Eastern Seaboard Explorer

Learn how the Saguenay Fjord has shaped this scenic region at the Musée du Fjord and see the sights of Chicoutimi. Enjoy a panoramic drive and hear about the lives of locals during the 17th century, where settlers and First Nations peoples lived alongside each other. Continue to Chicoutimi along its main street, Rue Racine. Pause at the Little White House and discover how it miraculously survived the great flood of 1996. Drive by the Pulp Mill of Chicoutimi and hear how important the mill was to the economic prosperity of the region. Next, you will pass the Ha! Ha! Pyramid, a monument to the great flood, and learn about the unusual tale of its creation. Continue to the Musée du Fjord to learn about the local marine life at its saltwater aquarium and get hands-on at the touch pool where you will be able to gently handle a variety of species. After, return to your ship.

Board a vessel and cruise into the Saguenay Fjord for an up-close look at a magnificent waterway. Your day begins with a transfer to Saguenary Fjord National Park via a charming school bus. Upon arrival, stroll a half-mile to reach your vessel. After a safety briefing, step on board and head into the Saguenay Fjord, one of the most southerly fjords in the Northern Hemisphere. Measuring 65 miles long, this spectacular waterway is lined by cliffs with an average height of 490 feet; the tallest soars to 1,150 feet. During your 75-minute journey, you will see the confluence of deep forest and marine habitats, home to an array of wildlife. Keep an eye out for the peregrine falcons who make their nests on the steep walls—if you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of these iconic birds of prey. After, enjoy free time in the park’s Visitor Center before returning to your ship.

View Quebec province’s cherished natural beauty from a soaring seaplane. Saguenay Fjord, one of the most southerly fjords in the Northern Hemisphere, stretches 65 miles from Sainte-Rose-du-Nord to the St. Lawrence River. Its magnificent, sweeping terrain is best appreciated from above. Lined by cliffs reaching heights of up to 1,150 feet, this pristine waterway harbors a rich diversity of wildlife. At the pier, meet your pilot and board your seaplane, then motor out into the water for a thrilling takeoff. During your 20-minute flight, you will fly over the site of New France and the charming village of Sainte-Rose du Nord, where the Saguenay River becomes a fjord. You will also get a bird’s-eye view of Cap au Leste, the Sentier Cross and the Ha! Ha! Bay, where your ship is anchored. After your water landing, you will walk back to your ship.

Enjoy the scenic beauty of the stunning Saguenay Fjord and meet the array of craftspeople who call it home. Drive through picturesque La Baie to the Touverre workshop, where glassblowing experts hone their craft. Meet a local artist, who will teach you about glassblowing’s millennia-old roots in Egypt and Syria. Watch as the artist skillfully melts and manipulates the glass, showcasing the mastery required to create high-quality decorative products, such as lamps and perfume bottles. After, continue to Le Chevrier du Nord, a small family-owned goat farm, and learn how your hosts produce mohair wool. Next, visit the La Pulperie de Chicoutimi, a historic pulp mill located by the Chicoutimi River and a National Historic Site of Canada, established to meet the demand of the European market during the 20th century. Enjoy a self-guided visit of its artistic and ethnological displays.

Visit a charming Quebecois village and set out in search of gentle giants in the Saguenay Fjord. Drive with your guide to L’Anse-Saint-Jean. Hugging the shores of the Saguenay River and surrounded by forested slopes, it is one of the most picturesque villages in Quebec province. Explore this scenic hamlet with your guide before climbing aboard your whale-watching boat and heading out into the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park, Canada’s first marine national park and an important habitat for the St. Lawrence beluga whale—these magnificent creatures are one of the southernmost beluga populations in the world. Sightings are never guaranteed, but if you are lucky you may catch a glimpse of them in the water, as well as minke whales, porpoises and the rare right whale. After a four-hour cruise, you will return to your ship.

Visit a family-run organic farm and use its produce to help create your delicious lunch. Set among the picturesque wooded hills next to the Saguenay Fjord, Les Jardins de Sophie grows fruit, vegetables and herbs using traditional methods. Embark on a scenic journey through the neighborhood of Chicoutimi, during which your guide will describe the region’s history and culture. Upon arrival at the farm, you will be warmly greeted by its owners. They will take you on a guided tour to share their experiences in market gardening and organic farming, and show you the tractors, root cellar, greenhouse, nursery and forge. Then, join the farm’s chef in the kitchen of the rustic St. Sapin Pavillon. Enjoy a tasting menu prepared by the chef, made in part from freshly harvested ingredients. If you choose, you may help prepare some of the side dishes to complete this authentic food experience.

Experience the breathtaking landscapes of Saguenay National Park during a leisurely guided walk. Meet your guide and board your motor coach for the scenic one-hour drive to the Saguenay National Park Visitor Center, nestled in the heart of Quebec’s fjord country. Upon arrival, enjoy an introduction to the geological features of the park before setting out on foot along the Méandres des Falaises trail, which winds its way along the Eternity River Delta. As you stroll, you will gain fascinating insight into how the Saguenay Fjord was formed more than 10 million years ago and learn why the Saguenay River’s waters are dark and salty. Your guide will also highlight local wildlife that can frequently be spotted here, including marine life, moose, beavers and a variety of bird species. After your walk, spend free time at the visitor center before returning to your ship.