About Us
St. Lawrence Cruise Lines is a family built and operated Canadian business with over 40 years of experience in the cruise industry. This helps us to provide the best possible river cruising experience for our guests. So join us to explore the most scenic, calm water rivers in this part of the world. Our professional, highly trained all-Canadian crew will spoil you with exceptional cuisine and genuine Canadian hospitality. More importantly, you will experience first-hand the tremendous beauty and rich history of the St. Lawrence and Ottawa Rivers. We look forward to welcoming you aboard!
Jason Clark, President
How it all began... The M/V Canadian Empress was the result of some fanciful thinking on the part of Bob Clark in 1979. Bob lived on the St. Lawrence River for a number of years. He recognized its many attractions and scenic beauty and couldn't understand why there wasn't an overnight cruise ship allowing visitors to experience this very special part of the world. Bob's entrepreneurial spirit took hold of the idea and wouldn't allow him to let go. So, he utilized his background in architecture, real estate and engineering, and within a short period of time the keel of the ship was being laid.
The M/V Canadian Empress was launched on September 6th, 1981. The year 1908 was chosen as the design theme, because Bob wanted a vessel that would integrate well with the history of the St. Lawrence River. The original decor was also highlighted by Victorian accents, such as brass railings and tin ceilings. Bob was a firm believer in a "hands-on" management style and it was not uncommon to find Bob and his wife Myrna cruising on board with passengers.