discovery boat cruise kingston

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Discovery Cruise

• Description

Discovery Cruise, Kingston Boat Tours

The Discovery Cruise introduces the unique sights and heritage of the 1000 Islands region with a main focus on the historic waterfront of Kingston. The cruise passes close to National Historic Sites such as Fort Henry, and includes a lively narration of Kingston’s history and natural setting.

Discover History and Heritage

The focus of this cruise is on the history and waterfront of the city of Kingston, and its place at the beginning of the St. Lawrence River and the 1000 Islands region. Kingston is a UNESCO World Heritage Destination for its remarkable and well-preserved 19th-century defense fortifications.

The Discovery Cruise highlights Kingston’s harbour passing Fort Henry, shipwrecks, classical architecture, Canada’s Royal Military College and the imposing Kingston Penitentiary.

All tickets are non-refundable. Changes to your reservation can be made with 24h advanced notice.

Early Spring (April 22-May 12) and Late Fall (October 10-29) departs at 4pm.

Spring (May 13-June 29), Summer (June 30-Sept 4) and Fall (Sept 5-Oct 9) departs at 11:30am, 1pm, 3pm, 4:30pm.

The River Awaits!

• Discover Kingston’s historic waterfront on this 1 hour sightseeing cruise.
• Live-hosted commentary provides an overview of Kingston’s history and setting.
• A full-service bar, serving wine, cocktails and beer is available on board for purchase.
• Our on board canteen has assorted snack items and drinks available for purchase. 

Add a Trolley Tour

Hop on the Kingston Trolley to explore more of Kingston. Enjoy a live-guided tour through downtown highlighting National Historic Sites and visitor attractions like Fort Henry, Queen's University and Kingston Penitentiary.

Reward Points: 30

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Thousand Islands Cruise From Kingston (Our Boat Tour Experience)

Links in this article may earn us a little money if you book/ order stuff. More here

Choosing A Thousand Islands Cruise From Kingston Can Be Tough!

Want to explore the famous Thousand Islands region in the Saint Lawrence River? Great idea!

This beautiful region is a piece of classic “Canadiana” and – as a simple day trip from Kingston – there’s no better way to explore it than by water on an island cruise!

As a refresher, the 1000 Islands are a geographically and historically significant area of the St. Lawrence shared between Ontario (Canada) and New York State (United States).

That said, there are a few cruises to choose from and it can be confusing to find the best island cruise for you. Some cruises offer breakfast or dinner while others vary by tour boat prices and lengths.

Being Kingston locals for several years, we did the 3 Hour Thousand Islands Riverboat Cruise from Kingston . Eric had already done the Kingston sunset cruise, but Lisa hadn’t been out on the water yet.

So, in this guide, you’ll see what we experienced and get an overview of different 1000 Island boat tours available that leave from Kingston. If you want to leave from Gananoque, you can check here for Gananoque Boat Line . You can even tour from the USA with Uncle Sam Boat Tours.

* Friendly Disclosure: We paid for the boat tour we did ourselves – this is not a sponsored post .

Table of Contents

Thousand Islands Cruise – Boat Tour Options

If you know the kind of boat tour you’re looking for, feel free to jump ahead and click through to learn more below.

Be sure to make note of the specific details, the reviews, addresses, how to book, etc. All you have to do is book the one you like and show up to the waterfront!

• For the Classic 3 Hour Thousand Islands Cruise (We Did This) – Check Out This Boat Tour
• For the 1.5-Hour Discovery Cruise – Check Out This Boat Tour
• For a Sunset Dinner Cruise – Check Out This Site

Below, you’ll find more details about the above boat cruise tours so keep reading to make the right decision for you and your group!

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Classic 3 Hour Thousand Island Riverboat Tour (Our Tour)

If you want to experience the 1000 Islands, the cruise that we did is probably the best bet.

This cruise explored an area called The Admiralty Islands (which was beautiful) and is entirely sightseeing so you don’t get off the boat. Tour times for this longer tour are 10:30 am and 2:00 pm. We did the 10:30 am.

There is also no meal included – but you get live entertainment and amazing views of the historic waterway.

This tour also comes with audio commentary (which is really interesting) in English and there are audio guides available for Spanish, Chinese, English, French, German, and Japanese!

Overall, we really liked our tour – it was well organized and enjoyable. There’s a shop on-board where you can buy alcoholic drinks, non-alcoholic drinks, and even snacks/food like popcorn.

This tour can actually be done with a breakfast or brunch add-on but this is a different ticket altogether.

You can read about our sightseeing tour in more detail below – we’ve included LOTS of photos so you can get see what we saw on tour!

⇒ Check out the exact sightseeing cruise we went on here

Kingston & 1000 Islands: 1.5-Hour Discovery Cruise

If you’re short on time but want to get out on the Kingston waterfront, you can always do a 1.5 Hour Kingston Discovery Cruise. This cruise is on a smaller boat than the Island Queen (what we took) called the Island Belle.

To compare, this cruise focuses much more heavily on Kingston and not so much on seeing the Islands. The tour covers the rich history of Canada’s first capital city and the waterways that shaped our nation – which is admittedly very interesting!

Since the cruise is shorter, they offer more times throughout the day. You can book to leave at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, 3:00 pm, or 5:00 pm. The 5:00 pm wouldn’t be quite at sunset but close enough and certainly not as hot as midday!

This tour also comes with audio commentary in English and audio guides for Spanish, Chinese, English, French, German, and Japanese!

⇒ Check the times to book your 1.5 Hour Island Discovery Cruise

Sunset Dinner Cruise

If you’re keen to have a meal and experience the sunset on the water, you can book a sunset dinner cruise. These cruises make use of the long, flat, glass-domed roof boat called the Island Star.

Cruises are 3 hours long and tables by the windows book up in advance so be sure to lock in your cruise if you know you want this option!

⇒ Check the prices and times here

Our Thousand Islands Cruise Experience

Since there are quite a few options, we went on a boat tour to show you exactly what it’s like.

The tour itself is run through Kingston Destination Group – the same group that runs the Tourist Information Centre downtown in Confederation Park and handles lots of Kingston tourism tours/activities like the famous Kingston Trolley Tour .

Overall, we really liked our tour. We knew it was sightseeing which meant 3 hours of sailing around in the sunshine and learning about stuff. That worked perfectly for us – and many others on the boat also enjoyed the tour!

We booked the boat cruise through GetYourGuide (a really good travel company) because the official tour booking website used to be very outdated.

That said, you can also book in person when you get to Kingston. However, the summer months are VERY busy in Kingston so some of these tours might sell out if you wait.

Personal advice: If you know the day you want to cruise, we’d suggest booking in advance.

After having booked online, we just walked up to the Kingston ticket pavilion before the cruise, showed the email voucher we got and received our paper tour tickets. Simple.

If you want to learn more about the tour and/or booking process, you can check out our boat tour here .

