The best places to cruise in the fall, whether you want to wear a sweater or a swimsuit

When it comes to fall cruises, Canada and New England sailings tend to snag most of the glory. It might seem hard to beat the experience of cruising up the New England coast to Canada, witnessing the fire-hued leaves, sampling plates of fresh lobster and spotting majestic whales.

However, beyond fall foliage itineraries, plenty of other deserving destinations are ideal for autumn cruising. From the Greek islands with their ancient sites and spectacular views of the sparkling Aegean to Bermuda with its pink-sand beaches and summerlike temperatures, options abound.

Here are our top picks for fall cruising.

Alaska

The Alaska cruise season typically runs from April through mid-September. However, Norwegian Cruise Line offers a handful of sailings that extend through early October.

Fall sailings will show Alaska from a perspective that cruise guests don’t typically see. Ports such as Juneau and Ketchikan will have fewer visitors, with more locals getting back to their regular lives after tourist season. The air will be brisk (expect temperatures in the 40s and 50s), and the days will be short.

If you’re lucky, the northern lights will be visible in the evening sky. Wildlife will be preparing for winter: bears filling up on silver salmon, moose looking for berries and bald eagles flying overhead. You might spot humpback and gray whales. Fishermen will still find rainbow trout and Dolly Varden — along with salmon. Fog or clouds near blue glaciers will make for exciting photos, with the ice really popping.

Plus, fall cruises often have some enticing bargain fares.

Bermuda

Bermuda is a popular summer destination. For some lines, the season runs through mid-November, which has its advantages.

Temperatures on the island typically remain in the low 80s in October and are in the pleasant 70s in November, so you can still hit the famous pink-sand beaches and comfortably pursue such activities as hiking the historic Railway Trail past cottages, farms and gardens.

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Cruisers can partake in fall traditions that include golf, tennis and food festivals. Bonus: The Bermuda spiny lobster (also known as rock lobster) season begins in September, with the treat appearing on menus around the island.

California coast

As cruise lines move their ships out of Alaska after the summer season, some head to California, affording an opportunity to view the coast from the sea. Cruise lines like Princess Cruises offer excursions to Sonoma wine country or Napa Valley at the height of the grape harvest during stops in San Francisco.

For sailings that depart from ports near Los Angeles, you might consider arriving a day early and taking in some of the city’s sights.

Caribbean

Fall cruises in the Caribbean include fewer children (except at Thanksgiving); reduced fares due to lower demand; and cooler temperatures that are still warm enough to draw travelers to the beach.

Hurricane season runs through November, so you are taking a chance that your itinerary might change. However, cruise ships can reroute to avoid storms.

With Florida’s designation as the cruise capital of the world, and given its proximity to the Caribbean, travelers have a large selection of ships to choose from if they depart from the Sunshine State. The Caribbean is a year-round destination, so there’s ample opportunity, but autumn does afford nice weather and, often, less expensive fares.

European river cruises

One big advantage of a fall river cruise in Europe is the opportunity to visit vineyards brimming with grapes. If you’re sailing the Danube between Germany and Budapest, take advantage of the cool weather and hike, bike or otherwise visit Austria’s wine-growing Wachau Valley in late September or October.

If you’re on the Rhine, have your camera ready to catch shots of breathtaking castles surrounding the Rhine Gorge. When you’re docked, wander the historic cobblestone streets of Petite France in Strasbourg, stop for a cup of Rudesheimer coffee in Rudesheim or pick up a bottle of Cologne’s signature fragrance.

Greek isles

If you talk to a Greek, you will likely hear that fall is the best time to visit the islands. Summer temperatures reach well into the 90s, but come September, they begin to cool. By October, they are in the very pleasant 70s.

Another advantage to cruising to Greece in the fall is the potential to avoid crowds. This is especially true at such must-see sights like the Acropolis in Athens, the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes, the expansive archeological site of Delos off Mykonos and the hilltop villages of Santorini. In the fall, you might have these places practically to yourself.

New England and Canada

New England's stunning fall colors are startlingly beautiful from the sea, making the region a hot commodity for autumn cruises.

From mainstream to ultraluxury, small ships to large ones, plus expedition vessels, passengers have lots of options to explore the coast from New York or Boston up to eastern Canada.

In addition to leaf-peeping, cruisers can view lighthouses, eat lobster, spot whales and learn about North American history. Popular port calls include Bar Harbor, Maine; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Related: 11 best cruises to Canada and New England

Pacific Northwest

The Columbia and Snake rivers are beautiful places to cruise in the spring and summer, but they are particularly mind-blowing in the fall. The deep Columbia River Gorge's basalt cliffs and waterfalls are enhanced by the addition of big-leaf maples ablaze in red, Oregon ash in yellow and cottonwood in orange.

River ships, including paddle-wheelers and other small vessels, follow the path of Lewis and Clark in Washington and Oregon from September to mid-November on sailings ranging from five to 11 days. While you are in the neighborhood, visit some of the excellent local wineries.

Panama Canal

In the fall, cruise ships typically reposition from Alaska to the Caribbean through the century-old engineering wonder that is the Panama Canal. This fall, there are plenty of options, including sailings from several of the industry’s most popular lines.

During your time in the Panama Canal, you’ll experience both jungle views and your ship’s maneuvering through a series of tight locks, sometimes with mere inches to spare. Be sure to wake up before sunrise if you want to snag a prime spot on the outer decks.

Along the way, you can expect calls on ports in Panama, Costa Rica and Colombia, among others.

Related: 12 best Panama Canal cruises for a bucket-list trip

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