6-day Cruise aboard St. Lawrence Cruise Lines: Canadian Empress

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

Enjoy the journey through several locks that are a part of the St. Lawrence Seaway:

• Carillon Lock & Power Dam
• Pass through lock bound for Lake St. Louis and the St. Lawrence
• Sail through Beauharnois Locks Upper & Lower
• Eisenhower & Snell locks on the U.S. side of the St. Lawrence
• Pass through lock at Seaway Control Dam – Iroquois

Sightseeing from the Water

Experience a cruise of the Ottawa Harbour, and see Canada’s Capital from the perspective of the water.  Later, while cruising the 1000 Islands on the U.S. side of the river, see “Millionaire’s Row”, and marvel at estates, castles, and homes in this beautiful setting.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

Rideau Hall 

The official residence of the Governor General of Canada, Rideau Hall is a national historic site on 79 acres, only a few minutes from downtown Ottawa. Our tour of the grounds will follow paths that lead through the beautifully landscaped grounds, past monuments, a cricket pitch, and heritage gardens with numerous interpretive panels showcasing art and cultural pieces. Because Rideau Hall is a working residence, the availability of the house tour will depend on the scheduled events for the day.

Visit Museums in Ottawa

• Choice of The Canadian War Museum OR The Canadian Museum of History
• Guided tour of Canadian Aviation & Space Museum

Other Museums and Places of Interest

• Guided tour of Parc Omega Animal Sanctuary: https://www.parcomega.ca/ 
• Guided tour of Lachine Fur Trade Museum: https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/qc/lachine 
• Step back in time to the 1860’s at Upper Canada Village: https://www.uppercanadavillage.com/ 
• Guided tour of Fort Wellington National Historic Site:                       https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/wellington 
• Guided tour of 1000 Island History Museum: https://www.1000islandshistorymuseum.com/about-us 
• Guided tour of 1000 Island Boat Museum: https://www.tiboatmuseum.org/about_us.html 

It’s a leisurely cruise on the St. Lawrence River

This tour is a tasteful way to slow down and enjoy the journey. Take in the beauty of Ottawa from the perspective from the water, marvel at the workings of the various locks, and enjoy interesting sights while cruising the St. Lawrence, including the sights among the spectacular 1000 Islands.

Be Immersed in Canadian History

Yes, many of us have visited these museums and historical sites in our youth. With the perspective of having lived to see how our Canadian culture has been tested and evolved, enjoy being immersed in the history of Upper Canada with fresh appreciation and pride.

An Intimate Cruising Experience

The Canadian Empress is a small 66-passenger river boat, with a warm, friendly personality. With the friendly staff and evening entertainment, you’ll appreciate the intimate experience as you get to know your fellow guests.

• Our unique Connections Program
• Private coach transportation
• 1 hotel night of accommodation, pre-cruise
• 6-day cruise aboard St. Lawrence Cruise Lines Canadian Empress, St. Lawrence cat. cabins
• 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners
• Prepaid shipboard gratuities for cabin steward & dining room servers
• All entry fees, passes, and services of local guides for the included highlights
• Services of a Professional Tours in Canada Tour Director

Prices are in Canadian dollars, are per person, and include HST.

INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Evening Harbour Cruise of Canada’s Capital
• Carillon Lock & Power Dam
• Pass through lock bound for Lake St. Louis and the St. Lawrence
• Sail through Beauharnois Locks Upper & Lower
• Eisenhower & Snell locks on the U.S. side of the St. Lawrence
• Pass through lock at Seaway Control Dam – Iroquois
• Morning Cruise Millionaire Row on the US Side of the 1000 Islands

SIGHTSEEING HIGHLIGHTS:

• Rideau Hall house tour, if available, with time to visit the gardens
• Choice of Canadian War Museum or The Canadian Museum of History
• Guided tour of Canadian Aviation & Space Museum
• Guided tour of Park Omega Animal Sanctuary
• Guided tour of Lachine Fur Trade Museum
• Horse drawn carriage to Upper Canada Village, with a guided tour and free time
• Guided tour of Fort Wellington National Historic Site
• Guided tour of 1000 Island Heritage Museum 
• Guided tour of 1000 Island Boat Museum

Day 1: Travel to Ottawa

Our motorcoach takes you across Ontario, arriving at the hotel in Gatineau in the afternoon.  There’ll be time to get refreshed or do some exploring before heading out for dinner.

