Page 39 - 2024-25 Travel Guide to Canada

the birthplace of cruise pioneer Samuel
Cunard). It is noted for its deep harbour and
charming waterfront attractions. Charlotte-
town (home to Anne of Green Gables and
world-class golf), Saint John and Sydney
(gateways to the Bay of Fundy and Cabot
Trail, respectively) are other top calls.
Specialty sojourns that focus exclusively
on this area are increasingly available;
however, most cruises begin or end in New
York or Boston, meaning you can see key
ports in as little as four nights. Extended
itineraries are offered, too. So boats may veer
across open seas to Newfoundland, where
ports like St. John’s (a centuries-old city that
also features on transatlantic trips) and
Corner Brook (the launch pad for Gros Morne
National Park) extend a warm welcome;
or they may head through the Gulf of
St. Lawrence and follow the eponymous river.
INLAND ADVENTURES
This second alternative is rapidly growing in
popularity, and rightly so.
Look no further than the Ottawa River.
Adventurous mariners navigate the canal
systems and captain their own vessel from
boat rental company Le Boat. Head further
into Ontario around Peterborough where a
pair of river cruises (Kawartha, Quinte)
depart with Ontario Waterways Cruises. The
hassle-free 45-passenger Kawartha Voyageur
riverboat cruises on three of Ontario’s finest
waterways.
The fabled St. Lawrence River has much to
offer. St. Lawrence Cruise Line, a boutique
family-owned cruise company, renowned for
its small-ship experience accommodating
around 60 passengers, navigates the tranquil
waters of the St. Lawrence River, threading
through iconic ports such as Kingston,
Montréal, and Québec City. Curious
adventurers immerse in the charm and
heritage of Eastern Canada. Alternatively, you
can embark on their “Canada’s Capital
Cruise,” sailing the lower Ottawa River
coupled with the captivating Thousand
Islands route. Each stop has opportunities
for scenic walks and local encounters.
Woods, whales, fjords and photogenic
headlands make it an eastern answer to B.C.’s
Inside Passage—one infused with Québécois
charm. Consequently, pocket-sized ports that
showcase its natural beauty have emerged as
destinations in their own right, while two
marquee stops routinely win rave reviews.
Québec City, after all, is famous for its
UNESCO-designated fortifications and
beautiful heritage buildings; while Montréal,
one of the world’s largest French-speaking
cities, has a storied past that is accented with
cosmopolitan élan. The vessels that visit
these ports cover an impressively broad
spectrum in terms of size and style. Luxury
lovers can live large on Cunard’s renowned
Queen Mary 2 or on favourite cruise brands
like the midsize ship Holland America and
the sleek small ship, Seabourn.
NORTHERN DELIGHTS
The once-frozen Arctic is heating up as well
and, in summer, when seas are navigable,
there are ever-increasing possibilities for
bucket listers and nature buffs who feel its
magnetic pull. Quark Expeditions and
Adventure Canada, for instance, both put new
vessels into service on the Arctic Route in the
past few years; tellingly, the first of these has
a new polar expedition ship, Ultramarine,
equipped with two twin-engine helicopters,
20 quick-launching Zodiacs, spacious suites,
wellness amenities and numerous outdoor
wildlife viewing spaces.
Admittedly, such voyages aren’t for
everyone. Specific destinations can be hard to
pinpoint due to the vagaries of tides or weather;
and landing places, sometimes accessible only
via Zodiac, aren’t necessarily ports per se since
the population might consist solely of
walruses. The upside is that the “Great White
North” has great white wildlife (think polar
bears, beluga whales and snowy owls),
unspoiled scenery, plus a rich Inuit culture; and
the vessels that sail here can get cruisers up
close to it all. As an added bonus, the majority
have resident experts well-versed in subjects
like natural history and Indigenous customs
who will share their knowledge through formal
lectures and guided excursions.
With choices like that available, there’s
never been a better time to come aboard in
Canada!
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EXPEDITION CRUISE SHIP, ARCTIC CANADA • SHUTTERSTOCK/TETYANA DOTSENKO
BADDECK PORT, NOVA SCOTIA • TOURISM NS