How To Choose A St. Lawrence River Cruise

Choosing a cruise here really comes down to three questions: where do you want to go, what kind of ship do you like, and when can you travel?

Start with the route. Some sailings stick to the river and Gulf — Montreal, Quebec City, the Saguenay. Others keep going, out to Atlantic Canada or all the way through the Great Lakes to Chicago.

Then pick your ship. The best small boat cruises on the St. Lawrence River share one thing: they get you close to the river, whether that means a quiet anchorage or a Zodiac ride to shore.

Beyond that, if you compare the ships, they really have distinct personalities. And if this is your first small-ship cruise, Victory I and Victory II are an easy place to start. They're classic river cruising, several itineraries include hotel stays, and estimated fares start at $5,999, which is the lowest on the river. Ponant's Le Bellot and Le Lyrial are for travelers who want Zodiac landings by day and French luxury by night. Le Bellot also runs the Smithsonian Journeys sailings, a good fit if you enjoy expert talks on board. Seabourn Ovation and Scenic Eclipse are the all-inclusive luxury picks. And Le Commandant Charcot is the wild card, a polar-class ship that sails the frozen river in winter, with dog sledding instead of fall leaves.

Types of St. Lawrence Cruises

River & Seaway – Montreal, Quebec City, and the Saguenay. The classic route, usually 10 to 13 days.
River + Atlantic Canada – adds Gaspe, the Magdalen Islands, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia, ending in New England.
Great Lakes crossings – Montreal or Quebec City to Chicago or Toronto, through the locks and all five lakes.
Expedition & luxury small ships – Ponant, Viking, Victory, Seabourn, and Scenic, carrying about 190 to 500 guests.

Best Time & Fall Foliage Sailings

Fall is the season everyone asks about, and for good reason. The shoreline turns color from late September into October, and those departures sell out first — especially the Smithsonian foliage sailings on Le Bellot. Summer gives you warm weather and the most dates to choose from. And if you don't mind the cold, that winter sailing on Le Commandant Charcot turns the frozen river into the destination itself.

Just keep in mind that these ships are small, with most under 200 guests. If you have your heart set on a fall cruise, book 9 to 12 months ahead for the best cabin choice.

Not sure which one fits? That's what our trip planners do all day. Give us a call, and we'll narrow it down with you.

The St. Lawrence Seaway and Its Locks

Much of what makes this trip distinctive is the Seaway itself: the system of locks and canals that lets ocean-going ships climb between sea level and the Great Lakes. On a St. Lawrence River cruise, you transit these locks, watch freighters share the channel, and learn the engineering and history behind one of North America's great waterways.