ST. LAWRENCE CRUISING

13 days, August13–25,2019

Escorted by Doug Jackson


Calm water cruising the St. Lawrence River aboard a replica steamship, through the heart of central Canada's most beautiful scenery. Following a three night visit to Canada's capital city of Ottawa, we transfer to Kingston, where we board the Canadian Empress, our home on the river for six nights. Cruising in daylight, docking at night, and enjoying daily shore excursions, we follow the St. Lawrence, from Kingston through seven Seaway locks to Quebec City, where we complete our tour with two nights at the historic Chateau Frontenac.


Day 1, Tuesday, August 13 (home to Vancouver airport)
This afternoon, following our at-home-pickup-service, our tour begins with an overnight stay and dinner at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport, a luxury hotel conveniently located within the airport. Meals D


Day 2, Wednesday, August 14 (fly non-stop to Ottawa)
This morning we board WestJet's 930am non-stop flight from Vancouver to Ottawa. Arriving in Ottawa this evening, we check in for three nights, at the Westin Ottawa Hotel, located in the heart of the city, overlooking the Rideau Canal. From the Westin, which is attached to the huge Rideau Centre Mall, it's a five-minute walk to Parliament Hill, or to the bustling Byward Market. The Market, with over 100 restaurants is Ottawa's premier destination for shopping, dining, arts, and entertainment. This evening is at leisure.


Day 3, Thursday, August 15 (Ottawa, local touring)
Today’s guided tour features the highlights of Ottawa including Parliament Hill and the impressive Canadian War Museum, a top Ottawa attraction, and one of the world's most respected museums for the study and understanding of armed conflict. Returning to our hotel, the rest of the afternoon and the evening are at leisure. Meals B


Day 4, Friday, August 16 (Ottawa, morning tour, free afternoon)
This morning we visit the renowned Canadian Museum of History, which traces the discovery and settlement of Canada. Following a guided tour of the museum, and time for browsing on our own, we return to the hotel for an afternoon and evening at leisure to explore our capital city. Meals B


Day 5, Saturday, August 17 (Ottawa to Kingston, cruise begins)
This morning en-route to Kingston by motorcoach, we arrive in Smiths Falls, the halfway point on the Rideau Canal between Ottawa and Kingston. We visit the Rideau Canal Museum, a National Historic Site, which provides a great look at the canal system, an engineering marvel, built for military purposes, and today serving as a recreational waterway. This afternoon we continue to Kingston, located on Lake Ontario, where the lake empties into the St. Lawrence River. Arriving in Kingston we pause for lunch, tour the city, and then browse the historic waterfront, before boarding the Canadian Empress, our home on the river for the next six nights! A replica, similar to the vessels which cruised Canadian waters at the turn of the last century, the Canadian Empress, launched in 1981, is 108 feet in length and 30 feet across the beam. She carries 66 passengers, and her 32 staterooms provide all amenities including individual heat and air conditioning, private shower and lavatory, and outside windows that open! Aboard ship, all entertainment, activities, shore excursions, and meals are included. Coffee, other hot and cold beverages, and snacks are available 24 hours a day. In the late afternoon, following the Captain’s welcome and crew introductions, we set sail amid the magnificent 1000 Islands, and begin our journey down the majestic St. Lawrence River. Our ship anchors for the night among the islands, and we enjoy dinner and activities on board before retiring to our staterooms. Meals BLD




Day 6, Sunday, August 18 (cruising, 1000 Islands to Brockville)
This morning we weigh anchor and wander through the 1000 Islands to Gananoque. We disembark to visit the Heritage Museum of the 1000 Islands, a grand Victorian building on Gananoque's waterfront which interprets the history of the 1000 Islands region with its antique boat collection, dioramas, videos, and interactive displays. From Gananoque we cruise Millionaires' Row on the US side of the river, passing Boldt Castle and St. Laurens Statue, before docking at the village of Ivy Lea, Ontario, to visit the nearby 1000 Islands Tower, which offers a panoramic view of the Islands from 350 feet above the St. Lawrence. From Ivy Lea, we cruise to our overnight docking at Brockville's, beautiful waterfront. This evening includes dinner, entertainment, and leisure time for an evening stroll. Meals BLD



Day 7, Monday, August 19 (cruising, Brockville to Upper Canada Village)
This morning we transfer by bus to tour the opulent 35-room Fulford Mansion, built on the shore of the St. Lawrence, for Brockville born, George Fulford, who made his fortune through the successful marketing of Pink Pills for Pale People. Returning to our ship we cruise past Canadian historical landmarks Windmill Point and the Blue Church, and then pass Ogdensburg, New York en-route to Prescott, Ontario where we disembark to tour Fort Wellington, originally constructed during the War of 1812, to defend the St. Lawrence. Departing Prescott, we sail through the Iroquois Locks (the first of seven Seaway Locks), en-route to our overnight docking at Crysler Park Marina, near Upper Canada Village. There’s time for a stroll around the marina and grounds, before this evening’s dinner and entertainment. Meals BLD



