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Embark on an enthralling 18-night expedition with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises aboard the Hanseatic Inspiration as it navigates the Great Lakes and the St Lawrence River, meandering through North American watery expanses that echo the pioneering spirit of the continent. This journey starts from Milwaukee on the 01 of Indian summer, capturing the enchanting magic of the season through colorful coastlines and lush forests. Passengers will immerse themselves in both urban culture and natural splendor, with the expedition course traversing vibrant cities such as Toronto and Montréal, and tranquil wilderness locations like Tobermory and Tadoussac.
Featuring stimulating hikes and lock adventures on the Welland Canal and St Lawrence River, the expedition unveils breathtaking landscapes comprising skerries, islands, and majestic waterfalls. Each day promises new vistas and experiences, offering insights into the cultural tapestry of Indigenous peoples and settlers. The journey concludes in the historic port city of Halifax, where the blend of tradition and modernity captures the essence of the expedition. As the second largest natural harbour in the world, Halifax and its surrounding beauty provide a fitting end to an expedition rich in discovery and adventure.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States: Start your expedition holiday in Milwaukee, a city renowned for its beer heritage and vibrant arts scene. Experience the Milwaukee Art Museum and its impressive collection, or take a brewery tour to taste the city's finest brews.
Mackinac Island, Michigan, United States: Step back in time on Mackinac Island, where cars are banned and horse-drawn carriages rule the roads. Visit the historic Fort Mackinac or indulge in some famous Mackinac fudge.
Sault-Sainte-Marie, Ontario, Canada: Discover Sault-Sainte-Marie and its rich history of ships and trade. A hub at the heart of the Great Lakes, it's the perfect stop to learn about the Soo Locks and their critical role in maritime history.
Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada: Known for its beautiful waterways, Parry Sound offers a gateway to the 30,000 Islands region, where you can explore the natural beauty of Georgian Bay and its diverse wildlife.
Killarney, Ontario, Canada: Nestled on the shores of Georgian Bay, Killarney boasts stunning landscapes and is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Experience the serenity of Killarney Provincial Park with its clear lakes and unique quartzite ridges.
Tobermory, Ontario, Canada: Tobermory is a harbour village on the Bruce Peninsula in the province of Ontario. Just southeast, Bruce Peninsula National Park is known for the Bruce Trail footpath on the craggy Niagara Escarpment, and the Grotto, a wave-carved cave in Georgian Bay. The village lies next to Fathom Five National Marine Park, which is home to the Flowerpot Island sea stacks, 19th-century lighthouses and multiple shipwreck dive sites.
Windsor, Ontario, Canada: Experience Windsor's blend of history and modernity. Explore its riverfront gardens or head to the Canadian Club Brand Centre to learn about the city's whisky-making heritage.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Embark on an adventure in Toronto, Canada's largest city. Explore its diverse neighbourhoods, enjoy world-class dining and visit landmarks like the iconic CN Tower.
Cruise the Great Lakes: Relish a day at sea as you cruise through the Great Lakes, taking in the beautiful scenery and enjoying onboard activities and entertainment.
Montréal, Québec, Canada: Canada's most diverse metropolis, Montréal, is an island city that favours style and elegance over order or even prosperity, a city where past and present intrude on each other daily. In some ways, it resembles Vienna—well past its peak of power and glory, perhaps, yet still vibrant and grand. But don't get the wrong idea. Montréal has always had a bit of an edge. During Prohibition, thirsty Americans headed north to the city on the St. Lawrence for booze, music, and a good time, and people still come for the same things. Summer festivals celebrate everything from comedy and French music and culture to beer and fireworks, and, of course, jazz. And on those rare weeks when there isn't a planned event, the party continues. Clubs and sidewalk cafés are abuzz from late afternoon to the early hours of the morning. And Montréal is a city that knows how to mix it up even when it's 20 below zero. Rue St-Denis is almost as lively on a Saturday night in January as it is in July, and the festival Montréal en Lumière, or Montréal Highlights, enlivens the dreary days of February with concerts, balls, and fine food. Montréal takes its name from Parc du Mont-Royal, a stubby plug of tree-covered igneous rock that rises 764 feet above the surrounding cityscape. Although its height is unimpressive, "the Mountain" forms one of Canada's finest urban parks, and views from the Chalet du Mont-Royal atop the hill provide an excellent orientation to the city's layout and major landmarks. Old Montréal is home to museums, the municipal government, and the magnificent Basilique Notre-Dame-de-Montréal within its network of narrow, cobblestone streets. Although Montréal's centre-ville, or Downtown, bustles like many other major cities on the surface, it's active below street level as well, in the so-called Underground City–-the underground levels of shopping malls and food courts connected by pedestrian tunnels and the city's subway system, or métro. Residential Plateau Mont-Royal and trendy neighbourhoods are abuzz with restaurants, nightclubs, art galleries, and cafés. The greener areas of town are composed of the Parc du Mont-Royal and the Jardin Botanique.
