Guest Speaker 
Deluxe Stateroom Deck 3
15% Ponant Bonus
19 m²
2
Symphony on the St. Lawrence: From Québec to the Canadian Maritimes – with Smithsonian Journeys
Toronto - Boston
Dates:
16/10/2023
to
30/10/2023
days
nights on board
Shore excursion in each port of call + transfers included
In alliance with Smithsonian Journeys.
This cruise is part of a collection of PONANT voyages that are specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers who want to engage with the world. In addition to the usual elements of the PONANT experience, the listed price for these voyages includes transfers to and from the ship, talks and discussions aboard ship by world class experts, and a shore excursion or activity in each port of call that encourages guests to embrace the sights, sounds, tastes, and smells of the local environment and culture.
Featuring Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart and six musicians – pianist Jihye Chang, cellist Alistair MacRae, soprano Allison Pohl, violist Scott Rawls, violinist Wendy Rawls, and violinist Benjamin Sung – for a program of musical performances aboard on this symphony at sea.
The waterways of eastern Canada and northern New England are among the loveliest in the world. The rock-bound coast, soaring cliffs, and idyllic waterfront villages have drawn visitors for more than one hundred years.
Your first full day aboard ship is spent navigating the St. Lawrence Seaway, a network of lakes, canals, and locks that provides deep-water passage from Lake Ontario to the St. Lawrence River.
Montréal, the first of four calls in Québec, is a cosmopolitan metropolis, where you may tour the charming Old Town or explore the arts scene along St. Laurent Boulevard. Québec City, with its narrow cobblestoned lanes and historic battlements, is one of North America’s most romantic spots. Tadoussac, the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in Canada, sits at the mouth of the Saguenay River, an area famous for the whales that congregate there to feed. And the picturesque village of Percé, at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula, serves as gateway to the UNESCO Global Geopark of Bonaventure Island.
The colonial seaport of Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island was the site of the conference in 1864 that set the stage for Canada's unification, and it is also home to the Anne of Green Gables House—inspiration for Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic novel.
Cap-aux-Meules, in the Magdalen Islands, is a fascinating Acadian stronghold, where the legacy of the 17th-century colonists who settled here and defended their autonomy against both British and French lives on.
Nova Scotia is next, offering three historical towns for discovery. Charming Baddeck on Cape Breton Island is home to the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site where you may peruse the collection that illustrates the life of the inventor. Louisbourg boasts the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site, a living museum that recreates 18th-century life through the reconstruction of the formerly thriving settlement. And Lunenburg, whose Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is also home to the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic.
A day at sea brings you to Eastport, Maine, where you will enjoy an opportunity to visit the Tides Institute & Museum of Art or Shackford Head State Park on Moose Island, or to join your captain on a whale watching excursion, collecting lobster traps on the way back to port. Disembark the following day in Boston, Massachusetts.
Ref : TG0645US - EE161023
Your itinerary
A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call. A program of musical...
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Included in your cruise
For more peace of mind, PONANT organizes your trip before or after the cruise. This package is included in the price of your cruise.
Additional services
For more peace of mind, PONANT selects stays and flights then takes care of your transfers for your trip as well as shore visits before and after the cruise.
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LE BORÉAL
- New
L'AUSTRAL
11/03/2024 to the 26/03/2024
- New
LE BELLOT
LE PAUL GAUGUIN
- New
LE CHAMPLAIN
*Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability, and subject to change at any time. The category of stateroom to which this price applies may no longer be available.
Services provided
- 24-hour room service
- Inclusive Wifi internet access (availability dependent on navigation and latitude)
- Individually-controlled air conditioning
- Dressing room with shelves and closet
- Dressing table and hairdryer
- Dyptique Paris top-of-the-line bath products
- Minibar
- Nespresso coffee maker and boiler
- Electronic safe
- Direct line telephone
- Bose Bluetooth speaker
- Flat screen TV, international channels (availability dependent on navigation) and videos on demand
- 110V American (two flat pins)/220V European (round sockets with two round pins)
- Two ADA staterooms
Select your stateroom category
Keith Lockhart
Keith Lockhart is Conductor of the Boston Pops, Chief Guest Conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra, and Artistic Director of the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina (USA).
