Saint Lawrence River Cruises & Tours

Saint Lawrence River cruises serve as the outlet for the Great Lakes. They offer a blend of fresh-water journeys, historic ports, and scenic exploration across the U.S. - Canada border. 

Scenic Highlights

• Diverse landscapes: Pass major cities such as Montreal and Quebec City, cruise by the thousands of islands of the river archipelago and along tree-lined waterways.
• Natural beauty: From historic waterways to the island-rich region (e.g., the Thousand Islands in the St. Lawrence), enjoy rugged shorelines, broad vistas, and forested banks on these St. Lawrence River tours.
• Seasonal attractions: The cruising season runs late May through mid-September, offering spring renewal, warm summer cruising and early autumn color. 
• Wildlife spotting: Enjoy sightings of waterfowl, eagles, and seals, especially in quieter stretches and mangled shoreline habitats along the river system.

Onboard Activities

• Dining experiences: Meals may feature local fare from both Canadian and U.S. sides of the river.
• Entertainment & enrichment: Evenings on St. Lawrence seaway cruises include cultural presentations, talks about freshwater systems and the engineering (for example, the Soo Locks) that connects the Great Lakes to the St. Lawrence River. 
• Relaxation & recreation: Observation decks for leisurely viewing of the river’s passage, comfortable lounges, and spaces to unwind while the ship glides from city-port to island stop.

Shore Excursions

• City Tours: Ports such as Montreal and Quebec City bring historic architecture, local culture and national heritage into a St. Lawrence River cruise. 
• Outdoor Adventures: Excursions may include kayaking in island waterways, walking/hiking trails in river parks, and visiting car-free islands or forested banks.
• Cultural Experiences: St. Lawrence River cruises can include stops at historic sites, local markets, Indigenous heritage locations, and opportunities to learn about freshwater ecology and the human history of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence region.

Cruise Types and Duration

• Short cruises: Day or multi-day trips (e.g., 8 days) that focus on select portions of the river corridor and lake-outlets. For example, some 9-day St. Lawrence River cruises explore major lakes and river stretches. 
• Multi-day St. Lawrence River cruises: More typical itineraries in this region run 11-15 days, sometimes longer, traversing multiple lakes, rivers and connecting to the St. Lawrence outlet. Examples: 11-day or 13-day voyages with multiple ports. 
• Specialized tours: Luxury small-ship expeditions, themed cruises (nature, culture, history) that use the freshwater settings of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence system as the backdrop, often with fewer passengers and more immersive experiences.

• Begin by choosing an itinerary that navigates the freshwater channels of the St. Lawrence River and/or the five Great Lakes region, ranging from 8 to 16 days in length.
• Select your preferred ship category, whether a smaller expedition-style vessel or a more.
• Lock in your travel dates for your St. Lawrence River cruise early to secure your preferred itinerary, ship, and cabin type.

Tips & Considerations

• Book early: As Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River cruise itineraries are limited and popular, early reservation improves cabin choice and pricing.
• Clarify what’s included: Review the fare details, meals, excursions, port fees, transfers, and WiFi, as some itineraries may include more than others, especially in expedition-style options.
• Cancellation & deposit terms: Some Saint Lawrence River cruises require a deposit and have varying cancellation policies. Your Trip Planner will verify these before booking.
• Travel logistics: Ensure you understand embarkation/disembarkation ports, visa or border-crossing requirements (Canada - USA), and any pre- or post-cruise arrangements.
• Timing matters: Consider timing your St. Lawrence River cruise to take advantage of fall foliage, or a quieter season with fewer crowds. Check available departure months for the best mix of scenery & value.

Ready to cruise St. Lawrence River & the Great Lakes on an unforgettable trip? Simply contact a Trip Planner and share your travel style, preferred dates, budget, and cabin type. Let the experts help craft the perfect itinerary for you.

Start planning today and secure your place on one of North America’s most scenic and culturally rich cruise journeys!