Early Bird Specials:
- Up to 30% Bonus Offer (reflected in the prices)
- No Single Supplement on all departures (subject to availability)
- Exclusive Onboard Credit of $100 per person from Polar Dream Travel
- $300 Welcome Bonus Offer for first time cruisers. 5% - 12.5% discount for customers who have travelled on L'Austral, Le Bellot, Le Boreal, Le Commandant Charcot, Le Lyrial & Le Soleal. Please call for details.
For Jan 17 2025 & Feb 10 2025 Departures -
Day 1 Saint Pierre Island, Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Embarkation from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Departure at 6:00 PM
Off the Canadian coast, discover Saint Pierre Island, one of the two main islands of the Saint Pierre and Miquelon archipelago, the only French territory in North America. Endowed with a natural harbour, the island, whose name is a reference to the patron saint of fishermen, developed around the fishing industry and still has many traces of its past today.
Day 2 Sydney
Anchored on the eastern shores of the province of Nova Scotia, Sydney, the largest town on the Cape Breton Island, stands proudly opposite the icy breezes of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Fall under the charms of an immaculate and preserved nature in this winter setting. Here, the snow-capped mountains plunge into the waters dotted with drifting ice floe, the rays of winter sun caress the captivating conifer forests with their golden hue, creating enchanting plays on light. On these lands steeped in history, the place where the Mi’kmaq indigenous people encountered the British and French explorers, discover a rich heritage shaped by these different visits, as evidenced by the emblematic Big Fiddle, the largest violin in the world standing over 18 metres (60 feet) tall.
Day 3-4 Cap-Aux-Meules, Magdalen Islands
Scattered through the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the Magdalen Islands offer a variety of extraordinary landscapes, between captivating drifting ice floe, tall red sandstone cliffs, sandy beaches covered with an immaculate coat and snow-covered valleys. Here, winter really is a special season, a time of contrasts and mysteries. The icy winds intertwine with the softness of the salty air, and the colourful houses, dressed in their finest attire, stand bravely in this enchanting scenery. In these distant lands, you will be plunged into Acadian culture, you will discover ancestral traditions here and will have the chance to explore the unique landscapes on hikes or snowshoe walks along the icy shores.
Day 5 Gaspé
In the glacial darkness of the Canadian winter, Gaspé stands proud like a preserved and authentic jewel at the edge of the dark waters of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Nature seems to be holding its breath. The captivating Mount Jacques-Cartier, the highest point of the Chic-Choc Mountains range and the South, is dressed with an immaculate coat of snow, while the frozen rivers slowly wind their way, fixing time in their icy embrace. During a snowshoe walk, fall in love with the captivating landscapes of the L’Anse-au-Griffon Valley, right in the heart of the Forillon National Park. Then, in Percé, opposite the famous eponymous Rock, dive into the natural beauty of the “magic forest”, where thousands of conifers decked out in an immaculate white cloak are like silent guardians watching over this isolated piece of land. You may also fall in love with this charming town, where the exciting history and the conviviality of the locals come together in a delightful blend.
Day 6-7 Sept-Iles
On the edge of the Canadian landscape, between the icy waters of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Sept-Îles invites you on a unique journey. Surrounded by a captivating sea of ice and an immaculate boreal forest, the seven islands, eternal guardians of the coastline, seem to murmur timeless stories. In particular, you will have the privilege of meeting the Innu people, the indigenous civilisation of the Côte-Nord, during a unique moment when you will learn more about their ancestral customs and traditions. The area is famous for its winter festivities; like its emblematic Hivernants (hunters and trappers who would spend the winter), fall under the charm of its unique environment. During Nordic hikes on skis or snowshoes, you will be enchanted by its captivated landscapes.
Day 8 Sailing Saguenay River
In the heart of winter, the Saguenay River becomes an enchanting setting. Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, set sail on a captivating cruise. The once turbulent waters of the Saguenay are now calm and silent, covered in a thick layer of ice. The trees lining its shores are wrapped in a glistening coat of snow, forming a majestic alley. At twilight, when the sun is setting behind the mountains, pink and gold reflections light up the horizon, turning the landscape into a bewitching tableau.
Day 9-11 La Baie (Saguenay)
During the long winter months, in the majestic Saguenay Valley, the borough of La Baie is cloaked in an aura of mystery. Here, the striking contrasts of its pristine lands, where nature displays its full splendour, invite you to experience a unique moment alongside the Saguenayens, a people amongst the most welcoming and hospitable in the world. During a snowshoe walk or a dog sled outing, as a passenger or a musher, take the time to observe immaculate nature bordered by a thick ice floe, where Le Commandant Charcot will remain for several days, and you will be able to disembark. Each winter, hundreds of colourful huts set up on these frozen waters to practice traditional ice fishing. You will be initiated into these ancestral techniques and have the pleasure of tasting freshly caught rockfish.
Day 12-13 Quebec
At the confluence of the Saint Charles River and the Saint Lawrence estuary, in the South-East of Canada, the capital of the Beautiful Province puts on its best finery in the winter season. During its long winter months, the historic streets of the city - whose name means “where the river narrows” in the Mi'kmaq language - are decked out in a cloak of snow. Let yourself be swept away by the unique atmosphere of the old town, including in the Petit Champlain district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the aromas of spices and hot chocolate emanating from the surrounding cafés will warm up hearts and souls alike.
For Jan 29 2025 & Feb 22 2025 Departures -
Day 1-2 Quebec
Embarkation on Day 1 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Departure on Day 2 at 6:00 PM
Day 3-4 La Baie (Saguenay)
Day 5 Sailing Saguenay River
Day 6-7 Sept-Iles
Day 8-9 Gaspé
Day 10-11 Cap-Aux-Meules, Magdalen Islands
Day 12 Sydney
Day 13 Saint Pierre Island, Saint Pierre and Miquelon