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    • Pearl Seas 16 Day -great Lakes And St. Lawerence Seaway Cruise (2025-2026)
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    Several cruise lines serve the Great Lakes region. Due to the size of the locks, large ocean-going vessels aren’t able to enter the Great Lakes.

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St. Lawrence Cruise Lines

Four Decades of St. Lawrence River Expertise

Family-owned and operated, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines offers one-of-a-kind intimate sailings aboard their classic Canadian riverboat. The cruise line has been operating on the St. Lawrence River since 1981. Those years ago, it was created with the purpose of showcasing the beauty and history of the St. Lawrence, one of North America’s most spectacular waterways.

While by no means the first to bring riverboat tourism to the Canadian river, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines was the first to offer overnight cruises. At the time, most small boat cruises on the St. Lawrence River only offered day trips, or docked near a hotel for longer journeys.

Each journey aboard St. Lawrence Cruise Lines’ Canadian Empress evokes the long history of the waterway. The ship itself features Victorian accents that harken back to the St. Lawrence sailing ships of old. With their small ship, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines delivers a truly magical experience while exploring the best of Canada via Ontario cruises and Quebec cruises.

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Historic Riverboat Charm

Courtesy of St. Lawrence Cruise Lines

One of the most immersive St. Lawrence River cruises, Canadian Empress sailings invite you aboard with old-world charm and grace. With cruises ranging from four to seven days in duration, you’ll have plenty of time aboard the St. Lawrence Cruise Lines’ ship.
Originally launched on September 6th, 1981, the ​Canadian Empress was built to offer overnight travel on the waterway with an engaging, history-focused perspective. To exemplify its purpose, the Empress itself was created as an amalgamation of the famous ships that once sailed on the St. Lawrence River. 

While undoubtedly drawing from the past in its design, the riverboat doesn’t feature the drawbacks of old. On board, you’ll find modern amenities among classic brass finishes and ornate tin ceilings, all encompassed by an elegant Victorian exterior.

The St. Lawrence Cruising Experts

Courtesy of St. Lawrence Cruise Lines

St. Lawrence Cruise Lines has been sailing the St. Lawrence River and Seaway for over 40 years. Focusing all its efforts on showcasing this incredible part of North America, the cruise line has become one of the river’s foremost experts.

When you choose to sail with St. Lawrence Cruise Lines, you’re choosing a family-owned and operated business that calls the river home. The cruise company knows the area like the back of its hand, using knowledge that could only be built from years on the St. Lawrence River to create the best itineraries for every cruise.

Casual Elegance

Courtesy of St. Lawrence Cruise Lines

With every itinerary, an atmosphere of relaxation pervades, made possible only by the size of the St. Lawrence River cruise line. Not bound by the rigorous standards of larger lines, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines is flexible to your needs. Because of the relaxed atmosphere, you’ll also find a more casual dress code. It all serves to mimic the calm, easygoing waters of the St. Lawrence River.

St. Lawrence Cruise Lines' Inclusions

Packing a good amount into its cruise fares, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines ensures you’ll have no hidden expenses. Included with each cruise is nearly every expenditure, from meals to private tours. Here, we’ve listed what is and isn’t included in your St. Lawrence Cruise Lines’ cost:

Included in Fare
  • All meals
  • Snacks
  • Reserve wine & domestic beer at mealtime
  • Private shore excursions w/ transportation
  • ​Daily housekeeping service
  • Deck & parlour activities
  • Nightly entertainment
Not included in Fare
  • Transportation to and from embarkation and disembarkation
  • Gratuities on board and on shore
  • Bar expenditures
  • Port taxes
  • Sales taxes

St. Lawrence Cruise Lines' Canadian Empress

Enjoy intimate Canadian cruising with St. Lawrence Cruise Lines’ Canadian Empress. The small ship, with its historic details and modern furnishings, holds up to 70 passengers across its 35 staterooms. Each room features all your travel essentials, including a private bathroom, storage, and two twin-sized beds (or a queen, depending on the level of stateroom you choose). All staterooms are found on the first and second decks, or the St. Lawrence and Ottawa decks, respectively.
view the Ship Details

2022 & 2023 St. Lawrence Cruise Lines' Cruises

Discover the River | 5 Day Cruise ​Canadian Empress

Departing From:

Kingston, ON to Upper Canada Village, ON to Kingston, ON

Ports of Call:  

Kingston, ON • 1000 Islands Anchorage, ON • Brockville, ON • Upper Canada Village, ON • Gananoque, ON • Kingston, ON

Rate starts at 

USD ​$1,467.00 – $1,876.00
​Per Person, based on double occupancy *

2022 Sailing Dates

May 31 – Jun 4

2025 Sailing Dates
  • April 17
2026 Sailing Dates
  • TO BE ADVISED
Call Us To Book

Upper River Expedition​ | 5 Day Cruise Canadian Empress

Departing From:

Kingston, ON to Upper Canada Village, ON to Kingston, ON

Ports of Call:  

Kingston, ON • 1000 Islands Anchorage, ON • Brockville, ON • Upper Canada Village, ON • Gananoque, ON • Kingston, ON

Rate starts at 

USD $1,467.00- $2,085.00
​Per Person, based on double occupancy *

2022 Sailing Dates

May 31 – Jun 4
Jun 16 – Jun 20
Jul 7 – Jul 11
Aug 2 – Aug 6
Aug 20 – Aug 24
Sep 5 – Sep 9
Sep 19 – Sep 23
Oct 12 – Oct 16

2025 Sailing Dates
  • April 17
2026 Sailing Dates
  • TO BE ADVISED
Call Us To Book

Canada’s Capital North | 6 Day Cruise Canadian Empress

Departing From:

USD $2,037.00 – $2,608.00

Ports of Call:  

Kingston, ON • 1000 Islands Anchorage, ON • Upper Canada Village, ON • Coteau Landing, QC • Lachine, a borough of Montreal, QC • Montebello, QC • Ottawa, ON

Rate starts at 

​Per Person, based on double occupancy *
Kingston, ON to Ottawa, ON

2022 Sailing Dates

Jun 27 – Jul 2
Jul 23 – Jul 28
Sep 9 – Sep 14

2025 Sailing Dates
  • April 17
2026 Sailing Dates
  • TO BE ADVISED
Call Us To Book

Canada’s Capital South | 6 Day Cruise ​Canadian Empress

Departing From:

Ottawa, ON to Kingston, ON

Ports of Call:  

Ottawa, ON • Carillon, QC • Lachine, a borough of Montreal, QC • Upper Canada Village, ON • Brockville, ON • Kingston, ON

Rate starts at 

USD $2,037.00 – ​$2,608.00
Per Person, based on double occupancy *

2022 Sailing Dates

Jul 2 – Jul 7
Jul 28 – Aug 2
Sep 14 – Sep 19

2025 Sailing Dates
  • April 17
2026 Sailing Dates
  • TO BE ADVISED
Call Us To Book
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