What You’ll Need For This Boat Tour

If you do end up on this sightseeing cruise, here’s a shortlist of the things you might want to have with you for a great day on the water. Some of these items are weather dependent, but in general:

• A hat – with a string to stay around the neck in wind
• A windbreaker jacket (in the spring or fall)
• A water bottle
• Hair tie (if you have longer hair)
• Seasickness pills (it’s not too rough, though)

Thousand Islands Cruise Itinerary

So, to give you a better idea of exactly what we experienced on our island cruise, here’s a detailed breakdown of the day.

The boat tour was advertised as 3 hours long and it ended up being a little longer (by about 10 minutes) because the boat had to slow down in the high water around the islands.

Pick-up/Drop-off

We started our day at the Kingston waterfront. If you are unfamiliar with Kingston, head for the massive building called Kingston City Hall.

On the side that faces the water, you will see a large green park called Confederation Basin/Park. This is the park full of attractions and the Kingston Tourist Information Centre.

In the water, (that’s Lake Ontario), you’ll see many small boats at the Kingston waterfront docks. Looking at the water, look left and you will see the large tour boats (you physically cannot miss them) and the round ticket pavilion that says “BOAT TOURS” on the side.

The address for this ticket office and island cruise boat pier is: 1 Brock St, Kingston, ON K7L 2Z1, Canada

The tour boats leave from this above address and NOT where you catch the ferry to Wolfe Island – which is located at Barrack St, Kingston, ON K7K 2X9, Canada.

As expected, we went into the office, exchanged our online voucher for paper tickets, and walked to the nearby pier where a line was forming to get on the boat.

We were 30 minutes early and it’s wise to be early so you get good seats on the boat and so you aren’t running down the dock as it sails away!

We got our tickets checked, got a souvenir photo taken, and climbed aboard. We immediately went to the top deck where it’s open to the sun and the air but you can sit on the first deck (shown above) or the second deck for some shade and still have amazing views.

At the end of the day, the boat returned to this exact spot on the pier. We got off, thanked the crew, had a look at our souvenir photo (didn’t buy it but honestly ALMOST did), and walked downtown for dinner and a drink!

Heading For The Thousand Islands From Kingston

Once we pushed off from the pier, they went over safety procedures thoroughly which was really good. With that many people aboard it was good to know there was a plan in place if things went bad out on the water.

The entertainer introduced himself – he was an older gentleman who played classic tunes on both a banjo and a guitar.

He was hooked up to the loudspeaker so he could wander the decks and take requests from people. He was really good – and provided some comedic commentary.

Heading out of the Kingston waterfront, the entertainer shared time with the audio guide which was a narration over the loudspeakers.

The guide was actually really interesting and shared historical dates, locations of events, shipwrecks, famous battles, you name it! We learned a ton in the first leg of the trip.

We passed Wolfe Island and left Kingston behind as we headed up the Saint Lawrence. The cottages/homes on the shore were lovely and the whole area, in general, is just really, really pretty.

It was the perfect day weather-wise, too. We actually went inside for a bit because we didn’t want to get TOO much sun!

If you want, you can grab a snack or a drink at either “shop” they have on both the first and second interior decks. Families with kids were snacking on popcorn and some people even cracked a bottle of wine or a beer.

We didn’t buy anything so we don’t know about prices – but many people took advantage of the food and drinks for purchase.

Arriving At The Thousand Islands

After about an hour we arrived at the edge of the Thousand Islands. It does take a bit to actually get there but the ride was lovely (and lively) so we didn’t mind.

On this cruise, you learn all about the island chain – and explore a region of islands called the Admiralty Islands.

We learned that different parts of the islands were named by different people or groups and so that’s why there are different naming conventions all through the region! In any case, the Admiralty Islands were lovely.

Touring The Thousand Islands

Once “in” the islands, the boat started weaving between big ones, small ones, etc. The audio commentary started up and provided the names of the important islands and the history of it.

Usually, there was a historic cottage or building on it built by someone from “back in the day” – each with a small story attached.

The fact that basically every island had a short story attached made the experience so much richer. If they said “here’s a bunch of islands” it would have been pretty but boring.

However, learning the names and getting a sense of the history of the area was very worth the trip… and we just scratched the surface!

It was also easy to see the islands and snap photos from any of the decks so don’t feel like you have to stand at the top the whole time.

The large port windows make for excellent photo-taking spots – and these seats are closer to the bar and the snacks!

At one point, we could even see the waterfront of Gananoque in the distance. The small town – being even closer to the actual islands – is also rich with history.

We’ll write about Gananoque on this site soon because even Eric hasn’t explored the town in-depth yet!

Returning To Kingston

Once we zigzagged around the islands for a while, we left the grouping of islands to enter the big river again. And back to Kingston we went.

The entertainer started up again to play a few songs and take requests – and we enjoyed the sunshine and snapped as many photos as we could.

Eventually, you start to recognize the Martello Towers (the stone towers with red tops built by the British) and know that you are back in the waters near Kingston.

You actually learn more on the way back but not as much from the audio commentary as heading out for the day.

Once we got back – as we mentioned above – it was great to see Kingston from the water for a change and snapped lots of photos.

We docked, waited not too long to get off, had a look at our souvenir photo, and went downtown for a drink! The captain and crew were there to see us off and it was a great way to end the day.

Related Articles

If you are hanging around Kingston (or travelling to Kingston from Toronto ), check out these other posts for trip planning – we know LOTS about the historic city!

• Things to Do and See in Kingston
• Great Restaurants + Bars & Pubs in Kingston
• Awesome Kingston Breweries to Visit
• Coffee Shops in Kingston You Should Try
• Where to Stay in Kingston

And there you have it – our experience on a Thousand Islands cruise from Kingston. What do you think? Have you been on any of these boat tours before?

We honestly really liked the boat tour we went on . That said, let us know how your island cruise goes – we’re always interested in hearing about the best experiences Ontario has to offer!

As always, Keep exploring, eh? -E&L

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Eric Wychopen

Hi, we're Eric and Lisa - an Ontario-born Canadian and a German! After settling in Ontario together, we realized that there is lots more to explore in this beautiful Canadian province! On Ontario Away, we as well as local contributors cover everything from cities and hikes to wineries, attractions, accommodations, and more.

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• Cruising Kingston, the Rideau, and the 1000 Islands

Cruising the 1000 Islands. Famously a playground for the rich, a hot commodity for family cottages, and the destination we can thank for that salad dressing, the 1000 Islands are one of the most beautiful places on earth — with endless shorelines, majestic views, and a storied history.

After exploring Kingston’s Historic Waterfront , cruise around Kingston and the 1000 Islands on a sightseeing, dining or private charter cruise. Whatever your preference, you’re guaranteed to have an unforgettable time on the water. Take a Mardi Gras themed trip, indulge in wine or beer-tasting, or sit back and enjoy a music or comedy performance while you cruise.

