st lawrence cruise lines reviews

• News & Articles
• Meet Heidi Sarna
• Awards, Press, Podcasts & Videos
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Destinations
• Expert Small Cruise Line Reviews
• Submit a Reader Review

Select Page

• River & Canal Cruises
• Coastal Cruises
• Sailing Cruises
• Expedition Cruises
• Oceangoing Cruises
• Micro Cruises

Cruising the Mighty St. Lawrence River Aboard St. Lawrence Cruise Lines’ Canadian Empress

Sep 1, 2021 | 6

Small Cruise Line Review : St. Lawrence Cruise Lines’ Canadian Empress

By Judi Cohen

As we’ve had a moment of calm in the pandemic storm, I’ve finally been able to start traveling again. I’ve been reluctant to go far from home, so we’ve been determined to experience as much of Canada as possible on small ship cruises .

One of a handful of such cruises (which operate within driving distance of our home in Toronto) is St. Lawrence Cruise Lines , operating the Canadian Empress along the St. Lawrence River between Quebec City and Kingston, Ontario.

I had the opportunity to do a 4-night/5-day round-trip cruise with my husband Lawrence, from Kingston to Upper Canada Village and back to Kingston, to revisit an area I had not seen since childhood.

Subscribe to our monthly small ship cruise email

Subscribe to QuirkyCruise.com for monthly curated newsletters highlighting our top small cruise ship reviews , round-ups & offers!

As I cruised on St. Lawrence Cruise Lines’ Canadian Empress , memories flooded in of stopping at Gananoque and visiting Upper Canada Village with my public school and then with my parents on our way to Expo ’67 in Montreal.

The 4-night “Rediscover the River” cruise route. * Photo: Judi Cohen

Over the five days, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines’ Canadian Empress cruised north roughly 350 kilometres (218 miles) round-trip, an average of 70 kilometres per day (or roughly 45 miles).

So, here’s my story of our journey on the mighty St. Lawrence River aboard the 66-passenger Canadian Empress.

Judi & her husband Lawrence board the 66-pax Canadian Empress. * Photo: Judi Cohen

The St. Lawrence River

The St. Lawrence River is of vital geographic, hydrologic and economic importance to Canada and the United States.

It starts at Lake Ontario, connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, hence I saw many “lakers,” ships that carry cargo along the way.

We cruised through American and Canadian waters as we passed the 1000 Islands and enjoyed cruising under international bridges, including the 1000 Islands Bridge connecting Ivy Lea, Ontario to Wellesley Island, New York, and the Seaway-Skyway International Bridge connecting Prescott, Ontario to Ogdensburg, New York.

And we also passed through the first lock on the St. Lawrence Seaway known as Iroquois Lock with a massive dam.

Considering the river is quite wide at some points, it was quite calm for cruising; all but when another ship passed that created soft waves.

Be certain to turn off data roaming on your cellular phone, or make sure you have a US-Canadian package, to avoid unexpected charges as you are cruising on different sides of the border.

St. Lawrence Cruise Lines’ M/V Canadian Empress

Built in 1981, the 66-passenger M/V Canadian Empress has three passenger decks accessed by stairs in the centre of the ship, and no elevator.

There are a total of 32 cabins on two decks, all with opening windows.

The 66-passenger Canadian Empress. * Photo: Judi Cohen

St. Lawrence Deck has 24 cabins, 20 of which have twin beds, sink, toilet and shower, and four cabins are larger. Two cabins can accommodate three passengers.

Canadian Empress also has a small gift shop on this deck.

Ottawa Deck has eight slightly larger cabins, the Grand Saloon lounge and dining room, small library, plus forward and after outdoor seating areas. At sunset, protective screens were added around the aft lounge area to keep the mosquitos at bay. Fortunately, there were fewer mosquitos than I expected and we got no bites.

The screened-in Aft Lounge. * Photo: Judi Cohen

Over the past four years renovations to the ship were undertaken including replacement of all the windows as well as a complete overhaul of the Grand Saloon that I loved with its fresh look and feel and bright white finishes.

Cabin upgrades included mirrored cabinets over the sink in each cabin providing ample storage space for toiletries and small items, as well as two large wood drawers under each bed.

While our cabin was compact (unlike cabins on larger cruise ships), it was well-designed with shelving and hooks above the beds as well drawers under the beds.

Everything I brought was neatly organized during our cruise.

The attractive interior of the Canadian Empress. * Photo: Judi Cohen

The Sun Deck , with plenty of deck chairs and loungers, was our favourite place to relax and watch the scenery as we cruised. The shuffleboard was well-used by many guests including me! An after-dinner challenge with wine in hand was always fun.

With no sun-protection, the best time to enjoy the Sun Deck was early morning or late afternoon.

