Day 1: Travel to Kingston and the Thousand Islands
Board the coach and enjoy the beauty of the afternoon spring drive to Kingston. There, board the cruise ship, Canadian Empress. This is a small river boat, with a warm, friendly personality. Enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Reception, and dinner on board as we sail through the 1000 Islands at sunset.
Stay:
The Canadian Empress, St. Lawrence category cabins
Nights: 6
Day 2: Gananoque Museums and Fulford Place
After breakfast, disembark the ship in Gananoque, and learn a little more about 1000 Islands at the 1000 Island History Museum and the 1000 Island Boat Museum. Back on the ship, sail past Bolt Castle & Singer Castle as we head to Brockville. In Brockville, disembark for a tour of the grand mansion at Fulford Place. Then back on board the ship, enjoy a lovely dinner and entertainment.
Day 3: Aquatarium and Fort Wellington
This morning, after breakfast, disembark for a guided tour of the Aquatarium, returning to the ship before lunch, as we sail toward Prescott. There, enjoy a guided tour of Fort Wellington National Historic Site, before returning to the ship. Onboard the ship, enjoy dinner and evening entertainment. The ship will overnight in Morrisburg, at the Crysler Park Marina.
Day 4: Upper Canada Village and the Eisenhower & Snell Locks
Enjoy breakfast onboard, and then disembark to be taken by horse-drawn wagon to Upper Canada Village for an open-air guided tour. Following the tour, there will be free time to explore the village before returning to the Empress for lunch. In the afternoon, experience the Eisenhower and Snell locks on the U.S. side of the river, as the ship is lowered 83 feet to continue downstream to Coteau Landing, QC.
Day 5: SSeveral St. Lawrence Seaway Locks and Montréal
Today is a leisurely day of cruising downstream on the St. Lawrence. We’ll pass through the Beauharnois Locks into Lake St. Louis, the Côte Ste Catherine and then the St. Lambert Locks to arrive in Montréal mid-afternoon. Disembark for a guided tour of the city, return to the Empress
for dinner. There will be free time after dinner to explore Montréal, with live entertainment later in the evening, back on the ship.
Day 6: Trois Rivières Sights
Today is another cruising morning, as we travel from Montréal to Trois Rivières. In the afternoon, on arrival, choose between a visit to the Shrine at Cap de la Madeleine or a guided tour of the Boréalis Industrial Museum. Back on the ship, enjoy one final Canadian Empress
dinner with an evening of celebration and fun-loving entertainment
Day 7: Arrive Québec City
This morning, the ship will depart Trois Rivières fairly early, and continue cruising downstream. Enjoy lunch and closing ceremonies on the ship, and early in the afternoon, take in the scenic approach to Québec City. Disembark, and head to the Morrin Center for a guided discovery tour, and then enjoy the short walk to the hotel. There will be time to freshen up before we enjoy a group dinner.
Stay: Québec City, QC
Nights: 2
Day 8: Guided tour of Québec City, Le Chateau Frontenac, Free time
After breakfast, depart for a guided tour of Québec City that ends at Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, conveniently at noon, in time for lunch time. Following lunch, enjoy a guided tour of this majestic property. We hope you were paying attention during the city tour, since the rest of the afternoon and evening are yours to explore the city. If you need ideas, see the Optional Additions section or ask your tour director for suggestions
Day 9: Sucrerie de la Montagne, and Homeward
Enjoy an early breakfast, and then board the motorcoach for the journey westward. At lunch time, we’ll stop in Rigaud, QC for a traditional sugar shack lunch at Sucrerie de la Montagne. Here, lunch is “family style” and a great opportunity to share stories with new friends. Be sure to visit the gift shop for some maple treats or unique gifts before returning to the coach for the journey homeward. There is no doubt that tonight, your own pillow and bed will feel amazing, but you’ll also have some warm memories of your cruise on the St. Lawrence and an appreciation for the sights and flavours of what was Lower Canada.
