A new cruise offering from Smithsonian Journeys and PONANT
Explore unique cultures rooted in Old Europe as you follow the Saint Lawrence River through Québec and continue along the Canadian Maritimes, experiencing world-class cities and stunning islands illuminated by fall foliage.
Fall Foliage on the St. Lawrence: Québec to the Canadian Maritimes
Aboard the 184-guest Le Champlain or Le Bellot
13-15 days from $12,670
A new cruise offering from Smithsonian Journeys and PONANT
Explore unique cultures rooted in Old Europe as you follow the Saint Lawrence River through Québec and continue along the Canadian Maritimes, experiencing world-class cities and stunning islands illuminated by fall foliage.
SOLO TRAVELERS
No Single Supplement for solo travelers on September 2026 departure!
Overview
Experience the beauty of Québec and Canada’s Atlantic seaboard when autumn colors are at their finest as you sail the Saint Lawrence River to the Canadian Maritimes. Immerse yourself in unique cultures that have evolved from strong European roots, and see evidence of the tug of war between the British and the French that led to the creation of Canada. Revel in the charms of Montréal and Québec City and explore stunning landscapes including the red cliffs of the Îles de la Madeleine. Visit centuries-old fishing towns on Nova Scotia before ending your voyage in the historic fishing town of Eastport, Maine.
The Smithsonian Journeys / PONANT Experience: Each cruise will be accompanied by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts. An excursion or activity is included in each port of call. You may have a choice of excursions in many ports, so that you can delve more deeply into subjects that interest you.
Highlights Include:
- Montréal and Québec City: Soak up the Old World ambiance in the culture hub of Montréal and the elegant cobbled streets of Québec City. Set out on guided walking tours of the historic city centers, and tailor your visits, choosing excursions that focus on history, art, or culinary traditions.
- Wildlife viewing: Cruise into the Saguenay Fjord on the lookout for seals and beluga whales, and be on the lookout for larger whales in the Gulf of St Lawrence, known to draw more than a dozen species, including minke, humpbacks, and blue whales.
- Canadian Maritimes: Trace the history of Canada and get acquainted with French-derived Acadian culture while sampling cider at an orchard on the remote Îles de la Madeleine.
- Nova Scotia: Make memorable stops on the islands of Nova Scotia and spend a day in lovely Lunenburg, a World Heritage site.
To see itinerary, please click on an option below.
2025 Itinerary - 15 days
Day 1 — Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Arrive in Toronto, Canada’s largest city and a mecca of art and culture. Board the ship in the afternoon and set sail this evening. (D)
Day 2 — Sailing Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence River
Spend a leisurely day on the water, enjoying the ship’s many amenities, attending lectures by your Smithsonian Journeys Experts, and taking in the scenery as you cross Lake Ontario and enter the Saint Lawrence River. (B,L,D)
Day 3 — Montréal, Québec
Awaken in the island-city of Montréal, an effervescent hub of culture and cuisine with a distinctly French character. On a walking tour of Old Montréal, admire the ornate interior of the Notre-Dame Basilica or take in sweeping city views from Parc du Mont-Royal, the hill that gave the city its name. Alternatively, visit some of the city’s world-class museums, or set out on street art tour on Saint Laurent Boulevard, where the lively Mural Festival takes place every summer. (B,L,D)
Day 4 — Québec City, Québec
Further along the Saint Lawrence River lies elegant Québec City, a walled city founded in the 16th century where French is the primary language. Stroll cobbled lanes steeped in Old World charm on a guided tour of the historic center. Explore Battlefields Park, where the British defeated the French during the Battle of Québec 1759, changing the course of history. Alternatively, see the impressive Montmorency Falls and then to travel to Ile d’Orleans for a scenic drive through the picturesque villages of Quebec. Stop to sample local delicacies made from the fresh fruit of the region. (B,L,D)
Day 5 — Saguenay, Québec
Hike in magnificent Saguenay Fjord National Park, or visit a local glassblower and lapidary workshop in Saguenay. Be on the lookout for seals, dolphins, and whales as the salty, rich waters here draw 13 cetacean species that come to feed from May to October, including minkes, belugas, humpbacks, and blue whales. (B,L,D)
Day 6 — At Sea
As you cruise toward the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, enjoy a relaxing day on the water. Read a book in the lounge or indulge in a spa treatment. Watch for marine and birdlife on deck, and join your experts for engaging presentations and informal discussions. (B,L,D)