Judi on deck enjoying the ride! * Photo: Lawrence Cohen

Canadian Empress Inclusions

The price of the cruise includes:

• house wines, domestic beer & soft beverages with lunch and dinner
• all admission fees & guides, including gratuities

Premium wines and mixed alcoholic drinks were available at a nominal charge.

Tipping of ship staff was optional and an envelope was provided in our room. A guideline of $10-15 per day per guest was suggested.

Fellow Passengers

All 24 passengers on our sailing were Canadian, the majority from Ontario with four passengers from western Canada.

Current Canadian regulations limit the number of passengers to 50 for 2021.

St. Lawrence Cruise Lines will evaluate if they can return to 66 passengers next year based on directives from Transport Canada and provincial health authorities.

The ship had a quirky old school vibe that felt warm and welcoming.

The folks on board. * Photo: Judi Cohen

While Americans typically comprise more than 50 percent of passengers, the border restrictions in place between Canada and the United States prevented Americans from traveling to Canada

I read that the ship clientele was typically retirees, however, it was nice to see a mix of guests ranging in age from their mid-40’s to 95, and all guests were mobile and active.

The cruise line makes it very clear that it is necessary to be able to climb three flights of stairs without an elevator.

We all shared a passion for casual adventure travel. Most passengers were well-travelled in Canada and abroad, so we shared lots of stories about our travel memories and our dreams for the future.

Daily Routine aboard St. Lawrence Cruise Lines’ Canadian Empress

Our charming Cruise Director Trevor provided a daily briefing note that was slipped under our cabin door each evening. He spoke to us at every meal about our upcoming adventures.

Our cheerful Cruise Director Trevor. * Photo: Judi Cohen

Breakfast was served from 7:00am until 9:00am daily, lunch at 12:30 and dinner was at 6:30pm. When the ship is at capacity, there are two sittings for dinner at 5:30pm and 7:15pm.

We were required to wear masks while moving around the indoor public areas of the ship.

Once seated in the Grand Saloon for meals and entertainment masks were not required, nor were they necessary on the Sun Deck.

While we were off the ship for most of the day on morning and afternoon excursions, evening entertainment was provided three nights of our cruise, and we played shuffleboard and enjoyed drinks on the top deck the other nights.

Throughout the cruise, passengers participated in a trivia contest with prizes on the last day. The competition was pretty intense. I was disappointed about not winning anything at trivia!

Dining on St. Lawrence Cruise Lines’ Canadian Empress

All meals were served in the Grand Saloon, adjacent to the lounge and galley.

All meals were served in the Grand Saloon. * Photo; Judi Cohen

The Grand Saloon was sun-filled with its panoramic windows during daytime. In the evening, it transformed into a more formal atmosphere with tablecloths and candles (battery powered) on the tables.

Guests were very casual, even for dinner, sporting shorts, polos and jeans.

On the last night a few guests dressed up a little. I even got dolled up in a printed silk top and white pants.

Judi all dolled up on the last evening of the cruise. * Photo: Lawrence Cohen

At breakfast, we were offered a choice of fruit and juice followed by the feature dish of eggs, pancakes, omelettes, bacon, and toast.

A hearty breakfast! * Photo: Judi Cohen

Every meal had fresh-baked bread and buns with butter.

Lunches typically included soups, salads and a sandwich or quiche with a dessert choice daily.

We were asked at lunch what our preference for dinner was from two options, and it was quite acceptable to ask for both, as we did a couple of nights.

Dinners included delicious comfort food such as tender roast prime rib of beef with horseradish, Duck a l’orange, salmon and sirloin steak, and even turkey dinner with all the trimmings.

Roast prime rib of beef for dinner! * Photo: Judi Cohen

Turkey with all the fixins! * Photo: Judi Cohen

Pumpkin pie for dessert was a big hit.

I liked all the food choices, but I admit I looked forward to dessert the most at lunch and dinner.

Desserts were a highlight. * Photo: Judi Cohen

Stops & Excursions

Day 1 — kingston.

It was a short 2.5-hour drive from Toronto, where I live, to Kingston. We arrived at the Crawford Dock just in time to board St. Lawrence Cruise Lines’  Canadian Empress at 4:30pm.

Under a tent on the dock, all passengers provided proof of full vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test result within the last 72 hours. Passengers could also be tested on the dock using a rapid test by cruise staff.

All crew and passengers were fully vaccinated.

I noticed our bags being misted with Clorox before they were taken onto the ship.

We were welcomed aboard by the captain, and then taken to Cabin 18 on the St. Lawrence Deck . With our bags on the floor, we had to walk in one at a time!  We were told how to use our wall speaker, the heating and air conditioning system, and most importantly how to use the toilet.