Québec City, Québec, Canada: Québec City's alluring setting atop Cape Diamond (Cap Diamant) evokes a past of high adventure, military history, and exploration. This French-speaking capital city is the only walled city north of Mexico. Visitors come for the delicious and inventive cuisine, the remarkable historical continuity, and to share in the seasonal exuberance of the largest Francophone population outside France. The historic heart of this community is the Old City (Vieux-Québec), comprising the part of Upper Town (Haute-Ville) surrounded by walls and Lower Town (Basse-Ville), which spreads out at the base of the hill from Place Royale. Many sets of staircases and the popular funicular link the top of the hill with the bottom. Cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, and elaborate cathedrals here are charming in all seasons. The Old City earned recognition as an official UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985, thanks largely to city planners who managed to update and preserve the 400-year-old buildings and attractions without destroying what made them worth preserving. The most familiar icon of the city, Fairmont Château Frontenac, is set on the highest point in Upper Town, where it holds court over the entire city. Sitting proudly above the confluence of the St. Lawrence and St. Charles rivers, the city's famous military fortification, La Citadelle, built in the early 19th century, remains the largest of its kind in North America. In summer, visitors should try to catch the Changing of the Guard, held every morning at 10 am; you can get much closer to the guards here than at Buckingham Palace in London. Enchanting as it is, the Old City is just a small part of the true Québec City experience. Think outside the walls and explore St-Roch, a downtown hotspot, which has artsy galleries, foodie haunts, and a bustling square. Cruise the Grande-Allée and avenue Cartier to find a livelier part of town dotted with nightclubs and fun eateries. Or while away the hours in St-Jean-Baptiste, a neighbourhood with trendy shops and hipster hangouts.
St. Lawrence River, Canada: Enjoy a leisurely day cruising along the scenic St. Lawrence River, witnessing beautiful landscapes and perhaps catching glimpses of marine wildlife as the journey continues.
Tadoussac, Québec, Canada: Sitting on the natural junction where the River Saguenay unloads into the massive Saint Lawrence, a visit to strategically located Tadoussac leaves you fantastically placed to explore some of Quebec's finest history, wildlife and scenery. Sail a little further up the Saguenay, and you’ll be confronted by the glorious Saguenay Fjord as you cruise through verdant hills of dense forestry and steep cliffs. Or, alternatively, voyage out onto the deep waters of the Saint Lawrence river, where you can spot the surface parting, as the world's largest animals - blue whales - slowly emerge from the depths to gulp in air. With a fantastic supply of krill to tempt the whales, you can even spot the various species that visit from Tadoussac’s shoreline – just make sure you brush up on your whale knowledge beforehand at the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre. The town was the first trading post established by the French when they landed here, and it remains the oldest of the settlements still in existence. As the name suggests, Tadoussac's Old Chapel has an impressive history and is North America's oldest wooden chapel. You wouldn't necessarily know it from the outside, however, as the charming little church gleams tidily with a fresh lick of cherry red and white paint.
Tadoussac, Québec, Canada: Revisit the picturesque Tadoussac, delve deeper into its charming vistas, and continue exploring the wonders of this unique place nestled at the confluence of the Saguenay and Saint Lawrence rivers.
Gaspé, Québec, Canada: Set amidst nature's splendour, Gaspé offers rugged coasts and dramatic landscapes. Discover its maritime heritage, with opportunities to witness wildlife and enjoy outdoor adventures in Forillon National Park.
Prince Edward Island, Canada: Famous for its rolling hills and red sand beaches, Prince Edward Island promises a peaceful retreat. Explore its charming villages, savour local seafood, and delve into the world of Anne of Green Gables.
Atlantic Canada Coast: Relax and enjoy another day at sea, as you navigate through the charming coastlines of Atlantic Canada, reflecting on the memorable encounters and vistas witnessed along the journey.
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada: Surrounded by natural treasures and glorious seascapes, Halifax is an attractive and vibrant hub with noteworthy historic and modern architecture, great dining and shopping, and a lively nightlife and festival scene. The old city manages to feel both hip and historic. Previous generations had the foresight to preserve the cultural and architectural integrity of the city, yet students from five local universities keep it lively and current. It's a perfect starting point to any tour of the Atlantic provinces, but even if you don't venture beyond its boundaries, you will get a real taste of the region. It was Halifax’s natural harbour—the second largest in the world after Sydney, Australia’s—that first drew the British here in 1749, and today most major sites are conveniently located either along it or on the Citadel-crowned hill overlooking it. That’s good news for visitors because this city actually covers quite a bit of ground. Since amalgamating with Dartmouth (directly across the harbour) and several suburbs in 1996, Halifax has been absorbed into the Halifax Regional Municipality, and the HRM, as it is known, has around 415,000 residents. That may not sound like a lot by U.S. standards, but it makes Nova Scotia’s capital the most significant Canadian urban centre east of Montréal. There's easy access to the water, and despite being the focal point of a busy commercial port, Halifax Harbour doubles as a playground, with one of the world's longest downtown boardwalks. It's a place where container ships, commuter ferries, cruise ships, and tour boats compete for space, and where workaday tugs and fishing vessels tie up beside glitzy yachts. Like Halifax as a whole, the harbour represents a blend of the traditional and the contemporary.
We endeavour to ensure that the information provided on our website regarding itineraries and schedules is accurate and up-to-date. Please be aware, however, that this information is offered in good faith and may be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances or events beyond our control. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility in this regard.
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