest naval base in the world, the 400-year-old city of Norfolk coincides with the birth of the United States. On New Year's Day in 1776, two-thirds of this seaport was destroyed during the American Revolutionary War. A cannonball from the siege may be viewed today in the wall of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. World War II hero, General of the Army Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) and his wife are buried in Norfolk, at the monumental rotunda of the MacArthur Memorial. Other historical sights are the Attucks Theatre, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and West Point Memorial, dedicated to the contributions of African-Americans during the Civil and Spanish-American wars. Optional premium excursions let passengers venture to the Virginia Air & Space Center and the Norfolk Naval Base. Or enjoy a fully immersive experience at Colonial Williamsburg, a restored historical town that brings the colonial era to life.

From the gleaming Inner Harbor to its patchwork quilt of quirky neighborhoods, soak up Americana in Baltimore, a city rich in history and full of surprises. Did you know the "Star-Spangled Banner" was penned at Fort McHenry? Did you know Baltimore is the birthplace of national legends such as Billie Holiday? Whether visiting for a few days or a few hours, learn about the people, places and the city's many historic sites. Highlights include: Babe Ruth Museum - George Herman Ruth was born in Baltimore in 1895 and was recruited to play for the Orioles in 1914; Edgar Allan Poe Museum - Visit the home Edgar Allan Poe lived in from 1832 to 1835 to learn more about the famed macabre writer; Fredrick Douglass-Isaac Meyers Maritime Park Museum - The first black-owned shipyard in the United States, is now an African American heritage site.

Ah, another day on the ocean - a day to rise with the sun and meet with friends in the restaurant of your choosing over breakfast...or sleep in and order room service. Gather in the Compass Lounge for snacks and games...or take in the view from deck with your favorite cocktail in hand. This day is yours to craft as you desire.

New London is a coastal city along the Long Island Sound. Incorporated in 1784 as one of the first five Connecticut cities, New London was the colony's first official port. Trade with the West Indies and other colonies made it an important commercial hub. In the 19th century, New London was, by volume, the second-largest New England port for whaling and sealing. Take a self-guided walking tour or get a first-hand look at life in colonial times by visiting the Hempsted Houses, among its concentration of historic places. Guests can also trace the port's history with a visit to the Custom House Maritime Museum. New London is also known for the Coast Guard Academy, Fort Trumbull, and Historic Waterfront District, which is part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's "Main Street" program. New London offers a unique range of cultural and educational amenities that make it a great place to live and work. With its borders, visitors will find not only historical attractions, but also an eclectic and diverse community. The city boasts a wonderful waterfront; its shoreline makes it a hub of outdoor adventure, with no shortage of ways to get out and explore this eclectic and diverse community. After more than 350 years of history, this waterfront community continues to thrive with a variety of hip boutiques, quaint shops, art galleries, and restaurants, along with a maritime atmosphere surrounded by historic streets lined with 18th- and 19th-century buildings. New London will be the future home of the National Coast Guard Museum.

This city on Aquidneck Island is sometimes referred to as the "Sailing Capital of the World", having hosted the famed America's Cup yacht race for more than 50 years. Since its founding by English settlers in 1639, Newport has bustled with diversity. What they found on their arrival was hardly an empty wilderness. Native people had been in the area for at least 5,000 years and had established sophisticated land management and fishing practices. Regrettably, the British occupation caused irreparable damage to Newport's economy. Faced with a bleak future, Newport in the early 19th century was forced to transform itself into a warm-weather resort destination and used its picturesque qualities to advantage in attracting summer visitors. Later summer colonists during the Gilded Age included elite families from South Carolina, the King and Griswold families of New York, and later the Vanderbilts. These wealthy industrialist families built the sprawling estates such as The Breakers, Rosecliff, Marble House, and The Elms. Several of them, considered "cottages" by families whose legacies they carry, are now major tourist attractions. During your port call, delight in the rich history, phenomenal cliffside views, and award-winning culinary traditions of this fashionable seaside retreat. While Newport continues to be a playground for wealthy summer visitors, and while some of them have made Newport their year-round home, most of the locals are middle- and working-class. Given Newport's image, it is ironic that the city also has the largest number of low-income housing units in the state of Rhode Island.

Dotted with grassy hills and winding roads, this cherished island features three towns - Edgartown, Vineyard Haven, and Oak Bluffs - and a few smaller villages. Colonial homes and Greek Revival mansions blend with weathered cottages in the architectural style named for the surrounding waters - Cape Cod. Shopping and sightseeing, lighthouses and lobsters, beaches and bike trails... these are the things that visits to Martha's Vineyard are made of. There's a lot of history packed into the little island, going all the way back to before it was even an island. Martha's Vineyard - and its sister island, Nantucket - were formed from the rubble left behind by a melting glacier, according to geologists. In 1602, a fellow named Bartholomew Gosnold landed on the island. Legend says he found wild grapes growing here, and back in England he had a baby daughter and/or a mother named Martha. Hence the name. He claimed the island for England and went back home. For much of the 20th century, the year-round residents of the Vineyard were content to fish, farm, and poke fun at the summer vacationers. Then Jaws hit movie theaters. Within a decade of the Jaws debut, the rest of the world took notice of Martha's Vineyard, and the price of real estate skyrocketed. Painters and writers had taken a fancy to the Vineyard's scenic quiet decades earlier and it was already a well-established mecca for creative types, so it was unsurprising when wealthy people began to buy summer houses all over the island.

