Back open for business in the south of Canada

After no cruises for months, destinations along the St. Lawrence River are preparing for 2022

Back open for business in the south of Canada
International cruise lines plan itineraries that enable guests to enjoy the autumnal foliage in destinations like Saguenay

By Rebecca Gibson |


Famed for their diverse cultural heritage, varied cuisine, friendly locals, natural beauty and the impressive colours of their autumnal foliage, the destinations along Canada’s St. Lawrence River have been popular with cruise guests for many decades. However, the region has been prohibited from receiving calls from international cruise ships by the Government of Canada since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The ban was lifted on 1 November 2021 – three months earlier than originally stated – allowing cruise and travel industry stakeholders throughout the region to begin preparations in earnest for the start of the 2022 season.  

Cruise the Saint Lawrence (CSL), for example, is collaborating with its nine member ports – Montréal, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Saguenay, Baie-Comeau, Sept-Îles, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Gaspé and Les Îles de la Madeleine – to operationalise the health and safety plans they have developed. In addition, the ports have embarked on various public information and marketing campaigns to encourage cruise lines and their guests to return to the St. Lawrence River’s shores. 

“We are delighted with this announcement which enables us to send a clear message to all partners and international cruise lines: Canada awaits them,” says Tony Boemi, president of CSL. 

Collectively, CSL’s nine member ports are already scheduled to receive around 250 cruise calls in the 2022 season. This will include visits from 36 ships sailing for 26 international cruise lines that have historically operated well-liked cruises in the St. Lawrence River region.  

Holland America Line, for example, is scheduled to return in May 2022 with Nieuw Statendam and Zaandam sailing itineraries that include calls at ports such as Baie-Comeau, Québec, Montréal and Saguenay. Meanwhile, Seabourn, Oceania Cruises and Princess Cruises intend to offer cruises during the ‘fall foliage’ season and visit ports including Saguenay, Québec, Montréal, Trois-Rivières, Sept-Iles and Havre-Saint-Pierre. 

Wary international operators and guests who are yet to plan their return are likely to be reassured by the success of domestic operator St. Lawrence Cruise Lines. It safely resumed cruises for Canadian citizens on Canada’s St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers in September 2020 after implementing strict health and safety protocols to protect guests, crew and local communities. Between May and October 2021, the operator’s 32-stateroom ship Canadian Empress also sailed four- to seven-day itineraries from Kingston, Ottawa and Québec City to select ports in Ontario and Québec.  

Thanks to measures including mandatory vaccinations, pre-embarkation tests, physical distancing, mask wearing and enhanced cleaning and sanitisation regimes, the cruise line did not record any incidences of Covid-19 during these voyages. Guests also responded positively, with 93 per cent of evaluation forms indicating that they would be willing to cruise with St. Lawrence Cruise Lines again in future.  

“We believe that the safe and successful completion of our 2021 season proves that we can deliver a fulfilling cruise vacation with the highest levels of hospitality, while maintaining equally high standards of Covid-19 safety measures for everyone onboard,” says Jason Clark, president of St. Lawrence Cruise Lines.

This article was first published in the 2022 issue of Cruise & Ferry Itinerary Planning. All information was correct at the time of printing, but may since have changed. 

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