Several major cruise lines offer seven-day itineraries in New England and northeastern Canada; most are in fall. Ports of departure may vary. A few options:

• Carnival Cruise Lines, from $399, for five days, out of New York; www.carnival.com.

• Holland America Line, from $599, out of Montreal or Boston; www.hollandamerica.com.

• Norwegian Cruise Line, from $599, out of Boston (itinerary slightly different from the one we took); www.ncl.com.

• Princess Cruises, from $549, out of New York; www.princess.com.

If you're a seasoned traveler and don't need a lot of customer service or advice, check out cruise deals on www.smartcruiser.com or www.cruisebargains.com. If you do need guidance, check with a travel agent who specializes in cruises.

-- LINDA DUVAL