Classic Overnight River Boat Cruising In Canada

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Overnight River Boat Cruising In Canada

This year, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines’ (SLCL) one-of-a-kind small passenger ship, the 64-passenger Canadian Empress, will sail the scenic waters of eastern Canada’s 1000 Islands and the St. Lawrence River for its 44th season.

Along some 3,700 kilometers, the St. Lawrence Seaway and Great Lakes System is one of the most impressive engineering accomplishments of the last century, featuring a system of locks, canals and channels linking the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean.

Sailing aboard a smaller ship like the Canadian Empress means passengers can get up-close to the beautiful landscape, exploring places and ports bigger ships can’t access.

St. Lawrence Cruise Lines offer a variety of 4- to 7-night cruises departing from Kingston, Ottawa and Quebec City. And two of the line’s “Discovery Cruise” itineraries were designed by St. Lawrence Cruise Lines’ marketing coordinator Daniel Beals to delve deeper into the river’s storied past.

Both will be packed with educational content including two dynamic speakers, an emphasis on the history of the region and related guided tours ashore. Beginning and ending in Kingston, Ontario, these four-night, five-day voyages will have overnight stops in the 1000 Islands, Brockville, Morrisburg, and Gananoque.

Overnight River Boat Cruising in Canada sails through the 1000 Islands

The beautiful 1000 Islands. * Photo: SLCL

“I’m passionate about river cruising, and always looking to expand on what we do: introducing people to the river and showing them its beauty,” says Beals, who began his career with the company as a deckhand.

The Guest Lecturers On SLCL’s Overnight River Boat Cruising In Canada

Author Maggie Wheeler — known as the “Seaway Valley’s Queen of Crime” for her bestselling Lost Villages historical murder mystery series that take place in the Seaway Valley region — will be a special guest onboard the Canadian Empress for both the May and October “Discovery Cruises.”

“Maggie’s ability to set a scene and tell stories will add an air of mystery and romanticism as we’re sailing over the Lost Villages,” says Beals. “It’s a unique chance to see something you can’t see anywhere else.”

Viktor Kaczkowski, a marine historian and former director of the Brockville Museum, who filmed a documentary series aboard the Empress, joins passengers to screen his work. He will host a question-and-answer session and share his lifelong interest in the Seaway.

“Viktor will be on board for the first leg of both cruises, between Gananoque, Ontario and Brockville, and he’ll lead a discussion on board about the Seaway’s role in the history of Brockville. He’ll return later in the cruise to screen part of his documentary and talk about why he made it and what it was like shooting it from our vessel,” says Beals.

“Passengers also get to experience the history of the little towns that grew up and have thrived along the river and the Eastern Ontario region.”

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Choose Your Season — Spring, Summer or Fall

Canadian Empress’s 32 staterooms all have windows facing the river so passengers can enjoy the gorgeous view anytime. Cruising the St. Lawrence River in the spring and in the fall are very different experiences — each wonderful in their own way.

“In the spring, there’s the smell of the river coming to life. You’re seeing the flora and fauna start to inhabit and change the river. And in the fall, you’re getting the change of the colours, and the smell on the river changes to that fall smell. The sunsets are different, too,” Beals explains. “Meanwhile,” he adds, “in the summer months, you’re treated to full-on green lushness and the warmth of the sun.”

Passengers can expect a casual ambiance onboard, and calm waters throughout, making this trip perfect for first-time cruisers.

Note, single supplement rooms are available, too.

A map of the routes. * Photo: SLCL

St. Lawrence Cruise Lines fares include just about everything:

Onboard accommodations
All meals and snacks
The ship’s reserve wine and domestic beer with meals
Cruise commentary highlighting the geography and history of the river
Shore tours and transportation
Evening entertainment
Daily housekeeping service

Why Choose St. Lawrence Cruise Lines For Overnight River Boat Cruising In Canada?

Founded in Kingston, Ontario by local business owner Robert Clark in 1981, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines continues to be family-owned and operated, offering travelers their expertise in overnight calm water river cruising on Canada’s St. Lawrence River and adjacent inland waterways.

“The river is our home. We have known it and loved it for more than 40 years and we want to share it,” says President Jason Clark.

The 64-pax Canadian Empress is a classic river boat. * Photo: SLCL

Relax & Enjoy The Scenery Aboard Canadian Empress

With the comfortable and cozy 64-passengers Canadian Empress as your home base, explore the passages and channels of the Thousand Islands. Or follow the majestic St. Lawrence Seaway into the heart of Montreal and Quebec City, passing through seven seaway locks.

Designed and built in Gananoque, Ontario, the ship’s clean-lined exterior evokes a classic Victorian-era steamboat, while its contemporary interior provides comfort, safety and charm to its guests while sailing in some of the most scenic, serene waters of North America.

A selection of 4- to 7-night cruises depart from Kingston, Ottawa, and Quebec City, and travel exclusively in domestic Canadian waters, stopping at ports such as Brockville, Prescott, Morrisburg in Ontario; and Montebello, Montréal and Trois Riviéres in Quebec. While cruising between ports, relax on deck to soak up the natural and urban landscape along the way, while observing the fascinating life on the water, from pleasure boats to freighters.

The atmosphere aboard the classic riverboat is warm and friendly and the crew is well-trained to deliver top notch hospitality service while keeping passengers comfortable and safe.