Now in his twenty-fourth season, he has served as Conductor of the Boston Pops since 1995, a tenure that includes over two thousand performances, forty-three national tours to more than 150 cities, and four international tours. He and the Pops have made seventy-nine television shows and participated in such high-profile sporting events as Super Bowl XXXVI, the 2008 NBA finals, the 2013 Boston Red Sox Ring Ceremony, and, most recently, Game 2 of the 2018 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. The annual July 4 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular draws a live audience of over half a million with millions more who watch on television or live webcast.
From 2010-2018 Keith served as the seventh Principal Conductor of the BBC Concert Orchestra. Highlights of his tenure include three critically acclaimed North American tours, conducting annual performances at The Proms, and celebrating the orchestra’s 60th year in 2012. In June of that same year, Keith Lockhart conducted the orchestra during Queen Elizabeth II’s gala Diamond Jubilee Concert, which was broadcast around the world.
In addition, he has conducted nearly every major orchestra in North America, as well as the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, the NHK Symphony in Tokyo, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic. From 1998-2009 he was the Music Director of the Utah Symphony, and led the orchestra during Opening Ceremonies of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. He has also served as Associate Conductor of both the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and the Music Director of the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra.
Born in Poughkeepsie, NY, Maestro Lockhart began his musical studies on piano at the age of 7, and holds degrees from Furman University and Carnegie Mellon University.
Eric Roorda
Eric Paul Roorda is a maritime historian, author, and artist. A native of the Great Lakes region, he recently retired from thirty years of college teaching for Johns Hopkins University, Williams College, and Mystic Seaport Museum, among other places. His most recent books are The Ocean Reader: History, Politics, Culture (Duke, 2020) and Twain At Sea: The Maritime Writings of Samuel Langhorne Clemons (Brandeis, 2018). His writings on the Panama Canal include contributions to The Oxford Encyclopedia of Maritime History and the encyclopedic America and the Sea. He received his education at The College of William and Mary and The Johns Hopkins University.
Eric comes from a seafaring family in Holland: his grandfather was a First Engineer in the Dutch Merchant Marine whose ships were sunk twice during World War I, and his great-grandfather worked on Zuiderzee ferries. He has been a lecturer on cruise ships for more than twenty years, including several transits of the Panama Canal.
Language spoken : English
Photo credit : ARR
Jihye Chang
Pianist Jihye Chang enjoys a diverse career as a soloist, collaborator, educator, scholar, and advocate for new music in the United States and abroad. Her performances focus on the creative process of collaborating with living composers, curating programs that can connect to various audiences, and giving context to contemporary works.
She is a recipient of the Henry Kohn Award from the Tanglewood Music Center, an Honorary Fellowship from the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, the Aaron Copland Recording Grant, and first prize of the Mikhashoff International Pianist-Composer Competition. She has appeared as a soloist with the Brevard Music Center Sinfonietta, Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Fargo Moorhead Symphony Orchestra, Wonjoo Philhamronic Orchestra, Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, and Virtuosi of Festival Internacionale de Musica in Recife (Brazil), among others. Since 2016 she has led more than 20 performances of her solo project “Continuum 88” – a solo project in which she programs masterworks of piano literature, focusing on specific genres such as etudes and variations each season, alongside newly commissioned works in the same genres by younger composers – in venues across the United States, South Korea, and Taiwan. She also appeared at the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth, Old First Church Concert Series of San Francisco, Blue Candlelight Music Series in Dallas, Nuevo Mundo Festival y Academia in Aruba, and Tuesday Concert Series at Seoul National University. Recently she led residencies both in person and online at Indiana University, UCLA, Rutgers University, Texas Christian University, and Tulane University, working with young composers and composition faculty members.
During the COVID-19 lockdown of 2020-2021, she launched an online collaborative project with 8 Boston-area composers, the “Boston Etudes Project,” with 8 online premieres of new etudes written for her. The Project culminated in a live performance with 5 additional etudes at Tufts University in February 2022. She also launched a hybrid concert series entitled “Jihye’s Salon,” in which audience from all over the world enjoyed livestreamed concerts at their own home while artists from various locations performed from their own home. Season II of Jihye’s Salon will be released in the fall 2022.
Chang’s recordings can be found on Albany, Centaur, Parma, and Sony Korea, and she has recently recorded “77 Canonic Variations on Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” by Nathan Lam. Her research has been focused on piano etudes, music by women composers, interdisciplinary outreach programs, and music by Korean composers. She expanded her interest on music by Korean composers into a new music theory course at Florida State University. She has presented several lectures focusing on music as a means to understand Korean culture at Seoul National University Alumni Association’s 2022 Summit, University of Cincinnati College of Music, University of East Maine, and Boston University.
