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Cruising the St. Lawrence River

Overview

Relax as the Canadian Empress weaves through the islands

Details

The Canadian Empress is a grand ship built in the classic steamboat style with a warm and friendly personality. Her interior is designed in early heritage-style with brass and elaborate furnishings, recapturing the grace and charm of the early 1900’s. The crew is committed to providing a relaxing and comfortable experience, regaling the elegance of the early era of cruising, as the ship plies the waters of the magnificent St. Lawrence River.

The cruise features daily attractions with included shore excursions, complimentary domestic beer and wine with meals, nightly entertainment and a never ending supply of inspiring river scenery.

The St. Lawrence River is surely one of the most enchanting rivers on the planet, as it meanders for miles upon miles, acting as a natural border between the United States and Canada, as well as providing a major shipping route into the interior of North America. Your journey will traverse through the scenic “1000 Islands” between Kingston and Brockville – an archipelago of 1870 islands stretching over fifty miles. Journey through six locks and a change of 246 feet in water level; past the summer homes of the rich and famous; up intricate river channels, and into mysterious coves. The shallow draft of the Canadian Empress allows her to meander close to the islands and slip into hidden bays and cruise waterfront scenery.
 

Disclaimers

Stateroom amenities, and pricing vary with cabin category.

Categories

Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Fly from Sacramento to Montreal via Dulles, arriving about 7 p.m. (but 4 p.m. to your stomach), therefore dinner is served upon arrival at your nearby hotel – The Hilton Laval. (D)

Day 2

After breakfast, transfer by motorcoach to Quebec City for a guided tour and free time for lunch and personal exploration in the most romantic of North American cities.  Try a beaver tail!  Yum!  Embarkation aboard the Canadian Empress commences at 5:30 p.m.  Following a welcome reception, cruise to nearly Montmorency Falls and along the waterfront as the sun sets and the city lights come on.  Your welcome aboard dinner features prime rib of beef.  The Empress docks in Quebec City overnight. (FB,D)

Day 3

Today’s schedule includes an afternoon port of call in Trois Rivieres where coaches await to take you to the attraction of your choosing: Borealis Industrial Museum or Shrine at Cap de la Madeleine.  Three meals are served onboard today and every full day of your cruise.  The Empress docks in Trois Rivieres, Quebec overnight. (FB,L,D)

Day 4

Morning cruising brings you back to Montreal in the early afternoon for a guided tour of Canada’s most cosmopolitan and so very French city.  In the evening you’ll transit two locks on the St. Lawrence Seaway System – St. Lambert and Ste. Catherine.  The Empress docks in Lachine, Quebec overnight. (FB,L,D)

Day 5 

A peaceful day of cruising includes the Upper and Lower Beauharnois Locks on the Canadian side, and the Eisenhower and Snell Locks on the US side.  The Empress docks at the Crysler Park Marina in Morrisburg, Ontario overnight. (FB,L,D)

Day 6

Depart by train for a visit to Upper Canada Village (like a Canadian Williamsburg) before the midday departure of the Empress bound for Prescott, Ontario via the Seaway Control Dam Iroquois.  Stop and tour Ft. Wellington before arriving at Brockville, Ontario – the Gateway to the Thousand Islands – for the night. (FB,L,D)

Day 7

Enjoy a morning tour of Fulford Mansion before beginning your cruise through the Thousand Islands (there are actually 1964 of them . . . more or less) including Millionaire’s Row.  The Empress docks in Gananoque, Ontario overnight. (FB,L,D)

Day 8

The Thousand Islands continue to reveal themselves to you on today’s journey including morning visits to the Thousand Islands Heritage and Boat Museums.  Closing ceremonies will be held over lunch with disembarkation in Kingston, Ontario scheduled at 2 p.m.  You’ll transfer by motorcoach to your home for the night, the Courtyard by Marriott.  A shuttle will operate between the hotel and downtown to facilitate dinner on your own and personal exploration here in Canada’s first national capital city, so named in 1841.  It was short-lived.  Too close to those pesky Americans! (FB,L)     

Day 9

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before making the trek to Toronto International Airport (3+ hour drive) and your departing 4:00 p.m. flight via Denver, landing Sacramento around 9. (FB)  

Daily Itinerary Meal Legend
CBContinental Breakfast
BGenerally a limited buffet or menu
FBFull buffet or choice of menu
BRBrunch, often buffet-style
LLunch, often several menu options
HT or ATHigh or Afternoon Tea
DDinner, often several menu options

Departures

No upcoming departures.

$5750
p.p./dbl.occ.
$6920
single

Pricing

St. Lawerence Class Staterooms:

  • $5750 p.p./dbl.occ., $6920 single
    5750/6950 Gold Passport Points

Ottawa Class Staterooms: 

  • $7350 p.p./dbl.occ. 
    7350 Gold Passport Points

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