St. Lawrence River
St. Lawrence River
4.5
About
This river, approximately 800 miles long, extends from Lake Ontario to the Atlantic in three large sections: the freshwater stretch extends from Lake Ontario to the city of Quebec; the St. Lawrence estuary; and the Gulf of St. Lawrence that leads into the Atlantic Ocean.
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4.5
29 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
7
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Jenn54
Augusta, GA90 contributions
June 2023 • Couples
Wonderful cruise down the St Lawrence River to Montmorency Falls. Lots of information given about sights along the river , both historic and industrial. There is a separate trip to the falls that we didn’t have time to take. Great way to spend 90 minutes on a hot afternoon.
Written 2 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JimmyJackk
San Marcos, CA5,735 contributions
May 2019 • Couples
Through history this river was the main way to the Canadian interior. Many battles were fought in and around this river. The area near Quebec the river is at its narrowest. Hard to miss when walking around Old Quebec.
Written 19 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maurene_K
Dover, NH12,283 contributions
May 2016 • Friends
The St. Lawrence River is in the United States and Canada.
We enjoyed the river from land and a bayliner.
From land, we got scenic views of the St. Lawrence in Alexandria Bay, NY at Captain Thompson’s Resort which is located right on the riverfront across from Boldt Castle.
On the water, we cruised the river on the 2½ hour Two Nation Tour on the Uncle Sam Boat Tours bayliner with admission to Boldt Castle on Heart Island.
The cruise is very scenic. There are many points of interest. The narrated tour covers the area near the docks at Capitan Thomson's Resort then goes over to the Canadian side near the Thousand Islands Bridge. Highlights included: Twin Pine Treehouse on Cherry Island and Millionaire’s Row, Hopewell Hall which was the summer home of George Boldt’s daughter and granddaughter, the Devil’s Oven which was the hiding place during the Patriot’s War of 1837 for pirate Bill Johnston, Boldt Castle, The Summerland Islands, Grenadier Island, the Canadian Palisades, the 400-foot Thousand Islands Skydeck Tower on Hill Island in Lansdowne, Ontario, the Whirlpool Channel, Fiddlers Elbow, Tom Thumb Island, and Smugglers Cove.
During our cruise, we passed the Gananoque cruise boats from Canada several times. Those seemed to cruise the same course as Uncle Sam Boat Tours.
The constantly-changing scenery on the shoreline and islands held everyone’s attention, including that of small children.
We recommend a cruise on the St. Lawrence River in the Thousand Islands area to others whether it originates from the United States or Canada.
From the United States, no passport is needed because one does not get off the boat in Canada.
If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.
We enjoyed the river from land and a bayliner.
From land, we got scenic views of the St. Lawrence in Alexandria Bay, NY at Captain Thompson’s Resort which is located right on the riverfront across from Boldt Castle.
On the water, we cruised the river on the 2½ hour Two Nation Tour on the Uncle Sam Boat Tours bayliner with admission to Boldt Castle on Heart Island.
The cruise is very scenic. There are many points of interest. The narrated tour covers the area near the docks at Capitan Thomson's Resort then goes over to the Canadian side near the Thousand Islands Bridge. Highlights included: Twin Pine Treehouse on Cherry Island and Millionaire’s Row, Hopewell Hall which was the summer home of George Boldt’s daughter and granddaughter, the Devil’s Oven which was the hiding place during the Patriot’s War of 1837 for pirate Bill Johnston, Boldt Castle, The Summerland Islands, Grenadier Island, the Canadian Palisades, the 400-foot Thousand Islands Skydeck Tower on Hill Island in Lansdowne, Ontario, the Whirlpool Channel, Fiddlers Elbow, Tom Thumb Island, and Smugglers Cove.
During our cruise, we passed the Gananoque cruise boats from Canada several times. Those seemed to cruise the same course as Uncle Sam Boat Tours.
The constantly-changing scenery on the shoreline and islands held everyone’s attention, including that of small children.
We recommend a cruise on the St. Lawrence River in the Thousand Islands area to others whether it originates from the United States or Canada.
From the United States, no passport is needed because one does not get off the boat in Canada.
If you found this review helpful, please click THANK below.
Written 10 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Traveller & Foodie
Montreal, Canada4,353 contributions
July 2019 • Family
St. Lawrence River extends from Lake Ontario up to the Atlantic Ocean. In Montreal the current is very strong that during the spring there is a boat that rides through the rapids as an activity. You can also rent boats at the Old Port to adventure on the River however you need to where a life vest because every year there are unfortunately accidents because people are too confident.
Written 1 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wis633
Rockland County, NY39 contributions
Aug 2018
The Canadian Empress is a small boat, built in 1981 to resemble a turn of the century river steamer. She measures only about 100 ft long by 40 ft wide and has a draft of about 6-7 ft. She can carry 66 passengers. We had 42 on our trip. With only 42 passengers, there was only one main seating for meals.. Otherwise there would be two seatings. One seating allowed everyone to get to know each other since seating was open. The boat has several itineraries ranging from 4 nights to 6 and covering a variety of ports including Kingston Ont, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec, Toronto, and the Thousand Islands.We chose 4 nights, Kingston, Thousand Island, and sever smaller ports.
