Apr 03 2009
Destination Iles-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec
There are a only couple of ways to reach the Iles-de-la-Madeleine, by air and by water. The ferries are most frequented means of travel. The private enterprise Groupe CTMA offers two ferry/cruise liner trips.
The one of the two main ships, the Madeleine , serves the islands from Souris, Prince Edward Island. This is normally a five hour cruise across pleasant calm ocean waters on board a ship that has any amenities such as a cinema, video games room, gift shop, library, TV rooms, quiet rooms, cabins, cafeteria, bar with live music, lounges, and decks.
During high tourist season, June 15th to September 15th, the Madeleine sails twice a day, leaving Souris wharf at 2:00pm and arriving at Cap-aux-Meules (Grindstone) harbour, close to 7:00pm. Just before the ship arrives the passengers are given a spectacular view of Entry Island as the ship sails around the isolated island. The passengers disembark with their vehicles and te ship begins loading cars and passengers for the return trip. At eight o’clock the Madeleine leaves the harbour for the voyage to PEI., arriving at or before 1:00am and returning once again at 2:00am.
The second ship, which serves the islands makes it’s round trip from the islands to Montreal, stopping at various port along the Saint Lawrence Seaway. The M/V CTMA Vacancier , is the largest of the two ships and takes a full week to make a round trip.
The ship is a cruise liner as well as a ferry allowing its guests the choice of having their own vehicle when they reach their destination. The Vacancier offers many thematic cruises to its passengers, as well as packages for corporate conferences and business meetings. It is well advised to take advantage of this unique setting for training, for a meeting or for organizing a convention.
Between June and October, the Vacancier leaves the port of Montreal on Friday afternoons and goes on to sail the complete length of the River until it reaches Chandler in the Bay of Chaleur, in the beautiful Gaspesia Region. After a brief stopover in Chandler on Saturday evening, the ship goes to the Iles-de-la-Madeleine where it arrives Sunday morning.
On the return voyage, the Vacancier leaves the Islands on Tuesday evenings and arrives in Chandler, Wednesday morning. After a stopover, which allows passengers the opportunity to discover the Percé Region. There is a magnificent view of the world famous Percé Rock as the ship sails by. The ship sails to Quebec City, where it arrives Thursday around noon. The ship leaves the provincial city Thursday evening and arrives in Montreal early Friday morning. Guided shore excursions are offered while the ship is at the islands, Chandler and Quebec City. It is possible to book onboard for those excursions.
Some of the theme cruises that are offered are the Gastronomic Cruise with delightful tastes of the sea; the Bridge and Scrabble Cruise which hosts entertaining competitions; and of course the Bird-watching and Photography Cruises, because of the numerous marine bird populations that are located along the River and throughout the Gulf.
There is a Cruise with artists from every corner of the world invited to take part in the Painting Symposium help by the ship and islands. Also there is a Literary Cruise during which workshops are given, a Maritime History and Heritage Cruise and a Musical Cruise. They also host a Rendez-vous with Adventure Cruise, a French immersion package, the Islands’ Story-telling Cruise and many, many more….
All of the work is done for the passengers. All they have to do is enjoy themselves. The prices are given for a one way trip because many of the visitors bring their automobiles to the islands and stay an extra week. When the leave, they go by the Madeleine to Prince Edward Island and tour the Maritime Provinces before finally returning to their homes.
