Experience the History of Canada’s Rivers

St. Lawrence Cruise Lines Announces New Discovery Cruise Series 

River cruises have surged in popularity in recent years and travellers eager to experience this type of voyage can do so aboard St. Lawrence Cruise Lines’ Canadian Empress, a one-of-a-kind small passenger ship.

Designed and built in Gananoque, the 64-passenger ship’s clean-lined exterior evokes a classic Victorian-era steamboat, while its contemporary, elegant interior provides comfort, safety and charm to its guests while sailing in some of the most scenic, calm waters in North America.

For its 44th season, the small ship cruise line has launched the new ‘Discovery Cruise’ series. The two cruises in this series — Discover the River sailing from May 12-16 and 1000 Islands Fall Cruise from October 15-19. Both cruises 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.

These cruises are perfect for travellers who wish to deepen their knowledge of the area and culture of the 1000 Islands and the St. Lawrence River, says St. Lawrence Cruise Lines’ Marketing Coordinator Daniel Beals. He designed these two exciting itineraries after passengers asked for additional educational opportunities to delve deeper into the river’s storied past.

“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.

Experience the History of the Seaway

Extending 3,700 kilometres, the St Lawrence Seaway-Great Lakes Waterway is one of the most magnificent engineering accomplishments of the last century, featuring a system of locks, canals and channels linking it with the Atlantic Ocean. Sailing aboard a smaller ship like the Canadian Empress means passengers can explore ports bigger ships can’t access.

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.

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

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

“Viktor will be on board for the first leg of the cruise, 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.

Choose your season

The 32 riverboat 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, notes Beals.

“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,” he explains.

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

The spring cruise (May 12-16) costs $2,096 per person; the fall cruise (October 15-19) is $2,327, based on double occupancy. Fares include stateroom, meals, ship’s reserve wine and domestic beer during meals, evening entertainment and daily shore excursions.

Call 1-800-267-7868 to speak with a cruise expert about sailing on the Canadian Empress, or request a brochure through their website.