Fall Harvest and Colour Cruise
Kingston to Montreal and Return
7 nights, 8 days
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 as our ship cruises beside the quiet and peaceful shores. The sights and sounds of fall make for a breathtaking holiday river cruise. As we approach Montreal, the trees that line the riverbanks of Quebec show the true beauty of the changing seasons.
This breathtaking river cruise feature shore excursions which compliment the turning of the leaves and that time known to many as harvest. Come and explore the passages and channels of the 1000 Islands, and the wonder of the St. Lawrence Seaway for 7 Nights and 8 Days. During this cruise from Kingston to Montreal and returning back to Kingston, learn about the storied history of the relationship between Upper and Lower Canada.
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.
Brockville Museum
Situated in Brockville's historic downtown core, the museum houses exhibits featuring the industrial, agricultural and social history of Brockville. All of the artifacts in the museum's collection are the tangible representation of this community's heritage.
Fort Wellington
The first Fort Wellington was built during the war of 1812 high above the St. Lawrence River at Prescott.
Fur Trade Museum
Located to the west of the Island of Montréal, the Fur Trade Museum at Lachine site is a testimony to the culmination of the fur industry in the Montréal region in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
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.
1800
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
Cruise Director's get acquainted and "Fun with Trivia" party.
2230-close
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 pass Boldt and Singer Castles.
After Lunch
Comprehensive Safety Presentation & Crew Drill.
1415
Arrive Brockville and transfer by bus for a guided visit of Brockville Museum.
1600
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 - Crysler Park Marina.
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 tour Upper Canada Village.
1200
Transportation returns from Village (1.5 miles).
1230
Depart Crysler Park Marina bound for Coteau Landing, Quebec.
Transit Eisenhower & Snell Locks (USA).
Transit Eisenhower & Snell Locks (USA).
Evening
Ship arrives in Coteau Landing - at the head of the Old Lachine Canal (opened 1825 closed 1970).
Free time to relax and stroll along the old canal system.
Fun-loving entertainment.
Free time to relax and stroll along the old canal system.
Fun-loving entertainment.
Day Four
0700
Depart Coteau Landing bound for Lachine Quebec
Pass through Beauharnois Locks (2) - Upper & Lower into Lake St. Louis.
Pass through Beauharnois Locks (2) - Upper & Lower into Lake St. Louis.
1200
Witness the continuing approach to Montreal while you dine in our stately Grand Saloon
1400
Debark at Lachine for a trip to Montreal's Botanical Gardens
1430
Guided tour of the Botanical Gardens at Montreal's Space for Life
1630
Return to the Canadian Empress to relax before dinner
1830
Take in the sights and sounds of Quebecois culture in Parc St. Louis
Evening
Fun-loving entertainment
Day Five
0900
Depart by yellow limousine (a short trip) to visit the Fur Trade Museum (National Historic Site)
1130
Return to ship for departure to Morrisburg, Ontario
Pass through Beauharnois Locks (2) - Upper & Lower
Shipboard activities
Pass through Beauharnois Locks (2) - Upper & Lower
Shipboard activities
Early Evening
Arrive at Cornwall
Evening
Fun-loving entertainment
Day Six
0900
Transfer to the Reception Centre at the Moses-Saunders Power Dam
1030
Return to ship for departure to Morrisburg, Ontario
1100
Depart Cornwall
1600
Arrive Morrisburg
1630
"Why and how leaves turn colour" - presentation
Evening
Fun-loving entertainment
Day Seven
0900
Transfer to the Smythe's Apple Orchard, the home of the original MacIntosh Apple, for an in front of guided tour
1130
Return to the ship at Morrisburg to reboard, bound for Prescott
1430
Debark at Prescott, board bus for Fort Wellington Tour
1630
Bus returns from the fort and bound for sailing to Ivy Lea, Ontario
Evening
Arrive Ivy Lea for overnight
Fun-loving entertainment
Fun-loving entertainment
Day Eight
0900
Debark Ivy Lea for bus transfer to 1000 Island Skydeck on Hill Island
1030
Depart Ivy Lea bound for more islands, colour and 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.