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cruising in canada
Bon Voyage
By Susan Maccallum-Whitcomb
Instagrammable scenery? Check. Intriguing ports of call that promise unique sites and excursions? Check. How about a wide variety of vessels and up-to-date facilities? Cruise ship passengers in Canada can tick those boxes, too. Factor in the endless on-the-water options available in a country that boasts Great Lakes, mighty rivers, plus three oceans and it’s easy to see why this place adds up to one incredible cruising destination.
Pacific Pleasures
Canada’s signature cruise is undoubtedly the west coast one that traces the British Columbian shoreline from mid-April through October. Since it covers a hefty portion of the so-called Alaska Route, stunning vistas are guaranteed. Indeed, few sea-going experiences can compare with threading the island-studded Inside Passage, where snow-crowned mountains, glacier-carved fjords and abundant marine life vie for attention. Luckily, the ports you visit en route are as appealing as the sights you see from your deck chair.
In 2023, a new arrival record was made, as the Port of Vancouver welcomed an average 1.25 million passengers. The cruise season started with the first ship of the season, the Disney Wonder, which entered the port on March 11th in Vancouver. The Norwegian Bliss, the largest ship to visit Canada Place arrived soon after. However, this vibrant city isn’t just a convenient embarkation point. It delivers a full slate of urban enticements: top-rated restaurants, theatres and oh-so-trendy shops among them, along with easy access to the area’s parks and peaks. Victoria, meanwhile, mixes a “high tea” tradition with high adventure opportunities. If you really want to go wild, eco-oriented outfits like Maple Leaf Adventures, Bluewater Adventures, and Outer Shores Expeditions all have sailings that include Haida Gwaii, “The Galápagos of the North.”
Atlantic Idylls
On the opposite side of the country, historic communities, towering tides and legendary Maritime hospitality make the Canada/New England Route another classic choice from mid-April to early November. The scenery does not disappoint, especially in autumn when forests blaze with brilliant foliage; nor do the distinctive ports. Leading the list in passenger traffic is Halifax (coincidentally, the birthplace of cruise pioneer Samuel Cunard). It is noted for its deep harbour and charming waterfront attractions. Charlottetown (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!