Ms. Chang graduated from Seoul National University, and earned her Master’s and Doctorate degrees from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. Chang is a faculty member at the Brevard Music Center and a core member of the Intersection Contemporary Ensemble. She has been a lecturer at Florida State University since 2012 and served there as a Visiting Assistant Professor in 2014-15. You can visit https://instagram.com/jihyechangpiano to see her passion on espresso, and listen to her online premieres and other performances on https://www.youtube.com/jihyechangpiano.
Language spoken : English
Alistair MacRae
Cellist Alistair MacRae has appeared as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral principal throughout North America and in Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East. His playing has been praised for its "rich sound and lyrical phrasing" (Palm Beach Daily News) and his performances have been featured in radio broadcasts across the United States on WQXR, WWFM, WDAV, WCQS, KING FM, and Vermont Public Radio.
Mr. MacRae is the Cordelia Wikarski-Miedel Artist in Residence at the University of Puget Sound and the cellist of the Puget Sound Piano Trio. He is Principal Cello of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra and also performs with his wife, soprano Allison Pohl, in the voice and cello duo Soprello. In addition, he is a member of the Artist Faculty at the Brevard Music Center.
His past projects include chamber music and recitals in venues such as Carnegie Hall's Zankel and Weill Halls, Seattle’s Benaroya Hall, and Palm Beach's Kravis Center for the Performing Arts; concerto appearances with the Asheville Symphony and at the Brevard Music Center; recordings of chamber music by Kodaly and Telemann; premiere performances of 21st-century pieces at Princeton, Yale, Columbia, and Harvard Universities; and ensemble albums of music by Mozart and Scott Joplin. His eclectic collaborations have found him on stage with Paul Taylor Dance Company, the Westminster Choir, tap dancer Savion Glover, jazz bassist Ben Wolfe, the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra, and the rock band Scorpions.
Language spoken : English
Photo credit : David Crow
Allison Pohl
Soprano Allison Pohl's vivacious stage presence and spirited singing have inspired enthusiastic responses across three continents. Her work has received positive reviews for her “sparkling voice” (outerstage.com) and “exuberant” performances (Opera News). Of her performance in L'elisir d'amore at Virginia Opera, The Washington Post wrote: “Allison Pohl stood out with a ripe, flavorful soprano and ample character."
Allison made her Seattle Symphony debut in 2018 as the soprano soloist in Handel's Messiah. She has appeared with opera companies throughout the United States, including Boston Lyric Opera, New York City Opera, Seattle Opera, Virginia Opera, and Tacoma Opera; and has been a featured soloist for orchestral tours in both Italy and China. Favorite operatic roles recently performed include both Countess and Susanna in Le Nozze di Figaro, Tatyana in Eugene Onegin, Adina in L’elisir d’amore, Blanche de la Force in Dialogues des Carmélites, Norina in Don Pasquale, Rosina in Il barbiere di Siviglia, and Gretel in Hänsel und Gretel.
As a member of Soprello, Allison has also performed chamber music and new compositions across North America with her husband, cellist Alistair MacRae. She is a Seattle Opera Career Grant recipient and holds degrees from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music and Boston University.
Language spoken : English
Scott Rawls
Violist Scott Rawls has appeared as soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Europe. Recent chamber music endeavors include performances with Dmitry Sitkovetsky, Paul Rosenthal, Andres Diaz, and Sergey Antonov. With the Nikkanen/Rawls/Bailey string trio, he has played tours in Alaska, Washington, Arizona, and Texas. His solo and chamber music recordings can be heard on the Centaur, CRI, Nonesuch, Capstone, and Philips labels.
A strong proponent of new music, Rawls has premiered dozens of new works by prominent composers. Most notable, he has toured extensively as a member of Steve Reich and Musicians. As the violist in this ensemble, he performed the numerous premieres of Daniel Variations, The Cave and Three Tales by Steve Reich and Beryl Korot, videographer. And under the auspices of presenting organizations such as the Wiener Festwochen, Festival d'Automne a Paris, Holland Festival, Berlin Festival, Spoleto Festival USA, and the Lincoln Center Festival, he has performed in major music centers around the world including London, Vienna, Rome, Milan, Tokyo, Prague, Amsterdam, Brussels, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York.
