After a restless overnight at a Seattle airport hotel, we were up at 3am to begin the hurry and wait of modern air travel.
Just a few years back, I traveled around the world for a year with one ... Full Journal »
From the St. Lawrence Seaway to Chicago
« All Yorktown cruise options
- Day 1 Montreal, Quebec
- Day 2 The St. Lawrence Seaway
- Day 3 Kingston, Ontario
- Day 4 Port Weller / Niagara Falls / Lake Erie
- Day 5 Cruising Lake Erie / Detroit
- Day 6 Detroit / Cruising Lake Huron
- Day 7 Alpena, Michigan / Presque Isle
- Day 8 Sault St Marie, Michigan / Agawa Canyon, Ontario
- Day 9 Mackinac Island, Michigan
- Day 10 Charlevoix
- Day 11 Saugatuck
- Day 12 Chicago, Illinois / Disembark
| Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | ||||||
| E | D | C | B | A | AA | S | |
| Jun 22 '13 Aug 26 '13 * |
$5,995 | $6,595 | $7,595 | $8,395 | $8,995 | $9,595 | $9,995 |
| Port charges & taxes: $240 per person * Itinerary operates in reverse |
|||||||
Please note: Cruise fare does not include fuel surcharges.
Deposit & Payment Day 1 Montreal, Quebec
Fly to Montreal and transfer to the pier to embark Yorktown.
Day 2 The St. Lawrence Seaway
Navigate the St. Lawrence Seaway, a system of lakes, canals, and locks that provide a deepwater passage from the St. Lawrence River to Lake Ontario—and a fascinating glimpse of North America’s heartland.
Day 3 Kingston, Ontario
Located at a strategic location, the junction of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, Kingston was founded in the 17th century by the French as a fur-trading settlement, becoming later an important British military post. Today, Kingston is one of Canada’s most charming and best preserved cities, justly known for its many historic 19thy century buildings. Your exploration of the city will include its major landmarks, such as the Fort Henry National Historic Site, built in 1832; the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes, whose exhibits highlight the maritime history of the Great Lakes, and the Bellevue House, with its beautiful gardens. You will also have time to enjoy and explore beautiful Kingston on your own.
Day 4 Port Weller / Niagara Falls / Lake Erie
Arrive this morning at Port Weller, from where Yorktown begins the dramatic passage from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie via the Welland Canal. A series of seven locks designed as a continuous flight of “stairs” lifts Yorktown 324 feet over a distance of 27 miles. From the decks of the ship witness the mechanics of this engineering marvel, which took over 100 years to complete. Stay on board for the entire transit or disembark for an excursion to Niagara Falls, one of North America’s most spectacular natural wonders, where you’ll see both the American Falls and Horseshoe (Canadian) Falls. A museum adjacent to the mission displays artifacts and paintings from Baja's colonial era. Stroll the streets and plazas of this picturesque seaside village, capped by a reception with musical entertainment at the mission.
Day 5 Cruising Lake Erie / Detroit
Spend the day enjoying the lectures aboard and amenities of Yorktown as you sail to Detroit. Upon arrival in the evening, explore the city on your own before your tour of Detroit’s sites tomorrow.
Day 6 Detroit / Cruising Lake Huron
In the morning, tour the Henry Ford Museum, a National Historic Landmark, the property houses a vast array of famous homes, machinery, exhibits, and Americana. In the afternoon, sail through Lake St. Clair and Lake Huron to Alpena.
Day 7 Alpena, Michigan / Presque Isle
Arrive in Thunder Bay to call at the lovely town of Alpena, home to an outstanding maritime museum with displays on Great Lakes maritime history. There is also the opportunity to travel north to the small peninsula of Presque Isle, an untouched place of great beauty with two historic lighthouses. Pristine forests, numerous inland lakes and 72 miles of Lake Huron shoreline on the central flyway make Presque Isle a birder’s paradise.
Day 8 Sault St Marie, Michigan / Agawa Canyon, Ontario
Enter the scenic waterways of the North Channel, which lead to Sault Ste. Marie. Your full-day tour by train travels inland through the magnificent scenery of the Agawa Canyon.
