Hillside harbor town at dawn with docked fishing boat, colorful homes, church steeples, fall foliage & glassy water.
Perce's beige rocky outcrop with arch & detached islet over the sea, seen on small boat cruises on the St. Lawrence River.
Saguenay, Quebec, Canada in fall with golden-leafed trees surrounding a calm bay, seen on a St. Lawrence River cruise.
Red & white lighthouse sits on rocky sea wall by calm ocean under blue skies seen on a St. Lawrence river cruise.
Rocky & forested shoreline of Bar Harbor, Maine on a sunny day seen on a St. Lawrence River cruise.
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North America East Coast Cruise

St. Lawrence River Cruise: Canada to The East Coast

Travel round-trip from Montreal aboard a luxury French ship  for the vast unspoiled expanses of Canada on a St. Lawrence River cruise. Sail along the St. Lawrence River, a prodigious waterway home to exceptionally beautiful nature.

Call at two emblematic cities: Montreal, famous for its energy and cultural vibrancy, and Quebec, capital of Canada’s Beautiful Province, located on the St Lawrence estuary and founded by Samuel de Champlain in 1608. Watch for beluga whales in Saguenay fjords. Look for birds, seals and cetaceans plus take in the giant limestone formations in a national park reserve near Havre-Saint-Pierre, in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

This Expedition Along Saint Lawrence conveniently operates round-trip from Montreal, with a charter flight to complete the loop. This route spends time along Newfoundland and in the peaceful Saint Pierre and Miquelon archipelago. In these distant lands, the hilly horizon is dotted with ponds, the forest blends with the peat bogs, and the coastlines alternate between lagoons, sheer cliffs and mountains that plunge into clear ocean.

These small boat cruises on the St. Lawrence River are offered aboard a selection of sister ships: 244-guest Le Boreal or Le Lyrial. These ships offer 100% private balconies or terraces, innovative equipment, elegantly designed guest accommodations and welcoming lounge areas that open to the outside. A variety of onboard activities engage guests while the ship cruises, including the Blue Eye underwater lounge–a multi-sensory space in the ship’s hull featuring hydrophones, expansive underwater views and other amenities that create the feeling of being underwater beside the marine life that the ship is sailing past.

Read on for details about these St. Lawrence River cruises, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s East Coast cruises and Canada small ship cruises.



Itinerary

Expedition Along Saint Lawrence Itinerary

The Expedition Along Saint Lawrence cruise operates round-trip from Montreal, Canada, starting with a charter flight to embark the ship in Saine Pierre Island, Saint Pierre. Sail along Newfoundland, the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and the St. Lawrence River.

Route map of Expedition along Saint Lawrence cruise, round-trip from Montreal, Canada with a flight to embark Miquelon Island & visits to Newfoundland, Les Escoumins, Saguenay & Quebec.
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Day 1
Fly Montreal, Canada to Saint Pierre Island, Saint Pierre & Miquelon & Embark

Start your adventure with a charter flight from Montreal, Canada to Saint Pierre Island, Saint Pierre & Miquelon. Off the Canadian coast, discover Saint Pierre Island, one of the two main islands of the Saint Pierre and Miquelon archipelago, the only French territory in North America. Endowed with a natural harbor, the island, whose name is a reference to the patron saint of fishermen, developed around the fishing industry and still has many traces of its past today. Whale hunting, cod fishing, alcohol smuggling during the Prohibition: all of these memories are still very much alive in the capital, Saint-Pierre. The island is also renowned for the observation of exceptional fauna including, among others, whales, fin whales, dolphins, seals, puffins and petrels.

Accommodations

Le Boreal, Le Lyrial

Meals

dinner

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Day 2
Miquelon Island

At the entrance of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, not far from the Grand Banks of Newfoundland, Miquelon is one of the two main islands of the Saint Pierre and Miquelon archipelago and will delight those with a love of wide open space. Made up of three peninsulas connected by long sand spits, this wild land, famous for being home to France’s only boreal forest, has sublime scenery of hills, dotted with ponds, woods and bogs, and ringed by lagoons and steep cliffs. The rich and varied wildlife is the promise of fine encounters, whether inland, populated with white-tailed deer, snowy owls and bald eagles, or on the coast, home to many sea birds and grey seals.