Judi’s twin-bedded cabin, #18, on the St. Lawrence Deck. * Photo: Judi Cohen

The toilet had a foot pedal that we were instructed to push up to fill the toilet with water and to push down to flush.

Always use the pedals correctly, making certain everything in the toilet goes all the way down to avoid a foul smell in the cabin. If you’re not sure how to work the pedals, ask the crew. Fortunately, our ship smelled fresh at all times.

At first, we were concerned that the room was too small (and it was small!), however, once we unpacked and organized everything in the upper cubby shelving, in four large under-bed drawers, a rack with hangers, and on the many hooks around the cabin, everything found its place.

The lighted vanity mirror opened and a large inside cabinet accommodated all of our toiletries. Voila!

Before we knew it, we were leaving Kingston. The sunset view of Kingston City Hall, Royal Military College, and the old CP rail car disappeared as we cruised towards the 1000 Islands.

Following dinner, I played shuffleboard with some of the other guests. And then Lawrence and I settled back in lounge chairs under a million stars as we cruised along the St. Lawrence River among the islands.

Judi playing shuffleboard on deck. * Photo: Lawrence Cohen

A guest asked Lawrence if he’d liked to be called Larry. He replied, “Do you call the St. Lawrence River the St. Larry River?”

Overnight, while we were anchored offshore, it became quite windy with seasonal thunderstorms, prompting the captain to weigh anchor and move the ship to the dock in Gananoque.

Luckily, I didn’t feel or hear anything since I slept so soundly in the cabin.

Day 2 — Gananoque, Thousand Islands & Brockville

When we awoke the storm had passed and the sun shone brightly. We left Gananoque port for a leisurely cruise through the western part of the 1000 Islands through Wanderer’s Channel. We returned through the Admiralty Group of Islands to the port for our first shore excursion.

Following a hearty breakfast of a cheese omelette, toast and coffee, we left on two excursions, one to the 1000 Islands Heritage Museum and the other to the 1000 Islands Boat Museum. Both were located steps away from where we docked.

This was the first day of attractions re-opening in Ontario and staff at the museums were struggling to get organized with the new protocols. Despite this, I donned my mask to enter both museums and learned about the history of boatbuilding in the area and about the Gananoque Canoe Club.

Two interesting people were at the Canoe Club when we were visiting. One was an engineer who designed the Canadian Empress , and the other was the builder of a birchbark canoe traveling across Canada as part of the Courage Canoe Project. Cool!

We returned to the ship and were cruising by 11:30am.

Passing the cottages & homes of the 1000 Islands. * Photo: Judi Cohen

We crossed over to the USA side of the river and sailed down “Millionaires’ Row” with its-over-the-top summer cottages and the Boldt Castle from the bygone days of the rich and famous.

Boldt Castle. * Photo: Judi Cohen

We also passed the large and ornate Singer Castle, built by the founder of Singer Sewing Machines as we continued through the 1000 Islands.

(There are actually 1,870 islands by the way, stretching fifty miles between Kingston and Brockville.)

Singer Castle. * Photo: Judi Cohen

The captain announced that we were about to pass the smallest international bridge in the world, at just 32 feet in length. Smack dab in the middle of Saint Lawrence River, the mini bridge connects tiny Zavikon Island ’s two parts — a house on a tiny island in Canada connecting with the backyard on a separate tiny island in the USA.

Following a short game of shuffle board it was time for lunch, where we were treated to an authentic fisherman’s feast of perch with a hearty vegetable soup and fresh-baked bread to start.

Once the heat and humidity, around 85 degrees, abated a bit, we walked along the lively river front passing through a park featuring an old war plane statue and a giant Muskoka chair towards the Brockville Railroad Tunnel, constructed between 1854 and 1860.

The cool air and the wet floors inside one of the first rail tunnels built in Canada were a welcome relief from the 90-degree heat.

I was mesmerized by the ever-changing colours and lights along the 15-minute journey to the other end. The lighting was added as part of an economic develop to draw tourists to Brockville.

Lawrence and I then walked along Brockville’s main street from one end to other enjoying the colourful hanging flower baskets and window shopping along the way. Unfortunately, many of the shops were still closed due to the provincial restrictions.

Brockville’s main street. * Photo: Judi Cohen

We returned to the ship walking past graceful tall ships turning in the dock area and watching Canada geese swimming around all the small boats at the docks. We had just enough time for some wine before sitting down for our dinner of Duck al’ Orange, with vanilla ice cream and Bing cherries for dessert.

Later in the evening, a magician kept us entertained and curious in the Grand Saloon for over an hour. He mostly performed card tricks and gave us each our own cards to try the tricks out ourselves at the end of the show.

Magic show one evening. * Photo: Judi Cohen

Day 3 — Prescott, 1000 Islands & Morrisburg

It was another hot overcast morning as we left Brockville on our way to Morrisburg with a stop in the town of Prescott.

