• Itinerary: Three, five and six-night cruises on the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers from May through October. Rivers are quietest in the spring, boat traffic increasing in July and August. Boarding ports include Kingston, Ottawa, and Quebec City. The boat goes through seven locks between Kingston and Montreal. There are excellent colors in the fall with several fall foliage departure dates. A cruise and rail option is offered with rail connections from Ottawa, Kingston, Montreal and Quebec City.
• Cabins: 32. All cabins are outside with screened windows that open. Most have two twin bed; some have double beds. Cabins have private bath with shower, heat and air-conditioning.
• Dining: Open-seating, two seatings. Home-cooked meals. Snacks  available 24 hours per day. Special diets accommodated if requested at time of booking. For dinner most men wear a sport jacket.
• Facilities and Activities: This ship is a replica of the steamboats that were common on the rivers in the early 1900's. It cruises the rivers, exploring historical aspects of the river. The decor and the atmosphere are designed to be reminiscent of the elegance of turn-of-the-century cruising, with such touches as brass rails and ornate tin ceilings. Most passengers are age 50 or older. The dining room doubles as a general gathering place and lounge for entertainment. There is a library. Entertainment nightly consists of local entertainment with folk singers and minstrels brought aboard. There is  kite flying off the deck, shuffleboard and a dance one evening. There is occasional commentary over a p.a. system about historical attractions and tales of early adventures of pioneer explorers, Iroquois Indians, early settlers, and fighters of the French and English War and the War of 1837. Major daytime pastime is lounging on the Sun Deck watching the changing scenery of the river and towns, including summer homes of such rich and famous as Astor, Pullman, Rubinstein, Irving Berlin, and Mary Pickford in the Thousand Islands, and the many cargo ships carrying grain and products to and from Europe. Minimum age for cruising is 12. There are visits to mansions, museums, forts, historic villages, sails past Montmorency Falls, 1000 Islands Sky Deck, Omega Park Canadian Natural Wildlife Reserve and Fort Wellington. Upper Canada village recreates the life of an early settlement typical of  1784 to 1867. The ship berths in old town in Montreal and in Quebec City, where you can walk old cobblestone streets past 17th and 18th century buildings or explore by horse and carriage and watch the changing of the guards at the 18th century citadel.
• Recent Fares Reported to Us: $811 to $1,153 for three-night cruise, $1,318 to $1,889 for five-night cruise, $1,582 to $2,267 for six-night cruise. Shore tours are included.

For current fares and schedules of Canadian Empress cruises, click on this direct link

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