Under the baton of maestro Dmitry Sitkovetsky, he plays principal viola in the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra. During the summer season, Rawls plays principal in the festival orchestra at Brevard Music Center where he also coordinates the viola program. He was also recently appointed principal viola of the Palm Beach Opera orchestra, David Stern artistic director.
Dr. Rawls currently serves as Professor of Viola and Chamber Music at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He holds a BM degree from Indiana University and a MM and DMA from State University of New York at Stony Brook. His major mentors include Abraham Skernick, Georges Janzer, John Graham, and Julius Levine.
Wendy Rawls
Violinist Wendy Rawls is an active performer and teacher. She is presently assistant concertmaster of the Greensboro Symphony and recent concertmaster for the Greensboro Opera. Ms. Rawls is a member of the GSO String Quintet, an educational outreach ensemble that performs chamber music annually for hundreds of public school children across Guilford County. She has also performed as guest concertmaster with the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, North Carolina Opera, Charlotte Symphony, Eastern Music Festival Orchestra and Bach Choir of Bethlehem. As an independent contractor, she has enjoyed collaborating and touring with a wide variety of artists from Rod Stewart to Mannheim Steamroller. She has been on the faculty of the Brevard Music Center since the summer of 2008 and for many summers, she performed in Italy at the Spoleto Festival, in the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria, and at the American School at Fontainbleau, France. As chamber artist, she has recently performed with Sitkovetsky and Friends, Bach’s Lunch @ Starmount, at the Brevard Music Center and with the new ensemble À la carte.
Ms. Rawls is founder and director of the Gate City String School in Greensboro, N.C. and was formerly on the artist faculty at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and C.W. Post University.
Ms. Rawls has received degrees from Ithaca College, New England Conservatory, and Mannes College of Music. Her major teachers include Linda Case, Paul Kantor, and Hiroko Yajima.
Language spoken : English
Benjamin Sung
Associate Professor of Violin at Florida State University, violinist Benjamin Sung is also a Faculty Artist and violin coordinator at the Brevard Music Center. Recent concert highlights include the 2022 Brevard Music Festival; the 24 Caprices by Paganini during the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season; a TED talk for TEDx Fargo; and a complete Beethoven cycle with pianist David Kalhous. In 2022, after sharing 10 years of concerts of the violin-piano repertoire, Mr. Sung and Mr. Kalhous are embarking on a new chapter of their partnership, called extension: an effort to present the greatest music of the existing repertoire along with newly commissioned works from today’s most exciting composers, both in live performance and recorded and streaming media.
Sung has performed as soloist with numerous orchestras, including the Camerata Romeu of Havana, Cuba, the Virtuosi of Festival Internacionale de Musica in Recife, Brazil, and the National Repertory Orchestra. He is equally in demand as a chamber musician, having shared the stage with great performers including pianist Monique Duphil, and cellists Antonio Meneses and Marcio Carneiro. He is a past winner of the Starling Award of the Eastman School of Music and the Violin Fellowship of the Montgomery Symphony, and an Aaron Copland Fund Recording Grant.
An enthusiastic advocate of contemporary music, Sung has recorded the music of composers Steve Rouse and Marc Satterwhite for Centaur Records, has performed and taught for Studio 2021 at Seoul National University, and has worked with many of the greatest composers of this generation, including John Adams, Pierre Boulez, George Crumb, and Helmut Lachenmann. In 2012, he released an album of new American works entitled FluxFlummoxed on Albany Records, a recording hailed by Fanfare Magazine as "a brilliant performance of four superb works" with "impeccable intonation and tone production." Mr. Sung has an upcoming new solo album featuring works by Sciarrino, Berio, Maderna, and Schnittke.
Sung holds a Bachelor’s degree from the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with Oleh Krysa, and Master’s and Doctorate degrees from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, from the studio of Nelli Shkolnikova. Sung also studied at the Professional Training Program at Carnegie Hall, the Lucerne Festival Academy, the New York String Seminar, and the Chamber Music Residency at The Banff Centre. Benjamin lives with his wife Jihye and son Aiden in Tallahassee, Florida, where he enjoys running, gardening, and watching Aiden turn into a better violinist than he is.
Language spoken : English
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Ideal clothes for life on board:
During the days spent on board, you are advised to wear comfortable clothes or casual outfits. The entire ship is air-conditioned, so a light sweater, a light jacket or a shawl may be necessary. When moving about in the public areas of the ship and the decks, light but comfortable shoes are recommended.
