Great Lakes and Atlantic Canada Expedition Cruises

Connected to the Atlantic Ocean by the Saint Lawrence River, the Great Lakes are accessed by navigating a series of locks and canals, so only the smallest of ocean cruise ships are able to sail in these huge inland seas. For the lucky few that do operate, which include Ponant and Hapag-Lloyd, their cruises usually begin in the dynamic city of Toronto or surprisingly trendy Milwaukee.

New York is also home to portions of two of the Great Lakes, which are made up of Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Itineraries combine the steely skyscrapers of Chicago and hipsterville Minneapolis with forested wilderness and lighthouse-dotted islands, home to a wide variety of wildlife from moose and deer to bears and eagles. The pristine waters and scenic backdrops are perfect for outdoor activities such as kayaking, diving, boating and fishing and activities include everything from boat trips through the 30,000 islands of Northeastern Manitoulin and walks over Canada's longest suspension bridge to exploring historic Fort William and Kakabeka Falls.

From here, you're also well-equipped to explore the four provinces that make up Atlantic Canada before or after your cruise. Each region has its own unique appeal, from Prince Edward Island's red-sand beaches scattered with lighthouses that look out onto the Gulf of St Lawrence, known for migratory whales, with the chance to indulge in its world-renowned seafood, to Newfoundland and Labrador, that brim with waterfalls and glacial fjords in the Gros Morne National Park.

For one of the best whale watching spots in Canada, a Nova Scotia cruise allows you to explore the thousands of kilometres of coastline, with the chance to see species like minke, blue, humpback and fin whales. The Bay of Fundy separates the province from its neighbour, New Brunswick, where the world's highest tides can be witnessed at The Hopewell Rocks - sea stacks that are caused by tidal erosion - a truly fascinating spectacle.