We passed a group of three small islands with partially constructed bridge peers. The captain told us that construction was abandoned because one of the very wealthy homeowners successfully opposed the building of the bridge.

The islands are now inhabited by large trees and cormorants that have stripped away all the foliage from the trees.

One of three islands with bridge footings for a bridge never constructed. * Photo: Judi Cohen

By the time we finished our hearty breakfast of Eggs Benedict with coffee and a grapefruit, we boarded a “yellow limousine” aka school bus headed to historic Fort Wellington, built in 1839, which played a major role in the protection of Canada against the Americans.

Due to COVID restrictions, we were unable to enter the largest blockhouse, a reinforced fort, in Canada accommodating 120 to 130 soldiers and their families. Still, from the outside, it was easy to imagine life in the fort at that time and the strategic significance of its location and construction.

We had two outstanding passionate guides, Cassie, a 6’3” female basketball player, and Katie who was dressed in a Canadian Rifle Regiment uniform from around 1843.

They each shared stories and interesting information about Fort Wellington and Katie demonstrated marching and shooting her Brunswick Percussion Rifle drawing cheers from all the passengers!

A Fort Wellington guide in period garb. * Photo: Judi Cohen

With everyone back on board, the cruise continued down river, past the Ogdensburg-Prescott International Bridge. Then we passed through a narrow cottage-lined passage to Iroquois Lock, with the smallest lift/drop of all the locks in the St. Lawrence Seaway.

Iroquois Lock. * Photo: Judi Cohen

The lock and the impressively large dam beside it play a major role in the entire St. Lawrence Seaway.

We eventually docked in Morrisburg and walked along the waterfront with stately homes and friendly cottagers waving as we strolled by.

Dinner and a talented folk musician performing in the Grand Saloon brought our day to a close.

Day 4 — Upper Canada Village & Ivy Lea

We took a short bus ride to my favourite stop on this cruise — Upper Canada Village . Construction of the village began in 1958 as part of the St. Lawrence Seaway project, which required the permanent flooding of 10 communities in the area. Many of the buildings were relocated from the villages that were submerged and lost when the Seaway was opened.

As we walked along the dusty streets, it was easy to imagine English Canadian rural life as it was in mid 1800s with working horses, carriages, bakeries, mills and a printing shop.

The guides and staff were all dressed in period-era clothing and even spoke as if they were living in the 1800’s.

A step back in time at Upper Canada Village. * Photo: Judi Cohen

I learned that cheddar cheese from Canada was dyed orange so that when it was shipped to Britain everyone knew it was produced in Canada, and this practice has continued since.

The orange cheddar cheese mystery solved! * Photo: Judi Cohen

I could have easily spent more time here!

Judi enjoying Upper Canada Village. * Photo: Lawrence Cohen

We docked at Ivy Lea, a small sleepy town, for our last night. A lively bar and restaurant, and a handful of small houses made a wonderful backdrop for the pink and red sunset that evening.

Our bartender, Paige, served me up an Empress Tonic, the ship’s signature drink made with Blue Empress 1908 gin, St. Germain liquor and Fever Tree Premium Elderberry Tonic Water.  YUM!!

Premium wines & mixed alcoholic drinks are available at a nominal charge. * Photo: Judi Cohen

Following dinner there was live entertainment by a singer and a guitarist performing favourites by Dean Martin, Tony Bennett and other crooner hits in the Grand Saloon.

Some of the guests danced near their own tables while others swayed to the music in their chairs.

We enjoyed the show from the screened porch area before moving up to top deck for some stargazing before bed.

Day 5 — 1000 Islands Sky Tower, Canadian Channel & Kingston

I woke up early and went up to the Sun Deck to watch the sunrise at this quiet picturesque dock in the small town of Ivy Lea. Following a breakfast of eggs any style, Canadian bacon and hash browns we again boarded our “yellow limousine” for a short drive to the 1000 Islands Tower (130 metres tall) at the Ivy Lea/Alexandria Bay border on Hill Island, Canada, between New York State and Ontario.

The 130-meter-tall 1000 Islands Tower. * Photo: Judi Cohen

Once a busy border crossing between Canada and the USA, the 1000 Islands Tower used to get 100,000 visitors a year. These days, the bridges and roads were now devoid of cars, and only a few trucks were moving towards the border.

We rode an elevator to the top of the Tower, built in 1965, and enjoyed a view of the islands with great view of the Ivy Lea Bridge that opened to traffic in 1938, with panoramic views of Canada and the USA.

Judi & Lawrence on top of the 1000 Islands Tower. * Photo: a new friend

In the Tower gift shop, I found the old carnival characters that had been preserved quite intriguing and a true throwback to a bygone era. They reminded us of when 45 years ago, my husband and I worked as “carneys” (carnival operators) at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto.

