History Sightseeing Cruise

Montreal History Guided Sightseeing Cruise

★ 3.8 464 reviews

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Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Meeting point: 200 R. de la Commune O
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Run by: Croisieres AML

Overview

Croisieres AML runs this hour and a half guided cruise from the Old Port of Montreal, out onto the St. Lawrence River and back. The boat leaves from the dock at 200 Rue de la Commune Ouest, where passengers collect a physical ticket at the ticket office before boarding. From there it is a pass-by route: the Old Port, the river itself, Jacques Cartier Bridge, La Ronde, the Biosphere, Olympic Park, and Parc des Iles de Boucherville, all seen from the water rather than stopped at.

Commentary is live in French and English, with audio guides in eight languages including Spanish, German, Mandarin, Japanese and Korean. The boat carries up to 300 travellers and takes only credit cards on board, no cash. Local taxes and fees are covered by the ticket, while drinks, food, gratuities and parking are not. The 4pm Happy Hour departure adds one complimentary drink for passengers aged 13 and over.

Guide And Group In Brief

Guide	Included
Group size	Up to 300 travellers

This suits travellers who want a restful stretch on the water after walking the city, and more than one reviewer calls it a relaxing way to see Montreal. It is less suited to anyone expecting a deep history lecture, since opinions on the commentary vary widely from one sailing to the next. Wheelchair users should note the boat is not wheelchair accessible.

What's Included

Included

Glide along the St. Lawrence for 1.5 hour guided cruise and uncover a new side of Montréal.
Take in the Old Port, Biosphere, Olympic Stadium, Jacques Cartier Bridge, and more
Engaging and insightful commentary from an expert bilingual guide
Audioguide also available in 8 languages
Happy Hour 4pm cruise only : 1 drink for 13 years old and over (alcoholic for adults)
Local taxes and fees

Not Included

Gratuities
Food and drinks
Parking

Rating And Season In Brief

Rating	3.8 from 464 reviews
Weather	Cruises operate rain or shine unless conditions pose a safety risk.

Itinerary

Meet at Old PortArrive at 200 Rue de la Commune Ouest about 30 minutes before departure and pick up a physical ticket at the Croisieres AML ticket office on the dock. Boats leave on time.
Board the boatBoarding begins roughly 30 minutes before departure time. One reviewer reported that seats on one side of the boat had been reserved for a bus tour group.
Old Port and riverThe boat glides out along the St. Lawrence, passing the Old Port of Montreal, with live commentary in French and English.
Bridge and La RondeThe route passes Pont Jacques-Cartier and the La Ronde amusement site, all pass-by views with no stops.
Biosphere and Olympic ParkFurther along, the cruise passes the Biosphere and Olympic Park, again without stopping.
Parc des IlesThe boat passes Parc des Iles de Boucherville before turning back.
Return to the dockThe cruise ends back at the same meeting point on Rue de la Commune. Total time on the water is 1.5 hours.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical details shape how this cruise goes, from seat competition to what the water does to the temperature.

Fees, Food And Languages In Brief

Food and drink	Food and drinks are not included. The 4 pm Happy Hour cruise includes one drink per guest aged 13 and over.
Languages	English, French

Arrive early. One reviewer recommends getting to the dock well ahead of departure, noting that boarding starts around 30 minutes before the boat leaves and that the best outdoor upper deck seats go first. Passengers should present themselves 30 minutes before departure to collect a physical ticket. A traveller who arrived 10 minutes before departure was turned away.
Dress for cool. Temperatures on the water run cooler than on land, so bring a layer. Cruises run in most conditions, so a waterproof layer helps if the forecast looks uncertain.
Seating and views. One reviewer reported that the better views sit on the right side of the boat and that those seats had been reserved for a bus tour group, so where you end up sitting is not guaranteed.

1 hour 30 minutesduration

3.8across 464 guest reviews

300guests at most

Commentary quality varies. Opinions split on the guide. Some reviewers praised the commentary as informative and clear, while others said there was little or no narration on their sailing. One traveller also found the loud delivery and singing detracted from the trip.
Drinks and payment. Food and drinks are not included, and on board only credit cards are accepted, no cash. The 4pm Happy Hour sailing includes one free drink for guests aged 13 and over, though one reviewer was unimpressed with the beer on offer.
Weather policy. Cruises run rain or shine unless conditions become a safety risk. If the operator cancels for weather, passengers are offered a different date or a full refund, so poor forecasts do not automatically mean losing the ticket.

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Common issues. The most frequent complaints concern the commentary, with some reviewers reporting no narration at all despite the guided title, and others finding the bilingual delivery hard to follow or too loud. The boat is not wheelchair accessible. Cruises also require a minimum number of travellers, and if that minimum is not met the operator offers a different date, a different experience, or a refund. Boat capacity is up to 300 passengers, so it can feel busy.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Ticket Price?

The 1 hour 30 minute cruise, live bilingual commentary, an audio guide in eight languages, and local taxes and fees. The 4pm Happy Hour departure also includes one drink for guests aged 13 and over. Gratuities, food and drinks beyond that, and parking are not included.

Where Does The Cruise Depart From?

From the Croisieres AML ticket office on the dock at 200 Rue de la Commune Ouest in the Old Port of Montreal. Passengers must collect a physical ticket at the office before boarding, which requires arriving around 30 minutes before departure. The cruise ends back at the same point. Hotel pickup is not stated, so confirm transport options before booking.

Is The Boat Wheelchair Or Stroller Accessible?

The cruise is not wheelchair accessible. Pushchairs are allowed. Travellers with limited mobility should weigh that carefully before booking.

What Languages Is The Commentary In?

Live commentary is delivered in French and English. Audio guides are available in French, English, Italian, Spanish, German, Mandarin, Japanese and Korean. Some reviewers noted the live narration alternates between French and English rather than running in one language only.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted. If the operator cancels for weather or because the minimum number of travellers is not met, guests are offered a different date, a different experience, or a full refund.

What Should I Bring?

A warm layer, since it is cooler on the water than on land, and a credit card, because cash is not accepted on board. Bring gratuity money separately if you wish to tip, since gratuities are not included.