Many cruise ships are behemoths. THE TOP 10 Ontario Night Cruises (w/Prices) - Viator It was an elegant, unusual experience full of gastronomic delights. Source: Friends of the Rideau - Newsletters: I also felt like I had to take advantage of the port stops by either signing up for a land-based excursion or just walking around the port area. Homepage of Muskoka Steamships & Discovery Centre. * Photo: St. Lawrence Cruise Lines. Extend your journey with our complimentary post-cruise stay in Thunder Bay, Ontario. After lunch, passengers board our chartered bus which departs by 2:00 pm and arrives in Kingston before 5 p.m. Full description. Operates five triple-decker, all-aluminium vessels, including rest rooms on each deck, coffee shop and refreshments. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Gananoque is known as the Gateway to the 1000 Islands and one of Eastern Ontarios most beautiful waterfront communities. A cruising tradition experience the beauty of Georgian Bay on the deck of a large and spacious cruise ship, hear commentary and do some sightseeing, or treat yourself to a jazz and dinner cruise. Writer Terri Colby reviews her recent C, Writer & adventurer John Roberts spent a week aboa, Our latest & greatest ode to #smallshipc, The 64-pax Canadian Empress provides a lov, The right luggage is important & if youre l, Maybe youve cruised southeast Alaska, but chanc, I love canal barge cruising in France! Attractions & Excursions Explore Attractions > For over 30 Heidi & Ted and their team of curious travel writers explore the far corners of the world to share their experiences & insights about small-ship cruising. All Rights Reserved. Day 4 Westport to Jones Falls One of the two Sterling staterooms on Canadian Empress. * All meals and snacks * Photo: St Lawrence Cruise Lines. Great Lakes Cruise | Lake Superior Cruise | Milwaukee to Thunder Bay But I didn't feel nearly as rushed on the Constellation, which I realized while getting ready for an evening out on the sixth day of the trip. The cruise features a live sturgeon aquarium experience and . Pass in the shadows of ships plying the main shipping channel on the St. Lawrence River, take in the Royal Military College, famed Boldt Castle, Fort Henry, Kingston harbour, and Rideau Canal National Historic Site. Water Adventures in and Around Ottawa. Upper River Expedition 4 nights, 5 days Learn about the history of the early trade route between Kingston and Montreal. Catch Salmon, Lake Trout, Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout from April through November. On almost every single one of the seven-night cruises I've taken, the itinerary has included only two sea days. 3 Overnight Waterway Excursions In South Eastern Ontario The heritage waterways of Southeastern Ontario include the Ottawa River, Rideau Canal, Trent-Severn Waterway, St. Lawrence River and the 1000 Islands. Check out the Great Lakes Explorer. Why the Soo is such an appealing port of call, Find Your Way: Using a chartplotter on your PWC. When you whittle it down, an eight-day cruise only gives you about 6 days of enjoyment. We would like to acknowledge that Ontario is the world in one province and is the original homelands to many nations of the First Peoples. It's a magical connection to the best of Ontario's natural geographical beauty. This cruise vacation includes, Start or end your cruise vacation in Canada's capital of Ottawa. Sailing after breakfast the Kawartha Voyageur follows the canals winding route through Ottawa to commence the cruise up the Rideau River past Hogs Back, Black Rapids and Long Island locks to Burritts Rapids for overnight. View the Mainland Sea Caves just north of Meyers Beach on our "Sea Caves & Lighthouses" cruise on our brand new vessel, the Le Boat, a leader in boat rental vacations in Europe, has more than 50 years of experience in the industry. All Canadian Empress staterooms have access to fresh air, climate controls, and an intimate view of the river. Of course, the American side of 1000 Islands is equally as beautiful and just a short boat ride away so you can keep exploring the rich culture and endless shorelines in New York. Cruise Line Sea Dream Yacht Club. Completed in 1832 by the British, this historic waterway with its 45 locks and 19 km of canal cuts is now a UNESCO World Heritage Sitecarefully maintained and operated by Parks Canada. I have traveled between all continents by sea and cruised along three dozen rivers. With reviews, articles and destination overviews, weve got you covered. This state covers the longest shoreline from the Great Lakes, which makes Ontario home to lots of ports of call for Great Lakes Cruises. Share. For truly spectacular views of the 1000 islands venture up 400 feet above the majestic St. Lawrence River for a birds eye view at 1000 Islands Tower, located on Hill Island in Ontario. This is one of the flight locks for