Step aboard a Bateau-Mouche styled Catamaran, a Mississippi River paddlewheeler or a St. Lawrence Steamer and cruise the 1000 Islands in style.

Your cruise might be over but the night is still young!​ ​ Hop back into Kingston ​ and experience our vibrant nightlife ​, dine at our​ ​ restaurants ​, cafés and pubs, and enjoy the summer​ ​ patio scene ​.

Choose a Kingston 1000 Islands Cruise

There are a thousand reasons to ​ choose a Kingston 1000 Islands Cruise ​.

Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises

Food, Fun and Entertainment is this company’s motto. They offer a wide range of cruisess from sightseeing to fine dining and entertainment. Hit the open water with ​ Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises ​.

Ontario Waterway Cruises

Meet new friends on a Canadian river cruise and explore Ontario’s magnificent heritage waterways. We invite you to take time to unwind on our peaceful riverboat as an ever-changing panorama of scenic lakes, rivers and locks slowly pass before your eyes; the perfect backdrop to whatever you choose to do onboard. Learn more.

St. Lawrence Cruise Lines

Experience the beautiful and historic St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers on a classic Canadian riverboat. St. Lawrence Cruise Lines offers the very best in calm-water river cruising with an emphasis on safety, comfort, and hospitality. This overnight cruise line operates from May to October, and will be celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2021.

The M/V Canadian Empress is a 64-passenger ship designed with a nostalgic Victorian exterior and a stylish contemporary interior, making it the ideal setting to spend 4, 5, 6, or 7 nights exploring Canada’s majestic inland waters. Some of the sights you will see include the 1000 Islands, International Seaway locks, the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa, and the historic old ports of Montreal and Quebec City.

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1000 Islands Cruise Guide: Everything You Need to Know

The Thousand Islands is a beautiful destination and a must-do Ontario road trip whether you’re from the province or visiting it. This group of 1800+ islands has plenty to see and do, but one experience you can’t miss out on is a 1000 Islands cruise. In this guide, you’ll find all the information you need to plan your own 1000 Islands cruise while ensuring you have a wonderful experience.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Why Take a 1000 Islands Cruise?

The 1000 Islands are the Saint Lawrence River’s iconic archipelago. It was created when the roots of an ancient mountain range flooded after the retreat of the last ice age. Spanning over 75km, the area is made up of 1867 “islands” – 997 are known to be actual islands, while the others are mainly shoals and rocks. As you can imagine, there’s plenty of beauty to be discovered within the area. What better way to tour the Thousand Islands than with a cruise!

Why should you take a 1000 Islands cruise? First, who doesn’t love to hit the water and explore? A cruise allows you to cover a lot more ground than you could by staying on land or hopping on a kayak. It also allows you to catch a glimpse of some of the more famous islands like Heart Island (home to Boldt Castle) as well as some of the private cottages which I guarantee will have you daydreaming about owning one yourself. Lastly, the views are absolutely gorgeous so sit back, relax and listen to the commentary as you enjoy the scenery.

My Thousand Islands Boat Tour Experience

It’s been a very long time since I visited the Thousand Islands myself, so I was excited to get back and explore more. My parents and I used to visit the area with my parents when I was much younger. I can remember are bits and pieces from our trips to Alexandria Bay on the US side so I was looking forward to experiencing the area now that I’m older!

Grab a spot along the edge of the deck as you take off onto the calm waters of the Saint Lawrence River. Soon after your departure, you’ll hear your guide over the loudspeakers as they share some information tidbits during your tour. They’ll also share specific points of interest that are unique to the area. One of my favourites is the smallest international bridge which you’ll spot connecting one island in Canada and one in the USA. It looks more like a little walkway than a bridge!

I have to say, it was surprising to see just how many of the islands had cottages on them. I had no idea so many of the islands were privately owned. If you’re wondering how these isolated destinations have access to power, it’s thanks to underwater cables!

While this is all fine and dandy, chances are you’re on this cruise to catch a glimpse of the famous Boldt Castle. Located on Heart Island, this historic site is just as hauntingly beautiful as the story of its creation. Construction started in 1900 as George Boldt began building the castle as a gift to his beloved wife. However, Boldt’s wife tragically passed in 1904 very suddenly. Upon her death, Boldt could never return to Heart Island and chose to leave the unfinished castle as a monument to his love.

For over 70 years it was left to face the elements until the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority purchased it in 1977 for $1. Why so cheap? The agreement was created so that all revenue would go towards restoring the castle and maintaining it for future generations. If you want to go inside, you’re in luck as tours are available of the castle from both the Canadian and American side of the Thousand Islands.

Planning Your 1000 Islands Cruise

Are you ready to book your own cruise around the Thousand Islands? Fantastic! Here are all the details you’ll need to plan this awesome adventure.

How to Get to 1000 Islands

The 1000 Islands is a region that encompasses parts of both Canada and the USA. It extends from Cornwall to Kingston on the Canadian side and from Massena to Oswego on the American side. In this area, you’ll find a number of popular destinations within the 1000 Islands including Brockville, Gananoque and Mallorytown.

Gananoque is considered your entrance to the Thousand Islands region and is located about a 3 hour drive from Toronto along Highway 401. It’s also a great getaway from both Ottawa and Montreal as driving times are 2 hours and 3 hours respectively. From the American side, it’s less than 2 hours from Syracuse to the 1000 Islands and about 3 hours from Rochester.

By far the easiest way to get to the Thousand Islands area is by car. If you’re visiting from out of the country, I highly recommend renting a car . As places of interest are spread out across the area, this will make it easy for you to get around and not have to worry about trying to find transportation.

If you don’t drive, there is a Via Rail service to Gananoque that runs twice daily as well as two airports in the 1000 Islands area. You can get flights to Kingston as well as flights to Gananoque . Lastly, there’s a Megabus service that has stops in Kingston, Brockville and Cornwall, but you’ll need to taxi or rent a car from there to get around the area.

Where to Take a 1000 Islands Cruise

As you can imagine, there are a number of Thousand Islands cruises you can take. Not only are there plenty of tour operators but there’s also the time of day, special events and other things to think about when planning your trip. While it can mean an overwhelming number of options, it also means there’s probably a tour to fit your schedule.

To start, there are five cities that are home to Thousand Islands boat tours and each of these companies have multiple offerings. I’ll go by city and then by the tour company to try and keep this as simple as possible. For full details on what you’ll see on each tour, head to their respective websites.

Our first city is Rockport where you’ll find the aptly named Rockport Cruise Lines which is the tour company I went with. They have seven different cruise offerings ranging from just under an hour long to six hours. Their longer tours allow you to stop and visit Boldt Castle as well as Singer Castle, located on Dark Island. These castle tours would be what I would do on my next trip to the 1000 Islands! They have sunset cruise offerings as well.