Day 7 — Percé, Québec
Follow the coast of the Gaspésie Peninsula, where thick pine forests end in sheer coastal cliffs and rocky shores. Go ashore in Percé and take a walking tour of the town. Admire views of the stunning natural arch known as Percé Rock just off shore, or hike the trails of the Percé Global Geopark, learning about the area’s flora and fauna as you go. (B,L,D)
Day 8 — Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Savor the bucolic beauty of Prince Edward Island, Canada’s smallest province. See the Confederation Centre of the Arts, a national memorial to the Fathers of the Confederation, who drafted Canada’s first consititution here in 1864. The center is also a hub of Canadian performing and visual arts. Later, tour the Green Gables Heritage Place, which inspired the setting for L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables stories. Learn about the author’s life—and that of her heroine, Anne Shirley—on a tour of the original house and a walk on the property’s trails. Then sit down to a lobster lunch. (B,L,D)
Day 9 — Îles de la Madeleine, Québec
Stop at Cap-aux-Meules for a day on the Îles de la Madeleine, an archipelago in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence linked by sandy spits and edged by vermillion sandstone cliffs. Visit a family-owned apple orchard and farm for a cider tasting, discover the islands’ Acadian roots at the Musée de la Mer, and take in extraordinary views of the jagged red coast from Cap Hérissé Lighthouse. Or experience the beauty of the islands during a guided hike. (B,L,D)
Day 10 — Baddeck, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
Arrive on Cape Breton Island, the northernmost region of Nova Scotia, largely settled by Scottish Highlanders. Dock at the town of Baddeck, where Alexander Graham Bell built a summer home that is now a National Historic Site. Visit the home and browse fascinating displays of Bell’s many inventions, from the telephone to the metal detector. Or drive along the Cabot Trail, enjoying a panorama of fall colors and views of the ocean and the surrounding Cape Breton Highlands National Park. (B,L,D)
Day 11 — Louisbourg, Cape Breton Island
On the island’s eastern coast, step back in time at the Fortress of Louisburg, now a living museum where people in period clothing carry on daily activities much as they would have in the 18th century. Built by the French, the fortress and its town traded hands between the British and the French several times before being burned to rubble in 1760. Delve into this dramatic history on a guided tour of the original ruins and the reconstructed portion of the fortress. (B,L,D)
Day 12 — Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
Spend today in the delightful fishing village of Lunenburg, where 18th-century wooden houses and original British urban planning have earned the Old Town a World Heritage designation. Meander through the quaint lanes on a walking tour, admiring the architecture and the timeless scenes of maritime life. At the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, set within a historic waterfront mansion and on several boats, get a closer look at local fishing and shipbuillding traditions. (B,L,D)
Days 13-15 — Provincetown, U.S. /Boston, Massachusetts
Cross the Bay of Fundy during a relaxing day at sea before arriving in Provincetown, a New England village situated at the far end of Cape Cod. For a bit of shopping, you can explore Commercial Street and the many art galleries and coffee shops there. At the end of the street, you will come across the Pilgrim Monument and its 116 steps. This tower was built at the beginning of the century to celebrate the first pilgrims who arrived a few hundred years earlier. The Provincetown museum commemorates the history and way of life of the Mayflower Pilgrims. Enjoy a farewell dinner on board, and disembark in Boston. (3B,2L,2D)
Included meals are denoted as follows: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Reception (R), Dinner (D)
2026 Itinerary - 13 days
Day 1 — Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Arrive in Toronto, Canada’s largest city and a mecca of art and culture. Board the ship in the afternoon and set sail this evening. (D)
Day 2 — Sailing Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence River
Spend a leisurely day on the water, enjoying the ship’s many amenities, attending lectures by your Smithsonian Journeys Experts, and taking in the scenery as you cross Lake Ontario and enter the Saint Lawrence River. (B,L,D)
Day 3 — Montréal, Québec
Awaken in the island-city of Montréal, an effervescent hub of culture and cuisine with a distinctly French character. On a walking tour of Old Montréal, admire the ornate interior of the Notre-Dame Basilica or take in sweeping city views from Parc du Mont-Royal, the hill that gave the city its name. Alternatively, visit some of the city’s world-class museums, or set out on street art tour on Saint Laurent Boulevard, where the lively Mural Festival takes place every summer. (B,L,D)
