The opulent Crystal Symphony is a throwback to the glory days of luxury cruising, and it's ideal for the aspiring Astors who want some extra flair with their fall colors. Elegantly appointed staterooms, luxuriant lounges and fine dining add a dash of decadence to the foliage—perfect if you prefer to do your leaf-peeping from the privacy of your own verandah. Unwind in the full-service spa, try your luck in the casino, admire the views from the handsome teak promenade. There's nothing modest about the 940-passenger ship, which weighs in at a hefty 50,000 tons, but personalized touches like butler service and customized excursions make for an intimate experience.

For more information: Crystal Cruises

The Empire State's stunning foliage flanks the historic Hudson River, as the iconic New York City skyline quickly gives way to a scenic landscape aflame with reds, oranges and golds. The friendly, family-run American Canadian Caribbean Line specializes in intimate cruises along the river, stopping in picturesque towns en route to the Erie Canal and the majestic St. Lawrence River. Explore the coastlines of the Thousand Islands before hitting the Old World outpost of Quebec City. While the ACCL boats are modest by the standards of today's mega-yachts, the relaxed vibe is perfect for family foliage getaways.

For more information: American Canadian Caribbean Line

Aboard a Lindblad Expeditions ship, you'll visit smaller ports while still enjoying the rugged beauty of the Atlantic Coast. Stops in the tiny fishing villages of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia are an offbeat alternative to the usual ports-of-call, and the ship's excursions—from hiking the nature trails of Block Island to whale-watching in the Bay of Fundy—put a premium on close-up encounters with the Great Outdoors. A partnership with National Geographic makes these trips as educational as they are inspirational, with an expert staff of geologists and marine biologists enriching the overall experience.

For more information: Lindblad Expeditions

Sonoma Valley might be California's worst-kept secret, but the abundant reds and whites of wine country afford their own alluring reasons for a fall cruise. Set off from San Francisco aboard the small ships of Cruise West, where intimate encounters with the foliage are complemented by wine tastings, vineyard tours and sophisticated cooking classes with the celebrated Culinary Institute of America. Take a stroll through Sausalito, or splurge on a hot-air balloon ride over the valley. The fact that peak colors coincide with the wine harvest makes this trip especially appealing—and offers one more reason to leave the car in the garage.

For more information: Cruise West

Waves of gold sweep across northern Montana each fall, with the abundant maples, larch and aspen typically hitting their peak colors in early October. To explore by boat, hop aboard the venerable M.V. International for a scenic tour of the Rocky Mountain landscape. Built in Goat Haunt, Montana—the northern gateway to Glacier National Park—the International has been plying area waterways for 80 years. During its historic run the wood-hulled ship has shuttled more than 1.5 million passengers past the picturesque peaks, with cruises hugging the colorful coasts of Waterton Glacier International Peace Park. After the cruise, disembark in Goat Haunt for a bit of rugged exploration.

For more information: Waterton Cruise

Set sail from Baltimore to explore the eye-popping colors around "Charm City" and the Chesapeake Bay, where some of the best leaf-peeping in the Mid-Atlantic takes center stage. Aboard the fleet of American Cruise Lines, you'll explore the Lilliputian ports of the James River and the Intracoastal Waterway—most of which are inaccessible to larger cruise ships. Stops in Jamestown and Williamsburg are steeped in the country's colonial heritage, while St. Michael's and Annapolis bring the region's maritime history to light. While the riverbank foliage provides plenty of pleasant scenery, it's the evocative glimpses of the past—lonely lighthouses perched atop rugged outcrops; schooners and skipjacks bobbing in picturesque harbors—that are invariably the highlight.

For more information: American Cruise Lines

Along the Columbia and Snake Rivers, the hills display vibrant deep golds and ruby reds—an enticing reason to leaf-peep in the Pacific Northwest. With American Safari Cruises, a small-ship specialist that plies the region's rivers, you'll get an intimate glimpse of the foliage aboard one of the company's luxury yachts. The emphasis is on active exploration—expect to kayak the Columbia River Gorge, or hike along trails pioneered by Lewis & Clark. Gourmet chefs might make it hard to leave the boat behind, but with Washington's wine season hitting its stride with the foliage, onshore tastings offer their own temptations.

For more information: American Safari Cruises

For sophisticated sea dogs, elegant staterooms and crystal chandeliers aboard a five-star cruise might be the height of luxury; for others, there's nothing so luxurious as the freedom to set sail when and how you please. Ed Hamilton & Co. has specialized in luxury yacht charters for more than 30 years, with crewed boats plying the Atlantic seaboard from Maine to Martha's Vineyard. Based in the coastal town of Wiscasset, the company has its finger on the pulse of the New England charter scene. With most boats setting sail from the Northeast as the summer winds down, Hamilton & Co. will know which boats and which crews are still afloat in the area come autumn.

For more information: Ed Hamilton & Co.

The stately Delta Queen is as much an icon as the river she churns, and a steamboat float down the Mississippi is an all-American way to take in the foliage. Built in 1926, at a time when thousands of steamboats cruised the nation's rivers, the Queen is a graceful reminder of a distant era. Elegant flourishes like Tiffany stained-glass windows and crystal chandeliers are a long way from Huck Finn rafting down the river, while the ironwood floor of the Orleans Room has entertained the dance steps of Presidents Hoover, Truman and Carter. You'd do well to book now—despite a grassroots campaign to "Save the Queen," her regal red stern wheel is scheduled to take its final turn at the end of the 2008 season.

For more information: Majestic America