Accommodations

Le Boreal, Le Lyrial

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Days 3 - 4
Newfoundland, Canada

Standing guard at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River, the Canadian island of Newfoundland, battered by the waters and storms of the North Atlantic, stirs the imagination. Officially discovered by the navigator Jean Cabot in 1497, Newfoundland bears the traces of a Viking occupation around the year 1,000. The island also carries the memory of the Terre-Neuvas, tough cod and whale fishermen from Brittany or the Basque Country. From the 16th century, these seamen would set off for long months on perilous but lucrative fishing trips along the Grand Banks, shoal waters teeming with fish, but where fog and hurricanes reign. These days, the summer is an ideal time of year for whale watching, observing icebergs drifting by from Greenland, and hiking.

Accommodations

Le Boreal, Le Lyrial

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Days 5 - 8
Exploring Gulf of St. Lawrence

Set off in the wake of the discoverers of Quebec during an unprecedented exploration of the north coast of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Jacques Cartier landed there during his first voyage in 1534, and the fishing trade subsequently attracted many settlers. The first peoples to settle in the region around 9,000 years ago were the Innu and the Naskapi. Today, several communities maintain a nomadic lifestyle close to nature. From Havre-Saint-Pierre, you will be able to discover the Mingan Archipelago, where limestone monoliths sculpted by erosion rise from the waters, forming an enchanting décor. Aboard local boats, the naturalist guides will help you identify the rich marine wildlife and a multitude of birds.

Accommodations

Le Boreal, Le Lyrial

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 9
Les Escoumins

In the St. Lawrence estuary, the small town of Les Escoumins is the nearest inhabited town to Tadoussac. Its pretty bay marks the entrance to the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park, a marine protected area where some 2,200 different species can be found. The small local boats are allowed to approach the finback whales, humpback whales, belugas and seals in the summer months, as long as they follow the rules regarding distance and speed. Witnessing one of these giant mammals blow and appear on the water’s surface is an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime experience! You can also watch the animals easily from the beautiful granite rocks lining the bay.

Accommodations

Le Boreal, Le Lyrial

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 10
Sailing Sanguenay River & Sanguenay

Sailing on the Saguenay River is your guarantee of majestic sights in the heart of Quebec. This river, which originates in the Laurentian Highlands of Lac Saint-Jean and reaches the famous Saint-Laurent River, offers unforgettable landscapes to those who cross it. The river’s trajectory moves between cliffs that rise up over 1,640 feet (500 meters) tall. Sculpted during the last ice age, the lower part of the Saguenay forms a fjord whose spectacular beauty will surprise you.

The city of Saguenay nestles in a valley through which flows the eponymous river, one of the region’s treasures. As it joins the Saint-Lawrence, the Saguenay River forms a spectacular fjord boasting extraordinarily differing landscapes. From Saguenay, you can explore the attractive Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, which is a paradise for those who love the great outdoors. You can combine country walks with boat trips within the various national parks studded throughout this extraordinary natural kingdom.

Accommodations

Le Boreal, Le Lyrial

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 11
Quebec

The capital of “La Belle Province” sits at the confluence of the St Charles River and the Gulf of St Lawrence in southeast Canada. Founded in the 17th century, the city still has an encircling wall, a historic civil engineering work and the only one of its kind remaining in North America. You will love the postcard-perfect stone houses of Old Quebec, the historic district listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Shopping is a pleasure in pedestrian streets such as Petit-Champlain Street, or you can relax over a spruce beer, seasoned with pine buds. Dufferin Boardwalk, an esplanade near the emblematic Château Frontenac, is the perfect place for views of the river and old city.

Accommodations

Le Boreal, Le Lyrial

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

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Day 12
Disembark Montreal, Canada

Famous for its gentle way of life, Montreal, Canada’s second-largest city, is a warm and cosmopolitan metropolis. Situated on the eponymous river island, it is home to a multitude of districts, each as unique as the other. Set off to discover Old Montreal, most of which is declared a historic area, Little Italy, where you’ll be able to stroll around the largest open-air market in North America, or the Golden Square Mile, the luxurious district located on one of the hills of Mount Royal and which has sumptuous Victorian-style residences. Simultaneously marked by the influences of the Old Continent and North-American gigantism, Montreal will never cease to amaze you.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

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Details
Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

All meals while on board the ship; captain’s welcome cocktail and gala dinner; “open bar” (pouring wines, house champagne, alcohol except premium brands); evening entertainment and events; room service; highly qualified bilingual French/English expedition team; lectures presented by the expedition team; Zodiac and shore excursions; park entry fees into protected areas; complimentary unlimited Wifi on board; port fees and taxes (except possibly for child passengers–inquire for details); gratuities.