Day 8, Tuesday, August 20 (cruising, Upper Canada Village to Coteau-Landing)
Following breakfast, we transfer by a miniature train to Upper Canada Village. We board horse-drawn wagons to tour the village, which contains meticulously restored buildings and displays, recreating pioneer life in rural eastern and Upper Canada from 1784 to 1867. Returning to our ship we enjoy lunch, followed by afternoon tea, as we cruise by ever-changing panoramic scenery, and traverse the Eisenhower and Snell locks, en-route to our overnight docking at Coteau Landing, Quebec. Following dinner, there’s free time before this evening’s entertainment, to stroll ashore along the park and the old canal. Meals BLD



Day 9, Wednesday, August 21 (cruising, Coteau Landing to Montreal)
Today we enjoy a leisurely morning, as we cruise to Montreal transiting the Upper and Lower Beauharnois, the St. Catherine, and the St. Lambert locks, while passing great ocean-going vessels from all over the world. We drop 246 feet in elevation from Kingston to Montreal over a distance of 182 miles. Cruising past the 1967 World's Fair site and the Olympic Stadium, our ship docks this afternoon in Old Montreal, where ships have tied up for over 400 years. Following a two-hour overview of the city by motorcoach, we return to our ship, with the rest of the evening at leisure, to relax over dinner and entertainment on board, or to go ashore and explore the bright lights of Old Montreal. Meals BLD




Day 10, Thursday, August 22 (cruising, Montreal to Trois Rivieres)
Continuing down the St. Lawrence, we arrive this afternoon in Trois Rivieres, and depart by bus for a brief city tour and a visit to the beautiful Notre-Dame du Cap Basilica at Cap-de-la-Madeleine. This evening, as our ship remains docked in Trois Rivieres, we enjoy dinner, dancing, and big band music. Meals BLD

Day 11, Friday, August 23 (cruising, Trois Rivieres to Quebec City)
Departing Trois Rivieres this morning, we continue downriver, bound for historic Quebec City, one of Canada's most outstanding tourist destinations. As the river widens, the approach to Quebec City becomes striking as the bluffs along the shore become higher and higher, culminating at the famous Plains of Abraham. Towering above us stands the stately Fairmont Chateau Frontenac, our home for two nights. Following closing ceremonies aboard the Canadian Empress, we bid farewell, and transfer by motorcoach to the Chateau, which is surrounded by a multitude of shops and restaurants, in the heart of Old Quebec! This evening is at leisure. Meals BL

Day 12, Saturday, August 24 (Quebec City touring)
This morning we're off with a local guide to see the sights of Quebec City! This afternoon is at leisure to absorb the old-world charm and tradition of this 400-year old city, with its fabulous shops, museums, galleries, and long-standing reputation as North America's most romantic city. This evening we complete our tour with a farewell dinner at our elegant hotel. Meals BD



Day 13, Sunday, August 25 (Quebec City to home)
Following a leisurely breakfast at our hotel, we transfer to the Quebec City Airport and board WestJet's mid-day flight via Toronto to Vancouver. Transfers included to home from the Vancouver Airport.
Meal B

ST. LAWRENCE CRUISING

Tour Includes

  • Airfare and taxes, Vancouver to Ottawa with return from Quebec City
  • 6 night St. Lawrence River cruise
  • All shore excursions
  • Air-conditioned motorcoach transportation
  • Gratuities to drivers, guides, & cruise personnel
  • At home pickup and return (lower mainland)
  • Hotel accommodations, baggage handling
  • 26 meals (11 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners)
  • All attractions as described in brochure

Tour Price (includes taxes)

Each person, 2 sharing room……..…....$7,790
Single person (limited availability).......$10,490

Reserve By Feb 20 Save $200 per person

Deposit Due

$700 per person, 10 days after reservation

Balance Due

June 10

Insurance

Cancellation & Trip Interruption insurance and Medical insurance are not included with this tour but are strongly recommended. Please contact our agent Roblin Travel or your regular insurance agent for this important coverage.

Cancellation Fees For This Tour

Full refund until June 10
From June 11 until July 30, Cancellation Fees are as follows
  • Each person, 2 sharing accommodation .......................$2500
  • Single person .................................................................$2900
From July 31 until departure, Cancellation Fees are as follows
  • Each person, 2 sharing accommodation ........................$3900
  • Single person ..................................................................$4900
After departure, no refund

Guarantee

  • Jackson Tours Inc is a registered tour operator in the Province of British Columbia, registration #1347. Deposits by BC residents are secured by the British Columbia Travel Assurance Fund, through Consumer Protection BC.
  • Jackson Tours is a member of the Better Business Bureau of Mainland BC.

Credit Cards

We do not accept credit card payments. Avoiding fees to credit card companies, allows us to put more value into your tour. Your personal cheque is welcome.

Documents

Valid government-issued photo identification, such as a driver's license or passport is required for Canadians flying within Canada.

At Home Service, Door-to-Door Pick up and Return

Service included throughout the lower mainland from Chilliwack to Vancouver.
Jackson Tours at Roblin Travel Service
#104 – 45833 Alexander Ave, PO Box 428
Chilliwack BC V2P 6J7
Toll-free phone: 1-800-541-8687
Chilliwack phone: 604-792-4696



Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Please confirm details and booking information with your travel advisor.