KINGSTON, ON — What a year it’s been for St. Lawrence Cruise Lines, which has officially sold out all 2022 cruises and is now booking passengers for 2023.

The cruise line, which operates a single vessel, the CANADIAN EMPRESS, on the St. Lawrence River, says the strong demand was initially fuelled by Canadian and American travellers wanting to travel close to home during the most recent stages of the pandemic. It also says growing recognition of the benefits of small-ship cruising, including being able to offer a more private experience that focuses on safety and comfort, is impacting consumer demand.

“We are hearing from many of our passengers that they are taking a fresh look at small-ship cruising to avoid large crowds, and they appreciate our ability and willingness to maintain health and safety measures during the most recent stages of the pandemic,” said Jason Clark, President of St. Lawrence Cruise Lines.

In response to growing demand for North American river cruising, the company has extended its 2023 season and added an additional cruise to its lineup. The seven-night ‘Seaway Discovery Cruise’ will run from Aug. 19-26, 2023 from Kingston to Montreal and return, and will focus on the historic ports and locks of the St. Lawrence Seaway.

During the 2022 season, all passengers and crew are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and take an antigen rapid test prior to boarding. Additional COVID-19 safety measures continue to be in effect for most aspects of the cruise vacation experience, including physical distancing and a ship-wide disinfectant regime.

The CANADIAN EMPRESS features 32 staterooms with twin fixed beds, private bathrooms and access to fresh air. Bookings for the 2023 season are underway. Call 1-800-267-7868 to request a travel brochure or go to www.St.LawrenceCruiseLines.com for more information.