Exclusions

Optional add-on excursions or packages; ground services before or after the cruise; visa expenses; possible immigration reciprocity taxes; luggage handling; beverages beyond those in Inclusions; laundry, hair salon, spa treatments, onboard medical consultations and other personal charges; cancellation, luggage, assistance, repatriation, medical and insurance of any kind.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 25% of the total trip cost is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 90 days before the departure date. Special holiday payment and cancellation terms apply. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations beyond 14 days after booking confirmation are subject to the following per-person penalties, based on number of days prior to departure:
365 days or more – $250
364 to 211 days – 10% of total trip cost
210 to 91 days – 100% of deposit
90 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The Expedition Along Saint Lawrence cruise begins and ends in Montreal, Canada (YUL). We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. Recommended flight arrival and departure times are specific to each voyage; consult your Adventure Specialist for guidelines relating to your departure. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.

Activities

Optional activities on your Expedition Along Saint Lawrence cruise include practicing photography, Zodiac cruising, walking, hiking and museum visits. Optional added-cost excursions are available on certain days and may be pre-booked from two months to one week prior to departure, or booked on board; these excursions may require a minimum group size. In addition to these off-ship excursions, a multitude of onboard activities keep guests engaged, including live music, dance and theater; spa treatments; exercise and stretching classes; specialty food, wine and cocktail tastings; organized games; and lectures by guides and possible special guests.

Room Configuration

Select double-occupancy cabins may be available for single occupancy with a single supplement fee. This supplement may vary depending on cabin category and remaining capacity per departure. A willing-to-share program is not available. Triple and quadruple rates may be available in select cabin categories; contact AdventureSmith for details.

Families & Children

Children 3 years and older at time of travel are welcomed on this cruise. Children under 18 years old at time of travel may receive special discounts when sharing a cabin with two full-fare adults. A child sharing a cabin with a single adult is considered to be a paying adult. Contact AdventureSmith for details.

Travel Insurance

A medical form for all travelers is required for every departure. Travelers are also highly encouraged to have full and adequate travel insurance covering the risks of cancellation, assistance being required, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, damages to and loss of baggage, and medical expenses. In addition, we highly recommend our travelers protect their investment with travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and other benefits. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. Coverage for a pre-existing medical condition is also available if you purchase the Travel Select plan within 15 days of the initial trip payment; refer to plan details. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, national park regulation or at the captain’s discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of small ship cruising unique.

Rates & Dates

Cruise Rates & Dates

Rates are variable per remaining availability and are subject to change.

Sep 17 - Sep 28, 2025
Le Lyrial • 12 days
From $11200USD
Per Person
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Sep 27 - Oct 08, 2025
Le Boreal • 12 days
From $9200USD
Per Person
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Sep 23 - Oct 04, 2026
Le Lyrial • 12 days
From $10950USD
Per Person
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Accommodations

Learn About The Luxury Small Ships On Your Itinerary

This cruise is operated by a selection of 244-guest ships. Each vessel in this fleet of refined, luxury expedition ships ensures an elegant, upscale cruise that offers regular off-ship excursions complemented by a multitude of daily onboard activities. These expedition ships are nearly identical, with public spaces including a fitness room, spa, two restaurants, a library, state-of-the-art theater and open bridge.

Expedition Ship
Le Boreal

The 200-to-264-guest Le Boreal combines high comfort with adventure. Cruising primarily in the polar regions, Europe and the Pacific, she allows her guests to experience luxury, gastronomy, wellness, entertainment and active programming in remote destinations.

Expedition Ship
Le Lyrial

The 200-to-244-guest Le Lyrial is a refined, luxury expedition ship cruising Antarctica, the Arctic & the East Coast. Enjoy her private yacht atmosphere, understated elegance and culinary delights, paired with an engaging program of lectures, onboard entertainment and off-ship adventures.

Book with the confidence that comes from experience.

100+ combined years of experience, 7 continents explored, decades of expedition cruising around the world & here to help you find & book your dream trip.

Extend Your Trip

Additional Travel Options Before or After Your Cruise

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St. Lawrence River Cruise: Canada to The East Coast