Day 9 Mackinac Island, Michigan
Arrive in beautiful Mackinac Island, a Victorian-era haven where cars are forbidden and bicycles share the road with horse-drawn carriages. Explore this idyllic island and see the ancient limestone formations that were considered sacred by the Straits Indians; the
impressive Fort Mackinac, built atop a high cliff by the British in 1780; and the landmark Victorian Grand Hotel. Also enjoy free time to stroll along streets lined with ginger-bread-trimmed buildings and browse in the charming shops.
Day 10 Charlevoix
The tumbling hills of Michigan’s scenic northwest are blanketed with maple and spruce. From lovely Charlevoix, explore the old port town of Harbor Springs, with its panoramic views of the bay.
Day 11 Saugatuck
Arrive in Saugatuck, nestled off the shores of Lake Michigan and Kalamazoo Lake. Originally a lumber town, Saugatuck eventually became known for its fruit production, especially its peaches. In the early 1900s Saugatuck was a prime summer destination for Chicago urbanites. Today, it is known for its historic buildings and churches, unique shops, and many art galleries, several of which you will have the opportunity to visit.
Day 12 Chicago, Illinois / Disembark
Disembark in Chicago and transfer to the airport for return flights home.
Itinerary Notes
PROGRAM INCLUSIONS:- 11-night cruise aboard the 138-guest Yorktown
- Welcome and farewell cocktail receptions aboard ship
- All meals aboard ship
- Complete program of tours and excursions
- Educational program of lectures and discussions by accompanying guest lecturer
- Professional tour staff
- Complete pre-departure materials
- Baggage handling and transfers abroad on the designated program arrival date
- Port and embarkation taxes
- Gratuities to porters, guides, and drivers
Deposit & Payment
Initial deposit is $950, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, and Discover. Alternatively, you can send a check to our Missoula, Montana, office or register online at: https://www.adventure-life.com/forms/fourways.php
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure.
Final payment by bank transfer, check or Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or Amex. Credit Card payments subject to 3% convenience fee and maximum $15,000 charge.
Booking last minute? No problem! Please contact one of our trip planners, and we can get you on your way if booking less than 100 days prior to departure.
Click here to see a copy of our Terms and Conditions.
Cancellation Policy
| Days Prior to departure | Fee |
|---|---|
| 91 days or more | $500 |
| 90-61 days | 55% cruise cost |
| 60-0 days | 100% cruise cost |
Yorktown
- Ship Highlights
- Passengers : 138
The Yorktown is the perfect vessel for relaxed and convivial exploration of America’s great coastal waterways. Built in Florida in 1988 specifically for coastal cruising and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard, the Yorktown flies the American flag and is staffed by friendly and experienced American officers and crew. 257 feet long, 43 feet wide, with a draft of 8 feet, the Yorktown is able to maneuver in secluded waterways and visit small ports that are inaccessible to larger vessels. And Yorktown’s American registry makes it possible to operate domestic itineraries unavailable to foreign-flag ships.
In addition to a large sun deck, the Yorktown boasts a spacious lounge for social gatherings and lectures as well as quiet space for private conversation. The ship’s cuisine, served in a dining room large enough to accommodate all guests at once, emphasizes American regional culinary traditions and specialties. Both the lounge and dining room are surrounded by large picture windows that afford unobstructed
views of the passing scenery.
Accommodating 138 guests in 69 exterior cabins, the Yorktown enjoys an atmosphere of warm and relaxed informality that endears it to repeat and new guests alike.
Measuring 257 feet long, 43 feet wide, and with a draft of just eight feet, the ship's easy maneuverability and shallow draft enable exploration of secluded waterways beyond the reach of bigger ships. A fleet of motorized landing craft can be launched in minutes for spontaneous landings on small islands and deserted beaches.
| Cabins | |
|---|---|
 | E Outside cabins with two lower beds, two portholes, private shower & toilet. Cabins M11-M17 |
| D Outside cabins with two lower beds, two windows, private shower & toilet. Cabins L43-48 | |
 | C Outside cabins with two lower beds, two windows, private shower & toilet. Cabins P49-P76 |
| B Outside cabins with two lower beds, two picture windows, private shower & toilet. Cabins M18-M26 | |
 | A Outside cabins with two lower beds, two picture windows, private shower & toilet. Cabins L29-L42 |
 | AA Outside cabins with two lower beds (converts to queen), two picture windows, private shower & toilet. Cabins L27-28, P59-60 |
 | S Superior outside cabins with walk-out balcony, queen bed, private shower & toilet. Cabins S77-S80 |
