Join the Ocean Endeavour on this 10-day voyage to explore La Belle Provence! This cruise incorporates the stunning coastal regions of Quebec's North Shore, the Gaspe, the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Magdalene Islands, and Saint Pierre. Keep your eyes out for the plentiful marine mammals who inhabit this region, as well the numerous bird species. This trip offers the perfect combination of wildlife viewing and cultural exploration as you venture into a region noted for its mix of Acadian, English, and French histories.
Highlights
Experience Québec’s unique history and culture
Search for the largest animal on earth—the blue whale
See one of the world’s largest gannet colonies - over 50,000 pairs
Enjoy the natural beauty of Cape Breton Island
Sail the Saguenay, spectacular feeding ground for marine and bird species
Photograph the famous red cliffs of the Magdalen Islands
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
One of the oldest and loveliest European settlements in North America, Québec takes its name from the Algonquin word meaning "where the river narrows." The city that Champlain founded in 1608 was the capital of New France, and later of British North America. Today the proud capital boasts the old-world charms of Vieux Quebec, the world-famous Chateau Frontenac hotel, and the only remaining intact citadel walls in North America. Cultural riches, superb cuisine, and an incredible view over the river make Québec the perfect place to begin your voyage!
Home to Aboriginal cultures for thousands of years, the Saguenay Fjord’s first European visitor was Jacques Cartier in 1532. The Saguenay drains fresh water from Lac St. Jean, but the majority of its volume is salt tidal water from the St. Lawrence Estuary. The result is ideal habitat for marine mammals, including four species of whale: fin, minke, blue, and the famous (endangered) Saguenay beluga population. Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park and Saguenay Fjord National Park both protect the region’s vast natural riches.
Today, explore the south coast of the Lower Saint Lawrence, visiting the communities in the area. Excursions are weather-dependent, though the crew plans to stop at the famed Reford Gardens. The gardens are home to a sculpture park, art installations, and an enormous roster of unique floral walks and enclosures.
The Gaspé Peninsula, also known as Gaspésie, separates the mouth of the Saint Lawrence from Baie de Chaleur. Dominated by high cliffs on the north shore, the Gaspé includes the eastern tip of the Appalachian Mountain chain and offers amazing views from its highland regions, which jut above the treeline.
The first National Park in Québec, Forillon, is an important bird and marine mammal habitat. Forillon also preserves human history in the Grand-Grave National Heritage Site, telling the story of the fishing families who once made their homes here. The park contains Canada’s tallest lighthouse, and fortifications remaining from the Second World War, when German U-boats threatened Allied shipping.
Parc National de l’Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé is the formal name of the park at the eastern tip of the Gaspé Peninsula. Most Canadians are more familiar with its best-known feature, the awe-inspiring Percé Rock. The area’s flora and fauna are world-renowned, including famous colonies of northern gannets: the largest is on Bonaventure Island and comprises nearly 50,000 pairs.
Named by Samuel de Champlain, Percé itself is an internationally famed marvel, a huge natural arch within a mass of reddish limestone and sandstone. A second arch collapsed in 1845, leaving a massive column at one end. Fin, minke, humpback, and blue whales ply the nearby waters of this magnificent coastal outpost.
Canada’s smallest province in both size and population, Prince Edward Island is known by several other names, including “Garden of the Gulf” (for its lush agricultural lands) and the “Cradle of Confederation” (referring to the Charlottetown Conference in 1864). It is a realm of rolling hills, wooded glades, ocean coves, and famously red soil. The island’s landscape has a strong bearing on its inhabitants, and Prince Edward Island — often abbreviated as PEI — retains a slow-paced, old-world flavor in its small, rural settlements. The island was made famous by Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables (and its sequels), and to this day the Cavendish farmhouse described in the book is a popular destination for visitors.
Today call in at picturesque Cape Breton Island, an island comprising rocky shores, rolling farmland, glacial valleys, barren headlands, mountains, woods, and plateaus. A day of memorable hiking and cultural experiences awaits you here.
Long frequented by Mi’kmaq people, the Magdalen Islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence were first sighted by Europeans when Jacques Cartier sailed among them in 1534. Today, although closer to Nova Scotia and PEI, they form a regional municipality of the province of Quebec. However, the islands have a history distinct from that of mainland Quebec. When the British expelled the Acadians from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the Magdalen Islanders remained, and to this day take great pride in their Acadian heritage. There are also long-standing English settlements, and a percentage of the population can claim descent from survivors of the many shipwrecks that have occurred among the Islands.
Pack ice has historically surrounded the Islands during winter, leading to near-total isolation for months at a time. Besides fishing, shipping, salt mining and tourism, sealing on the pack ice has been a traditional source of income and subsistence for Islanders.
You could be forgiven for not knowing the French history of Newfoundland: sections of the island’s coastline changed hands multiple times, and the remaining communities have in general come a long way since they were unequivocally French. The name of the tiny outpost of Francois, for example, is pronounced locally as ‘Fransway.’ Accessible by boat only, this charming fishing village is surrounded by spectacular cliffs and offers a glimpse of a way of life that has largely disappeared.
Newfoundland’s South Shore is full of surprises, including vast stretches of virtually uninhabited wilderness. Fjords, cliffs and islands offer excellent Zodiac cruising territory and terrific birding.
Day 10: Disembark in Saint Pierre-et-Miquelon, France
1 Breakfast
On a trip that traces the history and geography of New France, it’s appropriate that we wind up in France. The small islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon remain officially a part of the French Republic, despite their location only a few dozen kilometers off the shore of Newfoundland.
Disembark in charming Saint Pierre. Stay to enjoy the fine wine and cheese, excellent coffee and pastries, and contemporary French fashions independently or transfer to the airport for your homeward journey.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$2,595
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Quadruple - Category 1
Deck four: Interior cabin, four lower berths, private bath (separate shower room and powder room) - approx. 240 sq. ft.
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Triple - Category 2
Deck four: Interior cabin, three lower berths, two private baths - approx. 200 sq. ft.
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Interior Twin - Category 3
Deck five: Interior cabin, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 125 sq. ft. (twin)/110 sq. ft. (single)
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Exterior Twin - Category 4
Deck four: Porthole window, unobstructed view, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 100 sq. ft. (twin)/90 sq. ft. (single)
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Main Twin - Category 5
Deck five: Picture window, unobstructed view, two lower berths, private bath - approx. 115 sq. ft.
Deck seven. Forward-facing picture windows, unobstructed view, matrimonial bed, private bath with full tub, refrigerator - approx. 310 sq. ft.
Notes
- Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy. Request the Twin Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender. Even if a cabin mate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
- Cabins are available for single occupancy at 1.5 times the double occupancy rate.
Initial deposit is $1000, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by bank transfer, check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
Justin Chappelle
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
1 day ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
3 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
4 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.