Stay:  Hilton Lac Leamy, Gatineau, QC

Nights:  1

Meals:  D

Day 2: Explore Ottawa, then the Cruise Begins

After breakfast at the hotel, depart for a tour of Ottawa, and then enjoy free time in the Byward Market for lunch and shopping.  Then, depart for Rideau Hall, the official residence of the Governor General of Canada.  If available, enjoy a guided house tour, followed by time to visit the gardens. Next, guests have the choice to visit either the Canadian War Museum or the Canadian Museum of History. Next, board the coach and head to the port to embark on the cruise aboard the Canadian Empress.  This is a small river boat, with a warm, friendly personality. Enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Reception, a harbour cruise of Canada’s capital, and get to know fellow travellers during dinner on board the ship.

Stay:  The Canadian Empress, St. Lawrence category cabins

Nights:  5

Meals:  B, D

Day 3: Canadian Aviation & Space Museum, Park Omega, Carillon Lock Station

Enjoy an early breakfast on the ship. Arrive at Cumberland dock and disembark for a guided tour of the Canadian Aviation & Space Museum. Reboard the ship and enjoy lunch while we travel to Montebello. At Montebello, disembark and enjoy a guided tour of the Park Omega Animal Sanctuary. Return to the ship and we’ll set sail for the Carillon Lock, and enjoy dinner and entertainment on board.

Meals:  B, L, D

Day 4: Leisurely cruise, Lachine Fur Trade Museum

Today Is a more leisurely day, though you may want to have breakfast before we go through the lock.  At about 9:00 a.m., the ship will enter the lock for the 20 m. drop, and then we’ll be on our way to Ste. Anne de Bellevue. Just before lunch, we’ll pass through the lock bound for Lake St. Louis and the St. Lawrence, arriving in Lachine, early in the afternoon.  Disembark for a guided tour of the Fur Trade Museum, and enjoy some free time to explore old Lachine.  Enjoy dinner and entertainment back on board the ship.

Meals:  B, L, D

Day 5: Leisurely day of cruising

This morning, there will be some activities on board the ship, while we cruise through the Lower and Upper Beauharnois locks. With a taste of leisurely bygone days, enjoy a proper afternoon tea while with sail through the Eisenhower and Snell locks into the St. Lawrence. Enjoy dinner and entertainment on board. Tonight, the ship will dock at Crysler Park Marina, Morrisburg, Ontario.

Meals:  B, L, D

Day 6: Upper Canada Village, Fort Wellington

After breakfast on board, depart by horse drawn carriage to Upper Canada Village. Enjoy a guided tour followed by free time to explore the village. Return to the ship lunch, setting sail for Prescott, and passing through the Iroquois Lock at the Seaway Control Dam. At Prescott, disembark for a guided tour of Fort Wellington National Historic Site, and then return to the ship for dinner and entertainment. Tonight, the ship will overnight in Brockville.

Meals:  B, L, D

Day 7: Cruise the 1000 Islands, Visit Gananoque Museums, then Homeward

This morning you may want to enjoy an early breakfast, since when the ship departs Brockville, we’ll cruise the “Millionaire Row” on the U.S. side of the 1000 Islands. Mid-morning, arrive in Gananoque for a guided tour of the 1000 Island Heritage Museum and the 1000 Island Boat Museum. Back on board the ship, enjoy lunch and closing ceremonies before we arrive in Kingston. Disembark the Canadian Empress, and board the motorcoach for the journey home. 

Meals:  B, L

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS, PRE-CRUISE

Hilton Lac Leamy, Gatineau, QC (1 night)

On the shores of Leamy Lake, connected to Casino du Lac-Leamy, this Hilton hotel features glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly, several restaurants for a variety of dining options, beautiful views of the lake, and comfortable rooms.  With a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, and a spa, there are options for relaxing after a busy day ... fun accommodations for your summer getaway!

CRUISE SHIP ACCOMMODATIONS

Included with this trip are St. Lawrence category cabins, with 2 single beds. Other cabin options may be available, but they are in very limited supply with an additional fee and are subject to availability.

Ship:  St. Lawrence Cruise Lines, The Canadian Empress (5 nights)

This 7-day day tour follows pickup Route C1, and includes our unique Connections Program.  The pickup locations are:

• Brampton
• Markham
• Whitby
• Bowmanville
• Lindsay
• Peterborough
• Port Hope
• Cobourg
• Trenton
• Belleville
• Napanee
• Kingston

We recommend comfortable rubber-soled shoes for the ship as well as for the walking tours.

Although for most people medication is not required, for this cruise, there may be some who will want to bring along a remedy for motion sickness.  You don’t want to let that spoil these amazing experiences.

Be aware that we will sometimes be sailing in U.S. waters, so if you do not have an international plan for your cell phone, you will want to disable roaming to avoid unexpected charges.

Although this tour starts and ends in Southern Ontario. guests can join this tour from anywhere in the world by flying to Toronto, and using our Connections Program for transportation to a pickup location!  Please contact us to discuss your airfare and pre-and post-tour accommodation options.