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Overview
This holiday combines some time in Toronto and takes you to the historic town of Kingston, home to the M/V Canadian Empress, for a 7-night cruise on this historic vessel along the St Lawrence Seaway.
The Seaway is the system of locks, canals and channels linking the Great Lakes and the St Lawrence River with the Atlantic Ocean, and is notable as the largest, most successful joint venture of Canada and the United States. Its official opening was in 1959.
This fall cruise features shore excursions which compliment the turning of the leaves and you will explore the passages and channels of the 1000 Islands. During this cruise from Kingston to Montreal and returning back to Kingston, learn about the storied history of the relationship between Upper and Lower Canada.
There are numerous other cruises on the Canadian Empress; please ask us for details of other departures and routes.
This itinerary is flexible and can be tailor-made to suit you; if you want to add extra days in one area, extend the holiday or maybe change the direction of travel. Talk to one of our experts about how to make this holiday the perfect one for you.
The Ship
The Canadian Empress is a 66-passenger replica steamboat that combines the style of a North American turn-of-the-century riverboat with modern technology. She sails up the St Lawrence, between Kingston and Quebec City, or Kingston and Ottawa, navigating among the islands and through locks, providing close-up, reach out and touch experiences. The Canadian Empress has elegant furnishing, brass handrails and ornate metal ceilings that recapture the grace of a turn-of-the-century lifestyle.
St Lawrence Deck
The St Lawrence Deck is the main accommodation level on the Canadian Empress. The St. Lawrence, Sterling and Premier Category staterooms can be found on this deck. All staterooms on this deck are above the waterline with opening windows to the fresh river air. Also located on this deck is the Corner Store. This is where you will find a nice selection of souvenirs a few toiletries and at the end of your journey this is where all outstanding accounts are settled.
Ottawa Deck
All 8 Ottawa category staterooms are accessed from this level as are both of the outdoor observation decks. It is also on the Ottawa deck you will find the Grand Saloon. The Grand Saloon in its Turn-of-the-Century warmth is where all meals are served and all of the nightly entertainment is enjoyed.
Sun Deck
Sit back relax and enjoy some of Canada’s most beautiful scenery. From your comfortable deck chair or lounge watch as each scene unfolds. Join your Cruise Director on the sun deck for some fun activities including shuffleboard or kite flying.
Mr Duckett - Travelled to British Columbia"the right Company for the job"
Your local knowledge of Canada made us feel confident that we had chosen the right Company for the job. A big thank you for all your help in booking our holiday and for your patience in relation to all the changes and tweaking of the itinerary (even whilst in Canada!!!!!)
Itinerary (13 Nights)
Here’s a day-by-day guide to your itinerary. Feel free to ask us to add other days or ideas and excursions by contacting us directly, so we can give you the best price.
Day 2
Explore this fabulous city and see the highlights such as the Eaton Centre, Casa Loma,...
Day 2
Toronto
Explore this fabulous city and see the highlights such as the Eaton Centre, Casa Loma, Yorkville, CN Tower and the Harbourfront. Take time to venture into the first class shops in the Eaton Centre or into the boutiques in Yorkville and the brewery district.
Day 3
Today you will jump on the VIA train to historic Kingston where you will arrive...
Day 3
Toronto
to
St Lawrence River & Kingston
Today you will jump on the VIA train to historic Kingston where you will arrive ready for an evening boarding of your cruise. Settle into your cabin and enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Reception.
7 nights onboard the Canadian Empress.
Day 4
Canadian Empress
The Empress will weigh anchor and meander through the Admiralty Group of the 1000 Islands. Debark...
Day 4
Canadian Empress
The Empress will weigh anchor and meander through the Admiralty Group of the 1000 Islands. Debark at Gananoque for a guided tour of the Heritage Museum of the 1000 Islands. Then head for Brockville and see Millionaires’ Row on the U.S side where you will sail pass Boldt and Singer Castles. Visit Brockville Museum then cruise to Upper Canada Village which is a living museum community that recreate the life and work of the early settlements along the Upper St Lawrence River valley.
Day 5
Canadian Empress
Take a horse drawn wagon tour of Upper Canada Village then cruise into Quebec and...
Day 5
Canadian Empress
Take a horse drawn wagon tour of Upper Canada Village then cruise into Quebec and Coteau Landing and arrive at the head of the Old Lachine Canal. Time here to stroll along the old canal system.
Day 6
Canadian Empress
Today you will head to Lachine in Quebec, passing through Beauharnois Locks into Lake St....
Day 6
Canadian Empress
Today you will head to Lachine in Quebec, passing through Beauharnois Locks into Lake St. Louis on the way. Take a trip to Montreal’s Botanical Gardens and enjoy the evening of Quebecois culture in Parc St Louis.
Day 7
Canadian Empress
Today you will take a short trip in a yellow limousine to visit the Fur...
Day 7
Canadian Empress
Today you will take a short trip in a yellow limousine to visit the Fur Trade Museum, then you will cruise back through Beauharnois Locks back into Ontario and arriving into Cornwall for the evening.
Day 8
Canadian Empress
Visit the Moses-Saunders Power Dam, straddling the border between the United States and Canada. Then...
Day 8
Canadian Empress
Visit the Moses-Saunders Power Dam, straddling the border between the United States and Canada. Then cruise towards Morrisburg. This evening there will be a “Why and how leaves turn colour” presentation and entertainment.
Day 9
Canadian Empress
Today begins with a guided tour of the Smythe’s Apple Orchard, the home of the...
Day 9
Canadian Empress
Today begins with a guided tour of the Smythe’s Apple Orchard, the home of the original MacIntosh Apple. You will then cruise to Prescott where you will head out on a Fort Wellington Tour. Once you return to the ship you will continue sailing to Ivy Lea, Ontario where you will weigh anchor for your overnight stay.
Day 10
This morning you will explore 1000 Island Skydeck on Hill Island. From its observation deck...
Day 10
St Lawrence River & Kingston
This morning you will explore 1000 Island Skydeck on Hill Island. From its observation deck you can see for a radius of about 40 miles – quite a panoramic vista from 400′ above the St. Lawrence River. Depart Ivy Lea for more islands and arriving back into Kingston early afternoon where you will say your farewells,but not before the closing Ceremonies in the Grand Saloon, and disembark the Canadian Empress and head to your hotel.
3 nights in Kingston.
Day 11-12
Today you will pick up your hire car so that you can explore the Kingston...
Day 11-12
St Lawrence River & Kingston
Today you will pick up your hire car so that you can explore the Kingston and Prince Edward county area for the next few days.
Having seen the 1000 Islands from the water, we suggest a helicopter trip to view Boldt Castle and Singer Castle and the lovely town of Gananoque.
Explore the communities of Prince Edward County; the lovely town of Picton with its loyalist heritage, Ameliasburgh with its many maple trees which will look glorious in the fall colours and take the scenic route from Hillier towards Wellington along the Loyalist Parkway past century farms, waterfront homes and wineries galore.
Day 13
Return car in Kingston and then take the train back to Toronto. Maybe time for...
Day 13
St Lawrence River & Kingston
to
Toronto
Return car in Kingston and then take the train back to Toronto. Maybe time for some last minute shopping?
1 night in Toronto.
