On February 4th, Transport Canada announced measures that will prohibit cruise ships with over 100 passengers from operating in Canadian waters until 2022. However, travellers will still have a small ship cruising alternative.
St. Lawrence Cruise Lines has confirmed operations for 2021 and will provide overnight cruises on the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers from May to October. Key features of their cruises are the small ship profile of the 32-stateroom CANADIAN EMPRESS, an all-Canadian crew, and a robust Health and Safety program.
St. Lawrence Cruise Lines President Jason Clark comments, “We are excited to offer travellers a small ship option for the 2021 season. Our overnight cruises stay close to shore in Canadian waters and our Covid-19 Health and Safety program has been recognized for its high standards.”
This past December, St. Lawrence Cruise Lines was awarded the Safe Travels Stamp by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) for adherence to global standards of health and hygiene. Their Covid-19 Health and Safety program includes reduced passenger loads, masking, physical distancing, and a hospital-grade electrostatic disinfectant regime for both private staterooms and shared spaces.
The line will offer a variety of cruises from 4 to 7 nights in length, with departures from Kingston, Ottawa, and Quebec City. The vessel will travel exclusively in domestic waters and stop at select ports in Ontario and Quebec. All staterooms have access to fresh air, climate controls, and an intimate view of the river.
The 2021 cruising season will run from May 20 to October 24. Their free travel brochure is available at https://www.stlawrencecruiselines.com/or by calling 1-800-267-7868.
