The St. Lawrence is North America's forgotten great river: French-speaking cities, whale-water fjords, island outports and lobster towns, all in one sailing from Montreal. It pairs naturally with fall color but works all season.
The route at a glance
Ten to eleven nights, May to October, sailing from Montreal down the St. Lawrence to the Atlantic. Holland America's Volendam circles from Montreal through the Gulf of St. Lawrence - Saguenay's fjord, Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island, the French island outpost of St. Pierre and Miquelon - while Windstar's small yacht Star Pride runs Montreal to Boston with an overnight in Quebec City, Gaspé, Sydney and Halifax, ending with Bar Harbor and Boston. Either way the heart of the voyage is the river itself: whales at Tadoussac, Perce Rock off the Gaspé, and Quebec City's fortified old town above the water.
Who this route suits
Best for Francophiles who want Quebec without a land tour, food and scenery travelers (lobster, oysters, maple everything), and East Coast travelers who can drive or take the train to the embarkation city. Small-ship options suit port-focused travelers; the big-ship circle suits those who want sea days too. Less ideal for sun seekers - this is a sweater cruise even in July - and travelers wanting Caribbean-style beaches. For pure fall color further south, compare the New England and Canada foliage route.
What it costs
This is one of the best-value routes in North American cruising. Holland America's ten-night Montreal circle lists from $3,919 per person including taxes and fees on September 2027 sailings. Windstar's eleven-night yacht voyage from Montreal to Boston starts from £3,981 per person on October 2027 dates - more per night, but with a Quebec City overnight and a 312-guest yacht. Both include the region's signature ports; excursions (whale watching, Anne of Green Gables country, the Cabot Trail) run $60-180.
The five-minute version
- Ten to eleven nights, from Montreal; May to October, fall color late September.
- Quebec City overnight, Saguenay fjord, Prince Edward Island, Halifax.
- Whales, lobster, French towns; sweater weather, not beach weather.
- Big ship from about $3,900 with fees; yacht from about £3,980.
- Fly or train to Montreal; open-jaw flights home from Boston on the one-way option.