Informal evening:
In the evening, you are advised to wear smart-casual attire, especially when dining in our restaurants where wearing shorts and tee-shirts is not allowed.
For women:
- Simple dress
- Skirt or trousers
- Blouse
- Polo
For men:
- Pleated trousers or chinos
- Sports jacket
- Shirt
- Polo
Officer’s evening:
For all cruises longer than 8 nights, an Officer’s Evening with a white dress code may be organized. Therefore, we encourage you to bring a stylish white outfit for the occasion (otherwise black and white).
Gala evening:
During the cruise, two gala evenings will be organised on board. Thus, we recommend that you bring one or two formal outfits.
For women:
- Cocktail attire
- Evening dress (if you wish to)
For men:
- Dark suit
- Tie recommended, possibly bow tie (if you wish to)
SHOP:
A small shop is available on board offering a wide range of outfits, jewellery, leather goods and many accessories.
A laundry service (washing/ironing) is available on board, but unfortunately there are no dry cleaning services. For safety reasons, your cabin is not equipped with an iron.
ACCESSORIES:
- Polarized sunglasses
- Swimsuit (for the Spa on board)
- Gym wear (fitness)
- Battery charger and memory cards for your camera
- Mobile phone charger
- Hat/cap
HEALTH CARE:
- Sunscreen and after-sun lotion
- Medications and prescriptions
OUTFITS ON BOARD:
- Casual outfits for the day
- Smarter outfits for dinners
- Elegant outfits for Gala evenings
- White or black and white outfit
PRECAUTIONS:
In your hand luggage, remember to bring any medicines that you need, and possibly a small spare bag of toiletries (in case of delay in the delivery of your baggage by the airline). Remember to always have your travel documents with you in case you need them: hotel vouchers, cruise vouchers, return flight tickets... Never leave them in your hold luggage.
All our cabins have a safe. We recommend not to go ashore with valuable jewellery.
PONANT activities
Smithsonian Journeys
Smithsonian Journeys is the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum, education and research complex, consisting of 21 museums, the National Zoological Park, education centers, research facilities, cultural centers, and libraries. Drawing on Smithsonian's resources dating back 175 years, these sailings will feature notable experts and experiences that embrace local cultures and dive deeper into a destination’s history, cuisine, language, environment, and wildlife. For more than 50 years, Smithsonian Journeys has been rooted in and focused on cultural immersion and discovery – with a goal of inspiring guests to become global citizens through travel.
Subject to withdrawal in case of force majeure
Highlights
- A voyage specially-tailored for English-speaking travelers including discussions with experts, transfers before and after your cruise, and an included excursion in each port of call.
- A program of musical performances aboard featuring Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart and six musicians – pianist Jihye Chang, cellist Alistair MacRae, soprano Allison Pohl, violist Scott Rawls, violinist Wendy Rawls, and violinist Benjamin Sung.
- Engaging discussions onboard with Smithsonian Journeys Expert and maritime historian Eric Roorda.
- Visit UNESCO World Heritage sites in Québec and Lunenburg.
- Cruise the St. Lawrence Seaway, a marvel of engineering as well as one of North America's most scenic waterways.
- Discover the vibrant art scene of cosmopolitan Montréal.
- Explore a series of wildlife-rich ecosystems and geologically fascinating parks—Saguenay, Gaspé Peninsula, the Magdalen Islands, and Shackford Head State Park.
- Learn of the centuries-long struggle between France and England for control of this part of the world at battlefields in Montréal and Québec and in the living museum in Louisbourg.
Ports of Call & Excursions
16 October 2023 - Toronto
Embarkation 16/10/2023 from 16:00 to 17:00
Departure 16/10/2023 at 18:00
The largest city in Canada and capital of the province of Ontario, Toronto fascinates as much by its incredible diversity as by its size. Make sure you visit the CN Tower, the tallest tower in the western hemisphere, as well as the St. Lawrence Market whose stalls reflect the multicultural wealth of this city known as the global city. Not far from there, the historic Distillery District unveils its brick-paved streets imbued with romantic charm and its myriad of small restaurants, cafés, boutiques, theatres and art galleries. The Royal Ontario Museum and its impressive collections devoted to the world’s natural and cultural history will also be an unmissable stop during this port of call.