One of the Carnival characters from the old days. * Photo: Judi Cohen

Back to Kingston

As we sailed back to Kingston, we saw the manicured river front homes and cottages with fluttering flags and motor boats rocking in the wake of our ship.

Reflecting on how fortunate we were to be able to cruise in Canada, on a small ship with very few guests, at this time, I paused for a moment of silence and gratitude.

The beauty of the 1000 Islands coupled with the historical significance of the St. Lawrence River and Seaway were suddenly overwhelming.

At our last lunch aboard, Cruise Director Trevor led the closing ceremonies. Contest winners were announced and to my surprise I was given a prize for the ‘Most Curious Passenger!”

I was presented with a “ Field Guide to Boats and Boat-watching on the Great Lakes & St. Lawrence Seaway ” and a banner of St. Lawrence Cruise Lines’ Canadian Empress . I’ve used the book to find the pedigree of each giant laker I had seen along the way.

One of the giant lake freighters, or lakers, Judi spotted. * Photo: Judi Cohen

Upon arrival, we bid farewell to the crew and snapped some final pictures with some other guests. We agreed that we could easily have stayed for a few more days.

Judi & gang on deck. * Photo: Lawrence Cohen

As I waited for Lawrence to bring the car over and load our bags, I had the opportunity to meet the owner, Jason Clark, of St. Lawrence Cruise Lines on the Crawford Dock.

With the 40th anniversary of the cruise line coming up in September 2021, Jason recalled being 11 years of age in 1981 when the ship was launched by his uncle and father who ran the company until 2016 when Jason became the proud owner and president of St. Lawrence Cruise Lines.

My Final Thoughts of St. Lawrence Cruise Lines’ Canadian Empress

I was proud to be a Canadian traveling on the Canadian Empress , and it felt like immersing myself in the history and beauty of the St. Lawrence River is something I should have done long ago.

Truly, I will no doubt return again and again to this region to enjoy the warm people, culture, food and genuine hospitality both on the ship and in the places we visited.

It would be fun to continue to explore my own backyard and cruise with St. Lawrence Cruise Lines along some other Canadian waterways including the Ottawa River and the St. Lawrence Seaway up to Montreal.

Booking Tips

• The full normal season for St. Lawrence Cruise Lines goes from Mother’s Day weekend in mid May until mid-October; next year that will be May 8th to October 16th.
• Starting rate for the 4-night “Rediscover the River” cruise is $1,874 CAD per person based on double occupancy.
• Contact St Lawrence Cruise Lines here.

About The Author

Judi Cohen has travelled to more than 80 countries with her family, and as a tour leader. Writing about her off-the-beaten track journeys by train, helicopter, plane and small quirky cruise ships is her passion.

Related Posts

What is a Cruise Director? — St. Lawrence Cruise Lines’ Cruise Director Trevor Houle Tells Us

March 14, 2023

Lindblad’s New National Geographic Venture in Baja California: Land & Sea

May 9, 2019

Review of a Vaikundam River Cruise in Kerala, India with Adventure River Cruises by Elaine A.

February 19, 2023

Baja California Cruises Starting Up Soon — The Best Way to Explore the Sea of Cortes is The UnCruise Way

November 16, 2023

A wonderful account of an utterly charming boat and a down-home cruise that seems to have changed – not a bit – since I cruised aboard the Canadian Empress in the summer of 1986 – 35 years ago. I knew the present owner’s father and uncle, two men who created a timeless experience, and your account makes me very happy that it still works.

Thank you. Ted

Thanks so much Ted! We enjoyed every moment on the ship and in the towns and villages along the way!

Thanks for the great article and pictures…we looked at their brochure the other day and are planning a trip with them in ’23 or ’24….

So glad the article was useful! St Lawrence Cruise Lines offers a very special experience, you’ll really enjoy it. Let us know how it goes!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’ll be traveling from Kingston to Quebec City in August. Very excited!! Food sounds yummy too. Is there room to store a 26” suit case under the bed??

Ohhh sounds great Janet! Have a great time! Do share a mini review with us if you’d like; here’s our QuirkyCruise Reader Review form — https://quirkycruise.com/submit-reader-review-form/

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Write A Review

Uncruise bf ad.

2023 SATW Lowell Thomas QC Win

2023 SATW Lowell Thomas QC Win 2

SC & PK’s YT Channel

Sign Up box

Travel Without the Crowds

Satw proud member.

I'm up to 78 countries and 110+ cruises worldwide, and it's the small ship journeys that I love writing about most. And so QuirkyCruise.com was born, an excellent research tool for planning your own unforgettable small ship trip.

I have traveled between all continents by sea and cruised along three dozen rivers. Ships and travel are in my blood, and so is writing. My journeys have translated into many books and many hundreds of articles.

