French Canadian Ports Say “Bienvenue” With Fall Colors, Breweries

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Days 2-5, 2026 Fall Atlantic Sampler

Sunday-Wednesday, Sept. 27-30, 2026; Quebec City, Saguanay and Baie-Comeau, Quebec, Canada.

Bonjour!

Merci!

It took only a word or two of my high school French for shopkeepers here in Canada’s province of Quebec to immediately answer me in English. Yet in our smaller ports of La Baie near Saguenay and Baie-Comeau, it wasn’t unusual to run into non-English speakers. It gave this part of our neighbor Canada the special feeling of a distant foreign country.

At one time New France stretched from Hudson Bay to the Gulf of Mexico, from the Great Lakes to Newfoundland and Labrador, including the Mississippi and St. Lawrence rivers. Over time almost all of New France was ceded to the Spanish (Louisiana Territory) and the English. Still, Quebec remains predominantly French-speaking with a feel of Europe.

I first visited Quebec City in 2023 and fell in love. This time we stayed overnight in the capital of Quebec, giving us two days to explore from our primo spot on the pier just below the high bluff and the old city. We took our time walking the few blocks to the funicular that would save us a steep climb up the Breakneck Stairs to the Château Frontenac – considered to be the most photographed hotel in the world. It was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in the 1890s on the promontory overlooking the St. Lawrence River.

The promenade in front of the hotel was crowded, with what appeared to be a dog fashion show. At times I thought the wind on the cape might blow me off my feet, so I settled on a bench to sketch (later finishing with watercolor back on the ship).

There wasn’t enough sun to burn off a chill in the wind, so we retreated inside a small café for lunch. Eloise and Elaine continued exploring the old town, as I slowly negotiated my way down the Breakneck Stairs to the boutique shopping street below.

Early Tuesday we left the St. Lawrence River to cruise up the scenic Saguenay River tributary. The La Baie port is a few miles short of the city itself and sports a relatively new cruise terminal. While many passengers took tours or excursions to explore the region, we stayed in La Baie, walking along a riverside path to a large pulp mill and back through the town.

Overhead, every few minutes another military fighter jet would take off from the nearby military base. It reminded me of my sister’s home of Fort Smith, Ark., where pilots from Poland, Singapore, Germany and the U.S. are training on new aircraft.

Struck by the beauty of the fall foliage surrounding the Church of St. Alfonso of Liguori, I sketched and later joined my sisters at a microbrewery overlooking the pier. I would like a redo on this painting after I practice a bit more on trees.

Our last port in Quebec was Baie-Comeau (birthplace of former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney). The community of about 20,000 was founded around a paper mill constructed by Col. Robert McCormick, publisher of the Chicago Tribune.

Complimentary shuttle buses took us to the near edge of the community, and again, we found our way to a brewery. On the way back I couldn’t help but to buy new shoes. My excuse is that the prices are Canadian, as if that means the item is free.

Back on the ship, we joined with Kimberlee to celebrate Jolanda Oostewegel’s birthday. She is a somewhat distant relative of Capt. Rens van Eerten, so he, his wife Sandra and General Hotel Manager Floran stopped by to surprise her with their good wishes. (Thanks to Kimberlee for sharing her photos.)

We also enjoyed the new menu by Chef Masaharu Morimoto (Iron Chef fame) making its debut at the Morimoto pop-up dinner in the Pinnacle Grill. I miss my former favorite Angry Lobster Pad Thai, but the new butter poached 12-ounce lobster tail was outstanding (still more than I could eat). And I’m happy to say my Pork Gyoza (Japanese dumplings) remain on the menu.

Our favorite server Ali presented the birthday cake. He is leaving in a few days, and we will miss him.