Day 1 - Arrive Ottawa

Your package includes a voucher for the airport shuttle.  This service will take you directly to the Lord Elgin.  Our choice of the Lord Elgin puts you within easy walking distance of the Houses of Parliament, the National Gallery and the bustling outdoor market filled with handicrafts, fragrant flowers, crisp fruits and vegetables.
Overnight - Lord Elgin 

Day 2 – Ottawa at Leisure/ Late afternoon boarding

Ottawa is a delightful city.  From the Lord Elgin you can walk to Parliament Hill, the National Gallery, the War Museum and the open-air market. .  If you elect to choose the Ottawa Sightseeing, we provide a tour that allows you to visit points of interest and re-board your trolley tour.   Your cruise departs from Ottawa’s sister city Hull, a short taxi ride from the Lord Elgin. As you depart Ottawa the Nation’s Capital will be presented from the waters of the Ottawa. This evening, join the Captain & Crew for a welcome reception before arriving to the town of Cumberland.

Overnight - Canadian Empress

Day 3 – Cruising:  Cumberland to Carillon

This morning buses will take us to the Cumberland Township Museum where we will tour an historic village committed to preserving the rich architectural heritage of the early 1900's. Among other things, you'll see the oldest surviving example of an original Imperial Oil Station. This afternoon we'll tour Omega Park where you will have the opportunity to see many of Canada's wild animals in a natural setting.  This evening take in some of the ships activities!

Overnight – Canadian Empress

Day 4 – Cruising:  Carillon to Lachine (Montreal area)

Today we are bound for Lachine a quaint borough of Montreal. Before we exit the Ottawa River, a few words; The Ottawa River was first explored by Samuel de Champlain in 1613 and is the largest tributary of the St. Lawrence River. The total length of this river is 790 statute miles with a total drop of no less than 1,100 feet.  Upon arrival into Lachine you will board a motorcoach for a 2 ½ hour guided bus tour of Montreal. Time allows for you to explore & enjoy the unique character of Lachine.

Overnight – Canadian Empress

Day 5 – Cruising:  Lachine to Upper Canada Village

En route to Upper Canada Village we will pass through a series of 4 International Seaway locks and you're sure to encounter some large lakers and ocean-going "salties" who are always ready and willing to greet you with a blast of those great ship's horns. There are seven locks in the St. Lawrence River; five in Canada and two in the United States. Overnight – Canadian Empress

Day 6 – Cruising; Upper Canada Village to Brockville, Ontario

Upper Canada Village, rated "Top Attraction Award Nation-wide" year after year, is a world-class living museum community recreating the life, work and development of the early settlements along the river. Passengers are taken to the village by horse and carriage and as you pass through the 1850 gate into the village, sounds and smells of a past era are immediately evident; the woolen mill, grist mill and saw mill, all powered by water. You'll see wool become blankets and wheat become flour. Make sure the Cruise Director returns to the ship with some of that freshly baked bread from the village. Our horse-drawn wagons will return from Upper Canada Village to the ship for lunch and our departure bound for Prescott, Ontario where we'll tour historic Fort Wellington, originally built during the war of 1812 and later reconstructed as a result of the Upper Canada Rebellion in 1837-8.

Overnight – Canadian Empress

Day 7 – Cruising; Brockville – Rockport (1000 Island Village)

Make sure you have your cameras and binoculars in hand because we will be departing Brockville to wander leisurely through the famous and beautiful 1000 Islands en route to Rockport, Ontario. Upon arriving a bus will be waiting for a transfer to the 1000 Islands Skydeck for a panoramic view of the Islands from 350'.  You are scheduled to arrive into Kingston mid afternoon, where you will be met and taken on a tour of Kingston before going to the rail station for your train to Toronto.
Overnight – Fairmont Royal York

Day 8 – Toronto/Home

Although people tend to think of Toronto as a commercial city, they are surprised to find that it loaded with “people pleasing” features.  A beautiful lakefront, a castle, sightseeing attractions that are fun and interesting.  Toronto has excellent air service, so spend as much time as possible enjoying this lovely city.  Your package includes a voucher for your transfer to the airport.

This itinerary is also available starting in Toronto as shown on our price charts.