Our Small Ship Cruise Reviews & Articles

If you can imagine it, we’ve cruised it! With reviews, articles and destination overviews, we’ve got you covered.

Tiptoeing Through Tulips on an AmaSerena Tulip Time Cruise in Belgium and the Netherlands

Tulip Time Cruise By Katherine Rodeghier After a cold winter, I anxiously await welcoming signs of spring: the first robin, more daylight hours, flowers poking their heads from bulbs growing in slowly warming soil. I especially look for my favorite — tulips — and...

Seatrade Miami Convention 2024 Small Ship Cruise News

Seatrade Miami Convention 2024 News By Anne Kalosh From newbuilds to a new expedition brand, plenty of small-ship news emerged from cruising's biggest annual B2B event, Seatrade Cruise Global, this month. The Seatrade Miami Convention 2024, with a jam-packed...

Windstar Adding 2 Ships To Its Fleet In 2025 & 2026, One A New Build

Windstar Adding 2 Ships By Ted Scull, with reporting by Anne Kalosh Windstar broke the mold 40 years ago when in 1984 the new firm launched its first of what would be a trio of sleek combination motor sailers. Now, decades later, Windstar is adding a new build, the...

5 Reasons A Biking River Cruise With Backroads & AmaWaterways Is Perfect For Active Travelers Of Any Age

Biking River Cruise With Backroads & AmaWaterways By John Roberts You can have it all as a cycling enthusiast who wants to explore Europe on a highly curated, hassle-free vacation. In fact, I took a river cruise bike tour that combines the best elements of sailing...

7 Alaska Small Ship Cruises To Consider — Alaska Expert M.T. Schwartzman Shares Details

7 Alaska Small Ship Cruises By M.T. Schwartzman I took my first cruise to Alaska in 1988 aboard the old Noordam — an ocean-liner-type ship with over 1,200 passengers aboard, which was considered big back in those days. The next year, I boarded my first small-ship...

American Cruise Lines Buys American Queen & Her 3 Former Fleetmates From Defunct American Queen Voyages

American Cruise Lines Buys American Queen By Ted Scull. If you are old enough to recall the nightly newscaster Gabriel Heatter, he began his nightly news broadcast with “Good evening everyone, there’s good news tonight.” Indeed, there is great news for those cruisers...

New UnCruise Itineraries — Aleutian Islands Adventure

sponsored New UnCruise Itineraries As usual, UnCruise keeps things fresh and exciting! Check out this cool new UnCruise itinerary debuting in 2025, in the Aleutian Islands. New UnCruise Itineraries for 2025 — Aleutian Islands Adventure with Kodiak, Katmai & Kenai...

9 Packing Tips For Alaska Cruising With Uncruise Adventures

sponsored Packing Tips For Alaska Cruising With Uncruise Adventures By Heidi Sarna No one does small-ship cruising better than UnCruise Adventures. The leader in small-scale Alaska cruises, the Uncruise fleet carries from 22 to 86 passengers on wide-ranging...

Overnight River Boat Cruising In Canada On A Classic Small Ship — The Canadian Empress

sponsored 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...

Bar Harbor To Limit Cruise Visitors, As It Reverts To A Small-Ship Destination

Bar Harbor To Limit Cruise Visitors By Anne Kalosh For many years Bar Harbor, with a year-round population of just 5,500, was Maine's busiest cruise port, handling hundreds of thousands of passengers a season. For some residents, that was too many. Even though the...

Do I Need Travel Insurance? Travel Advisor Kevin Flink Tells Us Why He Thinks Travel Insurance Is A Good Idea

Do I Need Travel Insurance? By Heidi Sarna I had a chat with travel advisor Kevin Flink about travel insurance. I met Kevin on a recent UnCruise in Alaska, where we had the opportunity to discuss the pros and cons of travel insurance. Kevin knows a lot about insurance...

Quirky Cruise Contributors

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.

Heidi M. Sarna

So far, I’ve explored 78 countries around the world by boat, road, plane, foot, bicycle and camel. My first big journey was a six-month trip around the world back in the days when…

Theodore W. Scull

I am happiest near water, over water or better still on a conveyance moving through water. When my brother Sandy and I were deemed old enough, mother took us to Europe by ship.

Anne Kalosh

Peter knego, john roberts, robin mckelvie, dana freeman, judi cuervo, lynn and cele seldon, elysa leonard.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to get insider reviews, tips & deals on unusual & small-ship cruises.

• Name * First Last
• Countries * Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czech Republic Côte d'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini (Swaziland) Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Korea Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands

* I would like to subscribe to the QuirkyCruise newsletters. QuirkyCruise.com will not sell your email. See  PRIVACY POLICY

quirkycruise

Never Miss A Post!

