A cruise on the Saint Lawrence River is a wonderful way to explore part of the border between the U.S. and Canada. The river is the main outflow of the Great Lakes, flowing east from Lake Ontario to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, and onto the Atlantic Ocean. The eastern part of the river is deep and wide enough to accommodate midsize cruise ships (and also whales, which you may spot near Saugenay-Saint Lawrence Marine Park).
Ships
often sail from Boston or New York through the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, then as
far as Québec City or Montreal (or the reverse). Port calls to or
from the river may include Portland or Bar Harbor, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia;
and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. The historic port cities on the river include Québec City, Trois-Riviéres, and Montreal.
Québec
City is one of the oldest European settlements in North America, and its old
city walls still stand. You can see churches and a monastery that date from the
1600s, or picnic on the Plains of Abraham – once the site of a battle in the
Seven Year’s War, now a spacious park. Or, sip afternoon tea at the beautiful
Château Frontenac hotel, then stroll Dufferin Terrace for lovely views of the
river.
It’s fun
to visit Trois-Riviéres’ downtown pedestrian mall and its museums; they include
Musée Pop, which presents Québécois culture; and Borealis, where interactive
exhibits highlight the region’s paper mill industry. The Old Prison is
fascinating, too, with many stories to tell about its more than 160 years of
operation.
Montreal
is a major, French-speaking city on a large island in the river. Unique neighborhoods include the Underground City,
which connects downtown office buildings, shopping centers, universities, and
performing arts venues. Above ground, Montreal is known for its parks,
churches, universities, professional sports, and food: try the poutine, a delicious
mix of crispy fries, cheese curds, and gravy.
Some Saint
Lawrence River cruises are on smaller ships that can sail the narrower,
shallower stretch of the river west of Montreal. These itineraries usually sail
in a scenic area called the Thousand Islands, and even into the Great Lakes.
Cruise season on the Saint Lawrence is generally May through October; early fall sailings have the added attraction of fall colors along the shore. To learn more about the many options for exploring this river by cruise, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor
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