Skylines and Islands

9-Night Itinerary

Grande Mariner
August 14–23, 2010 (New York City to Toronto)
August 25–September 3, 2010 (Toronto to New York City)

Enjoy a two-nation vacation on this 10-day adventure through American and Canadian waterways in the fashion that only a small ship can deliver. You'll cruise where big ships cannot, traveling up the Hudson River, through the Erie Canal and into the St. Lawrence Seaway then Lake Ontario. Admire gorgeous natural scenery and enjoy the small town charm of several waterfront communities on your way from one spectacular city to another. Join an historian as they detail the history along the Hudson and the legends of the locks of the Erie Canal. In Ontario you will find more than 250,000 lakes, 60,000 miles of rivers and 2,400 miles of coastline forming the shores of four Great Lakes. Combine that with cosmopolitan cities and charming small towns, weave in scenic beauty, history and culture and you have the ideal setting for our incredible small ship adventures.

NEW YORK, NY: Begin your cruise in vibrant New York City where you'll board your ship at Chelsea Piers.

TROY, NY: Travel up the Hudson River, admiring beautiful scenery along the way. In Troy witness the unique feat of lowering the pilot house of your vessel as we prepare to travel under low bridges. This engineering design was the brainchild of ACCL's founder Luther H. Blount and is still a trademark of our small ship experience today. Later, enjoy a display of local culture through an onboard musical performance.

LITTLE FALLS, NY: Visit charming Little Falls, whose name originates from the Iroquois who once inhabited the region. As we transit the locks of the Erie Canal, meet the lock tenders who will answer your questions about this distinctive waterway.

SYLVAN BEACH, NY: From Little Falls you'll cruise up to Sylvan Beach, an idyllic and popular resort town on the shores of shimmering Oneida Lake. Here, a local performer will entertain with the history and period music of the Erie Canal.

OSWEGO, NY: Your port of call today is Oswego, NY, on the shores of magnificent Lake Ontario. You may choose to take a shuttle on a panoramic loop around this charming area to view some of the highlights such as the H. Lee White Marien Museum, the Richardson-Bates House Museum or Fort Ontario.

OGDENSBURG, NY: Delight in the treasures of the St. Lawrence Seaway as you head toward Ogdensburg, New York. You may opt to visit the Frederic Remington Art Museum showcasing an impressive collection of original works by the acclaimed American painter.

KINGSTON, ON: Discover Ontario as the scenic beauty of the Thousand Islands welcomes you to Canada. Visit historic Kingston, nestled where the Rideau Canal and St. Lawrence River meet Lake Ontario. Built on a grand heritage, Kingston is framed by its 19th century limestone architecture and the impressive Fort Henry.

HAMILTON, ON: Today, you have the option of discovering Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Falls. A full day excursion into this scenic region includes a tour of an award winning winery replete with tastings, a luncheon and a tour of Niagara Falls. Should you choose not to explore the Niagara region, you will continue on to Hamilton, at the west end of Lake Ontario.

TORONTO, ON: Welcome to Toronto, the largest city in Canada! Here you'll find a cultural treasure trove with more than 100 cultures creating a diverse city with a unique flair.

TORONTO, ON: Disembark today in Toronto. During your independent exploration in this exciting, international city enjoy world-class restaurants, unparalleled shopping, and a spectacular skyline dotted with architectural wonders.

August 25, 2010 Departure:
This wonderful cruise is also available in reverse, traveling from Toronto down through the St. Lawrence, the Erie Canal, and the Hudson to New York City. The southbound cruise substitutes a night in Amsterdam, NY, for Little Falls, NY. Amsterdam, perched on the banks of the Mohawk River, was settled by the Dutch in the 1660's for the purposes of trade just as the Mohawks strengthened their control of this area. The southbound cruise will also offer a pre-cruise package in Toronto, and a post-cruise package in NYC.