French Canada & Great Lakes

Witness the splendor of the French-Canadian countryside as we sail through the St. Lawrence Seaway, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Enjoy an idyllic drive into the foothills of the Laurentian Mountains to see the towering Montmorency Falls cascading down a 272-foot cliff. Navigate the 1,000 Islands corridor and tour Kingston’s preserved gothic cathedrals, historic monuments and the fascinating Penitentiary Museum. From a thrilling visit to spectacular Niagara Falls to a tour of Cleveland’s Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, each day of this itinerary is filled with magic.

Cleveland, OH - Image Credit Cody York - ThisIsCleveland.com
Waterways Navigated:

Detroit River

Lake Erie

Welland Canal

Lake Ontario

St. Lawrence Seaway

French Canada & Great Lakes

2023 CRUISES
DEPARTS: Montreal

September 3 – September 13

Montreal to Detroit

September 21 – October 1

Montreal to Detroit
DEPARTS: Detroit

September 12 – September 22

Detroit to Montreal

September 30 – October 10

Detroit to Montreal
2023 Prices
Category 9 Nights

Ocean view suite boasting sweeping views, interior and exterior entrances, a private terrace, one queen bed and one sofa bed, sitting area, armoire and chest of drawers, complimentary minibar (restocked daily), in-room safe, evening canapés, complimentary laundry service & fresh fruit daily (Deck 3 / 335 sq ft avg)

Ocean view suite with direct access to open-air promenade. Added amenities include: two twin or one queen bed, armoire, minibar.

Ocean view stateroom, two twin or one queen bed. (Deck 3)

Ocean view stateroom, sweeping views, two twin or one queen bed, armoire, chest of drawers. (Deck 3)

Ocean view stateroom, two twin or one queen bed, armoire, chest of drawers. (Decks 2 & 3)

Ocean view stateroom, two twin or one queen bed, armoire, chest of drawers. (Deck 1)

Ocean view stateroom, queen bed, armoire, chest of drawers. (Deck 1)

+ Port Taxes + $459

Itinerary

Montréal, QC

In 2017, Montreal celebrated its 375th birthday, making it one of the oldest cities in North America. Situated on the St. Lawrence River, it remains important crossroads for shipping by land and sea, with a rich history of Iroquois, colonial, and cosmopolitan settlements. Enjoy a walking tour of the Old City with a visit to the Notre Dame Basilica. Explore Montreal old and new with a drive through the downtown business district to the top of Mont Royal for a commanding view of the city and the St. Lawrence River. Afterwards, visit one of the world’s largest and most important Botanical Gardens in downtown Montreal.

 
Québec City, QC

Quebec City is the only walled community in North America and is deeply engaged in preserving its history and its unique place in Canada. Coaches depart for the Plains of Abraham where the battle between invading English and French defenders took place as the English stormed the upper city and captured the town. Onward to Place Royale in the lower-town, which was bombarded in 1759 from across the river, as fire ships were dispatched towards the port. We then drive out of Quebec City to see the historical and majestic Montmorency Falls, including a cable car ride to the top where you will have magnificent views across to the Ile d’Orléans. In the afternoon, guests are encouraged to stroll on their own out the port to visit the Petit Champlain and take the funicular railway to the Chateau Frontenac and its magnificent Dufferin Terrace.

Montreal - Image Credit © Nicolas Abou
Sailing the St. Lawrence

Experience the extraordinary scale of the St. Lawrence seaway as we enter the Gulf of St. Lawrence. For centuries, the St. Lawrence River has served as an important route for trade and travel, connecting the Atlantic maritime traffic with the the world’s largest source of freshwater — the Great Lakes. The river spans 744 miles, beginning at the outflow of Lake Ontario near Kingston and flowing northeast into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Enjoy a day of beautiful vistas and serene sailing as we make our way through the Gulf towards the mouth of the river.

 

Kingston, ON – Tendering

Kingston, a former capital of Upper Canada and a center of culture and higher education, is now a modern small city along the shore of Lake Ontario at the start of the St. Lawrence River. From the pier, your private tour will include an historical overview of the city. See Bellevue House, traditional Georgian architecture built in the 1840’s by a successful grocer and later home to Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A MacDonald. See the campus of Queen’s University, one of Canada’s foremost universities, founded in 1841 by the Church of Scotland and by Royal Charter from Queen Victoria. Drive past St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cathedral built in the Gothic style in 1826, with limestone quarried on the spot. It features rib- like buttresses along the east and west outer walls. See St. George’s Anglican Cathedral, built in 1825 and elevated to cathedral status in 1862, this cathedral is used by cadets and other members of the Royal Military College for worship and other special occasions.

 

Toronto, ON – Welland Canal

Upon arrival in Toronto, guests will disembark the Ocean Navigator on a half-day city tour which includes the Theatre District, the downtown business district, and the Distillery District. Prominently situated facing the sparkling waters of Lake Ontario, this vibrant, multi-cultural, and entertaining city is Canada’s largest. Originally settled by the indigenous First Nations people, the British later settled here in 1793, naming it York. During the War of 1812, York suffered great damage from the US. The town was later called Toronto in 1834 and is now the capital of the province of Ontario.

Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls
Port Colborne – Niagara Falls

Opened in 1829, the Welland Canal continues to play a vital role, allowing goods to travel from Great Lakes ports like Cleveland and Detroit to the ocean ports of Montreal and Quebec City. As our ship begins its canal transit, you’ll step off in Port Colborne for a scenic drive into the vineyard-laced landscapes of the Niagara Peninsula. Then a thrilling Hornblower Cruise takes you through the Great Niagara Gorge and past Bridal Veil Falls into the very heart of Horseshoe Falls–where the mighty spray and roar of Niagara virtually envelop you! At the Château des Charmes, founded by a fifth-generation French winegrower, you’ll enjoy a tour, tasting and lunch. You’ll have free time to explore Niagara-on-the-Lake before re-boarding the Ocean Voyager, now docked in Port Weller on Lake Ontario.

CLEVELAND, OH

Located on the shores of Lake Erie, Cleveland represents the heartland of American life and history. Industrial landmarks from its days as a lakeside manufacturing town still stand in testament to Cleveland’s roots. This city once famous for catching fire due to pollution—has renovated its urban and green spaces, allowing the richness of its history and the promise of its people to shine through. Soak up the cities unique architecture, built by millionaires and mobsters of the 20th century on one of Cleveland’s famous trolley tours. View the Tiffany Windows at Wade Memorial Chapel and stop in at the famous West Side Market–Cleveland’s oldest publicly owned market–which opened to the public in 1912. Today the market is home to over 100 vendors and hosts a million visitors a year. In the afternoon, visit the I.M. Pei–designed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum. Among the exhibits are Janis Joplin’s psychedelic Porsche and Michael Jackson’s famous glove.

Detroit, MI

This morning, we’ll arrive at the port in Detroit signaling the end of our journey. After breakfast, disembark the Ocean Navigator and make your way to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay in the Motor City.

Detroit Skyline
Detroit

Pre and Post Cruise Packages

Let us assist with your pre and post cruise transportation and hotel accommodations. Call for details!

SHIP

French Canada & Great Lakes Ship and Cruise Dates.