Sign up for our monthly newsletters for updates on our small-ship cruise reviews, news & exclusive offers!

• Full Name * First Last
• Country * Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czech Republic Côte d'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini (Swaziland) Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Korea Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands

Saint Lawrence River Cruises & Tours

7 best st. lawrence river cruises, new york, ny to quebec city, expedition along saint lawrence, arctic - kangerlussuaq to nome, alaska, the st. lawrence river in the heart of the boreal winter, expedition from greenland to canada via saint pierre and miquelon, st lawrence river and nova scotia - canada's lifeline amidst indian summer colors, great lakes and st lawrence river - unlocking the american dream, st. lawrence river & great lakes cruising guide, best time to take a great lakes & st. lawrence river cruise, how to choose a great lakes & st. lawrence river cruise, top things to see and do on a great lakes cruise, top cruise ports in the great lakes, the best great lakes for cruising.

• Ponant   -  the sole French flagged cruise line, navigates the Saint Lawrence Seaway, a network of lakes, canals, and locks connecting Lake Ontario to the St. Lawrence River. Voyages include transports to and from the  Le Bellot ship, professional Smithsonian lectures and discussions on board, and a shore excursion in each port of call. 
• American Queen Voyages  - offers Saint Lawrence Seaway cruises that take you to the stunning Atlantic coast onboard Ocean Voyager .   Explore British Strongholds, New England colonies, tiny French Canadian villages, Victorian-era cities rich in marine history, and remote islands with outstanding wildlife watching and fascinating local cultures.
• Adventure Canada   - has been taking visitors to unique destinations like the Saint Lawrence River for over 30 years. Enjoy a Zodiac sail around Quebec's Percé Rock, learn about the region's French cultures, and sample the local cuisine aboard Ocean Endeavour  while meeting the fishermen and farmers who make it all possible.
• Halifax: A blend of modern and historic meet in the beautiful seaport capital of Nova Scotia. Visit the Public Gardens, walk to Citadel Hill, or simply enjoy its bustling streets.
• Montreal: French in style, this port city offers visitors the chance to explore trendy neighborhoods, and iconic architectural and urban features such as Mount Royal Park, St-Denis Street, and the gothic beauty of the Basilica of Notre Dame de Montreal. 
• Quebec: Marvel at this city’s skyline with the iconic Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac at its heart, explore Quebec’s World Heritage Old Town and discover the city’s impressive 19th-century Citadelle.
• Trois-Rivieres: Advantageously located between Quebec and Montreal, this small city has a beautiful historic quartier and natural surroundings that make it a perfect place to go walking and sightseeing 
• Saguenay: A favorite spot for explorers as it is surrounded by three national parks, the famous Saguenay fjord, and an estuary inhabited by a large colony of whales such as blue, fin, and beluga. 
• Baie-Comeau: This beautiful town is known to be a port for luxury cruises that stop to discover its forestry, hydraulic dams, and touristic activities. 
• Sept-Iles: Rich in culture and nature, the home of the Innu people gives visitors the opportunity to learn about their traditions and to explore the breathtaking natural landscapes that surround it. 
• Tadoussac: This colorful town full of history and surrounded by rich forests is also home to one of the oldest holiday resorts in North America, 100-year old Hotel Tadoussac.
• Percé and Gaspé: Percé Rock and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence provide visitors with astonishing views that can be enjoyed through hikes and other activities. Explore this area’s cultural, natural,  and geological wonders, as well as the beautiful towns of Percé and Gaspé, considered some of the most beautiful in Quebec. 
• Charlottetown: The capital city of Prince Edward Island, also known as the “Birthplace of Confederation”, or modern-day Canada, will charm visitors with its picturesque streets and parks. Discover its thriving cultural scene and friendly community. 
• Cap-aux-Meules: Located in the island of the same name, this picturesque town surrounded by wonderful nature is also the archipelago’s commercial center and gateway to the region's most beautiful sites, such as the renowned town of Havre-Aubert. 
• Baddeck: A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where explorers can admire endless forests, beautiful lakes, and impressive geological features such as gorges and cliffs. 
• Louisbourg: This charming town is home to the renowned Fortress of Louisbourg, a restored historical site that takes visitors back to how life was in 18th-century Canada. 
• Lunenburg: Known for its colonial architecture and colorful houses, the World-Heritage old town of Lunenburg will captivate those who visit it. 

Top Saint Lawrence River Travel Destinations

Saint lawrence river trips by activity.

• Saint Lawrence River wildlife viewing (3)

Why Travel With Adventure Life

Recognized by.