Now for the good stuff:
Don't expect luxury. You are not on Royal Caribbean, or Princess. The cabins are tiny. We booked one with a double bed and when we saw it, we had to change to one with 2 beds. With the double bed, you could not enter the room with a mate and a suitcase. The cabin with two beds had a Pullman bed which folded up to the wall so two people could pass each other on the way to the John. The John was barely usable and had the required toilet
and the shower which was separated from it by a curtain. There is no radio, TV or anything like it. B UT you don't need it because you'll only be in the cabin to sleep..
The GOOD STUFF is that the crew is outstanding, the food is good and generous and they will do anything you ask if it is possible. There are land excursions at every port and they are included in the price of the trip. They are well run and ON TIME. The buses are there when promised, depart on time. and return on time. The venues are well selected and interesting. There is entertainment every night in the Grand Saloon (Dining Room) and while it is informal, it is also well selected and really, really, good.
Public space is limited. The Upper Deck has seating and Shuffle Board. There is no Sun Cover..The Mid Level deck has covered seating for about 15 travelers on the fantail. Otherwise, you'be in the Grand Saloon.
If you have the right attitude, you will have a GREAT TIME, like we did.
We sincerely would recommend any of the Canadian Enterprise itineraries mainly because you will probably never get a chance to travel this informally and have so much real fun.
Written 24 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
homunculus2000
Montreal, Canada22 contributions
Sept 2014 • Solo
“This river is pretty good if you’re a duck or made of water: You’ll fit right in and feel comfortable immediately. This river is at least 600 or 700 years old, and its wetness level is average for a river. Fantastic power of erosion and sedimentation, not worth the trip if you are a rock or stone. I must say, though, that this is no Nile or Danube.” 3.5/5.0
Written 7 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C C
Asheboro, NC26 contributions
July 2016 • Friends
Our journey started in Boston, then Bar Harbor, Maine, Sydney, Prince Edward Island, Halifax, then to Quebec and Montreal. The beauty of these places alone is more than I can tell you about!!! The rich culture of the Indian tribe, to the Mont mercy Falls to the beauty of Quebec city is just fabulous!!!! I highly recommend all taking this journey!!!! Our cruise was the best way to travel, although I would recommend checking out the cruise line you use. We chose Holland America, which I probably would not do again. Our service was great, food and entertainment was top notch. Our cabin ,however, was apparently at a bad spot where fumes can enter the cabin and cause a terrible gas, oil smell!! Not very pleasant!!! Although the cruise line gave us a little off our final bill, it was not worth the loss of sleep and moving to a room with no window!!!
Written 1 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MaryannF650
Clarksville, TN1,450 contributions
Aug 2016 • Friends
My husband and I were touring Eastern Canada on our way to Perce Rock. The St. Lawrence Seaway is a system of locks, canals and channels in Canada and the United States that permit ocean-going vessels to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes, as far inland as the western end of Lake Superior. The seaway is named for the St. Lawrence River, which flows from Lake Ontario to the Atlantic Ocean. Legally, the seaway extends from Montreal, Quebec to Lake Erie and includes the Welland Canal. Our group stopped at a rest stop where we enjoyed a delicious boxed lunch. The area had lots of green space with benches, tables and chairs with lush landscaping. Great place to sit, eat, relax and take beautiful pictures of the area. We also were fortunate to take a 1000 cruise with the Gananoque Boat Line which was fantastic. Once again, we enjoyed the peace and quiet of the water, and the beautiful islands, while being presented with the history of the area and of the Boldt Castle. There were fantastic views of the historic Power House, Heart Island and Alster Tower. This was one of the highlights of our trip. We didn't tour the Boldt Castle but I would enjoy returning here to take that tour. Took many, many amazing pictures.
Written 16 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellen W
Big Sur, CA44 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
We put on our orange suits and got into a large raft type boat to set out across the St Lawrence..Very little paperwork, very few directions and a lot of whales. Beluga, Minke all very close while respecting the required distances. We did return slightly wet but completely thrilled with our trip. No big boats with loud engines. I believe ours held 12.
Written 3 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RonboKirriemuir
Kirriemuir, UK380 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
This was without doubt the highlight of our holiday. We saw Minke, Baluga, Great Fin & Humpback whales and a large number of grey seals. The seals were alongside the boat and the tour guide was able to give a good background to the different types of whales we saw. The cruise lasted just over 2 hours and was worth every penny (dollar).
Written 27 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
in 2000 I spent a summer in Trois Riviers and there was a boat ride down the St Lawrence, "Dolphin Ride" I believe it was called. the primary feature was seeing the dolphins but it stopped in Trois Riviers, Quebec City, and Montreal and seemed to be a great way to get from one place to the other while seeing some great sights.
IS THERE CURRENTLY A SERVICE THAT CAN TAKE YOU FROM MONTREAL TO QUEBEC CITY, OR VICE VERSA, ON THE ST LAWRENCE? just direct, nothing fancy, like a ferry?
Written 15 April 2018
Is there a cruise that we can take from Charlottetown to go via st lawrence to Quebec?
Written 6 August 2017
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