17 October 2023 - Sailing Lake Ontario
Arrival 17/10/2023
Departure 17/10/2023
Lake Ontario is the smallest and most easterly of the five Great Lakes of North America, that together form one fifth of all the freshwater on the planet. You will enjoy a magnificent setting, enhanced by the Indian summer, for an exceptional voyage on the sparkling waters of this natural treasure, lying 76 metres above sea level. Fed by the waters of Lake Eyrie and the extraordinary Niagara Falls, it flows into the Saint Lawrence River which follows its course. On the border between the United States and Canada, the lake has great cities like Toronto on its shores but also boasts more secret and unspoiled areas, teeming with beaches, forests and small ports in a bucolic atmosphere.
17 October 2023 - Sailing River Saint Lawrence and going through its locks
Arrival 17/10/2023
Departure 17/10/2023
Linking the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes region inland, the Saint Lawrence Seaway was inaugurated in 1959, more than 250 years after the initial construction aiming to avoid the rapids obstructing navigation in these parts. This large engineering project, which required four years of huge work, offers a unique sailing experience, punctuated by the passage of the different locks marking out this corridor, which is almost 4,000 km long.
18 October 2023 - Montreal
Arrival 18/10/2023 early morning
Departure 18/10/2023 late afternoon
Famous for its gentle way of life, Montreal, Canada’s second-largest city, is a warm and cosmopolitan metropolis. Situated on the eponymous river island, it is home to a multitude of districts, each as unique as the other. Set off to discover Old Montreal, most of which is declared a historic area, Little Italy, where you’ll be able to stroll around the largest open-air market in North America, or the Golden Square Mile, the luxurious district located on one of the hills of Mount Royal and which has sumptuous Victorian-style residences. Simultaneously marked by the influences of the Old Continent and North-American gigantism, Montreal will never cease to amaze you.
19 October 2023 - Québec
Arrival 19/10/2023 early morning
Departure 19/10/2023 late afternoon
The capital of "La Belle Province" sits at the confluence of the St Charles River and the Gulf of St Lawrence in south-east Canada. Founded in the 17th century, the city still has an encircling wall, a historic civil engineering work and the only one of its kind remaining in North America. You will love the postcard-perfect stone houses of Old Quebec, the historic district listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Shopping is a pleasure in pedestrian streets such as Petit-Champlain Street, or you can relax over a spruce beer, seasoned with pine buds. Dufferin Boardwalk, an esplanade near the emblematic Château Frontenac, is the perfect place for views of the river and old city.
20 October 2023 - Tadoussac
Arrival 20/10/2023 early morning
Departure 20/10/2023 early evening
The Quebec village of Tadoussac stands at the confluence of the Saguenay River and the Gulf of Saint-Lawrence, in south-east Canada. The village is bright with multicoloured houses nestling in an emerald-green pine forest. From the waterfront, it’s easy to spy out Tadoussac Chapel, thanks to its bright red roof. Not far from this church built of wood, one of the oldest in North America, stands a century-old village holiday resort, Hotel Tadoussac. Treat yourself to tea on the terrace overlooking the shoreline. In addition, at the marine mammal interpretation centre, you can hone your knowledge of the cetaceans that regularly frequent Tadoussac bay.
21 October 2023 - At sea
Arrival 21/10/2023
Departure 21/10/2023
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
22 October 2023 - Percé
Arrival 22/10/2023 early morning
Departure 22/10/2023 midday
If you appreciate the beauty of scenery and geological phenomena, you will fall under the irresistible spell of Percé, one of the most beautiful villages in Quebec. Apart from the attractions of the town itself, Percé owes its reputation to its proximity to the famous rock of the same name that rises opposite it in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Along with the neighbouring Bonaventure Island, this rocky outcrop forms a national park famed for its natural, historical and geological heritage. With a choice of hiking, underwater exploration and cultural activities, you’ll never be short of things to do in this fascinating region.
23 October 2023 - Charlottetown
Arrival 23/10/2023 early morning
Departure 23/10/2023 late afternoon
The colonial seaport of Charlottetown is the capital of Prince Edward Island, "the Garden of the Gulf of St. Lawrence." The town played a crucial role in Canada's history, hosting the Charlottetown Conference (1864), which set the stage for the country's unification. Province House is site of that conference and now home to the provincial legislature. Explore nearby Prince Edward Island National Park and the Anne of Green Gables House—inspiration for Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic novel. Also see the Confederation Bridge, which crosses the eight miles of the Northumberland Strait, making it Canada's longest bridge and the longest bridge in the world to span ice-covered water.