Next is Gananoque which is home to the Gananoque Boat Line. These tour companies are very creative with their naming.  They offer six different cruises ranging from one to five hours. Gananoque Boat Line stands out from the others as it has a very unique tour offering – their Lost Ships of the 1000 Islands Cruise.

A Canadian signature experience , this tour combines audio/video commentary and sonar images to share the stories of ships that have been lost along the Saint Lawrence Seaway. Note that some of their cruises depart from Ivy Lea so be sure to double-check your departure city!

We’ll finish off the list with Kingston where you’ll find two boat tour companies. First is the 1000 Islands Cruises which leaves out of both Kingston and Brockville. They have two sightseeing cruises (90-minute Discovery Cruise and a 3 hour Heart of the Islands Cruise) and three dining cruises (brunch, lunch and sunset dinner) each 3 hours long. They also offer special event concert cruises throughout the summer. Second is St Lawrence Cruise Lines which offers multi-day cruises that visit a number of cities including Montreal, Ottawa and Quebec City.

How Much is it to Take a Thousand Islands Boat Tour?

This can vary depending on the length of the tour, what company you go with and other amenities included within your tour. For a general hour long sightseeing cruise, it seems as though the price is the same across the board at approximately $27 per adult. Longer tours like the Rockport Cruise Line’s Two Castle tour are upwards of $120 per adult.

If you’re planning on a cruise with a meal, a lunch cruise will typically run you between $70-$90 per adult. As far as I know, 1000 Islands Cruises out of Kingston is the only tour company to offer a lunch cruise. They also have a summer brunch cruise at $66 per adult. For sunset dinner cruises, Gananoque Boat Line is the cheapest at $55 per adult. Second is Rockport at $64 per adult and finally, 1000 Islands Cruises is between $90 and $120 per adult.

Which Thousand Islands Cruise is Best?

Ah, the big question. Honestly? I can’t say for certain as I haven’t been on every single cruise line. However, I can share my conclusions based on my experience and research.

If you’re short on time and are looking for a quick cruise that hits the main hotspots, Rockport Cruises is a great option. It was easy to get to, the staff were nice and our guide onboard was full of information and happy to answer any questions the group had.

Are you a history buff that wants to know more about some of the important events along the Saint Lawrence River? I’d recommend Gananoque Boat Lines for their Lost Ships of the 1000 Islands cruise or Rockport Cruise Line’s Two Castle tour.

Calling all adrenaline junkies – if you’re looking for something with a little more oomph to it, you’ll want to check out the Wildcat tour from 1000 Islands Cruises. Departing out of Brockville, you’ll zip across the water past historic lighthouses and through inlets the larger boats can’t reach. They’re the only ones that offer this speedy experience so if you’re not a fan of the low-key tours, this might be for you!

Thinking of ending your day with a sunset dinner cruise? I’d recommend taking a look at the menus before booking to make your decision. It might be worth it to pay a few extra bucks if it means you’ll enjoy the food more! That’s just my two cents anyway.

Tips For Your 1000 Islands Tour

Based on my experience, here are a few of the things you should do in order to make sure your 1000 Islands boat tour goes off without a hitch.

If you can manage to get there in the morning, I highly recommend you book the first tour if possible . During peak season, this is often around 9:00 am and will help you dodge the crazy crowds that come with the bus tours. Just the difference between my 9:00 am departure compared to the crowds at 10:00 am was mind-boggling. 10:00 am is apparently when all the tour buses show up so go earlier to avoid those crowds! This will ensure your 1000 Islands cruise is as relaxing and enjoyable as can be.

Planning to visit during peak season? You’ll want to book in advance . It’s not uncommon for certain times to sell out so if you’re set on a specific time, try to book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

In case you’re wondering, yes there are bathrooms onboard . Depending on the tour you book, you might not have as large of a boat meaning the facilities might not be super fancy, but you’ll be covered if you gotta go.

If you go on a tour where you will be disembarking to visit Boldt or Singer Castle, you will need your passport . No passport means no entry so don’t forget it! Also, admission to the castles isn’t always included in your cruise ticket price so be sure to confirm this before booking your tour to avoid any nasty surprises.

One additional fee you need to look out for is parking. Unfortunately, many of the tour companies don’t offer free parking … except for Rockport Cruise Lines! This might sway your decision to know that they make planning your trip a little easier.

My biggest tip is don’t forget your coupon ! Lindsay… there are coupons for these things!? There sure is if you know where to look! Head on over to Attractions Ontario’s website as they have coupons that can help you save some money on your tour.

Ready to Enjoy a Thousand Islands Tour?

This is seriously one of the experiences you can’t miss out on when exploring the Thousand Islands. Even if you’re short on time, try to pencil in a stop so you can enjoy the natural beauty. On the off-chance you’re looking to take your Thousand Islands trip to the next level, check out this helicopter tour !

I do encourage you to spend plenty of time exploring this beautiful area as the 1000 Islands make for a wonderful getaway in Ontario. Check out some of the hotels in the area , check out some reviews on TripAdvisor or book an Airbnb if that’s more your speed.

Do you like taking sightseeing cruises? Have you ever taken one around the 1000 Islands? If you haven’t, you really should change that. This is a cruise that’s not to be missed!

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10 Comments

Suvarna arora.

Wow this is something I would enjoy doing. Loved reading it.

I didn’t even realise that there were 997 islands on the Saint Lawrence River, and now I’m amazed by the beautiful structures on them. And a little sad for George Boldt for this loss of his wife and not being able to visit Heart Island. Thanks for the great tips on the different cruises you can take!

Oh, this looks wonderful! I would love to explore all those islands and castles! A sunset cruise sounds perfect to me. Thanks for sharing your tips.

I’ve always wanted to kayak or take a houseboat there. This was really good information on the area. Thanks. Pinning it for later.

Lindsay,thank you for the informative blog.

Lindz author

You’re very welcome, Elmar! I hope you get to enjoy one of these great cruises soon! 🙂

Thank you very informative! Will try to come with family in October 2023. Thank you Silvana

I’m so happy to hear that, Silvana! I hope you’re able to visit with your family later this year. The fall colours will be stunning in October! 🙂

Thanks for the article. Which months are best for fall colors? Thanks

Hey Krish! It really depends on the year but early to mid October is typically the best time for the fall colours. Unfortunately there’s no guarantee though as Mother Nature decides when the weather changes haha!

