CroisiEurope, Europe's leading river cruise company, presents its Canadian cruise, a spectacular itinerary along the St. Lawrence River aboard its new coastal cruise ship, La Belle des Océans. This exceptional 11-day itinerary takes place aboard this luxurious, yet compact vessel, offering exceptional comfort.
The Belle des Océans has five decks and measures 103 meters long and 15 meters wide. It can accommodate 120 passengers and offers 60 spacious suites with exterior views to fully enjoy the stunning scenery; nine of these suites also feature a private terrace.
After sailing unusual itineraries during the first months of 2020, La Belle des Océans will arrive at its summer home port in June 2020, between the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario, in Quebec, and from there it will make 11-day itineraries until October with departures from Montreal to Saint Pierre and Miquelon and vice versa, visiting destinations that include exciting cities, wild nature and dream islands:
- Montreal, a large island with towering skyscrapers, cosmopolitan and vibrant. Includes a visit to this Quebec metropolis, a city where French and Anglo-Saxon heritage have coexisted for centuries.
- Quebec, the cradle of French America, with Old Quebec, declared a Jewel of World Heritage by UNESCO, and its cobblestone alleys, quaint shops, and the imposing Fontenac Castle or the picturesque Petit Champlain district.
- The Saguenay Fjord, one of the longest fjords in the world, offers an exceptional view with its immense rock walls shaped by the passage of glaciers, its steep banks and its picturesque villages.
- Tadoussac, located at the crossroads between the St. Lawrence River and the Saguenay Fjord, is an ideal destination with its splendid bay and breathtaking landscapes, its numerous trails and its high sand dunes, where the sight of whales and migratory birds at altitude will leave travelers amazed.
- Baia Comeau, with the glacier garden and the Village Forestier d'Antan interpretation center, an experience that will transport you to the heart of Prehistory, or the valley of the mollusks, which will lead you to a post-glacial whirlpool responsible for submerging the territory in one of the five ancient seas of Quebec, the Goldthwaith sea.
- Gaspé, where Jacques Cartier arrived in 1534 during his first voyage to America, earning it the title of the cradle of French America. Optional visits include Percé, a magnificent place that inspires numerous artists and poets, and Bonaventure Island, a bird sanctuary with the largest concentration of Atlantic gannets in North America.
- The Maddalena Islands, an archipelago battered by the winds and isolated in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence that seduces with its splendid landscapes and Cap aux Meules, the gateway to the archipelago of the Maddalena Islands, the second largest and most populated island of the archipelago.
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon, the last vestige of New France and the edge of the world along the North American continent. The archipelago was inhabited from the 16th century by fishermen from Normandy, the Basque Country, and Great Britain, who left behind a legacy of traditions deeply rooted in the local customs.
CroisiEurope offers three excursions included in this itinerary: Saint-Pierre and the Arc Museum, Old Quebec, and historic downtown Montreal, in addition to a full featuring refined local cuisine and drinks included with meals and at the bar. A complete excursion package is also available to complement the trip.
The shipping company also champions respect for the environment, based on the belief that nature is our most precious asset. The company considers itself a pioneer in this field, and its commitment to environmental protection extends beyond its legal obligations.