Day 4 — Québec City, Québec
Further along the Saint Lawrence River lies elegant Québec City, a walled city founded in the 16th century where French is the primary language. Stroll cobbled lanes steeped in Old World charm on a guided tour of the historic center. Explore Battlefields Park, where the British defeated the French during the Battle of Québec 1759, changing the course of history. Alternatively, see the impressive Montmorency Falls and then to travel to Ile d’Orleans for a scenic drive through the picturesque villages of Quebec. Stop to sample local delicacies made from the fresh fruit of the region. (B,L,D)
Day 5 — Tadoussac, Québec
The town of Tadoussac, considered one of the first European settlements in Canada, is perched at the junction of the Saint Lawrence River and the Saguenay fjord. The salty, rich waters here draw 13 cetacean species that come to feed from May to October, including minkes, belugas, humpbacks, and blue whales. Visit the Marine Mammal Interpretation Center for a closer look at the marine life of the North Shore of the Saint Lawrence River. Then set out in Zodiacs to spot some of these impressive creatures on a whale-watching excursion. (B,L,D)
Day 6 — At Sea
As you cruise toward the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, enjoy a relaxing day on the water. Read a book in the lounge or indulge in a spa treatment. Watch for marine and birdlife on deck, and join your experts for engaging presentations and informal discussions. (B,L,D)
Day 7 — Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
Savor the bucolic beauty of Prince Edward Island, Canada’s smallest province. See the Confederation Centre of the Arts, a national memorial to the Fathers of the Confederation, who drafted Canada’s first consititution here in 1864. The center is also a hub of Canadian performing and visual arts. Later, tour the Green Gables Heritage Place, which inspired the setting for L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables stories. Learn about the author’s life—and that of her heroine, Anne Shirley—on a tour of the original house and a walk on the property’s trails. Then sit down to a lobster lunch. (B,L,D)
Day 8 — Îles de la Madeleine, Québec
Stop at Cap-aux-Meules for a day on the Îles de la Madeleine, an archipelago in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence linked by sandy spits and edged by vermillion sandstone cliffs. Visit a family-owned apple orchard and farm for a cider tasting, discover the islands’ Acadian roots at the Musée de la Mer, and take in extraordinary views of the jagged red coast from Cap Hérissé Lighthouse. Or experience the beauty of the islands during a guided hike. (B,L,D)
Day 9 — Sydney, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia
Founded in 1785, Sydney is located in the province of Nova Scotia, on Cape Breton Island. Sydney was very much shaped by the steel industry, since in the early 20th century it became home to the world’s largest steel plants. The city contributed to the allied war effort by becoming a base for the supply convoys bound for Great Britain during the Second World War. Today, tourism has supplanted mining and the Sydney Mines Heritage Museum & Fossil Centre makes for an interesting visit. Walkers will enjoy hiking along the lighthouse coastal trail through the wild nature of Cape Breton, with stunning views over the ocean. (B,L,D)
Day 10 — Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
Spend today in the delightful fishing village of Lunenburg, where 18th-century wooden houses and original British urban planning have earned the Old Town a World Heritage designation. Meander through the quaint lanes on a walking tour, admiring the architecture and the timeless scenes of maritime life. At the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic, set within a historic waterfront mansion and on several boats, get a closer look at local fishing and shipbuillding traditions. (B,L,D)
Days 11-13 — Provincetown, U.S. /Boston, Massachusetts
Cross the Bay of Fundy during a relaxing day at sea before arriving in Provincetown, a New England village situated at the far end of Cape Cod. For a bit of shopping, you can explore Commercial Street and the many art galleries and coffee shops there. At the end of the street, you will come across the Pilgrim Monument and its 116 steps. This tower was built at the beginning of the century to celebrate the first pilgrims who arrived a few hundred years earlier. The Provincetown museum commemorates the history and way of life of the Mayflower Pilgrims. Enjoy a farewell dinner on board, and disembark in Boston.(3B,2L,2D)
Included meals are denoted as follows: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Reception (R), Dinner (D)