With summer here, it’s only natural to want to take to the water. With the natural beauty of the Ottawa River, Rideau Canal and St Lawrence River nearby, a cruise of Ottawa’s landmarks, history and waterways might be just what the doctor ordered:
Shorter cruises (1-2 hours)
Paul’s Boat Lines
In operation since 1936, Paul’s Boat Lines offers both Rideau Canal and Ottawa River cruises departing all day long at various times from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. throughout the summer departing from the Conference Centre, Hull Marina and the Ottawa Locks.
Adult tickets $18 for the Rideau Canal cruise and $20 for the Ottawa River cruise with combo tickets available for a discount if you go on both cruises.
Sights on the Rideau Canal cruise include the National Arts Centre, Carleton University and Lansdowne Park while the Ottawa River Cruise features views of the Parliament buildings, the Museum of Civilization and Rideau Falls.
For more information, visit www.paulsboatcruises.com.
Capital Cruises
For a slice of history the triple-decker Empress of Ottawa offers wireless commentary in a variety of languages as you cruise by Rideau Falls, the Parliament buildings and the Prime Minister’s residence. The Empress features two enclosed decks and a top open-air deck with full service bars on the first and second levels. Departs daily from Jacques Cartier Park Wharf and Ottawa Locks Wharf from 10:10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adult tickets for a single cruise are $18 and $45 for a family.
For more information, visit www.capitalcruisesottawa.com.
Chartered cruise (3-4 hours)
Ottawa Boat Cruise
For private events and charters, Ottawa Boat Cruise offers the Ottawa River Queen with seating up to 340 passengers or its smaller cousin the Miss Gatineau for 180 passengers for 3 and 4-hour sightseeing and dinner tours with a dance floor, DJ, full complement of wait staff and cash bars.
For more information visit www.ottawaboatcruise.com.
Overnight cruise
St. Lawrence Cruise Lines
Offering a six-day, five-night cruise from Ottawa to Kingston with sightseeing and overnight stops all along the route including a borough of Montreal and Upper Canada Village. Cruise departs June 13, July 19, Aug. 29 and Oct. 7 at the Hull Municipal Wharf.
For more information, visit www.stlawrencecruiselines.com.