24 October 2023 - Cap-aux-Meules, Magdalen Islands
Arrival 24/10/2023 early morning
Departure 24/10/2023 late afternoon
Although it is the administrative and economic centre of the Magdalen Islands archipelago, in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the village of Cap-aux-Meules remains a peaceful location and is ideal for exploring preserved nature. Located on the eponymous island, in reference to the sandstone rocks of the cape that were used in the past to make grindstones, the location is above all considered to be the maritime gateway to the archipelago. In this respect, it offers privileged access to many sites renowned for their natural and historic heritage, such as the village of Havre-Aubert which is a member of the Most Beautiful Villages of Quebec.
25 October 2023 - Baddeck
Arrival 25/10/2023 early morning
Departure 25/10/2023 late afternoon
Discover the charming village of Baddeck in the heart of Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. Located on the banks of Bras d’Or Lake, designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this community of several hundred inhabitants is renowned as the point of departure and arrival of the famous Cabot Trail. Named in honour of the Venetian explorer John Cabot who discovered Atlantic Canada at the end of the 15th century, this panoramic road lets travellers enjoy the sumptuous coastal landscapes of the north of the island. Crossing the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, it offers many possibilities to admire the wooded expanses, lakes and streams, deep gorges and steep cliffs that make the area so beautiful.
26 October 2023 - Louisbourg
Arrival 26/10/2023 early morning
Departure 26/10/2023 early afternoon
Set in the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Breton Island turns up fun-to-explore curiosities such as Louisbourg, the former capital from when it was named Ile Royale. This picturesque little town is home to one of the country’s most significant historical sites: the symbolic and beautifully restored Fortress of Louisbourg. A tour transports you back to the heart of 18th-century Canada. Access the old fortified square via the drawbridge and Dauphin Gate, which is guarded by a sentry. You can then explore the fortified town as it was in its heyday. Get ready for an extraordinary adventure that’s more than just a journey back in time.
27 October 2023 - Lunenburg
Arrival 27/10/2023 midday
Departure 27/10/2023 early evening
Stretching out along the eastern seaboard of Nova Scotia, the picturesque port of Lunenburg will leave an indelible impression. You can admire the colonial architecture of this fishing village whilst strolling through the chequerboard streets studded with brightly coloured houses. The enchanting charm of the old town has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. The former naval shipyard town of Lunenburg is where you will also find the replica of the legendary Bluenose schooner, originally built in this port.
28 October 2023 - At sea
Arrival 28/10/2023
Departure 28/10/2023
During your journey at sea, make the most of the many services and activities on board. Treat yourself to a moment of relaxation in the spa or stay in shape in the fitness centre. Depending on the season, let yourself be tempted by the swimming pool or a spot of sunbathing. This journey without a port of call will also be an opportunity to enjoy the conferences or shows proposed on board, depending on the activities offered, or to do some shopping in the boutique or to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. As for lovers of the open sea, they will be able to visit the ship’s upper deck to admire the spectacle of the waves and perhaps be lucky enough to observe marine species. A truly enchanted interlude, combining comfort, rest and entertainment.
29 October 2023 - Eastport
Arrival 29/10/2023
Departure 29/10/2023 midday
At the Canadian border, Eastport is, as its name suggests, the easternmost city in the United States. It is here that, in 1604, the first French people to arrive in the New World settled. Discover their story at the Saint Croix Island International Historic Site. In the late 19th century, this charming town in Maine grew significantly as a result of the development of the canned sardine industry. At the time, the town boasted more than a dozen sardine canneries. The architecture and some mansions from this period live on, affording the town a distinct elegance. One of the attractions of this town is undeniably its proximity to the Old Sow Whirlpool, the largest tidal whirlpool in the Northern Hemisphere, where visitors can watch the birds and marine mammals that come to feed on the nutrients driven up to the surface.
30 October 2023 - Boston
Arrival 30/10/2023 early morning
Disembarkation 30/10/2023 at 07:00
Nicknamed “ America's Walking City”, the city is considered to be the epicentre of American history. Founded in 1630, the tenth largest agglomeration in the United States, is a pleasure for walkers. To get around, just follow the Freedom Trail circuit that serves most of the tourist sites with its red line traced on the ground. Don’t miss all the delicious local specialities on offer at Quincy Market, like the lobster sandwich, and then take time to explore North End, the Italian quarter. For the more romantic among you, Beacon Hill, the historic quarter, with its absolutely charming cobbled streets, is really worth a look.
