North America Large Ship Cruise Tours & Trip Packages

North America Large Ship Cruise Tours & Trips

2,867 North America trips. Tours from 388 tour companies. 3,210 reviews. 4.6/5 avg rating.

20 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Large Ship Cruise
Old Meets New: An Extraordinary Crossing, Amsterdam to New York City
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Ellis Island, Thingvellir National park

Highlights

  • With a Road Scholar expert, stroll Amsterdam’s arched bridges and watery passageways to 100-year-old Albert Cuyp Market and sample stroopwafel, a signature Dutch syrup waffle.
  • From Reykjavik, a field trip into central Iceland unveils the jewel of Thingvellir national park, the world’s best and most fascinating example of continental drift.
  • In New York City, experience Ellis Island, where 40 percent of U.S. citizens can trace an ancestor’s arrival, explore the Met, see a Broadway show or walk architect Frederick Law Olmsted’s gem — Central Park.

Themes

50 plus, Education / Learning, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
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Britain’s Brilliant Art and Architecture: A Queen Mary 2 Voyage
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

London, New York, Southampton

Highlights

  • Amid the opulent surroundings of the Queen Mary 2, delve into topics like the Georgian and Victorian periods and the influence of art-loving British monarchs.
  • Discover the diverse architectural styles of Oxford, “The City of Dreaming Spires,” on expert-led walking excursions.
  • Take a field trip to the National Trust's Upton Park, the home of Lord and Lady Bearsted in the 1930s.

Themes

50 plus, Education / Learning, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
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Best of London Theatre on The Queen Mary 2
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

British Museum, London, New York

Highlights

  • Enjoy engaging theatre lectures led by producer and director Giles Ramsay, who provides expert insight into the historic roots of theatre and its contemporary practice.
  • Experience British theatre firsthand by attending four plays in London’s West End.
  • Exchange opinions on culture, politics and the arts with top BBC journalists, arts professionals and a leading London theatre critic

Themes

50 plus, Education / Learning, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
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The Spying Game from the Cambridge Five to the Cold War: A Queen Mary 2 Voyage
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4.4/5 Great
100+ reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

  • Gain expert insight into Yalta, the Manhattan Project and the greatest secret of the Cold War: VENONA.
  • Visit Bletchley Park, home to the Enigma machine and historic headquarters of secret British code-breaking in World War II.
  • At colleges associated with the Cambridge Five, learn how a group of undergraduates became a famous Soviet spy ring.

Themes

50 plus, Cultural, Education / Learning, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
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Centenary of World War I: A Voyage of Remembrance on the Queen Mary 2
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3/5 Average
100+ reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

London, Paris

Highlights

  • See firsthand the historic WWI battlefields of Somme, Verdun, Argonne and the Marne Valley.
  • Honor our fallen soldiers during private ceremonies held at American cemeteries.
  • Enjoy a special champagne-tasting lunch in the hills of France where this famous beverage is produced.

