Volendam 2026, Saguenay, Quebec, Canada...

I was up very early (0530) this morning for our sail up the Saguenay River to the city of Saguenay. I had the outside decks totally to myself to capture the captivating horizon, vast forests, the fjord bordered by breathtaking cliffs... what majestic sights on the only navigable fjord in North America. Welcome to Saguenay, where breathtaking natural beauty meets the vibrant spirit of the city. Set in the heart of the majestic Saguenay Fjord, this unique destination offers unforgettable scenery. The Saguenay Fjord stretches over 100 kilometers with towering cliffs up to 300 meters high. Deep, cold ocean waters flow into the fjord, creating an ideal feeding ground where blue whales, fin whales, and endangered beluga whales. Saguenay is a major regional city and stunning natural river-fjord system in Quebec, Canada, located about 200 kilometers north of Quebec City. Today was a special day for me arriving into Saguenay…The city is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the cruise port and I was the 700,000th passenger to arrive at the port this morning. It was quite the honor to be joined by the Captain, Senior Crew and met by the city dignitaries including the Major and the Port Director. In recognition of this passenger milestone, I was given a welcome greeting of locals dressed in period costumes, a helicopter tour over the Saguenay Fjord River and National Park and Saguenay Dollars to spend in the city. The weather was a perfect fall day to take in the scenic colorful views over the dark waters and we a had a smooth flight in a Robinson RH44 helicopter. After returning to the port, we did a walk about of the town, visiting the shops, Saint Anne’s Church and tried the Poutine, a local Quebec delicacy (French fries, gravy topped with cheese curds). The city is very bright and cheerful, flowers everywhere…  Love that!  Home to around 150,000 residents, Saguenay has a very warm, welcoming atmosphere, perfect for travelers seeking authenticity. Its’ warm welcome will forever remain in my memory. This was an absolutely perfect day on all accounts!  Thank you, Saguenay, for such an amazing experience…