fbpx

Locks, Legends & Canals: The Saguenay (Grande Caribe)

Locks, Legends & Canals: The Saguenay (Grande Caribe)

From USD $4,599

Description

Come cruise with us from New York City, past the Statue of Liberty, up the Hudson River, to the Erie Canal, Lake Ontario, north to Canada via the St. Lawrence River and on to the magnificent Saguenay Fjord, Quebec. You’ll spend plenty of time getting to know each city we visit, starting with a full day in New York.

For some travelers, that would be enough, but not when you’re aboard the only ship in the world that can make a trip like this. Spend 14 glorious days visiting new cities and historic landmarks, meeting the local residents, experiencing their culture and learning the history of upstate New York and the Province of Quebec.

You’ll experience first-hand going through the locks of the Erie Canal, an engineering marvel for nearly 200 years, that helped open the American west. And you’re bound to remember crossing into Canada on the scenic St. Lawrence River, and spending time in Quebec City, the closest thing to an Old World European city in North America.

From there we sail to picturesque Saguenay. You’ll marvel at the natural beauty of its fjord, but you aren’t its only visitors. This area attracts schools of Beluga Whales. So keep those cameras handy. Next is a return stop to Quebec. Who wouldn’t mind a little more time among the shops and cafes?And finally, it’s one last day of sailing down to beautiful, vibrant Montreal. Here you will disembark, taking with you the fullness of new experiences, new friendships and memories of good times.

Trip Name
Locks, Legends & Canals: The Saguenay (Grande Caribe)
Days
14
Overview
Vessel Type: Small Ship Length: 184 feet Passenger Capacity: 88 (in twin Cabins) Built/Refurbished: 1997/2009 Beam: 40 feet Built by in Warren, RI, and commissioned in 1997, the Grande Caribe carries 88 passengers everywhere from Belize to Baltimore. She was completely renovated in 2009, with new furniture and décor in the lounge, cabins and dining rooms, and sparkling new showers and bathrooms. So whether you find yourself chatting under the glimmering canopy lights of the top deck, or enjoying a lazy morning in your cabin, the Grande Caribe was built with you in mind.  

Itinerary



Day 1 - New York, NY
From the bustling bright lights of Manhattan to the treasure of Quebec City, travel the waterways which blend the cultures of the US and Canada. This journey introduces you to both amazing civil engineering feats such as the Erie Canal and stunning natural wonders like the 1000 Islands region. A tour of New York Harbor puts you in a NY state of mind before setting sail on the Hudson River.
Day 2 - Kingston, NY
This morning in Kingston, NY, treat yourself to an optional tour of nearby Hyde Park and Springwood, the beloved estate of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. We’ll follow the Hudson River through the Erie Canal, a testament to American ingenuity, and into the Oswego Canal. Watch as the ship’s unique retractable pilot house is lowered, allowing the vessel to slip easily beneath low bridges.
Day 3 - Cruise the Erie Canal
Relax during a full day of sailing on the Erie Canal’s calm waters. Blount Small Ship Adventures is the only overnight cruise line to sail this famed waterway. Enjoy a daytime tour of nearby Saratoga Springs, popular for its plentiful mineral springs. Your tour includes a visit to the Saratoga Battlefield, site of the first major American victory during the American Revolution. Conclude your day with musical entertainment.
Day 4 - Rome, NY
A second full day on the Erie Canal invites you to enjoy an optional excursion to Fort Stanwix in the Mohawk River Valley, where the 1777 Siege of Fort Stanwix endured for nearly three weeks.
Day 5 - Oswego, NY
Cruise along the Oswego Canal to Oswego, NY, on the shores of magnificent Lake Ontario. As the ship exits the canal, witness the pilot-house being raised back up to its full position. Delight to the sounds of live musical entertainment this evening.
Day 6 - Alexandria Bay, NY
Continuing through the scenic Thousand Islands, visit tiny Dark Island, NY in Chippewa Bay and tour Singer Castle, a mansion used for rum-running during Prohibition.
Day 7 - Cruise the St. Lawrence River
Crossing into Canada via the St. Lawrence Seaway, you will be awe-struck by the immense natural beauty surrounding you. Welcome to the splendor of 1000 Islands region where Emerald pines and stone castles stand guard. Called the ‘Garden of the Great Spirit,’ by the Iroquois, there are 1800 islands here straddling the US and Canadian borders.
Day 8 - Quebec City, QC
Depart the enchanting 1000 Islands region for the quaint, French-inspired, Quebec City considered by many to be the most romantic city in North America. Offering a distinctly French culture, cobblestone streets, and the historic architecture of Old Town, your afternoon arrival allows time to discover the city’s treasures during an optional guided walking tour.
Day 9 - Port de Saguenay, QC
Arrive in the beautiful riverside village of Port de Saguenay this afternoon. You’ll soon see why Saguenay was voted the happiest city in Canada!
Day 10 - Cruise the Saguenay River
Founded by Jacques Cartier in 1536, The Saguenay River is nestled beneath towering cliffs and enveloped in pine. The Saguenay supposedly gets its name from an Iroquoian legend about a kingdom in the north rich in gold and silver. Today, enjoy whale watching on the Saguenay River where the cold waters attract schools of Beluga whales, making it one of the world’s premier whale-watching destinations.
Day 11 - Quebec City, QC
Return to Quebec City, where an optional morning tour introduces the charms of this breathtaking locale and the stunning view from Observatory Towers before visiting the impressive Montmorency Falls. Tonight, a local pianist entertains you onboard.
Day 12 - Montreal, QC
Welcome to Montreal, vibrant with culture, history, and riverside vistas. Choose an optional tour including Old Montreal, Notre Dame Basilica (subject to availability), Olympic Park, and St. Joseph’s Oratory. This afternoon, another optional tour introduces you to historic Old Montreal and its 17th century architecture. This evening, a flute and guitar duo entertain during a farewell celebration.
Day 13 - Please Note:
Optional sightseeing tours are at an additional cost. All itineraries including ports, activities and routes are subject to change based on availability, weather, river, water levels and sea conditions.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
12-09-201925-09-2019USD $4,599Category 1
12-09-201925-09-2019USD $5,999Category 2
12-09-201925-09-2019USD $6,199Category 3
12-09-201925-09-2019USD $6,899Category 4
12-09-201925-09-2019USD $7,699Category 3 Solo

Inclusions

    • Ports Visited
    • New York, Kingston, Rome, Oswego, Alexandria Bay, Quebec City, Port de Saguenay, Montreal
    • Waterways Navigated
    • NY Harbor, Hudson River, NY State Barge Canal, Lake Ontario, St. Lawrence River, Saguenay River

Map