which the Rideau is so famous. All Rights Reserved, Long Island flight locks to Hartwell Locks. The granite shores of the Rideau lakes area are particularly beautiful. Complete the 160-nautical-mile journey across the top of Lake Huron, and you'll find the best that boating can offer. To get a first-hand account, read writer Judi Cohens review of her Canadian Empress cruise last summer, when she sampled this very special small-ship cruise for the first time. For the rest of the day we traverse numerous lakes and locks before we reach our overnight docking at one of the most beautiful sites on the canal, Jones Falls. Experience the history and culture of both English and French Canada for. The Rideau Canal is a chain of beautiful lakes, rivers and locks extending 202 km from Kingston, at the east end of Lake Ontario to Ottawa, Canadas capital city. Boat traffic was down from 61,534 vessel passages in 2021 to 56,981 in 2022. Trent-Severn, St. Lawrence River, Bay of Quinte: Ontario Waterways This cruise vacation includes 6 nights 7 days on Canada's showpiece, the St. Lawrence River, between Quebec City and Kingston, Ontario. After lunch, we cruise the lower reaches of the Cataraqui River to our 2:00 p.m destination in Kingston. Beyond Iroquois, as you journey towards Morrisburg, Ontario you will pass over the Lost Villages of the Seaway en route to historic Upper Canada Village. Routes vary according to cruise length, subject to availability. April 12, 2023 Boating the North Channel is intoxicating. Day 3 Smith Falls to Westport With 900 boats stationed at a network of over 32 different departure bases across 8 European countries, Le Boat arrived in Canada in 2018 and now has a local fleet of 32 boats available for rental on Ontarios UNESCO Rideau Canal. 5-day voyages on the Rideau Canal from Kingston to Ottawa, with return transportation by highway coach. Canadian Connection Cruise - 6 nights, 7 days. Sponsored by Friends of the St. Clair River, this 1.5 hour Sturgeon Cruise takes guests on the St. Clair River and Lake Huron to interact with biologists catching, tagging, measuring, and releasing Lake sturgeon underneath the Blue Water Bridges. - 2023 Destination Northern Ontario. A day of tranquil cruising down the river with constantly unfolding vistas of this lovely countryside. These cruises travel the Kawartha Lakes and the Severn River. We had time to eat at all six of the Constellation's specialty restaurants, including Le Petit Chef. Nothing says Muskoka like discovery--Muskoka Steamships is the one-of-a-kind way to experience Muskoka. By mid-afternoon, we arrive at the charming village of Westport. Cruise with us in the heart of the summer for, Experience the beauty of Quebec and the richness of French Canadian culture on this cruise as your ship passes through all 7 of the St. Lawrence Seaway locks. The present cost of our 2023 cruises including tax is $US 2,110. Between them they've traveled all over the world aboard hundreds and hundreds of small cruise ships of all kinds, from river boats to expedition vessels and sailing ships. * I would like to subscribe to the QuirkyCruise newsletters. You are welcome to pay the $200. Here's what it was like, and why it made me never want to go on a shorter cruise again. On our final day, we pass by beautiful private homes as we near Ottawa. I had time to explore the ship, dine at all the specialty restaurants, and visit more distant ports. Sometimes, overnights will occur during the middle of a cruise. The Quinte cruises offer a magnificent combination of our other two cruises. Kawartha Voyageur - Ontario Waterway Cruises - Quinte Cruise Watch on The Trent-Severn Waterway is one of Canada's national historic sites. Our @quirkyc, LOVE Peter Knego & Anne Kaloshs first impres, Thrilled 2 of my favourite @quirkycruise writers a, * I would like to subscribe to the QuirkyCruise newsletters. Welcome Aboard! Our experts are here to help you plan your perfect trip. Toronto Tall Ship Boat Cruises. This cruise features the best of the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers with a unique itinerary that includes the celebration of Canada's birthday and a view of the fireworks on Parliament Hill. Your email address will not be published. Experience the 1000 Islands like never before aboard a high-speed catamaran, or traditional sightseeing cruise. July 21- 26, July 26- 31, July 31- 5, Aug 5- 10 From sightseeing boat tours and leisure cruising vessels to high-speed crafts and more, there are seemingly endless nautical adventures to be had in Ontario. For more information visit www.stlawrencecruiselines.com or call 1 800 267 7868. Most of the vessels were from Ontario (69.7%), a fair number from Qubec (21.6%), and few from the U.S. (7.8%). We most certainly encourage our passengers to follow the guidance of our Ontario government health authorities who continue to recommend that people