Le Bellot
Like the other ships in the PONANT EXPLORERS series, Le Bellot has been designed to provide absolute comfort for its passengers, even at the heart of the world's most remote and isolated regions.
Racy lines, state-of-the-art equipment, a refined design, a softly muted and at the same time convivial ambiance together with a deliberately restricted number of cabins all contribute to the modernity of Le Bellot, a unique ship in the world of cruising.
Up to 184 Guests
92 staterooms & suites
118 crew members
Spa
2 restaurants
Decks
Shore excursion in each port of call + transfers included
PONANT and Smithsonian Journeys have organized the following included programme for you, which starts the day of embarkation.
Included features:
- A program of musical performances aboard featuring Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart and six musicians – pianist Jihye Chang, cellist Alistair MacRae, soprano Allison Pohl, violist Scott Rawls, violinist Wendy Rawls, and violinist Benjamin Sung.
- A program of onboard enrichment provided by Smithsonian Journeys Expert and maritime historian Eric Roorda
- Transfers and luggage handling from the airport in Toronto to the ship on the day of embarkation
- Comprehensive 14-night cruise aboard the deluxe Le Bellot, with all the amenities for which PONANT ships are famous
- One included shore excursion in each port of call (see “Itinerary” for more information and choice of excursions, if applicable)
- Transfer from the ship to the airport in Boston at the end of the cruise on the morning of disembarkation
Not included:
- Independent meals and beverages ashore
- Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, etc.)
Notes:
- This voyage is offered on a space available basis
- Programme is subject to change without notice
Guest Speaker
Aboard your ship, an English-speaking lecturer will enlighten you about the culture and history of your destination to deepen your knowledge of the origins of local traditions, the history of emblematic sites, and stories involving famous personalities and those of major historical significance. During on-board lectures or on your shore visits, this expert will be there to share their precious knowledge with you throughout your PONANT cruise.
Shore excursions, Pre/Post & Overlands
HISTORIC TORONTO (1 NIGHT)
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and well worth a full day of exploration. Take advantage of a specially designed program to get acquainted with this vibrant, multicultural city on the shores of Lake Ontario.
Day 1 – Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Arrive at Toronto's Pearson International Airport, where you will be met and transferred to the Fairmont Royal York hotel. A local representative will be present at the hospitality desk in the afternoon to welcome you and to offer suggestions for dining and independent exploration. Join fellow travelers this evening for a welcome cocktail reception. Dinner is on your own.
Day 2 – Toronto | Embark
Following breakfast and check-out from the hotel, embark on a full day tour of Toronto aboard a comfortable coach, whose guide and driver will lead you to some of the highlights of this fascinating city. See the central business district and emblematic CN Tower, visit trendy Yorkville, with its boutiques and chic cafés, and drive along Queen’s Quay to see the redeveloped waterfront. Journey into the Don River Valley and visit the Evergreen Brick Works. Once home to the Don Valley Brick Works factory, the site has been restored and transformed into an award-winning community environmental center and green technology showcase. Following some time at leisure and an independent lunch, continue your panoramic tour with visits to Berczy Park and the Distillery District, an intriguing group of shops, coffee shops, and art studios on cobblestone pedestrian ways that wind among 19th-century buildings that were once a distillery. Your exploration of Toronto comes to an end in late afternoon, when you transfer to the pier and embark your ship.
Your hotel:
The Fairmont Royal York, Toronto’s landmark hotel, is located in the heart of Old Toronto. Recently revitalized, the Fairmont offers all of the facilities and services one would expect from a luxury hotel in a world-class city, including two restaurants and access to a health club, spa, and pool.
Your program includes:
- 1 night at the Fairmont Royal York (or similar)
- Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled program arrival day
- Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the ship on embarkation day
- Welcome cocktail reception on Day 1
- Breakfast on Day 2
- Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary
- Local English-speaking guide
- Gratuities for the drivers and local guides
Your program does not include:
- Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled program arrival day
- Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program
Please note:
- It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 30 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.
- Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.
- The official currency is the Canadian dollar. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.
- This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.
- Program is offered on a space available basis.
- Program is subject to change without notice.
Hotel contact information:
The Fairmont Royal York
100 Front St W
Toronto, Canada
M5J 1E3
Telephone: +1 416 368 2511
Total : 750 €
Price is per person, based on double occupancy, based on availability.