Montreal & Great Lakes Cruise

This walking tour will allow you to discover the delicious cultural and historic culinary charms of the oldest district of Montreal. Reputable restaurants, speciality shops and boutiques in the area are housed in old factories and showrooms from the 19th century. As you follow the narrow and winding streets of Old Montreal, you will be accompanied by a professional tour guide who will feed your hunger for knowledge of the history of Montreal and its many gastronomic pleasures during the tour. You will learn what the influence of the Natives was on our food habits, and how the venue of the World Expo in 1967 brought exotic food on our tables. That and much more. Come discover the flavours and aromas of Old Montreal.

Enjoy a private transfer with vehicle and driver to the Port.

Welcome aboard!
Take some time to get settled in to your stateroom, and to explore the length of the ship. Your welcome dinner this evening will provide an ideal opportunity to meet some of your fellow cruisemates.

Port charges are included in your multi-day cruise itinerary pricing.

Today, your ship will 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, including the scenic Thousand Islands.

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 group exploration of the city today 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.

Arrive this morning at Port Weller, from where your ship 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 the ship 324 feet over a distance of 27 miles. From the decks of the ship witness the mechanics of this engineering marvel, for 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.

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.

In the morning, join the tour of 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 on your group tour.

This morning you'll disembark from your ship and bid farewell to your fellow cruisemates as you make landfall.

Meet your professional driver for a private airport transfer in a private vehicle.