Cruises to Gaspe

41 Reviews
Gaspe (Photo:Erika J Mitchell/Shutterstock)

About Cruising to Gaspe

If you're lucky, you might be escorted to Gaspe (GAS-pay), in Quebec, Canada, by the whales that favor the bay here in summertime through late fall; the region is home to seven species, including minkes, humpbacks and right whales. The latter could also impact your visit; when they are sighted in the area, cruise ships are required to slow their speeds, causing occasional port call adjustments -- albeit for a very good cause.

Even without whale sightings, anticipation will build as you glide past the craggy coastline of the Gaspe Peninsula toward the city that sits at its tip. During autumn, the peninsula's landscape of russet leaves and rocky shoreline make it a favorite stop on New England-to-Canada fall foliage voyages. Add mountains, lakes and three major rivers (not to mention the brilliant blue Atlantic Ocean) and you've got an embarrassment of natural beauty that rivals anyplace else in the Canadian Maritimes.

Located in the Gaspesie region of Eastern Quebec, this city of 15,000 people gets its name from the Micmac Indian word gespeg, meaning "end of the lands." There's definitely a lands' end feel to this place, where, as guides will tell you, "Gaspesians live for the outdoors." The word "city" is a bit of a misnomer, though, since the City of Gaspe is 87 miles long and encompasses 17 coastal villages. The best way to get a feel for it is to do as the locals do and celebrate nature: Explore the rock formations, woodsy trails and glorious seascapes of Forillon National Park, located an hour's drive north of the city, where residents include black bear and moose. Or, head an hour south to Perce and take a ferry for close-up views of Perce Rock and Bonaventure Island, home to the largest bird sanctuary in North America: a rocky islet that hosts 122,000 nesting gannets, the largest colony of these birds in the world.

A quick chat with any local will reveal another source of pride: the history of French Canada started here. In the summer of 1534, Jacques Cartier sheltered his fleet in Gaspe, and officially took possession by planting a wooden cross with the king's coat of arms. History-lovers can learn more at the Musee de la Gaspesie, located at the edge of town.

  • More about Gaspe

  • Why Cruise to Gaspe?

  • Gaspe Cruise Port Facilities?

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Star Pride
Windstar's stretched Star Pride (Photo/Melinda Crow)

11 Night
Southeast Canadian Explorations 11d Bos-mtr

128 Reviews
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Insignia
Insignia

10 Night
Canada Cruise

231 Reviews
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Silver Shadow
Silver Shadow (Photo: Silversea)

10 Night
Canada Cruise

279 Reviews
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Silver Shadow
Silver Shadow (Photo: Silversea)

12 Night
Canada Cruise

279 Reviews
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22 Night
Fall Leaves & Caribbean Breezes 22d Mtr-sju

128 Reviews
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25 Night
Greenland Fjords, Canadian Maritimes 25d Rey-bos

128 Reviews
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12 Night
Arctic Cruise

9 Reviews
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12 Night
Arctic Cruise

9 Reviews
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11 Night
Southeast Canadian Explorations 11d Bos-mtr

128 Reviews
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11 Night
Southeast Canadian Explorations 11d Mtr-bos

128 Reviews
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11 Night
Southeast Canadian Explorations 11d Mtr-bos

128 Reviews
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15 Night
Arctic Cruise

9 Reviews
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11 Night
Southeast Canadian Explorations 11d Mtr-bos

128 Reviews
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25 Night
Greenland Fjords, Canadian Maritimes 25d Rey-bos

128 Reviews
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12 Night
Arctic Cruise

9 Reviews
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More about Gaspe

Why Cruise to Gaspe?

Pros:

It's common to spot whales in Gaspe Bay during summer and fall.

Cons:

During fall, especially around Canadian Thanksgiving, some shops in nearby Perce close down for the season.

Bottom Line:

This collection of coastal villages is the perfect gateway port for excursions to Forillon National Park, Bonaventure Island and other natural sites.

Gaspe Cruise Port Facilities?

A 15-minute tender ride gets you to the cruise terminal, where you'll likely encounter a battalion of cheery greeters wearing red shirts or jackets. Inside, the modern terminal is staffed with members of the local chamber of commerce (or Bureau d'Accueil touristique de Gaspe), who have maps aplenty, and lots of ideas about where to go and what to see. There are also clean restrooms and strong, free Wi-Fi.

Just outside is the parking lot for coaches that will take you on shore excursions. Bear to the right to head into town; it's about a 10-minute walk across the bridge to get to the town center of Gaspe. There's also an Enterprise Rental Car outlet at the airport; advance reservations are strongly suggested, and they can bring the car to you at the port.

Good to Know?

Getting in and out of the ferry to Perce Rock and Bonaventure Island can be bumpy, which makes it challenging for those with mobility issues. Also, for those visiting Gaspe in the fall, note that some of the shops in Perce, a touristy fishing village known for its shopping, will be closed for the season. (Thanksgiving in Canada is typically held in early October.) Despite limited shopping, the town is beautiful, especially its reclaimed coastline with seaside boardwalk.

Getting Around?

On Foot: From the port, it's a short walk into town, where there's a nice selection of shops and restaurants, plus a couple of interesting sightseeing options: the Gespeg Micmac Interpretation Site, the Musee de la Gaspesie and the Jacques Cartier Monument. Just outside the marina is a 10-mile hiking/biking trail that leads to a sandy town beach at Haldimand, southeast of Gaspe.

By Shuttle: During the summer season, the Regim shuttle leaves from the shopping center in Gaspe (just across the bridge from the marina) twice daily to transport visitors to Forillon National Park. The park is a 40-minute drive, heading northeast from the city center, so this is an affordable option (as opposed to taking a taxi.)

By Car Rental: To get to Perce, most people take a shore excursion, though rental cars are available in town -- (Discount) and at the airport (Enterprise). If you book in advance, these companies will deliver the car to you at the cruise port, but vehicles are limited and more expensive than might you find in larger ports; plan accordingly.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

  • Gaspes currency is the Canadian dollar, divided into 100 cents. Visit www.xe.com for current rates. Credit cards are accepted nearly everywhere, especially Visa and MasterCard. Most retail shops and restaurants will accept U.S. dollars, but will give you change in Canadian currency. The closest bank to the cruise terminal is the TD Canada Trust at 134 Rue de la Reine in Gaspe.

  • Gaspe's currency is the Canadian dollar. Credit cards are accepted nearly everywhere, especially Visa and MasterCard. Most retail shops and restaurants will accept U.S. dollars, but will give you change in Canadian currency. The closest bank to the cruise terminal is Banque Nationale in the Carrefour Gaspe Mall, just up the hill from the cruise terminal, or the TD Canada Trust at 134 Rue de la Reine in Gaspe.

Language?

Gaspe is primarily French-speaking, but English is widely spoken and well understood, especially by those in the tourism and service businesses, and at cruise port terminals. Signage is mostly in French and, if you rent a car, note that mileage is given in kilometers.


Gaspe Cruise Reviews
Today our excursion took us 35 miles away to the fishing village of Perce on the coast, famous for a windowed sandstone rock formation in the bay. Nearby is the bird sanctuary of Bonaventure Island (Ile-BonaventureRead More
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tony the magnificent
Tour on a school bus - very uncomfortable. Falls colors were amazing Read More
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oxypete
Exceptional tour guide, a retired HS English teacher, with personal knowledge and experiences in area. Gaspe's experiences during WWII are fascinating. Plus their National Park is spectacular.Read More
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Bill Brennan
Take a tour of Perce and the short cruise around Perce Rock. Perceis a beautiful little resort town.Read More
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ifly737

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