The Pilgrims landed first in Provincetown in 1620, where they signed the "Mayflower Compact" before settling across the bay in Plymouth. Maybe it's because it sits at the edge of the continent, 60 miles out to sea, in a place that swirls together people and experiences, but the area became a favorite of seafarers and fishermen, and the carousing, drinking, gambling, and smuggling caused the Puritanical to nickname the port "Helltown". As more settlers arrived, the wilder sort were tamed and Provincetown was incorporated as a town in 1727. Decline set in until the late 1700s, when deep-water whaling became an industry and Provincetown became one of the great whaling ports of the country. In the late 1890s, the town saw the beginnings of its current economic backbone, tourism. The arrival of the railroad made visiting easier, and the sea, the dunes, and the unusual natural light attracted artists and painters. By the time World War I began, Provincetown had a well-established reputation and was attracting well-known artists like Hans Hofmann and writers like Norman Mailer and Eugene O'Neill. Art, theater, and fishing still exist in Provincetown. The dense array of shops and restaurants on Commercial Street host a constant stream of visitors drawn to the beautiful beaches, galleries, shops, whale watching, and, of course, people watching. And - from the 1950s onward - this coastal community became a haven for "alternative lifestyles" with gay men and lesbians opening guesthouses and businesses. Today, Provincetown is proudly recognized as one of the "gay friendliest" towns in America.

Boston is ubiquitous, featuring the pleasures of a world-class city - theater, museums, dining, and shopping - plus superb urban parks: Boston Commons and Public Garden. Laced in legacy and a world of cultures, to experience Boston is groundbreaking. As one of the country's oldest cities, Boston has played a central role in U.S. history, from its settlement by the Puritans, to its revolutionary battles to its wealth of colleges and universities. Harvard, MIT, Tufts, Wellesley, and Wheelock, among them. Boston is home to the Freedom Trail, a walking circuit that passes many iconic settings of the American Revolution. Follow the red-brick road to admire the cobblestone walkways, civic landmarks, and classic architecture. Boston, the largest city in New England, is located on a hilly peninsula in Massachusetts Bay. The region had been inhabited by Native Americans, who called the peninsula Shawmut. Captain John Smith in 1614 explored the coastline of what he christened "New England" to make it sound more attractive to settlers. Within a few years, more than half the Native Americans had died of smallpox introduced by European explorers. A fleet of ships helmed by Puritans left England in 1630, settling in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Led by John Winthrop, the group soon merged with the Pilgrims' Plymouth Colony, located about 40 miles to the south in Cape Cod Bay. Originally called Tremontaine for the three hills in the area, the Puritans later changed the settlement's name to Boston, after the town in Lincolnshire, England, from which many Puritans originated.

On a peninsula in Casco Bay, this darling of the Pine Tree State - formerly its capital - lends urban sensibility to the wild splendor of the craggy coastline beyond. Portland is the largest city and most important seaport of Maine. Its excellent harbor is closer to Europe than any other transatlantic port in the United States. The poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born in Portland in 1807, in what is now called the Wadsworth-Longfellow House, which had been built around 1785 by his grandfather. The Maine Historical Society maintains the house as a museum. Cyrus H. K. Curtis was born in Portland in 1850. Having achieved wealth in publishing, he was able, after a fire damaged the Portland City Hall in 1908, to offer a grand organ to be placed in the new city hall. His two provisos were that it be built by the Austin Organ Company of Hartford and that it be a memorial to Hermann Kotzschmar, a close friend of the Curtis family and the organist at the First Parish Church Unitarian Universalist in Portland for 47 years. The Kotzschmar Memorial Organ remains a feature of the Portland City Hall to this day. At the Old Port waterfront, restaurants and revelry now fill the 19th-century warehouses. Stroll along cobblestone streets and breathe in the fresh scent of the sea. Perhaps catch the strains of some bluegrass or blues from a nearby bar. At Cape Elizabeth just to the south, the Portland Head Light stands as a beacon to the ocean's travelers.

They say at certain times of year sunrise greets this world-famous port on Mount Desert Island before any other place in America. A visit to this island and the Acadia National Park region is often the highlight of a Downeast adventure. Spread over 46,000 acres and several towns and villages, the park features many miles of shoreline to explore, 125 miles of hiking trails, and 45 miles of carriage roads. No matter the season, Acadia is a recreational treasure-trove. From eagles and puffins to black bear and muskrats, the inland region of Acadia is bursting with diverse and amazing wildlife. Just offshore, the coastal waters surrounding the island include a variety of whales, seals, dolphins, and porpoises. While Bar Harbor is the premier destination of Mount Desert Island, the smaller villages of Otter Creek, Seal Harbor, Northeast Harbor, Somesville, Hall Quarry, and Pretty Marsh are worth a visit. Pause to admire a spectacular fjord carved by glaciers or stroll the various botanical gardens that feature endless varieties of plants and flowers. Around every corner in these small Northeast Harbor towns, visitors will be charmed by streets lined with quaint shops, fine eateries, and pristine art galleries. Not far from the Mount Desert area, visitors can experience the picturesque coastal towns that comprise East Penobscot Bay. Discover the Deer Isle Lighthouse Trail where you can see eight area lighthouses, including the Bear Island Lighthouse. Also explore the world's tallest bridge observatory with a visit to the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory.

Ah, another day on the ocean - a day to rise with the sun and meet with friends in the restaurant of your choosing over breakfast...or sleep in and order room service. Gather in the Compass Lounge for snacks and games...or take in the view from deck with your favorite cocktail in hand. This day is yours to craft as you desire.

As your American Queen Voyages journey concludes, there are other opportunities for you to take in the town - whether it's an optional premier post-cruise experience or a quick transfer to the airport for your final trip home - your AQV team can pre-arrange everything for you.