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Home > Cruise Destinations > Kingston & 1000 Islands

Kingston & 1000 Islands

Kingston is the home port of the m/v canadian empress. all cruises either begin or conclude in this historic city. kingston is located at the beginning of the st. lawrence river and the southern mouth of the rideau canal. kingston once was a strategic military outpost and the first capital of the province of canada. kingston is now a city known for its educational institutions with queen's university, st. lawrence college & the royal military college. tourism makes up a large portion of the local economy., upper river expedition, overnight ports from kingston to upper canada village to kingston, 1000 islands anchorage    brockville   upper canada village    gananoque, seaway discovery cruise, overnight ports from kingston to montreal to kingston, 1000 islands anchorage    upper canada village   coteau landing   montreal cornwall   morrisburg    brockville, fall harvest and colour cruise, celebration of spring, heritage summer cruise, canadian connection east, overnight ports from kingston to quebec city, 1000 islands anchorage    brockville   upper canada village    coteau landing   montreal    trois rivieres, canadian connection west, overnight ports from quebec city to kingston, quebec city    trois rivieres    montreal    cornwall   brockville   gananoque, canada's capital north, overnight ports from kingston to ottawa, 1000 islands anchorage    upper canada village    coteau landing   lachine, a borough of montreal    montebello, canada's capital south, overnight ports from ottawa to kingston, ottawa    carillon   lachine, a borough of montreal   upper canada village   brockville, cruise choices, join us as we kick off the 2024 cruise season with 7 nights and 8 days of fresh spring air on the st. lawrence river and watch the flora and fauna of the river spring to life. this cruise features a unique itinerary and travels from kingston to montreal and return for 7 nights at a special 6 night rate. starting at $3144 cad per person., explore cruise, cruise with us in the heart of the summer for 7 nights and 8 days of relaxation on the st. lawrence river. this cruise travels from kingston to montreal and return, and features a unique itinerary that highlights the history of the international seaway. during this time of year the river bustles with lake freighters and pleasure boats. starting at $4076 per person., cruise with us for 7 nights and 8 days of warm summer weather on the beautiful and historic st. lawrence river. this cruise will explore the thousand islands region and retrace the routes of early upper canada explorers. learn about the history of the early trade route between kingston and montreal. starting at $4076 per person., discovery cruise series, these 4 night, 5 day cruises were created for those that want to deepen their knowledge of the history, geography, and culture of the 1000 islands and st. lawrence river. discovery cruise itineraries are enhanced with unique attractions, step-on speakers, and an educational focus. starting at $2096 per person., canada's capital cruise, start or end your cruise vacation in canada's capital of ottawa. the historic significance of the lower ottawa river coupled with the amazing 1000 islands and st. lawrence seaway makes this 5 night, 6 day cruise an unforgettable voyage. starting at $2910 per person., come and explore the beauty and the history of the st. lawrence river and the 1000 islands for 4 nights and 5 days. marvel at the intricate passages and channels of this amazing archipelago of 1870 islands known as the 1000 islands. starting at $2096 per person., fall harvest & colour cruise, as autumn unfolds, the shore and islands ignite with a blaze of colour and travellers come from far and wide to take part in this parade of colour for 7 nights and 8 days. the comibination of fall colours and the invigorating river climate makes this our most popular cruise vacation. starting at $4076 cad per person., canadian connection cruise, experience the beauty of quebec and the richness of french canadian culture on this cruise as your ship passes through all 7 of the st. lawrence seaway locks. this cruise vacation includes 6 nights 7 days on canada's showpiece, the st. lawrence river, between quebec city and kingston, ontario. starting at $3144 cad per person., additional savings, save on your next adventure — discover additional packages & savings on all available cruises., explore savings, talk to an expert & book your vacation 1 800 267 7868, employment • faq • cancellation policy • privacy policy, ©2022 - 2023 st. lawrence cruise lines, website designed & maintained by aliado marketing group..

Everything You Need to Know About Cruising the 1000 Islands

By Caitlin Carpenter

Once patrolled by pirates and bootleggers, the 1000 Islands between Kingston and Brockville are now a sightseer’s paradise where you’re just as likely to discover historic castles and quaint waterfront villages as opulent vacation homes and rich wildlife. And perhaps the best view of it all comes while aboard one of the many different cruises offered in the region. Here’s what you can expect from the six cruise operators setting off in the 1000 Islands this summer.

1000 Islands & Seaway Cruises

The sightseeing and dining tours offered by 1000 Islands & Seaway Cruises should satisfy almost every one of your cruising needs. In 2011, the Brockville-based company introduced a high-speed catamaran called the “WildCat” that whisks you into the heart of the 1000 Islands on a two-hour “AdrenIsland” cruise ($59.95) featuring views of Boldt and Singer Castles or a one-hour “Singer Castle Express” cruise ($32.50). If speed isn’t your thing, there are traditional tours, including the 1.5-hour Jewels of the St. Lawrence Tour ($22.50), which features a tour of the Eastern Group of the Thousand Islands, Millionaire’s Row and Brockville’s historic waterfront. There are also fully licensed lunch, brunch and dinner cruises available starting at just $37.17. 1000islandscruises.com

1000 Islands Gananoque

Gananoque boat line.

With five triple-decker aluminum vessels at its disposal, Gananoque Boat Line is the oldest and largest cruise operator in the 1000 Islands. That size and experience allows it to offer traditional one-hour tours of the islands around Gananoque ($20.95) and Ivy Lea ($20.95) as well as a rare five-hour Boldt Castle Stopover Cruise ($40.74) and a 2.5-hour Lost Ships of the 1000 Islands Cruise ($31.43) that uses side sonar technology, researched interpretation, underwater video and historical photos to reveal several shipwrecks in the area. They also have a full lineup of evening tours, including a pirate cruise, dinner and dancing cruises, live music cruises, and a murder mystery dinner cruise. ganboatline.com

Rockport Boat Line

Rockport is a tiny village about twenty kilometres east of Gananoque that’s now a major terminus for seven Thousand Islands cruises offered by the Rockport Boat Line. The relaxing “Heart of the Islands” cruise is a one-hour tour that takes you past Boldt Castle, Zavikon Island and Millionaire’s Row ($22). For castle lovers, there’s the “Boldt Castle Tour,” which takes you on a 3.5 hour long voyage and includes a stopover at Boldt Castle ($30 plus $8 admission fee to the castle), and the “Two Castle Tour,” which includes stops at Boldt Castle and Singer Castle ($95). The two-hour “Palaces & Palisades Cruise” features the Canadian Palisades where a statue of St. Lawrence watches over the river that bears his name ($28). There’s also a “Sunset Cruise” without a dinner option ($30). rockportcruises.com

Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises

One of two cruise companies operating out of the Limestone City, Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises has three ships for you to choose from. The Island Star is a 200-passenger capacity glass top vessel perfect for cruising the islands while sampling from the lunch or dinner menus, which feature items like Atlantic salmon and chicken Florentine. The Island Queen, a 300-passenger capacity Mississippi Paddlewheeler, takes you on three-hour “Heart of the Island” tours through the small cottage islands of the Admiralty group, past the new Mandalay Mansion and by the historic sights of Kingston. The Island Belle is a 150-passenger capacity replica St. Lawrence Steamer that offers 90-minute “Discovery Cruises.” Narrated by the living spirit of Canada’s First Prime Minister and Kingston native son, Sir John A. Macdonald, these cruises are the perfect introduction to the unique sights and heritage of the region and Canada’s first capital. 1000islandscruises.ca

St. Lawrence Cruise Lines

This family business that’s been operating for thirty plus years offers a four-day, three-night voyage of the 1000 Islands that boards and disembarks from Kingston. The stately Canadian Empress — which features two decks, a dining room, a grand salon, a lounge and three observation decks — will be your guide as you meander your way amongst the bays, channels and passages of the Thousand Islands. The tour also includes stops at Fort Wellington and a bus trip to the 1000 Islands SkyDeck, among a variety of other activities. Your overnight ports will be 1000 Islands Anchorage, Ivy Lea and Brockville. stlawrencerivercruise.com

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Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises

Explore Kingston and the 1000 Islands on a sightseeing cruise or dining cruise featuring live entertainment and spectacular scenery. Cruises depart throughout the day from 1 Brock St. Crawford Wharf in downtown Kingston.