Themes

50 plus, Education / Learning, Small Ship Cruise

What travelers are saying

"Our family of four, including two adult children, took the Bicycling: Day Trips to Paradise in Canada. This trip is entirely outsourced to the owners of the inn, there are no Road Scholar employees involved in the trip. Two of us have taken bicycle trips all over the world and the bicycling component of this trip was disorganized, haphazard and almost unsafe. We all filled out forms giving details regarding our bicycle fitting months before the trip. On the first day, the leader Stephen, went around the room and asked the same questions and said everyone would get fitted in the morning before we began the first ride. The morning brought a rack of bikes, all different types in various levels of readiness. There were road bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. The rides were all on paved surfaces and the mountain bikes were heavy and the additional suspension added weight. The bike I received had rust on the chain and rear sprocket. When I asked about it, was told they were waiting for another van to show up with tools and equipment. Once it arrived, they gave me the lubricant to spray on the rust. My wife’s bike would not shift into the high gear on the front sprocket. Instead of adjusting the derailleur, they suggested spraying it with lubricant. Our one son is over six feet and needed a larger frame bike, even though he detailed it in the bike form months ago, there was no bike to fit him. One of the guides, then went home and brought a larger bike that was a full suspension mountain bike for him. The bike was very heavy, hard to control on the road and he felt unsafe. After two days, one of the guides convinced Stephen that they could adjust a hybrid bike to fit him. Clearly there was no work done to prepare the bikes for the trip. Many of the bikes needed adjusting and all needed lubricant to function easily. For every day, there was a tray of snacks placed out for us to take along the ride. None of the bikes had any baskets or attached bags, so if you didn’t bring a small day pack, there was no way to carry the snacks. For lunch on the rides, they brought exactly one sandwich for each rider. Since most of us get hungry while doing a day of exercise, it would have been helpful to have a few extras. On one day, they ran out of sandwiches and one of the leaders that were riding with us did not get lunch. Do NOT take this trip if you are expecting it to be a bicycling trip. We have used VBT and Discovery Bicycle Tours many times over the past 25 years and they are excellent bike tour companies. Lastly, after sharing these details with Road Scholar after the trip, their response was weak at best. After doing the full reviews and having to call them, their response was to give us $200 credit after spending $8000 on this trip. Not only was that insulting, they assumed that I would take another trip with their organization."

Trip dates & details
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San Francisco to Hong Kong
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4.2/5 Great
10 reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Auckland, Brisbane, Hong Kong, Kochi, Osaka, San Francisco, Sydney, Taipei

Highlights

  • Visit the Museum of Modern Art or head for the celebrated vineyards of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.
  • Experience Honolulu from a totally different angle on this thrilling helicopter ride.
  • Explore the sea whilst whale watching aboard the high-tech, twin hulled 140 foot Navatek.
  • Experience the thrill of swimming with sharks and schools of colourful tropical fish followed by a picnic on the beach.
  • Experience the underwater wonders of Bora Bora's picturesque Lagoon by underwater scooter.
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Themes

Around the World, Cultural, High Adventure

What travelers are saying

"Clean and elegantly decorated ship, not gaudy like another cruise ship I have been on. I got a beautiful room with a balcony. The choice of foods was wonderful. I really enjoyed the shows and the music and the sightseeing."

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Eastern Caribbean
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
4.2/5 Great
10 reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

New York

Highlights

  • Discover Philadelphia, fondly referred to as 'Philly', birthplace of the United States and the nation’s cradle of liberty.
  • Take a walking tour through the financial district and visit the One World Observatory building, New York’s impressive new skyscraper.
  • Visit St Thomas' marine-life attraction, Coral World, and take in the island's magnificent scenery on this combination tour.
  • Discover the beauty of Turtle Cove and enjoy a Caribbean-style barbeque on the beach.
  • Enjoy a round of golf at the prestigious Royal St Kitts Golf Course.
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Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife, Rafting, Kayaking, Canoeing, Small Ship Cruise, Train & Rail Journeys, Scuba Diving

What travelers are saying

"Clean and elegantly decorated ship, not gaudy like another cruise ship I have been on. I got a beautiful room with a balcony. The choice of foods was wonderful. I really enjoyed the shows and the music and the sightseeing."

Trip dates & details
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Rio de Janeiro to Fort Lauderdale
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4.2/5 Great
10 reviews
Large Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Rio de Janeiro, Santiago, Ushuaia

Highlights

  • An opportunity to see virtually every landmark in Rio, with breathtaking views from Sugar Loaf and Corcovado Mountains.
  • Enjoy a guided drive through Montevideo to Punta del Este, the world-renowned seaside resort.
  • Experience the lifestyle of a Uruguayan gaucho on this visit to the Estancia La Rábida; a day of relaxation and enjoyment.
  • An opportunity to get to know the Argentine gaucho by participating in a real gaucho festival, with traditional music and dance.
  • Experience the magical End of the World Train and visit part of the stunning Tierra del Fuego National Park.
Show more

Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"Clean and elegantly decorated ship, not gaudy like another cruise ship I have been on. I got a beautiful room with a balcony. The choice of foods was wonderful. I really enjoyed the shows and the music and the sightseeing."

