13-Day ~ Canada New England Knitting Cruise (May 2026)

13-Day Canada New England Knitting Cruise with Alissa Barton
May 17 - 30, 2026

Cruise the Atlantic Coast on our Canada, New England knitting cruise with Alissa Barton on Holland America's Volendam. This directional itinerary offers a great mix of culturally rich ports and relaxing days at sea. Ports include Norfolk, Boston, Portland, Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown and Quebec City.

Enjoy special fiber-related excursions, including yarn presentations, dyeing demonstrations, and shopping for unique hand-dyed yarn. This cruising area is home to a growing community of fiber artists supported by many fabulous yarn shops and fiber producers. Among the many highlights of this cruise, knitters will have the opportunity to enhance their knitting skills while making new friends, enjoying dramatic coastal scenery, and being pampered by Holland America's attentive staff.

Alissa Barton will offer a range of knitting classes, including Celtic Cables, Navigating Small Circumferences, Shawl Shapes, Two-Handed Stranded Colorwork, Two-Color Brioche, Helix Knitting, and Don't Despair Repair Advanced.

We invite you to come along and have some fun as we celebrate the stunning beauty of this region.Highlights

13-Day Canada New England Knitting Cruise Highlights

• In Ft. Lauderdale, soak up the warm sunshine as you stroll along the beachfront promenade and shop for yarn at Sheep Thrills.


• Take a tour visiting Colonial Williamsburg while docked in Norfolk, or shop for yarn at Baa Baa Sheep in the heart of Historic Ghent.


• Walk in the steps of the American Revolution on Boston's Freedom Trail and pick up some souvenir yarn at Stitch House Dorchester.


• Enjoy sampling New England clam chowder and eating freshly caught lobster.


• In Portland, visit the Maine Fiber Arts Center and shop for yarn at the best yarn shops in Maine on a yarn crawl.


• In Halifax, shop for yarn and see a dyeing demonstration at Fleece/Handmaiden.


• Also in Halifax, visit the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic to hear stories about the Titanic and visit Fairview Lawn Cemetery, where 121 victims were laid to rest, their graves arranged in the shape of a ship's hull.


• On the Sydney waterfront, visit the Cape Breton Island Centre for Craft & Design gallery shop, where you'll find the latest work by local artisans, including items from the Opulent Alpaca, a multi-generational family farm.


• While in Charlottetown, take a tour of the Belfast Mini Mills and shop in its outlet store for yarn and finished garments.


• Also, in Charlottetown, take a Holland America tour to Cavendish, where you will discover the house that inspired Canada's best-loved family fictional character, Anne of Green Gables, in the beautiful pastoral farmlands of the Prince Edward National Park.


• Shop at Biscotte's Flagship store in Quebec City and learn about this family-operated boutique yarn company specializing in hand-dyed yarn using natural fibers.


• Explore the old town neighborhood in Quebec City, North America's best-preserved walled fortification. It is known for its iconic landmarks, quaint alleyways, and rich history. Quebec City dates from before the Pilgrims landed and is designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.


• Enjoy afternoon tea at the famous Chateau Frontenac overlooking the St. Lawrence River.