A cruise is included in K-Pass: Choose which type of cruise you’d like to take — be it a 1-hour Discovery Cruise of Kingston, or a 3-hour Sightseeing or Dining Cruise of the 1000 Islands.

Sightseeing Cruises:

• Discovery Cruise
• Heart of the Islands Cruise

Dining Cruises:

• Heart of the Islands Brunch Cruise
• Heart of the Islands Lunch Cruise
• Sunset Dinner Cruise

www.ktic.ca 248 Ontario St. / 1 Brock St. Trolley Stop #1 and #4

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Kingston K-Pass

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Kingston Discovery Sightseeing Cruise

• Multilingual commentary on board
• Entry/Admission - Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises
• Food and drinks available for purchase on board
• 1 Brock St, Kingston, ON K7L 1R7, Canada Boarding starts 15 mins prior to departure. Please exchange your voucher for cruise tickets at the redemption point before boarding.
• Wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Most travellers can participate
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 19 travellers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• You'll start at 1 Brock St 1 Brock St, Kingston, ON K7L 1R7, Canada Boarding starts 15 mins prior to departure. Please exchange your voucher for cruise tickets at the redemption point before boarding. See address & details
• 1 Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises Stop: 90 minutes - Admission included Your 90-minute Discovery cruise highlights the westerly 1000 Islands and Fort Henry, along with shipwrecks and classical architecture, as well as Canada's Royal Military College and the imposing Kingston Penitentiary. The focus of this 90-minute cruise is on the history and waterfront of the city of Kingston, and its place at the beginning of the St. Lawrence River and the 1000 Islands region. Ride aboard the Island Belle, a replica St. Lawrence Steamer. It is a regular sight in the harbour showcasing Kingston's unique setting, historic sites, and neighboring islands from the best vantage point possible - the water. Kingston is now a UNESCO World Heritage Destination for its remarkable and well-preserved 19th-century defense fortifications. The Discovery Cruise is the perfect way to begin an exploration of the region. On board the Island Belle you can enjoy a full-service canteen and bar, as well as multilingual recorded commentary. Read more Pass by Fort Henry National Historic Site Royal Military College Museum Canada's Penitentiary Museum
• You'll return to the starting point

• shaneb21 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A great way to see around the Kingston area When visiting Kingston make sure you take the time to do this cruise. It is a leisurely cruise through the island with great on board commentary. The price is very reasonable considering you also get onboard entertainment. Recommend taking some snacks and drinks with you. If you are game try the 'lemon and lavender' soft drink on board (who ever thought you could combine these two). Hint: when booking check which vessel you go on and the cruise you select. The website is not clear - we thought we'd booked a 3hr cruise on the paddle-ship style boat but it turned out to be the 2hr cruise on another vessel. The staff were fantastic in the shop where you pick up tickets, allowing us to upgrade to the longer cruise - worth the extra ~$30CA for two of us. Read more Written October 8, 2023
• 934seanb 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Simply Amazing!! We had the pleasure of experiencing the Kingston 1000 Islands Sunset Dinner Cruise. What an experience! From the moment we walked on the boat every detail of the evening was executed perfectly. We purchased the premium seating which was well worth it. The scenery is incredible and we were served a cheese plate as soon as we were sat. The Saint Lawrence River, Lake Ontario and the Rideau Canal all come together to make for spectacular viewing! The on stage entertainment was the perfect accompaniment to the 3 course dinner. The Braised Short Rib was delicious. By the end of the evening the musician had the majority of the cruise up dancing! Would highly recommend this cruise while visiting Kingston. Extremely well done you will enjoy every minute! Read more Written October 2, 2023
• Adventure40389923499 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Sunset dinner cruise We enjoyed a relaxed evening cruising the thousand islands. This was our 6th time on the dinner cruise. We found the menu to be significantly different from previous. The cruise line appears to cater to vegans and gluten sensitive guests. Where there was previously a choice of beef, chicken, fish and a vegetarian dish, there is now a beef dish, grouper, duck and a pasta dish with vegan cheese and plant based meat. The beef short ribs were excellent! The grouper was a bit underwhelming. Appetizer (goat cheese tart) and salad (spinach and arugula) were delicious. Timing is great and the meal feels leisurely and relaxed. We were disappointed that the bread was served with margarine. This is not a cheap outing! Go the extra mile and serve butter with the bread. Good choices of alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a special evening out. Entertainer was also great. Read more Written September 19, 2023
• 0rthopaedics 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Entertaining afternoon on lake ontario Easy to book in the local tourist info booth. Easy boarding. Excellent guide on board (Dave) especially as i have a hearing deficit. Entertaining guy with banjo for the trip too. We didn't eat so can't comment on the food. Learnt loads. Thanks guys Read more Written September 11, 2023
• FlavourSeeker 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Very fun time! We were gifted a dinner cruise for 2 by one of our close friends. We had a lovely window seat at a premium table, which came with an extra cheese and fruit plate. The dinner is well paced, and stretched out so that you can eat slowly while enjoying the views, many of which are quite awesome. The quality of the food was so-so, and the drinks were very expensive (and no refills on fountain drinks), but the entertainment was pretty good, and the tour guide was very knowledgeable and interesting. It was a beautiful day and the sunset was gorgeous. I would recommend this cruise, and it is a great way to spend the evening. Read more Written September 7, 2023
• Midlandpark3 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Beautiful tour, comfortable boat, knowledgeable guide. Really enjoyed it. Very pleasant 3 hours on the water. The crew were very nice, the boat was comfortable with plenty of different seating options, although we mostly stayed on top with the gorgeous weather. At first we were put off by the live music but they were really good, not too loud, had fun and added to the enjoyment. The music was only on at certain times, not the whole trip. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and added lots of little historic and personal anecdotes about the various islands we were seeing. At first you think the islands aren't that exciting to see, but once you get into the area where there are hundreds of small islands, some with just one house, it is fascinating, charming and beautiful. We enjoyed it immensely. Read more Written August 31, 2023
• NeilG0885 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles False Advertising Big disappointment. Their Discovery cruise does not cover thousand islands at all. It just covers the Kingston city tour and this is false advertising. Go to Gananoque for the real 1000 islands. They should rename the Discovery cruise to something like Kingston harbour cruise. Naming it “Discovery cruise” by “1000 islands Cruises” is just false advertising and misleading. Read more Written August 6, 2023
• 12leanned 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles Under whelming at best! This tour was a waste of time. There is nothing to see but water. You keep thinking there is more to see than a few summer homes on islands but it is underwhelming. To make matters worse there is “entertainment” that is almost embarrassing. The staff don’t even look like they want to be aboard. I bought a cup of coffee and a chocolate bar and it cost $8.75. Save yourself the money and 3 hours of your life you will never get back and do something else. Read more Written August 5, 2023
• Shelly M 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Very loud. This is our 3rd cruise here. We usually love them. Our morning 3 hour tour was cancelled, due to weather and we were re-booked on the afternoon cruise. It ended up being a full house. Way too crowded and noisy for enjoyment. The tour guide needs some practice. The entertainment was terrible. We were squished into a corner by some other rowdy people, who fell asleep, almost on top of us, after they spent the first half of the trip jumping and yelling. I recommend this cruise-...in June. Read more Written July 16, 2023
• V2885JXkevinh 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles It was un guided. We were 35 minutes or more into the ride before we could hear the guide. Then they admitted they had a problem and I guess just stopped, because it went silent. The guide did come and give us the Cliff Notes version later. It got better towards the end. Kind of disappointing. Read more Written July 15, 2023
• Paula F 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles Waste of time and money. Take the Tylenol. After taking the Trolley tour and the ghost tour, the thousand island cruise was such a disappointment. The tour guide had next to no personality. The entertainment dude was non stop singing and playing either his banjo or guitar too loud that it gave us all a headache. Saw a few large and lots of small cottages on the water. 100 people looking into people windows from the water was voyeuristic. Save your money. Take the trolley tour instead. Or go do the 2 1/2 hr Pen tour. Better use of time. Read more Written July 12, 2023
• ValT1000 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Lovely hour trip We took the one hour island belle harbour tour and really enjoyed it.. Mia was our young guide and she was very informative... Would recommend anyone to take this tour to see the waterfront of Kingston.. Thanks Mia!! Read more Written June 16, 2023
• Dorette 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles A definite must in Kingston! A lovely vessel with welcoming entertainer; the trip was well organised and the scenery was beautiful. The commentary became a little automated albeit informative. The entertainer onboard made the trip very pleasant adding to the scenery….he was knowledgeable too! Definitely recommend the trip if visiting Kingston. Read more Written June 13, 2023
• Quest38861213037 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Do not recommend Wedding season is upon us, so now is a great time to advise against this venue for your big day. Leading up to the wedding I was in last October, there was no phone number to call, and emails went unanswered. The night of the cruise, decorations were not placed, tables were rearranged in the wrong order and the itinerary was not followed (the boat did not dock as planned, and later did a U-turn after hearing our complaints). The food service was terribly slow, the meals themselves were incorrect, and plates were ice cold. Worse still, the bride and groom were the last two people served. Staff was not willing to address our concerns, each one stating this was not their problem. The only saving grace was the wonderful DJ who saw the poor service and gave us information on who to follow up with. Unfortunately that still took months for a partial refund. We had a beautiful night with great friends and family in spite of this awful company, but none of us will take another cruise, and we certainly would never consider it as a wedding venue for anyone in the future. Read more Written June 3, 2023
• ist26 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Nice easy ride around the bay The hour trip around the bay was nice to see the views of the town and waterway. Nice information of local history. I would suggest if you can,take the longer 1000 island trip to see a bit more. It was fine if your on a tight time line. Good service and guides. Read more Written February 1, 2023

