About City Cruises Gananoque
Located along the St. Lawrence River, the 1000 Islands is celebrated for its stunning landscapes, historic castles, and rich cultural heritage, attracting visitors from across Canada, the United States, and around the world.
Established in 1951, our operation is proud to be the original 1000 Islands cruise experience, introducing generations of visitors to the region. Today, we continue that tradition by offering unforgettable sightseeing experiences that showcase the beauty, history, and unique character of the 1000 Islands from our Gananoque and Ivy Lea ports.
Together, these two ports provide guests with multiple ways to experience the region. From Gananoque, guests can enjoy our popular 1-Hour Cruise, the signature 3-Hour Cruise featuring Millionaires’ Row and Boldt Castle views, and the iconic 5-Hour Boldt Castle Stopover experience.
From Ivy Lea, guests can choose between the scenic 1-Hour Cruise and the highly acclaimed 2-Hour Two Castle Cruise, offering breathtaking views of Boldt Castle and Singer Castle.
As tourism continues to grow across Eastern Ontario, City Cruises Gananoque remains an important tourism driver for the 1000 Islands region. We are committed to delivering amazing experiences while investing in our Crew, facilities, and the long-term growth of the destination.
Continued Investment at Ivy Lea Port
A major focus for the 2026 season has been the continued enhancement of our Ivy Lea port to further elevate it as a premier gateway to the 1000 Islands. Improvements include a new dock, expanded parking capacity, upgraded washroom facilities, enhanced guest amenities, a refreshed gift shop, and the addition of a fully licensed upper deck patio overlooking the St. Lawrence River.
These investments have enhanced the overall guest experience while reinforcing our commitment to strengthening tourism infrastructure and supporting the continued growth of the region as a premier visitor destination.
Celebrating Community Recognition
Beyond the progress made across our operations and facilities, this year has also brought meaningful recognition.
City Cruises Gananoque and Dockside Restaurant & Marketplace, our dining and retail destination on the Gananoque waterfront, were honoured with multiple Best of Kingston Awards, a community-voted program recognizing outstanding businesses, attractions, employers, and hospitality destinations throughout our region. These awards reflect the dedication of our Crew, our commitment to delivering amazing experiences both on the water and along the waterfront, and the strong support we receive from guests, residents, and local communities.
City Cruises Gananoque – Gold Awards
- Best Family Attraction
- Best Place to Work
Dockside Restaurant & Marketplace – Gold Awards
- Best Burger
- Best Sandwiches
- Best Place to Buy a Gift
Dockside Restaurant & Marketplace – Silver Awards
- Best Outdoor Dining
- Best Lunch Spot
Looking Ahead
The season continues to gain momentum as we approach some of the busiest and most exciting weeks of the year. Canada Day on July 1 and Independence Day on July 4 are important holidays during peak season, drawing visitors from around the world. Marked by our popular Fireworks Cruises on the St. Lawrence River, these celebrations traditionally generate strong demand and offer guests a memorable way to experience the beauty of the region.
With strong demand anticipated to continue through July and August, we are well positioned for a successful summer season in Gananoque and Ivy Lea. The dedication of our Crew, combined with ongoing investments in our operations and facilities, ensures we are ready to welcome guests throughout the season.
As we look ahead, we remain focused on operational excellence, exceptional guest service, and continued investment in the experiences that make City Cruises Gananoque a cornerstone of tourism in the 1000 Islands and one of Eastern Ontario’s premier visitor attractions. We extend our sincere thanks to our amazing Crew, guests, community partners, and stakeholders for their support and look forward to a successful season ahead.
Mory DiMaurizio (Chief Operating Officer, City Cruises Canada) & Lisa Medulun (Vice President, City Cruises Canada)
