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Overview
This special cruise celebrates the 60th anniversary of the opening of the The St Lawrence Seaway; this fabulous system of locks, canals and channels linking the Great Lakes and the St Lawrence River with the Atlantic Ocean is notable as the largest, most successful joint venture of Canada and the United States and its official opening was in 1959.
The cruise features a unique itinerary that includes additional ports, rare and unique attractions, lectures and discussions with a Seaway historian, and a celebratory air throughout the cruise. Some of the special attractions included are a gondola tour of Montmorency Falls, the Borealis Industrial Museum, the Lost Villages Museum, and a number of Canadian National Historic Sites.
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.
Jan Vening - Travelled to British Columbia"A million thank yous"
A million thank yous for organising such an amazing holiday!!! Every day was a new adventure and we loved every minute of it! Canada and the Canadians were wonderful ! We were also pleased that we went on Gold Leaf....wow!!!! The Seaplane was a fantastic way to finish and we were the envy of many who had NOT included it in their itinerary!!! We have returned exhausted with THOUSANDS of photos and unforgettable memories all due to YOU!!!
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 on foot; stroll through the Old Port, visit the Notre Dame...
Day 2
Montreal
Explore this fabulous city on foot; stroll through the Old Port, visit the Notre Dame Basilica or relax in Mount Royal Park. Enjoy the joie de vivre in one of Canada’s most exciting cities.
Day 3
Today you will take the VIA train to the lovely Quebec City where you will...
Day 3
Montreal
to
Quebec City
Today you will take the VIA train to the lovely Quebec City where you will spend the next few nights.
2 nights Quebec City
Day 4
Québec City is Canada’s oldest city and has a strong French heritage. The Fortifications, a...
Day 4
Quebec City
Québec City is Canada’s oldest city and has a strong French heritage. The Fortifications, a historic national park; Place Royale; and the Basilica are recommended places to visit during your stay as well as taking time to enjoy the city’s many cafes and restaurants.
Day 5
Canadian Empress
Today your cruise experience starts with a guided gondola tour of Montmorency Fall (after checking...
Day 5
Canadian Empress
Today your cruise experience starts with a guided gondola tour of Montmorency Fall (after checking in your luggage). The you will have an evening boarding of your ship. Settle into your cabin and enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Reception.
6 nights onboard the Canadian Empress.
Day 6
Canadian Empress
Today the ship will depart Quebec City bound for Trois Riviéres. You will have a...
Day 6
Canadian Empress
Today the ship will depart Quebec City bound for Trois Riviéres. You will have a choice of two tours – a bus tour to the Shrine at Cap de la Madeleine, or visit to the Borealis Industrial Museum.
Day 7
Canadian Empress
You will depart Trois Riviéres bound for Montreal. Debark at Port of Montreal for a...
Day 7
Canadian Empress
You will depart Trois Riviéres bound for Montreal. Debark at Port of Montreal for a visit to the Botanical Garden at Montreal’s Space for Life. This evening there will be a Port of Montreal Harbour Cruise during dinner and then you will be introduced to the historian and have a discussion of Seaway’s 60th Anniversary and the Old Port of Montreal.
Day 8
Canadian Empress
You will leave Montreal today and enter the Seaway Lock System bound for Lachine. You...
Day 8
Canadian Empress
You will leave Montreal today and enter the Seaway Lock System bound for Lachine. You will pass through St. Lambert and Ste. Catherine locks and take visit to the Fur Trade Museuem in Lachine. Then the cruise continues on bound for Coteau Landing, Quebec. On the way pass through the Beauharnois Locks. In Quebec take a tour of Coteau du Lac National Historic Site and visit Sucrerie de la Montagne for dinner and entertainment.
Day 9
Canadian Empress
Today you will leave Quebec bound for Morrisburg, Ontario. You will pass through Eisenhower and...
Day 9
Canadian Empress
Today you will leave Quebec bound for Morrisburg, Ontario. You will pass through Eisenhower and Snell Locks (USA) and arrives in to Chrysler Park Marina, Morrisburg. Head to Inglewood, Ontario for a guided tour of the Lost Villages Museum then return to Canadian Empress for tea and discussion with historian.
Day 10
Canadian Empress
Depart Chrysler Park Marina and cruise to Prescott, Ontario, passing through the lock at Seaway...
Day 10
Canadian Empress
Depart Chrysler Park Marina and cruise to Prescott, Ontario, passing through the lock at Seaway Control Dam Iroquois. Head out on a guided tour of the Battle of the Windmill National Historic Site.
The cruise continues onto Brockville, Ontario the “City of the 1000 Islands”. Visit the Brockville Museum for a special presentation on the St. Lawrence Seaway’s 60th Anniversary.
Enjoy the Celebration Night: Dinner and Big Band sounds & vocals (new & old).
Day 11
Canadian Empress
Cruise Millionaire’s Row on the US side of the 1000 Islands and turn-about at Pt....
Day 11
Canadian Empress
Cruise Millionaire’s Row on the US side of the 1000 Islands and turn-about at Pt. Vivian bound for Ivy Lea. Take a tour to 1000 Islands Tower – 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. Experience more sightseeing in the 1000 Islands and Kingston.
Arrive into Kingston, Ontario. Time to disembark from the cruise but not before closing ceremonies in the Grand Saloon.
1 night in Kingston.
Day 12
Spend the morning exploring the lovely town of Kingston, before heading to the train station...
Day 12
St Lawrence River & Kingston
to
Toronto
Spend the morning exploring the lovely town of Kingston, before heading to the train station to take the VIA rail train to Toronto.
2 nights Toronto.
Day 13
Today is yours to explore the exciting, cosmopolitan city of Toronto. Maybe take a trip...
Day 13
Toronto
Today is yours to explore the exciting, cosmopolitan city of Toronto. Maybe take a trip to the top of the CN Tower – or even brave the EdgeWalk around the outside – visit the aquarium, head to Yorkville or visit one of the many museums.