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Discover Russia: St Petersburg and Moscow

Two beautiful cities rich in history, with all the museums and activities available, that’s a great tour to partake! Travel with Discovery Russia to explore all the splendours of these imperial capitals, to see the world-famous highlights of both Russia's capitals, vibrant Moscow and romantic St. Petersburg, and check out the hidden gems. Delve into fascinating history and colourful culture.

Visit one of the most beautiful cities of Europe, UNESCO World Heritage site of historical St. Petersburg and ancient Russian capital Moscow

Eight days of guided sightseeing tours with professional English-speaking guide and entrance tickets included: St Petersburg 4 days, Moscow 4 days

World-famous ‘Hermitage’ museum and Moscow Kremlin; Iconic cathedrals: St Isaac's cathedral, Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg; St. Basil's and Chirst the Saviour in Moscow

The Royal Palaces of Peterhof and Pushkin/Tsarskoe Selo, guided tours and St. Petersburg channel boat cruise (weather dependent); The Tretyakov State Art Gallery and more

Discovery Russia 24/7 English-speaking support line in Russia & local SIM card with data is provided

Flexible itinerary on request

Best places to stay, to eat, to go out and have fun - safe and secure with the tour operator, that specializes in Russia

We endeavour to show you the real Russia in the safe, secure and reliable way

Day 1, Arrive St. Petersburg

Day 2, History & Art

Day 3, Catherine's Palace & Amber Room

Day 4, The Hermitage & Cathedrals

Day 5, Peterhof Palace & Faberge

Day 6, Arrive Moscow

Day 7, The Kremlin & the City

Day 8, Discover Moscow

Day 9, Izmaylovo, Secret bunker 42 & Romanov Boyars

Day 10, Kolomenskoye Estate & Wooden Palace

Day 11, Departure

Transportation

• Intercity bullet train ticket, one way (St. Petersburg-Moscow or vice versa), standard class, 4 hours ride. Please inquire about 1st class upgrade or flight options
• Meet & greet at the airports/train stations
• Metro pass for Moscow & St. Petersburg
• Private return airport/train station transfers
• Private transportation on tours as per program in a comfortable a/c car/minivan/bus (except on walking tours)
• Cable car ride over Moscow River
• St. Petersburg full day (8 hours) guided tour: Winter Palace and the Hermitage, Isaac Cathedral, Kazan Cathedral and Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood
• St Petersburg full day (8 hours) guided tour: the Royal Palace of Peterhof, the Peter & Paul Fortress and Cathedral, boat cruise, Faberge Museum
• Pushkin/Tsarskoe Selo day (6 hours) guided tour: Catherine’s palace & Amber room
• St. Petersburg half day (4 hours) guided tour: real warship named “Aurora”, the State Russian Museum
• Full-day (8 hours) guided tour of Moscow; Highlights include Moscow Kremlin (visiting the Cathedrals and the Armory), the Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral (outside), Lenin’s Mausoleum (outside), GUM, the Bolshoi Theatre (outside), metro tour
• Full-day (8 hours) guided tour of Moscow: Highlights include the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Novodevichy Convent with the guided tour inside, Sparrow Hills, the VDNKh, the Museum of Cosmonautics, and Stalin's skyscrapers panoramic driving tour
• Moscow full day (8 hours) guided tour: the Izmaylovo Kremlin, Exhibition Complex Bunker 42, Chambers of the Romanov Boyars
• Moscow half day (4 hours) guided tour: Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve

Entrance tickets & visas

• Entrance tickets to all included sightseeing attractions (except optional)
• Russian Visa supporting documents, including an official visa invitation letter, and step-by-step guide on how to apply for your visa

We value your comfort

• Dedicated local English-speaking guide in all places as per program
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• Best places to stay, to eat, to go out and have fun - safe and secure with the tour operator that specializes in Russia. Tips already included
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• Maximum group size 20 people

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Available May 17 – October 14, 2024. Visit kpass.ca for included attractions and pricing.