maintain their COVID-19 protection by taking the relative "booster shots". All Rights Reserved. Park Port Canaveral is Closest Overnight Cruise Parking Service From the picturesque Upper Brewers lock, we enter the Cataraqui River which include Washburn and the flight of four locks at scenic Kingston Mills. Take a daily tour and discover one of the most scenic waterways in North America. RELATED: Read Judi Cohens review of her summer 2021 Canadian Empress cruise HERE. Their ship will carry you through the very heart of central Canadas most beautiful scenery, on routes specifically selected for their stunningly rich gifts of history, natural beauty, and modern vitality. Temporarily Offline May 14- 20, June 11- 16, July 16- 21, When we first started our company in 1966, no one was offering overnight cruises on a small ship. In response to the growing demand for North American river cruising, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines has extended its 2023 season and added an additional cruise to accommodate travellers. This free summer concert north of Sudbury is boat access only. Mike is the chairman of the board for the Tourism Technology Company. Enjoy dinner cruises and entertainment, not to mention fabulous scenery. Departure Port Barcelona, Spain. If your name comes up on a given cruise, we will give you a call. We have known it and loved it for more than 40 years and we want to share it, says President Jason Clark. Plan an overnight excursion with one of these incredible operators! Over a half million freshwater lakes, rivers and waterways makes Ontario the ultimate boating and cruising destination. I Sailed the New Viking Octantis and Here's What It Was Like. Gananoque, Ontario, Canada - 08.20.2022: Colorful. Ontario bans 'floating homes' from overnight stays on lakes Your go-to resource is here! This Rockport Cruise does not stop at Boldt Castle on the New York side, so Canadians wont need a passport. There's always something new to discover in the North and Mike never shies away from the next great adventure. Imagine an era of elegance and nobility, cruise in the heart of the exhilarating 1000 Islands and explore the rugged natural beauty of the St. Lawrence River as you set off from the beautiful town of Rockport, Ontario. The Canadian travel industry opened its doors this spring to welcome double-vaccinated travelers from Canada and abroad, as pandemic numbers decline and health and safety restrictions continue to be relaxed in Ontario and around the world. Reviewer C.J. Everything you want to have on board for your next ride, A primer for boating in Ontario this summer. Collingwoods travel specialists for the four seasons, from sunset cruises to fishing and sailing charters. If driving from the US border to Ontario its only 15 minutes, a two-hour road trip from Ottawa, and three hours from Toronto. The St Lawrence River. SeePRIVACY POLICY. Traveling through the Bay of Quinte, we reach the incredible beauty of the Thousand Islands in the St. Lawrence River. Our 2023 season is underway and the Kawartha Voyageur is currently cruising the Trent-Severn Waterway on the Otonabee River, Rice Lake and Trent River. Meet new people and relax as our able crew take care of your every need from the minute you arrive to the minute you leave. The 11-night cruise I took had four sea days, giving me the opportunity to do things I don't usually have time for at home, like reading several novels in a row. Ontario has beautiful cruising opportunities in all of its regions. Overnight cruising is also a favored activity of sailors who have a sailboat large enough to carry a full cabin with a galley. Here's everything to add to your calendar. With the Cree Nation in the North, the Haudenoshaunee in the South, and the Anishinabek Nation all around the Great Lakes, we are pleased to acknowledge and support the First Peoples and First Nations of these lands; the Inuit; and the Metis as we host visitors together. We invite you to take time to unwind on our peaceful riverboat as an ever-changing panorama of scenic lakes, rivers and locks slowly pass before your eyes; the perfect backdrop to whatever you choose to do onboard. Ship Sea Dream II. The highlight of the day is a stop at Merrickville, one of Ontarios oldest towns. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Reader Review: EMERALD RADIANCE Cruise & COVID Protocols Review by Karen S. All-Inclusive Upgrade Offer for Windstar Summer Europe 2022. 