Travel Guides to Canada

the birthplace of cruise pioneer Samuel Cunard). It is noted for its deep harbour and charming waterfront attractions. Charlotte- town (home to Anne of Green Gables and world-class golf ), Saint John and Sydney (gateways to the Bay of Fundy and Cabot Trail, respectively) are other top calls. Specialty sojourns that focus exclusively on this area are increasingly available; however, most cruises begin or end in New York or Boston, meaning you can see key ports in as little as four nights. Extended itineraries are offered, too. So boats may veer across open seas to Newfoundland, where ports like St. John's (a centuries-old city that also features on transatlantic trips) and Corner Brook (the launch pad for Gros Morne National Park) extend a warm welcome; or they may head through the Gulf of St. Lawrence and follow the eponymous river. INLAND ADVENTURES This second alternative is rapidly growing in popularity, and rightly so. Look no further than the Ottawa River. Adventurous mariners navigate the canal systems and captain their own vessel from boat rental company Le Boat. Head further into Ontario around Peterborough where a pair of river cruises (Kawartha, Quinte) depart with Ontario Waterways Cruises. The hassle-free 45-passenger Kawartha Voyageur riverboat cruises on three of Ontario's finest waterways. The fabled St. Lawrence River has much to offer. St. Lawrence Cruise Line, a boutique family-owned cruise company, renowned for its small-ship experience accommodating around 60 passengers, navigates the tranquil waters of the St. Lawrence River, threading through iconic ports such as Kingston, Montréal, and Québec City. Curious adventurers immerse in the charm and heritage of Eastern Canada. Alternatively, you can embark on their "Canada's Capital Cruise," sailing the lower Ottawa River coupled with the captivating Thousand Islands route. Each stop has opportunities for scenic walks and local encounters. Woods, whales, fjords and photogenic headlands make it an eastern answer to B.C.'s Inside Passage—one infused with Québécois charm. Consequently, pocket-sized ports that showcase its natural beauty have emerged as destinations in their own right, while two marquee stops routinely win rave reviews. Québec City, after all, is famous for its UNESCO-designated fortifications and beautiful heritage buildings; while Montréal, one of the world's largest French-speaking cities, has a storied past that is accented with cosmopolitan élan. The vessels that visit these ports cover an impressively broad spectrum in terms of size and style. Luxury lovers can live large on Cunard's renowned Queen Mary 2 or on favourite cruise brands like the midsize ship Holland America and the sleek small ship, Seabourn. NORTHERN DELIGHTS The once-frozen Arctic is heating up as well and, in summer, when seas are navigable, there are ever-increasing possibilities for bucket listers and nature buffs who feel its magnetic pull. Quark Expeditions and Adventure Canada, for instance, both put new vessels into service on the Arctic Route in the past few years; tellingly, the first of these has a new polar expedition ship, Ultramarine, equipped with two twin-engine helicopters, 20 quick-launching Zodiacs, spacious suites, wellness amenities and numerous outdoor wildlife viewing spaces. Admittedly, such voyages aren't for everyone. Specific destinations can be hard to pinpoint due to the vagaries of tides or weather; and landing places, sometimes accessible only via Zodiac, aren't necessarily ports per se since the population might consist solely of walruses. The upside is that the "Great White North" has great white wildlife (think polar bears, beluga whales and snowy owls), unspoiled scenery, plus a rich Inuit culture; and the vessels that sail here can get cruisers up close to it all. As an added bonus, the majority have resident experts well-versed in subjects like natural history and Indigenous customs who will share their knowledge through formal lectures and guided excursions. With choices like that available, there's never been a better time to come aboard in Canada! 37 EXPEDITION CRUISE SHIP, ARCTIC CANADA • SHUTTERSTOCK/TETYANA DOTSENKO BADDECK PORT, NOVA SCOTIA • TOURISM NS

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