American Queen Voyages added overnight stays in Montréal, Toronto and Québec City as well as Mackinac Island on a series of fall Great Lakes sailings.
This is the first time the company has included overnight port stays and Sean Bierdz, the line’s CEO says the decision was made based on the popularity of Oceania Cruises‘ overnight-packed itineraries.
“Our valued travel advisors and guests shared how much they enjoy overnights in port while cruising Europe, so we adjusted these autumn voyages to offer opportunities to explore similar storied ports after the sun goes down here in North America,’” he said.
The new sailings, on the 202-passenger Ocean Navigator, include the Sept. 5 Montréal to Chicago voyage and Sept. 18 Chicago to Montréal, both 15 days, and Oct. 1 round-trip Montréal, 12 days. These cruises take place during fall color season.
Ocean Navigator’s new voyages will also call for the first time at Clayton, New York, for the Thousand Islands and Port Weller, Ont., at the Welland Canal, for Niagara Falls.
Michigan’s Mackinac Island is a National Historic Landmark where motor vehicles are not allowed, so explorations of Fort Mackinac are by horse-drawn carriage. Passengers may visit the iconic Grand Hotel for a sunset cocktail on its famous long porch and explore its fabled grounds under the stars.
In Toronto, excursion offerings will include the St. Lawrence Market and local festivals as well as evening music events.
In Montréal, guests will get an included city tour and have afternoons and evenings to visit restaurants, music venues and galleries and can arrive back to the ship after partying late into the night.
In Québec, offerings include an evening cocktail and charcuterie board at a local bistro.