2023 Copyright South Eastern Ontario. Harvest and Colour Cruise 7 nights, 8 days, For more information visit www.stlawrencecruiselines.com or call 1 800 267 7868. Cruise with us in the heart of the summer for, Experience the beauty of Quebec and the richness of French Canadian culture on this cruise as your ship passes through all 7 of the St. Lawrence Seaway locks. Boat tours and cruises | Destination Ontario The iconic Thousand Islands International Bridge connects with Highway 401 in Ontario and US Interstate 81 in New York. The Kingston, Ontario small ship cruise operator specializes in 4, 5, 6, 7-night cruises on the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers. I was on vacation, after all! Experience the beauty of Quebec and the richness of French Canadian culture on this cruise as your ship passes through all 7 of the St. Lawrence Seaway locks. By clicking Sign Up, you also agree to marketing emails from both Insider and Morning Brew; and you accept Insiders. For specific information and rates on our Rideau, Quinte or Kawartha cruises, please click CRUISES on the menu above then select one of the three cruise routes. We are excited to offer travellers a small-ship cruising alternative in beautiful Canada. Book Now Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises Our theme is Food, Fun and Entertainment! Next week, we will be cruising the historic Rideau Canal from Kingston to Ottawa. Explore the beautiful Trent Severn Waterway aboard one of two vessels. The Rideau King, a fifty foot steel tour boat, sails from its home port of Merrickville along the historic Rideau Canal. My journeys have translated into many books and many hundreds of articles. Upper River Expedition | St. Lawrence Cruises Lines For example, at Caf Al Bacio & Galleria, the Constellation's onboard coffeehouse, I developed a daily habit of enjoying a caf latte. But when you have 10 or more days to play and explore, it makes a difference. Toronto Dinner Cruises, Boat Cruises, Day Tours - Toronto Harbourfront 9 places to rent a boat this summer for the perfect Ontario getaway. Enjoy scenic cruises on the Trent-Severn Waterway in the Kawartha Lakes region of Ontario. Website Designed & Maintained by Aliado Marketing Group. Choose between a 5 to 15 day voyage through scenic and historic Rideau Canal, Trent-Severn Waterway and the Thousand Islands on the St. Lawrence River. Everything I truly desire when traveling is offered on a barge cruise: Delicious healthy St Hilda Sea Adventures' New Ship By Ted Scull The largest fleet of small Quirky Cruise ships in Europe roams the waters west of Scotland. St. Lawrence Cruise Lines is now booking for 2023. Reservations are recommended. Explore from the southernmost tip of Point Pelee in Lake Erie to the remote northern saltwater shores of Hudson Bay. Located on the east side of the Kenai Peninsula, the largest port Canada River Cruises sponsored With global travel in full swing, the 64-passenger Canadian Empress is no exception, with the 2023 season nearly sold out. Families can tour historic sites, ride boats past castles, cycle along trails, and paddle in a canoe or kayak through waterways and bays. Located on the St. Lawrence River between Ontario and New York State, the 1000 Islands area is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve consisting of 1,864 islands and one of North Americas most gorgeous destinations. In September, we continue on to Upper Brewers where we dock for the night due to the potential for early morning fog on the water. Free car parking is available. A wide variety of special events are available throughout the summer. * Shore tours and transportation Website Design and Development by Fireside in Orillia. Located in the midst of the Canadian Shield, the Lake of the Woods area is one big expanse of boreal forest and has literally thousands of smaller lakes and streams for you to enjoy. The BC Maritime Employers Association . Day 5 Long Island flight locks to Hartwell Locks Cruising downriver past Prescott, you will encounter the first lock in the St. Lawrence Seaway system at Iroquois, Ontario. Most seven-night Caribbean cruises travel to the same islands, like Nassau and Aruba. I'd never stayed at a port for longer than a day, but doing so gave me two days to explore the city. Possible B.C. port strike will spare cruise ships, employers say While it was especially challenging for the large international cruise companies to operate their megaships in 2020 and 2021, small-ship cruise lines led the way throughout the pandemic. Theater lovers can check out a live performance at the Thousand Islands Playhouse and tickets and show descriptions are available online. Located on scenic Ramsey Lake, tickets can be purchased at the admissions desk inside. With the $US exchange rate on May 16, 2023, the total cost per person of our. Plan your wedding, anniversary or birthday party and entertain your guests with onboard music and PA systems, licensed cash bar and space for buffet-style meals. All cruises in any given year are the same price. All rights reserved. Cruise Dates | Ontario Waterway Cruises | View Our Brochure Cruise Dates 2023 Schedule 2023 2024 View All May June July August September October Springtime Plus Click the daffodils in the schedule above for more information Are you planning ahead?