• Cruise Jobs
• Health & Safety Policy
• Request Brochure
• Request A Brochure
• Toll-Free: 1 800 267 7868

TALK TO AN EXPERT & BOOK

Toll-free: 1-800-267-7868, international: +1-613-549-8091, email: [email protected], calm-water cruising on a classic canadian riverboat., with each nautical mile, nature's northern masterpiece unfolds., choose a cruise or view cruise rates, kingston & 1000 islands, quebec city, explore intricate river channels, gorgeous scenery & historic attractions., discover the experience or order a brochure, the st. lawrence river - your journey begins, the st. lawrence river has its source from the largest collection of fresh water lakes on the globe, and among all of the big rivers of the world, it is the only one whose volume is not greatly affected by the elements. this river, which sir j.m. lemoine called "the noblest, the purest, most enchanting river on all god's beautiful earth," for miles upon miles acts as a natural boundary between the good friends of canada and the united states., relax and enjoy the st. lawrence seaway, spectacular locks and man-made canals., find a cruise & on-shore excursions, cruise choices, celebration of spring, join us as we kick off the 2024 cruise season with 7 nights and 8 days of fresh spring air on the st. lawrence river and watch the flora and fauna of the river spring to life. this cruise features a unique itinerary and travels from kingston to montreal and return for 7 nights at a special 6 night rate. starting at $3144 cad per person., explore cruise, seaway discovery cruise, cruise with us in the heart of the summer for 7 nights and 8 days of relaxation on the st. lawrence river. this cruise travels from kingston to montreal and return, and features a unique itinerary that highlights the history of the international seaway. during this time of year the river bustles with lake freighters and pleasure boats. starting at $4076 per person., heritage summer cruise, cruise with us for 7 nights and 8 days of warm summer weather on the beautiful and historic st. lawrence river. this cruise will explore the thousand islands region and retrace the routes of early upper canada explorers. learn about the history of the early trade route between kingston and montreal. starting at $4076 per person., discovery cruise series, these 4 night, 5 day cruises were created for those that want to deepen their knowledge of the history, geography, and culture of the 1000 islands and st. lawrence river. discovery cruise itineraries are enhanced with unique attractions, step-on speakers, and an educational focus. starting at $2096 per person., canada's capital cruise, start or end your cruise vacation in canada's capital of ottawa. the historic significance of the lower ottawa river coupled with the amazing 1000 islands and st. lawrence seaway makes this 5 night, 6 day cruise an unforgettable voyage. starting at $2910 per person., upper river expedition, come and explore the beauty and the history of the st. lawrence river and the 1000 islands for 4 nights and 5 days. marvel at the intricate passages and channels of this amazing archipelago of 1870 islands known as the 1000 islands. starting at $2096 per person., fall harvest & colour cruise, as autumn unfolds, the shore and islands ignite with a blaze of colour and travellers come from far and wide to take part in this parade of colour for 7 nights and 8 days. the comibination of fall colours and the invigorating river climate makes this our most popular cruise vacation. starting at $4076 cad per person., canadian connection cruise, 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. this cruise vacation includes 6 nights 7 days on canada's showpiece, the st. lawrence river, between quebec city and kingston, ontario. starting at $3144 cad per person., additional savings, save on your next adventure — discover additional packages & savings on all available cruises., explore savings, talk to an expert & book your vacation 1 800 267 7868, employment • faq • cancellation policy • privacy policy, ©2022 - 2023 st. lawrence cruise lines, website designed & maintained by aliado marketing group..

• Vacation Rentals
• Restaurants
• Things to do
• Things to Do
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travellers' Choice
• Help Centre

St. Lawrence Canadian Empress Deck Plans & Reviews

St. Lawrence Canadian Empress

Activities & entertainment.

• Forward Observation Deck
• Inclusive Excursions
• Aft Observation Deck
• Nightly Briefings
• Outdoor Lounge
• Shuffleboard
• Live Nightly Music
• Evening Entertainment
• Dining Room - Canadian-American
• Grand Saloon - Panoramic Bar *
• Excellent 4
• Very Good 1
• All languages ( 5 )
• English ( 5 )

Canadian Empress Review

Perfect for very first cruise ever.

Rating by category

Additional details.

Family and friends have all cruised, so we wanted our first one to be on a small boat and on a river. We love Canada and settled on St. Lawrence River Cruises. Customer service was tremendous while we planned a year in advance for our newest adventure. We arrived in Kingston, Ontario, the night before and explored the city the next day before we boarded. We were able to leave our car at the Ambassador Hotel while we were gone and could drop off our luggage early before embarking.

We booked one of the larger cabins, but one doesn't really spend too much time in there except to sleep. It was super clean and neat along with the staff tidying up daily. The ship was adorable! We spent most of our time on the back or top deck watching the scenery getting to know our fellow passengers. We met so many wonderful people!

Cabin Review

Find a cruise.

© 1995— 2024 , The Independent Traveler, Inc.