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Bellevue house, the pumphouse, 1000 islands cruises, kingston trolley tours, heart of the islands cruise.

• Sightseeing Cruises

See the 1000 Islands! The world-famous 1000 Islands begin in Kingston and span the St. Lawrence River for miles. Wind your way through the small cottage islands of the Admiralty group featuring Napoleon’s Hat, Wanderer’s Channel, the opulent Mandalay Mansion and the historic sights of Kingston on the Heart of the Islands Sightseeing Cruise.

Experience the 1000 Islands

Cruise from downtown Kingston into the heart of the Admiralty Islands, home to the highest concentration of small cottage islands and picturesque channels in the 1000 Islands. The Heart of the Islands Cruise is our most in-depth cruise in the 1000 Islands: it’s the perfect way to explore the scenery that has made the region famous throughout the world.

Onboard you’ll enjoy live entertainment and live-hosted commentary which describes the history and folklore of the 1000 Islands. A full service-bar and canteen is available. The 3-hour Heart of the Islands Cruise is also available with Lunch daily.

See  Frequently Asked Questions for information on parking, boarding, reservations and cancellations.

All tickets are non-refundable. Changes to your reservation can be made with 24h advanced notice.

Schedule: Spring   (April 20-June 27)   and Fall   (Sept 3-Oct 27) departs at 12:30pm. Summer  (June 28-Sept 2) departs at 10:30am and 2pm.

The Island Queen Awaits!

Set sail for the 1000 Islands on this 3 hour sightseeing cruise.

Live musical entertainment will set the tone for the perfect 1000 Islands experience.

A full service bar, serving wine, cocktails and beer is available onboard for purchase.

Our on board canteen has assorted snack items and drinks available for purchase.

Add a Trolley Tour

Hop on the Kingston Trolley to explore more of Kingston. Enjoy a live-guided tour through downtown highlighting National Historic Sites and visitor attractions like Fort Henry, Queen's University and Kingston Penitentiary.

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Cruising the Moskva River: A short guide to boat trips in Russia’s capital

There’s hardly a better way to absorb Moscow’s atmosphere than on a ship sailing up and down the Moskva River. While complicated ticketing, loud music and chilling winds might dampen the anticipated fun, this checklist will help you to enjoy the scenic views and not fall into common tourist traps.

How to find the right boat?

There are plenty of boats and selecting the right one might be challenging. The size of the boat should be your main criteria.

Plenty of small boats cruise the Moskva River, and the most vivid one is this yellow Lay’s-branded boat. Everyone who has ever visited Moscow probably has seen it.

This option might leave a passenger disembarking partially deaf as the merciless Russian pop music blasts onboard. A free spirit, however, will find partying on such a vessel to be an unforgettable and authentic experience that’s almost a metaphor for life in modern Russia: too loud, and sometimes too welcoming. Tickets start at $13 (800 rubles) per person.

Bigger boats offer smoother sailing and tend to attract foreign visitors because of their distinct Soviet aura. Indeed, many of the older vessels must have seen better days. They are still afloat, however, and getting aboard is a unique ‘cultural’ experience. Sometimes the crew might offer lunch or dinner to passengers, but this option must be purchased with the ticket. Here is one such  option  offering dinner for $24 (1,490 rubles).

If you want to travel in style, consider Flotilla Radisson. These large, modern vessels are quite posh, with a cozy restaurant and an attentive crew at your service. Even though the selection of wines and food is modest, these vessels are still much better than other boats.

Surprisingly, the luxurious boats are priced rather modestly, and a single ticket goes for $17-$32 (1,100-2,000 rubles); also expect a reasonable restaurant bill on top.

How to buy tickets?

Women holding photos of ships promise huge discounts to “the young and beautiful,” and give personal invitations for river tours. They sound and look nice, but there’s a small catch: their ticket prices are usually more than those purchased online.

“We bought tickets from street hawkers for 900 rubles each, only to later discover that the other passengers bought their tickets twice as cheap!”  wrote  (in Russian) a disappointed Rostislav on a travel company website.

Nevertheless, buying from street hawkers has one considerable advantage: they personally escort you to the vessel so that you don’t waste time looking for the boat on your own.

Prices start at $13 (800 rubles) for one ride, and for an additional $6.5 (400 rubles) you can purchase an unlimited number of tours on the same boat on any given day.

Flotilla Radisson has official ticket offices at Gorky Park and Hotel Ukraine, but they’re often sold out.

Buying online is an option that might save some cash. Websites such as  this   offer considerable discounts for tickets sold online. On a busy Friday night an online purchase might be the only chance to get a ticket on a Flotilla Radisson boat.

This  website  (in Russian) offers multiple options for short river cruises in and around the city center, including offbeat options such as ‘disco cruises’ and ‘children cruises.’ This other  website  sells tickets online, but doesn’t have an English version. The interface is intuitive, however.

Buying tickets online has its bad points, however. The most common is confusing which pier you should go to and missing your river tour.

“I once bought tickets online to save with the discount that the website offered,” said Igor Shvarkin from Moscow. “The pier was initially marked as ‘Park Kultury,’ but when I arrived it wasn’t easy to find my boat because there were too many there. My guests had to walk a considerable distance before I finally found the vessel that accepted my tickets purchased online,” said the man.

There are two main boarding piers in the city center:  Hotel Ukraine  and  Park Kultury . Always take note of your particular berth when buying tickets online.

Where to sit onboard?

Even on a warm day, the headwind might be chilly for passengers on deck. Make sure you have warm clothes, or that the crew has blankets ready upon request.

The glass-encased hold makes the tour much more comfortable, but not at the expense of having an enjoyable experience.

Getting off the boat requires preparation as well. Ideally, you should be able to disembark on any pier along the way. In reality, passengers never know where the boat’s captain will make the next stop. Street hawkers often tell passengers in advance where they’ll be able to disembark. If you buy tickets online then you’ll have to research it yourself.

There’s a chance that the captain won’t make any stops at all and will take you back to where the tour began, which is the case with Flotilla Radisson. The safest option is to automatically expect that you’ll return to the pier where you started.

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