Celebration of Spring
Kingston to Montreal and Return
7 nights, 8 days at a 6 night rate
May 20 – 27
Join us as we kick off the 2021 river cruising season with 7 nights and 8 days of celebrating spring and the natural beauty and history of the 1000 Islands and St. Lawrence River. This return trip from Kingston to Montreal will explore the 1000 Islands region, as well as the St. Lawrence Seaway lock system as it facilitates travel and trade to Montreal. This Signature Cruise is designed to highlight the very best of springtime on the St. Lawrence River, and is available at a special 6 night rate starting at $2742 CDN per person.
Overnight Ports
1000 Islands Anchorage
Upper Canada Village
Coteau Landing
Lachine
Cornwall
Morrisburg
Gananoque
Schedules
May 20, 2021 - May 27, 2021
Attractions
In Alphabetical Order
1000 Islands
This cruise will take you to witness the island paradise and natural and man-made charm of the archipelago.
1000 Islands Tower
The 1000 Islands Tower is a unique attraction and will show you the best of what the area has to offer.
Fort Wellington
The first Fort Wellington was built during the war of 1812 high above the St. Lawrence River at Prescott.
Fulford Place Mansion
Fulford was able to purchase 14 acres of waterfront property in Brockville, Ontario.
Montreal Sightseeing
A complete City tour, taking in many points of interest, including Notre Dame Basilica, a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture.
Moses-Saunders Power Dam
The Moses-Saunders Power Dam, short for Robert Moses-Robert H. Saunders Power Dam, is a dam on the Saint Lawrence River straddling the border between the United States and Canada.
Seaway Locks
All locks on the Seaway are similar in size. In width they are 80 feet; the depth over the sill is 30 feet; and the length - that is breast gate to fender - is 766 feet.
Smyth's Apple Orchard
This is a family-run business that had its beginning in the mid-1800's. Situated on more than 120 acres and boasting more than 30,000 trees, you could safely say this family knows apples.
Thousand Islands Heritage Center
On Gananoque's waterfront there's a grand Victorian building designed in the tradition of the late 19th century two storey "grand cottage" with its expansive verandahs and a "widow's walk" lookout tower.
Upper Canada Village
Upper Canada Village ? parts of it formed with buildings moved from flooded lands ? is a living museum community that recreates the life, work, and development of the early settlements along the upper St. Lawrence River valley.
Itinerary
Day One
1730
Passenger boarding commences at Kingston - Brock St. Dock.
1745
Captain's Punch & Cheese Reception.
1830
Captain's Welcome Remarks - Safety Instructions & Crew Introductions.
1850
Kingston Harbour tour bound for 1000 Islands anchorage.
1930
Empress Class Roast Prime Rib of Beef Buffet.
2115-2230
Complimentary chocolate and liqueurs in the Grand Saloon
2230
Late night stroll on the upper deck under a million stars and among a thousand islands.
Soft piano music on the player piano.
Soft piano music on the player piano.
Day Two
0730
Weigh anchor to wander the 1000 Islands, Wanderer's Channel and Admiralty Group of Islands bound for Gananoque.
0900
Debark at Gananoque for a guided tour of the Heritage Museum of the 1000 Islands.
1030
Depart Gananoque bound for Brockville, Ontario.
1330
See Millionaires' Row on the U.S side. Sail past Boldt and Singer Castles
After Lunch
Comprehensive Safety Presentation & Crew Drill.
1500
Arrive Brockville and transfer by bus for a guided visit of the Aquatarium.
1630
Return to ship for departure to Upper Canada Village.
Cruise pass Windmill Point and site the Blue Church.
Cruise along the Old Galop Canal - opened 1846.
Cruise pass Windmill Point and site the Blue Church.
Cruise along the Old Galop Canal - opened 1846.
Evening
Ship arrives Upper Canada Village.
Relax and stroll the marina and grounds.
Fun-loving entertainment.
Relax and stroll the marina and grounds.
Fun-loving entertainment.
Day Three
0900
Miniature train departs marina to meet horse-drawn wagons to facilitate tour of Upper Canada Village
1200
Transportation returns from Village
1230
Depart Crysler Park Marina bound for Coteau Landing, Quebec
Afternoon
Transit Eisenhower and Snell Locks (USA)
1500
Ship arrives at Coteau Landing, Quebec.
Evening
Relax and stroll the park at the mouth of the old Lachine Canal.
Fun loving Entertainment
Fun loving Entertainment
Day Four
0700
Depart Coteau Landing bound for Lachine
Morning
Pass through Beauharnois Locks (2) - Upper & Lower into Lac St. Louis
1200
Witness the continuing approach to Montreal over lunch in our Grand Saloon
1330
Arrive at Lachine
1345
Depart by bus for guided tour to downtown Montreal
1445
Guided tour of the Biodome at Montreal's Space for Life
1715
Return to the Canadian Empress
Evening
Relax after dinner and stroll through Parc St. Louis
Fun-loving entertainment
Fun-loving entertainment
Day Five
0900
Depart by bus to visit the Fur Trade Museum (National Historic Site).
1130
Depart Lachine bound for Cornwall, Ontario
Afternoon
Pass through Beauharnois Locks (2) - Upper and Lower
Shipboard activities on the St. Lawrence Seaway
Shipboard activities on the St. Lawrence Seaway
Early Evening
Arrive Cornwall.
Evening
Evening
Day Six
0900
Transfer to the Reception Centre at the Moses-Saunders Power Dam.
1030
Return to ship for departure to Morrisburg, Ontario
1200
Transit Eisenhower and Snell Locks (USA)
1600
Arrive Morrisburg.
1630
Guest speaker from the British Home Child Museum
Evening
Fun-loving entertainment.
Day Seven
0900
Transfer to the Smyth's Apple Orchard, the home of the original MacIntosh Apple for a guided tour.
1130
Return to the ship at Morrisburg for departure bound for Prescott.
1200
Pass through Iroquois Seaway Control Lock
1430
Debark at Prescott to board bus for Fort Wellington guided tour
1600
Return from Fort Wellington
1630
Ship departs Prescott bound for Gananoque, Ontario.
Evening
Arrive Ivy Lea for overnight - Fun-loving entertainment.
Fun-loving entertainment.
Fun-loving entertainment.
Day Eight
0900
Debark for bus transfer to 1000 Island Tower on Hill Island.
1100
Depart Gananoque bound for Kingston
1410
Arrive Kingston for Closing Ceremonies (Grand Saloon).
1415
Debarkation and farewells - Brock St. Dock, Kingston.
Meal Times
0700
Early morning coffee - Grand Saloon (or observation deck)
0730-0900
Breakfast (latest full breakfast serving - 0900)
1030-1100
Morning bouillon
1200
Lunch - early sitting (at the call of the bell)
1315
Lunch - main sitting (at the call of the bell)
1600-1630
Afternoon tea - Grand Saloon (or observation decks)
1730
Dinner - early sitting (at the call of the bell)
1915
Dinner - main sitting (at the call of the bell)
Activities on Board
Shuffle Board, Parlor Games, Kite Flying
All times are approximate. This itinerary is subject to change without notice or incurring obligation. Currents, weather and seaway traffic may be modifying factors.