Trip dates & details
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20 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
My selections:
Large Ship Cruise

North America Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
3,210  Reviews
See all North America tour reviews
Excellent
1,471
Great
457
Average
73
Disappointing
24
Terrible
13
B

Begum

Oct 2015

Written on

I love our tour leader Edith and

I love our tour leader Edith and the support we got from her was excellent!

I

Ida

Oct 2015

Written on

A great variety of experiences (learning about

A great variety of experiences (learning about culture, but also being in nature and doing some more physically challenging activities). Great tour leader and great ...

P

Paul

Sep 2015

Written on

I felt we covered a lot in

I felt we covered a lot in a short time and there was a flexible app...

g

geraint

Sep 2015

Written on

Great country, people, food and quality of

Great country, people, food and quality of the trip & leader

X

Xiao

Sep 2015

Written on

I thoroughly enjoyed my Intrepid tour and

I thoroughly enjoyed my Intrepid tour and all the optional activities on offer. It's great to travel with the comforts of having transport and accommodation already ...

Write a Review

North America Tour Selection Trips

  • To keep your tour manageable, think regionally: the Northwestern or Southwestern U.S., the Canadian Maritimes, Canadian Rockies, etc.
  • U.S. national parks are some of the finest in the world and a good place to keep tour prices down, especially if you like camping.
  • While most of its citizens live near the U.S. border, Canada is the world’s second largest country, with vast wilderness, mountain and coastal areas awaiting exploration.
  • Greenland, one of the least visited islands in the world, is part of North America, too – and has a fascinating Arctic culture and landscape.
  • Mexico is far more diverse than you might imagine: think Mayan culture vs. modern-day Mexico City, Oaxacan marketplaces vs. Cancun party scene.

Additional details

What Countries are in North America?

North America consists of Canada, Mexico, and the United States (including the Hawaiian Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

What is the best time to visit North America?

The best time to visit North America will vary based on destination. 

Travelers booking a trip to Alaska or northern Canada may want to avoid the cold, dark winters as most guided tours only operate in the warmer months and transportation may be difficult to find. If you are hoping to see the Northern Lights, the “shoulder seasons” of late fall and early spring may be your best bet; the skies will be dark enough to see the beauty of the lights, but the climate won’t be as harsh. 

The best time to visit Mexico is the dry season between December and April. Temperatures are warm enough during this time to enjoy the beach and the sun while avoiding the rainy season of late summer to early fall. Keep in mind that prices peak around the holiday season. 

The southern and eastern regions of the United States can get extremely hot and humid in the summer and freezing in the winter-- avoid weather extremes by visiting in the fall or spring. The Pacific Northwest tends to be warmest and driest during the summer and fall, but don’t be surprised if you encounter rainy skies at any time of year. 

Skiers and snowboarders will naturally want to head to the mountains during winter or early spring when there is enough snow on the peaks. Hikers can avoid snow-covered or muddy trails during winter by visiting in the late summer or fall. 

Safety tips for traveling in North America

North America is generally considered a safe place to travel, although there is crime in the big cities and in some areas of Mexico. Of course, it is important to use common sense and be aware of your surroundings when traveling to any new place. 

Safety tips for traveling in North America:

  • Watch out for pickpockets. Keep your phone, wallet, and other valuables close and out of sight.
  • Don’t carry large sums of cash.
  • Use certified taxicab companies to avoid being ripped off.
  • Ask your tour guide or hotel staff about areas to avoid. 
  • When around wildlife, never get too close. Most national and state parks provide instructions online or at visitor centers on what to do if you encounter wildlife.
  • If you will be driving a car in an unfamiliar country, get familiar with the driving laws and customs of the country to avoid accidents and traffic stops.
  • When traveling alone, give a friend or family member a copy of your itinerary and don’t mention to any strangers that you are alone.

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